2026 destination wedding trends are starting to emerge as we immerse ourselves in planning more stunning overseas celebrations for our couples, and we want to let you in on the inside information. Whether you take one of these trends and run with it or want to put your own unique spin on things, you can use this as a guide to spark inspiration for the design, details and delights at your wedding. We’ve also included some of next year’s most popular destinations, just in case you’re still looking for the perfect spot to tie the knot.
2026 Destination Wedding Trends: Where’s Hot?
1. A Venue With A View
There are lots of factors that go into deciding on the perfect wedding venue for you, and I always tell my couples that when you find it, you’ll feel it. In 2026 though, we’re seeing more and more couples coveting a beautiful outlook at their wedding venue – venues high on the Italian coast with endless sea views, European cityscape backdrops, and visual vistas featuring mountains, vineyards and honeyed countryside…
Hosting your ceremony or wedding dinner in front of an incredible backdrop is always a magical moment, celebrating al fresco in front of a postcard you’ll remember forever. We totally understand why this is one of the hottest (no pun intended) 2026 destination wedding trends.
If you are thinking of celebrating outdoors at a destination wedding, read our weather guide for all our advice on how to deal with extreme heat or rainy conditions.
2. Hidden Gem Locations
2026 is going to be all about going beyond, which doesn’t have to mean bigger and more extravagant – just more intentional. For many couples this means going beyond the obvious destination wedding locations, finding their chosen country’s best kept secrets. You can find all our favourite scenic gems in Italy in our tourist spot swaps list, and find out our alternatives for Lake Como, Florence and Rome – in every country there are more beautiful venues than you can possibly imagine, so don’t be afraid to look a little closer.
2026 Wedding Design & Detail Trends
3. Colour Is Here To Stay
We’re seeing lots of gorgeous, vibrant colours coming through in our couples’ 2026 palettes, with monochromatic designs becoming ever more popular. If you’re looking for a clue as to which tones are taking 2026 by storm, look at purples, oranges, the return of rich jewel tones and the evolving of pastels into warmer, bolder shades. Minimalist colours and designs will always have their place right there beside the classics, but we’re seeing a shift towards the maximalist – a little bit of decadence never hurt anyone, after all.
4. Digital Details
Last but not least in 2026 destination wedding trends, we are seeing couples favouring digital details over creating lots of paper waste at their weddings. Digital save the dates, invitations and wedding websites are having a real moment, with some couples choosing to have their digital designs bespoke made – we’ve even seen video invitations! Keeping connected is proving important on the wedding day too, with lots of couples requesting the installation of charging stations and QR codes for uploading photos, but almost all still opting for ‘unplugged’ ceremonies.
5. Hand Illustrated Items
From bespoke illustrated save the dates featuring cute caricatures of our couples, to daintily decorated fans, menu cards and signage, hand illustration is here to stay in 2026. We think it’s because couples are looking for something that feels like it’s had the personal touch, something authentic and perhaps not quite perfect – just like all the best love stories!
Image by People True Love Tellers from one of last year’s Elegante weddings in Spain, with all illustrations designed by the bride herself.
Jewish Destination Wedding Trends for 2026
Elegante by Michelle J specialises in Jewish destination weddings for UK and US based couples, though we also plan interfaith and non religious celebrations for couples of all walks of life.
6. Kosher Catering Adapted To Your Location
While it can be more logistically challenging to find kosher catering at weddings in Europe, it’s entirely possible and we have wonderful contacts throughout Italy, Spain and Portugal, to name just a few. If you’d like to get really into detail about the question of kosher catering at your destination wedding, visit our blog dedicated to the subject. What we really love though, is that 2026 continues to see our couples blend the cuisine of their chosen country with their kosher requirements. Being Jewish myself I can advise our couples on how to get the absolute best culinary experience that feels authentic to that place, whilst still respecting customs and everyone’s requirements.
7. Fabulous Floral Chuppah Design
Those beautiful backdrops we mentioned earlier make wonderful locations to host your chuppah at your Jewish wedding. Such a meaningful and heartfelt part of the day deserves to be truly celebrated, and lots of our 2026 couples are opting to go big and bountiful with florals on their chuppah. While the only requirement for a chuppah is that a cloth or sheet be supported atop four poles, it’s possible to get really imaginative and creative with its design. Saying the most meaningful words you will likely ever say beneath a stunning, living canopy is a really wonderful way to begin married life together, so we’re 100% sold on fabulous floral chuppahs for 2026.
8. Jewish Wedding Music Your Way
Next up on our list of 2026 destination wedding trends is all about Jewish wedding music. Music is a big deal at your simcha, playing a role from ceremony all the way to the party, with no breaks for dinner! However, couples now know that they don’t have to choose a specialist Jewish wedding band, and that if they do they have the option of flying their favourite one out from the UK with them. You may have guessed it by now, but we wrote a blog on this too which you can read here – hopefully helping you to feel assured that your Jewish wedding music can be done your way.
Which of these trends are lighting you up with inspiration for your 2026 destination wedding? Get in touch if you’d like an expert hand planning it.