2026 Wedding Elements We’re Loving

The 2026 wedding season is well underway, and I must say, I am loving everything couples are incorporating into their special celebrations. Couples are making sure to include special moments and elements in their wedding day that truly reflect their style, personalities and values. And we are here for it!

As a wedding planner who has been in the industry for over 10 years, we've seen a lot. Some things have aged well and others... well, not so much.

Here are some wedding elements we can't get enough of!

Personalized Cards

Friends and family travel far and wide to be there and witness your union with your partner. Some may need special travel visas or have to take time away from work. Others may have to make special arrangements for their children or pets. Some may have health issues that make it difficult for them to travel. And some may have just had to sit in the infamous Toronto traffic for two hours to get across the city.

Whatever the struggle, they're making the effort because they want to witness your wedding day. That's a love that should be honoured and appreciated.

There is something so sweet and special about receiving a handwritten thank-you letter. Time and effort went into writing it, and it's something your guest can take home, cherish and hopefully hold onto for years to come.

It doesn't need to be a novel. A few personal sentences telling them how much it means to have them there can go a long way.

More intimate celebrations

Weddings and special events are expensive. No one is doubting that. Depending on your venue and guest count, the cost can quickly grow once you factor in food and beverage, entertainment, décor and rentals, photography, videography, stationery and all of the other special, or logistically challenging, elements that go into an event.

We're seeing more and more couples turn away from large, lavish affairs and toward smaller, more intimate celebrations.

For some couples, it's a financial decision. A smaller wedding can allow them to put more money toward other responsibilities and goals, whether that's purchasing a home, travelling, starting a family or simply not beginning married life with a huge wedding bill.

For others, they simply don't want a large wedding.

Some couples are even skipping the traditional wedding altogether and eloping somewhere beautiful or keeping things local with a City Hall ceremony followed by an intimate dinner.

At the end of the day, you're marrying your best friend and soulmate. That's what matters most.

Private moments alone

Couples spend countless hours planning their wedding. They're researching venues, finding the right vendors, planning logistical needs, organizing family and friends, making decisions and managing so many little details along the way.

Once the wedding day arrives, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all of the moving parts.

One thing we're loving is couples intentionally building private moments into their wedding day. After the ceremony, step away together for a few minutes before joining cocktail hour. Have a private first look. Eat some appetizers together privately before entering the reception. Sneak away later in the evening when things settle down.

It doesn't have to be long. So much effort and time went into planning this one day. Take a breather, look around, look at each other and just take it all in.

Unique additions to the ceremony

While there are key elements that are important to include in a wedding ceremony, don't be afraid to incorporate something meaningful or symbolic into yours.

You could incorporate scents or rituals from your culture. Maybe you recreate a tradition your grandparents included in their wedding. You could include a simple act that involves your family or friends in the ceremony.

And if there isn't an existing tradition that feels right, you can create your own.

Your ceremony doesn't have to look exactly like every other ceremony you've attended. Make it unique and special to you.

Cheers,
Lo