Getting Married in 2026? What to Do Now, What to Avoid and How to Stay Sane
Happy New Year!!
If you’re getting married in 2026, you’re probably somewhere between just engaged excitement and mild planning overwhelm.
That’s completely normal.
Getting married in 2026 comes with plenty of choice, loads of inspiration online and more advice than ever before. The trick is knowing what’s actually useful and what can safely be ignored.
I photograph weddings every week, and the couples who enjoy the process most tend to do a few key things well and avoid a few common traps. This guide is designed to help you do exactly that.
Getting Married in 2026 Means Planning Early Without Panicking
One of the biggest realities of getting married in 2026 is that popular venues and suppliers are already booking well ahead.
That doesn’t mean you need to plan everything at once. It does mean you should prioritise the parts of your wedding that are hardest to replace.
These usually include:
- Your venue
- Photography and videography
- Bands or DJs
- Celebrants
- Accommodation close to the venue
Once those are booked, everything else becomes far less stressful. Getting married in 2026 is much easier when the foundations are in place early.
Decide What Matters Before You Get Lost in Ideas
Before you dive into trends, styling ideas or social media inspiration, take some time together to decide what actually matters to you.
If you’re getting married in 2026, ask yourselves:
- What do we want the day to feel like?
- What are we excited about?
- What do we genuinely not care about?
This conversation shapes everything. It helps with budgeting, planning and decision making, and it stops you booking things just because they look good online.
The best weddings are rarely the most complicated ones. They’re the ones built around priorities, not pressure.
Already Planned Most of Your 2026 Wedding? You’re Ahead of the Game
It is finally your year!!!!
If you’re getting married in 2026 and you’ve already booked your venue, photographer and key suppliers, you’re probably doing better than you think.
At this stage, planning is less about adding more and more ideas and more about refining what you’ve already chosen.
This is a great point to:
- Review your timeline and make sure it feels relaxed
- If you need to – check in with suppliers and confirm details. (I will be sending out a prep form a couple of months before the wedding)
- Stop adding extras just because they sound nice or others have told you to do so.
- Think about what is important to you!
- The most important one – ENJOY IT!
Couples getting married in 2026 often feel tempted to keep tweaking everything right up until the day. In reality, trusting your original decisions usually leads to a calmer and more enjoyable wedding.
Don’t Build Your 2026 Wedding Around Trends
Trends are everywhere, especially if you’re getting married in 2026.
They can be fun, but they shouldn’t drive your decisions. Trends move quickly, and what looks everywhere this year can feel dated far sooner than you expect.
This applies to:
- Styling
- Timelines
- Décor
- Photography styles
If you love something, brilliant. If you’re choosing it because it feels like what weddings are meant to look like right now, pause.
Weddings that age best are the ones that reflect the couple, not the year they got married.
Wedding Photography Advice for Couples Getting Married in 2026
If you’re getting married in 2026, photography is one area where trends can cause unnecessary stress.
Instead of chasing a specific look, focus on:
- Consistency across full wedding galleries
- How a photographer handles real lighting and real moments
- Whether their work feels natural and honest
The strongest wedding photography isn’t trend-led. It’s about people, atmosphere and moments. Couples getting married in 2026 who trust their photographer tend to enjoy their day far more and worry far less about how things look.
Stop Comparing Your Wedding to Celebrities and Influencers
This is one of the biggest stress triggers for couples getting married in 2026.
Celebrity and influencer weddings are not realistic benchmarks. They often involve:
- Huge budgets
- Free suppliers
- Styled setups created specifically for photos
- Teams behind the scenes you never see
Comparing your wedding to that sets impossible expectations.
Some of the best weddings I photograph are smaller, more relaxed and focused entirely on people rather than production. Budget does not equal atmosphere. Comparison rarely adds anything positive.
Build a Timeline That Works in Real Life
If you’re getting married in 2026, a realistic timeline will make a bigger difference to your day than almost anything else.
Try to:
- Allow breathing space between moments
- Avoid cramming too much into one part of the day
- Plan portraits around natural breaks
A relaxed timeline means you enjoy your drinks reception, your guests are happier and your photos feel natural rather than rushed.
Try Not to Stress About the Small Things Before the Wedding
As the date approaches, couples getting married in 2026 often start worrying about tiny details.
What if it rains
What if the timeline slips
What if something isn’t exactly right
Here’s the honest truth.
Most of the things couples worry about either don’t happen or don’t matter. Guests remember how a wedding felt, not whether everything ran perfectly. If you are worried about the weather then check out my blog all about rain at weddings.
Focus on:
- Being present
- Spending time with your favourite people
- Letting go of what you can’t control
The weddings that feel best are rarely the most polished on paper. They’re the ones where couples relax and trust their plans.
Common Questions About Getting Married in 2026
Is 2026 a good year to get married?
Yes. Getting married in 2026 offers great availability compared to peak post-pandemic years, while still giving access to brilliant venues and suppliers.
When should we book suppliers for a 2026 wedding?
As soon as your venue and date are confirmed, especially for photography and videography. Many people would have already booked their 2026 wedding.
Are weekday weddings worth considering in 2026?
Absolutely. They can be more affordable, more available and often feel more relaxed.
Should we follow wedding trends at all?
Only if they genuinely suit you. Couples getting married in 2026 don’t need to follow trends to have an incredible wedding. Wedding trends can tire quickly.
Final Thoughts for Couples Getting Married in 2026
If you’re getting married in 2026, the best advice is simple.
Plan a day that feels good to be part of.
Not one designed for social media. Not one built on comparison. Not one where perfection matters more than people.
When couples getting married in 2026 focus on atmosphere, trust their suppliers and stop sweating the small stuff, the day almost always delivers.
If you’re getting married in 2026 and want non-boring wedding photography that’s 99% unposed and focused on real moments, head over to my website and get in touch. Let’s create something that actually feels like you.
Or if you want to have a look at my Instagram even better!
