The 2025/2026 wedding season is done - here is what I have noticed
I first started photographing weddings in 2008. While I have not been doing them continuously since, I have kept an eye on the different trends that have swept through the wedding industry each year. It is an interesting exercise in seeing how social media can influence what couples feel is important (I am looking at you, Pintrest), but also how couples are deconstructing traditional expectations.
This past wedding season was no different. Each wedding I have photographed as part of The Foxcroft Collective in 2025/2026 had unique elements that made me go, huh, that is interesting. So, I thought I would share a few observations here in the hope that couples with upcoming weddings might get a little inspiration.
The unplugged compromise
With the rise of smartphones came a growing desire for people to put the devices away. There were a lot of reasons for this: to boost presence, reduce distractions and to prevent people from posting images on social media before the couple can share from their day.
But it is a hard thing to enforce and I have noticed a rise in couples trying to find a compromise to this unplugged trend.
In one wedding we had this past season, the couple asked for the ceremony to be unplugged. However, when the ceremony finished, they posed for guests to take photos of them as a couple in the ceremony space. They even had a bit of fun with it - posing and being a little silly. It was a great way to move from the formality of the ceremony to the rest of the day.
Smaller events
One of the first weddings I photographed in 2008 was described to me as a “medium-sized” event. There were 160 guests. These days, couples seem to be opting for smaller events. The majority of weddings we captured in the 2025-2026 season sat around 45-70 guests. One was more intimate, with just 15 guests. It feels like couples are investing in experience over size.
Honestly, I have no preference either way. Our goal is to capture your story, whatever that may be. But the shift to smaller events has been noticeable.
Value add
One thing I have also noticed is a drive to create memories for guests on the wedding day - from unique guest gifts to photos they can treasure themselves (separate from the actual wedding couple). For example, we were recently asked to add a studio-quality photo booth for guests to showcase their outfits, recognising that people coming to a black-tie event will have invested in their looks. So, in addition to having the normal photos, they have a gallery of studio portraits. It was fun, and guests will appreciate having something they can post and enjoy.
This coming wedding season - 2026/2027 - is set to bring a whole new set of trends. I can’t wait to see it.
