Clandeblog 10 top wedding trends for 2025/26
Discover the latest wedding trends for 2025/2026 with insights from our wedding team!
The wedding industry is continuously evolving with new trends emerging each year. Whether you’re looking to make a statement with your wedding or find ideas to reflect your unique style, we’ve rounded up the top wedding trends that are sure to inspire your big day. From unique venues to sustainable options, here’s your guide to the most exciting wedding trends for the upcoming year.
1. Alternative wedding venues
One trend for 2025 is the rise of alternative wedding venues in Northern Ireland. Couples are increasingly seeking wedding venues that offer character, charm, and history to create an unforgettable atmosphere. Clandeboye Lodge, located in the picturesque countryside of Northern Ireland, provides the perfect setting with its 19th-century Ballysallagh schoolhouse, offering a blend of historic charm and modern elegance.
Many couples are also choosing all-inclusive wedding venues that provide the ceremony, reception and on-site accommodation. This trend ensures a seamless experience for guests, without the hassle of transportation. At Clandeboye Lodge, we offer everything you need: a beautiful ceremony, reception and 41 comfortable bedrooms for your guests to stay overnight.
2. Draped decor to add elegance
Draped decor is making a major comeback in 2025 wedding trends, offering a soft and romantic atmosphere for both ceremonies and receptions. From flowing drapery at the altar to cascading fabric over tables or dramatic ceiling drapes, this trend adds a touch of ethereal luxury. At Clandeboye Lodge, we’ve worked with wedding suppliers like MOOD Events to create stunning draping designs, including the breathtaking ceiling drapes in our Viceroy Suite.
3. Sustainable weddings are here to stay
As sustainability continues to be a top priority for many couples, eco-friendly weddings are becoming more popular in Northern Ireland. This includes everything from sustainable wedding stationery to eco-friendly confetti and locally sourced flowers. Embracing the natural beauty of wildflowers like daisies, lavender and cosmos adds an untamed, organic aesthetic that perfectly complements a sustainable wedding theme. At Clandeboye Lodge, we’re proud to support these sustainable practices as we proudly hold a Green Tourism Silver award.
Additionally, we’re proud to offer fully decorated wedding suites, eliminating the need for single-use decorations, ensuring that your day is both beautiful and environmentally responsible. Whether you’re looking to create a plant-based wedding menu or need assistance in making eco-friendly choices throughout your day, our team is dedicated to helping you design a wedding that’s as sustainable as it is stunning.
4. Bows are back
Bows are back and are now a major trend for 2025/26 wedding fashion. From statement bows on dresses to accessories like hairpieces, shoes, and even bridal veils, bows are adding a playful yet elegant element to wedding day fashion. Expect to see this trend on bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and even in wedding decor.
5. First look moments
The 'first look' offers a private, emotional moment before the whirlwind of the day begins. It's a modern twist on tradition, allowing couples to ease their nerves and spend a few quiet moments together. At Clandeboye Lodge, we can offer a dedicated area in our beautifully landscaped gardens for your photographer to capture this intimate moment.
6. Local, seasonal wedding menus
When it comes to wedding food, more couples are opting for local, seasonal produce. Our chefs at Clandeboye Lodge are known for creating mouth-watering dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients from Northern Irish farms. This emphasis on fresh, seasonal food not only tastes better but supports local farmers and suppliers, making it an ideal choice for a sustainable wedding menu.
7. Extended wedding celebrations
Couples are extending their celebrations with multi-day wedding experiences. This trend is perfect for couples who want to spend more time with their loved ones before and after the big day. At Clandeboye Lodge, our Blackwood Suite offers the ideal setting for a pre-wedding dinner. Alternatively, you can book a relaxed dinner at our Coq & Bull brasserie, where guests can enjoy a more casual celebration. With 41 rooms available for your guests, everyone can stay overnight and fully immerse themselves in the celebration!
8. Unique wedding favours
Wedding favours are becoming more personalised, with couples opting for locally-sourced artisanal treats and even charity donations as wedding favours. This thoughtful trend allows couples to give back and support causes close to their hearts.
Here are some creative wedding favour ideas that are sure to impress your guests:
- Mini jars of locally-sourced jam, honey or preserves
- Wildflower seeds
- Artisanal chocolates or your favourite sweets
- Vintage-style matchboxes
- Personalised drink coasters
9. Interactive food and drink experiences
Couples are increasingly adding interactive food and drink stations to their wedding receptions. From Prosecco walls to s’mores stations and sweetie tables, these fun and creative additions to your wedding are sure to delight guests. At Clandeboye Lodge, we’ve seen some fabulous setups, including a Prosecco wall provided by Champagne Memories or an interactive cake bar by Bella Torta which look stunning in our wedding suites and outdoor terrace areas.
10. Including your dog in the wedding
For pet lovers, including your dog in the wedding celebration is a growing trend. Whether it’s having your dog as a ring bearer, incorporating them into your wedding decor, or even using them as your wedding cake topper, dogs are becoming an integral part of wedding celebrations. We’ve seen many couples at Clandeboye Lodge include their furry friends, making the day even more special. To ensure everything goes off without a hitch, a number of wedding dog chaperone services have emerged across Northern Ireland, offering professional assistance to care for your pet and keep them comfortable throughout your celebration.
Whether you follow the latest wedding trends or set your own, at Clandeboye Lodge, we embrace individuality. We’re here to ensure your wedding day is a true reflection of you and your partner’s style. Book a wedding showaround today and discover exactly why a wedding at Clandeboye Lodge is so very special!
