Wedding Trends 2026: Bold Ideas for Lancashire Couples
As we look ahead to 2026, weddings will become more personal, experiential, and bolder than ever. Couples will break free from cookie-cutter celebrations to create events reflecting their unique love stories. From dramatic florals to interactive dining experiences, next year's trends will be about making memorable moments. Let's explore the most exciting wedding trends 2026 and discover how the right venue can bring these visions to life.
Bold Florals Will Take Centre Stage
Gone will be the days of tightly bound, overly structured arrangements. In 2026, floral designs will feel more organic, free-flowing, and garden-inspired. Couples will embrace wild meadow aesthetics with asymmetrical bouquets and sprawling ceremony arches that look naturally gathered rather than meticulously arranged.
The colour palette will be equally daring. While soft, romantic palettes will always have a place, 2026 will see a surge in bold, saturated hues—electric blue, deep orange, mustard yellow, and fuchsia—balanced by earthy neutrals. These vibrant blooms will transform any space into an immersive garden paradise.
At Garstang, our packages include beautiful floral arrangements, meaning you can embrace this bold trend without the stress of sourcing flowers separately. Our award-winning gardens provide the perfect backdrop for these organic, meadow-inspired designs, while our experienced team ensures your floral vision comes to life.
Drapery Will Create Romance Everywhere
In 2026, drapery will become the unsung hero of wedding decor. Couples will layer soft fabrics everywhere—on ceilings, over tables, across doorways—to transform spaces into lush, romantic retreats. From velvet table runners to sheer curtains catching the breeze, fabric will add warmth and intimacy to any venue.
Our spacious function rooms at this country hotel provide the perfect canvas for dramatic drapery. With high ceilings and elegant architecture, we can transform our spaces into whatever romantic vision you imagine. The flexibility of our venues means fabric can flow from ceremony to reception spaces, creating a cohesive design throughout your celebration.
Storytelling Through Every Detail
Modern couples will want their weddings to tell their unique story. This means creating personal experiences instead of using standard decorations. Your wedding decor should be more than beautiful — it should tell your story. From custom cocktails named after your pets to table numbers featuring photos from your travels together, every element will become part of your narrative.
Our bespoke wedding services at one of the finest wedding venues Lancashire offers ensure your personal touches shine through. Whether you want to incorporate family heirlooms, cultural traditions, or quirky personal interests, our coordinators work with you to weave these elements seamlessly into your day.
Destination Weddings Will Get Local
Forget the typical resort affair—2026 couples will be booking private villas, boutique hotels, and other dreamy bucket-list destinations to create a vacation experience for their guests. But here's the twist: you won't need to travel far to make that destination feel.
As one of the premier hotels in Preston, we offer the destination wedding experience without the travel hassles. Our country hotel breaks allow guests to enjoy a full celebration weekend, with comfortable accommodation, stunning grounds to explore, and multiple event spaces for welcome dinners and farewell brunches. Garstang is all the magic of a destination wedding in Lancashire.
Experience-Focused Everything
Next year's couples will prioritise creating unforgettable moments for their guests. Couples in 2026 will be crafting entire experiences from soundscapes and scent stations to interactive food presentations. Think chef-led cooking stations, build-your-own cocktail bars, or late-night comfort food that keeps the energy high.
Our venues excel at these experiential elements. From our flexible bar service (including the option to name a local beer after your wedding!) to our talented chefs who can create interactive food stations, we turn dining into entertainment. The spacious layout of our wedding venues' Preston location allows for multiple experience zones throughout your celebration.
Twilight Magic and After-Party Celebrations
Why let the magic end after the last dance? In 2026, after-parties won't just be an afterthought—they'll be a full-fledged extension of the celebration. Evening ceremonies followed by late-night festivities will become increasingly popular, with couples embracing the romance of celebrations that stretch into the starlit hours.
Our twilight wedding packages perfectly capture this trend. Starting with a sunset ceremony overlooking the golf course, your celebration naturally flows into evening festivities. With bar service until 1am and comfortable on-site accommodation, guests can party late and wake up refreshed for a relaxed farewell brunch.
Docu-Editorial Photography Will Capture Real Moments
Capturing those behind-the-scenes moments will become more critical than ever. Couples will want authentic, candid shots that tell the real story of their day - the nervous laughter during preparation, the happy tears during speeches, the wild dance floor moments that happen spontaneously.
Our stunning grounds and varied indoor spaces provide endless opportunities for this documentary-style photography. From getting-ready shots in our luxurious honeymoon suite to candid moments in our award-winning gardens, every corner offers beautiful, natural photo opportunities.
Themed Celebrations and Dress Codes
While 2024 and 2025 leaned into garden party vibes, 2026 will take themes to the next level. Think Bridgerton-inspired balls, chic Western weekends, or retro-glam celebrations. Couples will include dress code suggestions in invitations, creating cohesive visual stories and fantastic photo opportunities.
Our versatile spaces adapt beautifully to any theme. Whether you envision a romantic Regency ball in our elegant function rooms or a relaxed garden party across our grounds, we provide the perfect backdrop. Our exclusive use policy lets you fully transform the venue to match your vision.
Your 2026 Wedding Awaits
These trends show that 2026 weddings will be about personalisation, experience, and bold choices. At Garstang, we provide the perfect foundation for bringing these upcoming trends to life. Our comprehensive packages, stunning wedding venues in Lancashire, and experienced team will ensure your celebration captures every trending element you love while remaining uniquely yours.
From bold florals included in our packages to flexible spaces perfect for dramatic drapery, from twilight ceremonies to late-night celebrations, we're ready to help you create the wedding of your dreams. Contact us today to start planning your trendsetting 2026 celebration at one of the finest hotels in Preston.
