As we look ahead to 2026 weddings, some long-standing traditions are starting to fade, making way for more modern wedding traditions and more personalized, meaningful celebrations. From the bouquet toss to matching bridal parties, couples are rethinking the “must-dos” and embracing what truly reflects their love story.
Before reading ahead, here’s an important caveat: Your wedding should feel like you. If you love a classic tradition, keep it! There’s no rulebook that says you have to ditch something just because it’s “out.” The most important thing? Creating a day that feels authentic, unforgettable, and totally yours.
However, if you’re looking for an excuse to buck the traditions that feel less authentic to you, let this be your sign to try something new and create new traditions that represent your love! Now without further ado, let’s read all about the traditions some couples are ready to leave behind for their modern weddings.
OUT: Public professions.
IN: Private vows.
While some couples may want to profess their deepest feelings from the rooftops, it’s totally okay to keep things between the two of you instead. If you’d prefer a more intimate exchange of vows, you might consider exchanging personal vows during your first look or after your ceremony and repeating more traditional vows in front of your guests.
OUT: Matchy-matchy.
IN: Self-styled.
While it’s a worthy pursuit to make sure your wedding party looks cohesive in photos, there’s no need to enforce carbon-copy dresses or suits. Letting your wedding party select outfits that reflect both your modern wedding aesthetic and their personal style is becoming more and more normalized. In addition to helping your wedding party feel more comfortable and confident, it also plays into the patterned and mismatched styles we shared in our post about 2025 wedding trends.
OUT: Sendoffs.
IN: Afterparties.
Don’t get us wrong: we love a good sparkler sendoff as much as the next wedding planner. However, if you want to keep the party going a little longer (and maybe spend some time with your closest people in a more intimate atmosphere), let us introduce you to the afterparty. Rather than calling it a night after your venue rental time ends, meet at a favorite speakeasy, a trendy Airbnb, or your neighborhood dive bar for a post-wedding celebration.
*Rebekah’s pro-tip: Want to have your (wedding) cake and eat it too? Stage a fake sendoff for the camera and meet up with your afterparty attendees at your chosen afterparty location.*
OUT: Bouquet/garter toss.
IN: Bouquet dedication.
While some may love the classic tradition of tossing your bouquet or garter to crown the next friend to get married, you might consider choosing the recipient ahead of time. Since many modern wedding traditions don’t involve mothers, you might consider dedicating your bouquet to your mom or mother figure to thank them for the role they play in your life. This can be done through a sweet speech, a private moment, or a playful moment of pretending to throw the bouquet and then turning around and handing it off to your special recipient!
Photography: Epic Photos
OUT: Post-ceremony photoshoot.
IN: Drinks with guests.
We get it: cocktail hour really is the perfect time to squeeze in those extra couple’s portraits before the sun goes down. However, we have found that so many of our couples are bummed to miss out on such a big chunk of their event.
If you’d like to attend part of your cocktail, you can take care of couple’s portraits with a first look before the ceremony and then head to the cocktail hour after post-ceremony family photos! Not only does this give you the opportunity to enjoy your hors d’oeuvres, it also gives you a chance to meet and greet your guests in a more relaxed environment, ensuring that you won’t have any special visitors trying to sneak over during your meal.
OUT: Micromanaged Moments.
IN: Laid-back scheduling.
We know what you’re thinking: you’re a wedding planner and you’re telling me to schedule less? Truth be told, we do believe that the smoothest wedding days are the ones where lots of planning is involved. However, the last thing you want as a bride or groom is to feel like your wedding day was so tediously scheduled that there was no room for romance or spontaneity!
That’s why we suggest planning unplanned moments. Think: popping some bubbly in the bridal suite after your ceremony and cuddling on the couch, visiting your favorite coffee shop before arriving to the venue, or taking a walk on the venue grounds after your first look. These moments help give you back agency on a day that seems to go by too fast, allowing you to make unexpected memories together and stay grounded when emotions are heightened.
Which Modern Wedding Traditions Do You Love?
Did you get inspiration from this blog? We are ready to help you buck outdated traditions with taste and class! After all, here at Lumina, we are all about being rebellious in the name of staying true to yourself. It’s that splash of rock ‘n’ roll that unites all the couples we work with!
Whether you’re looking for full service planning services or just a little helping hand on your modern wedding planning journey, reach out now and let’s schedule a consultation!
Now You’re Ready to Rock!
Now that you know which modern wedding traditions fit you best, share this with another engaged couple to spread the love! And if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning, let’s chat and get that stress off your plate! Meet your Austin wedding planner by reaching out below:
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Hello! I'm Rebekah...
I'm Rebekah, a wedding and event planner in Austin, TX and hospitality professional, here to give you the real info on all things partying and planning!
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