The wedding world is buzzing with excitement for 2026, overflowing with fresh ideas all about personal expression, immersive experiences and reimagined traditions. So if you’re dreaming of a contemporary celebration or a quaint countryside affair, we’re here for it, and we think the trends that we love are sure to inspire you.
At Chalk Barn, bringing couples’ unique ideas to life is at the heart of what we do. With our versatile spaces and creative approach we’re the perfect partner to put on an extraordinary day for you and equipped to embrace the most exciting wedding trends for 2026.
Read on to explore the 8 wedding trends for 2026 that we’re loving and how you can incorporate them into your special day.
- Drapery
- Sustainability
- Glamping
- Heart-Shaped Wedding Cakes
- Content Creators
- Personalised Veils
- The “Second Look”
- Immersive Food Experiences
The must-know wedding trends for 2026
Drapery
Drapery is having a major comeback in 2026, with flowing fabrics making waves and transforming venues into romantic wonderlands. Picture this – soft, billowing drapes cascading from high ceilings creating a canopy for your ceremony – effortless elegance. For outdoor weddings draped arches or gazebos provide a magical focal point and perfectly frame the scene for your photographer.


You can customise the look of your drapery when transforming the space and make it your own by playing with colour and texture, elegance and statement-making designs, and achieve something truly breathtaking. Light, sheer fabrics in neutral shades ivory, tan or blush are perfect for a romantic but timeless look, while opting for bolder colours or metallic accents to contrast with the natural backdrop and the white wedding dress can add a modern twist.
At Chalk Barn, our versatile spaces provide the perfect blank canvas for this – you can add dreamy drapery to our ceremony space or bring it outdoors for an ethereal backdrop among the Wiltshire countryside. Whether you go bold with colour or keep it classic with white and neutral tones, drapey adds instant sophistication.
Sustainability
Eco-conscious weddings have solidified their place in the modern wedding world, and couples tying the knot in 2026 are raising the bar by finding more ways to make their celebrations meaningful without harming the planet. From sustainable decor options to locally sourced produce for their seasonal wedding menus, they’re seeking alternatives for everything that they can to make the earth a priority without compromising on style.

It’s important to choose a venue that aligns with your core values as well as work with you to carefully craft your perfect wedding day, with attention to detail and plenty of meaningful touches. Your guests will certainly remember all of the things you did not only to put on a memorable day but also to give back to the planet.
Chalk Barn shares this commitment to sustainability, and it’s one of the reasons why our wonderful couples choose to get married with us. With many green initiatives integrated into the operation of Chalk, including renewable energy, waste reduction processes and local produce sourcing, we’re a top choice for having an eco-friendly wedding in the UK.
On top of this, we can provide you with our list of recommended partners and suppliers, so you can go one step further to reduce your carbon footprint and support the local economy by choosing local businesses for other services you’ll need for your wedding day.
Glamping
For couples looking for an out-of-the-ordinary touch, glamping is one of the hottest trends that has been taking the wedding industry by storm over the last couple of years. Glamping allows couples and guests to stay on-site and extend the festivities into the next day, for a truly unforgettable experience.

Imagine you and your guests gathering around a cosy firepit with blankets, stories and drinks under the stars, toasting marshmallows, before retreating to on-site canvas glamping tents with all the comfort you need for a good night’s sleep, a proper bed, soft rugs and ambient lighting. You can rise in the morning with breakfast and a cup of tea in the morning sun while reminiscing about all the fun you had the day before.
At Chalk, we now offer on-site glamping for all our events, between April and October each year. The 10 glamping tents we have available combine rustic charm and fun with a luxury experience, the perfect blend of comfort and adventure while fully immersing you in nature. It’s the perfect way to keep the festivities going and give your guests an unforgettable experience.
Heart-Shaped Wedding Cakes
Traditional tiered cakes are taking a backseat, with heart-shaped cakes taking centre stage and set to stay right where they are into 2026. These playfully designed cakes blend the nostalgia of vintage piping with contemporary baking, and make them a stunning standout feature. You can customise your cake with colours and textures, writing, fruit and floral adornments, the possibilities are endless – but with the bold shape of these cakes, you’ll want to keep that old saying in mind – less is more!

At Chalk Barn, our reception spaces are the perfect backdrop to showcase your show-stopping wedding cake, looking stunning in front of our clean, elegant interiors and it’s a guaranteed conversation starter for your guests.
Content Creators
Hiring professional content creators for your wedding is the latest must-have we’re seeing everywhere for modern weddings in 2026, and gone are the days of relying solely on traditional wedding photographers and videographers. We aren’t really surprised, you get the ultimate wedding keepsakes wrapped up neatly into Reel, Story and TikTok-ready formats so that the atmosphere at your celebration is captured perfectly and feels just as vibrant online as it does in person.
With photogenic interiors, rolling hills and breathtaking countryside views, your Chalk Barn wedding will stand out for all the right reasons as people scroll through their feeds. Every corner of the barn and the organic farmland is Instagram-worthy, with a golden-hour glow in our courtyard in the summer, bright sunny spring days flooding the reception spaces with natural light and plenty of elegant finishes which tie everything together.
Personalised Veils
2026 brides are looking for different ways to add sentimental touches to their wedding day, and turning their veil into a work of art is proving super popular! From embroidered initials to meaningful quotes to add a heartfelt touch to their attire for the big day.
We think this idea will have all the 2026 brides dreaming of walking down the aisle with a veil that tells their special love story, whether that’s a line from their vows or a phrase that captures the essence of their love.
Chalk Barn’s light-filled venue and stunning, sweeping grounds provide the perfect natural backdrop to showcase your statement piece, whether you want some close-up shots, portraits or hints of it throughout your ceremony.
The “Second Look”
Two outfits are twice the fun, so why settle for one big wedding dress when you can have two? The second look is all about versatility, with the bride (and sometimes the groom!) choosing to change outfits between the ceremony and reception.
For brides, this might mean switching from their traditional gown to a playful mini dress or stylish jumpsuit so they’re more comfortable for the rest of the celebrations. Grooms are embracing the trend too, opting for a tailored suit for the ceremony and a more relaxed look for the evening. Some couples will even swap their formal shoes for matching trainers so they can dance the night away together without anticipating sore feet the next day!

Our adaptable spaces at Chalk Barn are ideal for showcasing both sides of your wedding style, allowing you to express different sides of your personality and ensuring you’re comfortable as the party goes on into the night. You’ll have stunning, romantic photos in your elegant gown and smart suit against the backdrop of our ceremony space, with fun-filled sparkly photos in our reception area in contrast.
Immersive Food Experiences
Food has always been a talking point at weddings, and we don’t think that’s going to change any time soon. So forget traditional plated meals, with course after course being served to guests who remain in their seats until they’re stuffed – 2026 weddings are all about interactive dining.
Think live-action cooking stations, grazing tables and bespoke cocktail bars that encourage guests to immerse themselves in the experience, mingle and indulge in unique offerings. Take you and your guests on a flavour journey, incorporating unique touches like signature cocktails and welcome drinks – dessert bars filled with your favourite treats are always a popular addition!
The catering team at Chalk Barn excel at crafting unique culinary experiences tailored to your taste, with everything from fire-pit-inspired menus to artisan dessert tables, we’ll make sure all the food served at your wedding is unforgettable.
For more ideas on how to entertain your guests at your wedding, explore our blog on 10 Ways to Entertain at Your Wiltshire Wedding.
Your 2026 Wedding at Chalk Barn
Feeling inspired yet? We certainly are, and we’ve made a note of all these exciting touches so that we can help you bring your vision to reality. At Chalk Barn, our venue is the perfect canvas for your perfect day, with plenty of hands-on experience and knowledge on offer to guide you through your wedding planning.

Our team is here to make your 2026 wedding truly special, so if you’re ready to start planning or have any questions, get in touch with us today to have a chat or to book your private viewing of our stunning wedding venue.
Excited to visit Chalk? Take a look at our virtual tour of the grounds while you wait to come and see us in person!