Here come the latest wedding trends: Zola recently released its 2026 First Look Report, revealing what people are planning, loving, and leaving behind for their big days. And seeing as this is the first year that Gen Z makes up the majority of the surveyed couples, it’s no surprise that TikTok is mentioned 14 times in the report.
Based on answers from 11,500 couples getting married this year, the survey shows that the average wedding cost is holding steady at $36,000, as is the average guest count (145). Findings also point to an emphasis on celebrations that favor individuality. As the report notes, wedding etiquette is shifting away from “because we’ve always done it that way,” and toward “here’s what feels right for us.”
An example of that shift has to do with when couples start planning their big day. Instead of beginning after the proposal, 19% of those surveyed entered “full wedding planning mode” before they even got engaged. That included activities like shopping for attire and building their registries. Ten percent of couples had also toured venues, and 7% booked them, before one of them popped the question.
Another custom seemingly on its way out is one family paying for the entire event. While a higher percentage of Gen Z’s weddings (15%) are fully funded by family compared to millennials (9%), nearly 70% of those surveyed reported that they’re receiving support from both sides.
On the “in” list are vintage decor and organic floral arrangements, along with a rise in mocktail menus, first looks with friends and family, and elaborate wedding exits. The favored color palettes for 2026 feature warm, earthy tones instead of the maximalist styles of years past, with green being used in more than half of modern weddings. As far as venues, romantic outdoor gardens are the most-preferred option for the second consecutive year, just ahead of rustic farms, barns, and ranches.
But some classic elements aren’t going anywhere. More than previous generations, Gen Z is incorporating religious customs, bouquet tosses, engagement photos, and wedding parties: a select group of loved ones who participate in the ceremony and may help with planning.
More couples report using TikTok as part of the planning process this year — not just for decor inspo but to find videographers and photographers as well, who they’re asking for “social media-worthy” content as well as traditional documentation. Pinterest still reigns supreme, however, with 77% of couples sourcing ideas from the platform. Interestingly, 9% of planners reported turning to Reddit for help as well, up from just 3% in 2025.
Not surprisingly, AI is also emerging as an essential resource — but don’t expect to hear robot-written vows, as the majority of couples say the tech “hasn’t interfered with the emotional or human side of their wedding.”
See what else is in (and out) for 2026.
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