(From a Wedding Photographer’s Perspective)

If you just got engaged — first of all, YAY. Second… welcome to the era of 2026 and 2027 weddings, where style, intention, and personality are everything. As a destination wedding photographer who lives for color, emotion, and documenting those “blink and you miss it” moments, I’m already seeing the next wave of wedding trends taking shape. And let me tell you… Gen Z couples are rewriting the rules in the best way!

Whether you’re planning a Buffalo wedding, a NYC wedding weekend, a New York celebration, or a destination wedding along the East Coast, these are the trends that will be everywhere for 2026–2027 and how to bring them to life in a way that actually feels like you.

1. Wedding Weekends Are Becoming the Norm

Couples are ditching one day timelines and choosing full weekend experiences; welcome parties, casual pre-wedding hangs, rehearsal dinners and day-after brunches. It’s relaxed, it’s immersive and it gives you so much more authentic storytelling in your photos.

If you want your wedding to feel like a vibe instead of a checklist, a weekend long celebration is where it’s at.

2. Colorful Weddings Are Taking Over (Bye-Bye Beige!)

Gen Z is not playing around with color, and I am HERE for it. Expect bold, joyful palettes: blues, pistachio greens, berry tones, sunset hues, and fun pops of personality. Colorful bridesmaid dresses, Colorful florals, Colorful tablescapes, Colorful stationery!!

If you want your wedding photos to feel alive, colorful weddings are going to define the 2026–2027 aesthetic.

3. Documentary Wedding Photography Is The Look

The perfectly posed Pinterest wedding? She’s cute, but she’s fading. Couples want real moments, the belly laughs, the teary hugs, the chaotic dance floor energy, the little glances that feel like home.

Documentary coverage is everything Gen Z wants: honest, nostalgic, emotional, totally unfiltered. If you want to relive the day instead of just seeing what it looked like, this one’s for you.

4. Film Photography Is Going Mainstream (Finally!)

Film is having a moment and in 2026 and 2027, that moment is turning into a full trend wave.
Think 35mm candids, medium format portraits, soft grain, nostalgic tones, imperfect perfection.

It’s the vibe that feels like memories as they’re happening.

5. Intentional, Personal Ceremonies Are In

Shot taking ceremonies. Private vow readings. Blending cultural traditions. Honoring family. Writing your own rules and ditching the ones that don’t feel aligned to your story.

Gen Z is all about authenticity. Emotional, intentional ceremonies are going to be one of the biggest wedding trends of 2026–2027.

6. New York & East Coast Wedding Destinations Are Booming

Couples planning 2026 and 2027 weddings are looking for locations that feel intentional, meaningful, and full of personality and the East Coast is absolutely exploding with destinations that Gen Z couples are obsessed with. Wedding weekends, coastal celebrations, boutique hotel vibes, and colorful outdoor venues are becoming the heartbeat of modern celebrations.

These are the East Coast and New York wedding destinations trending hard for 2026–2027:

New York State

• Buffalo, NY: The Admiral Room, Wayland Brewing Co. (Wayland Hall), The Mansion at Knox Farm
• Rochester, NY: Arbor at the Port, Wintergarden, Arbor Midtown
• Finger Lakes: Inns of Aurora, Geneva on the Lake, Seneca Ridge, The Lake House on Canandaigua
• Hudson Valley: The Roundhouse, Cedar Lakes Estate, Tappan Hill Mansion
• Catskills: Foxfire Mountain House, Wylder Windham
• New York City: 620 Loft & Garden, The Foundry, Tribeca Rooftop, Casa Cipriani

New England Favorites

• Massachusetts: Chatham Bars Inn, Wequassett Resort, The Liberty Hotel
• Rhode Island: Rosecliff Mansion, Castle Hill Inn, OceanCliff
• Connecticut: The Lace Factory, Branford House Mansion, The Barns at Wesleyan Hills

Coastal Maine (a major 2027 favorite)

• Southern Maine: Cliff House, Hidden Pond, The ViewPoint Hotel
• Portland: O’Maine Studios, Brick South

Mountain + Countryside Escapes

• New Hampshire: Omni Mount Washington Resort
• Vermont: Woodstock Inn & Resort

Mid-Atlantic Picks

• New Jersey: Bonnet Island Estate, Mallard Island Yacht Club, The Park Savoy Estate
• Pennsylvania: The French Manor, Skytop Lodge, Water Works by Cescaphe

Southern Charm Destinations

• Maryland: Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, The George Peabody Library
• Virginia: Pippin Hill Farm, Keswick Vineyards, Dover Hall
• North Carolina: The Ridge Asheville, The Biltmore Estate, Outer Banks weddings
• South Carolina: Lowndes Grove, The Lowden House, William Aiken House, Middleton Place
  *bonus perks for couples getting married here who book me!

These locations bring everything Gen Z is craving; unique architecture, natural beauty, vibrant color, and the perfect backdrop for candid, documentary-style photography. Whether you’re drawn to a chic NYC rooftop, a colorful Buffalo celebration, a Finger Lakes weekend or a coastal Maine cliffside ceremony, the East Coast is where trends are being set for 2026–2027 weddings.

7. Elevated Bridal Style With Personality

Gen Z brides are mixing fashion with self expression. We’re talking:

• Detachable bows + sleeves
• Pearls (everywhere)
• Minimalist silhouettes with colorful accessories
• Statement veils
• Short reception dresses
• Custom sneakers
• Pops of color in shoes or jewelry

Personal style is taking center stage and it photographs beautifully.

8. Creative, Interactive Receptions

Photo guest books. Video/Audio guestbooks. Live painters. Espresso martini bars. Build your own bouquet stations. Disco ball decor. Dance floor moments that feel like a night out with your favorite people.

Energy. Color. Movement. Your reception is a playground and couples are owning it.

9. Sustainable & Ethical Wedding Planning

This is huge for Gen Z. Think vintage rings, thrifted decor, eco-conscious florals, intentional guest lists and choosing vendors who value the planet. It’s thoughtful, stylish, and meaningful and it’s going to be a priority for the next wave of couples.

10. Realistic Wedding Timelines + Stress-Free Planning

Couples want a wedding day that flows so they can fully live in the moment; No rushing, chaos or stress.

Planning intentional timelines has become a major trend and photographers who help guide that process (hi, that’s me) are becoming a go-to for Gen Z couples who crave support, clarity and peace.

Ready to Plan Your 2026 or 2027 Wedding?

Let’s Create the Photos You’ll Feel for a Lifetime.

If you’re newly engaged and planning a Buffalo wedding, a Rochester wedding, a New York City celebration, or an East Coast wedding weekend, I’d love to help you create a day that feels intentional, vibrant and full of meaning.

Your story deserves to be documented with care in color, in emotion, and in every unforgettable moment.

✨ Inquire for 2026–2027 wedding photography availability
✨ Full wedding weekend coverage available
✨ Film add-ons for couples who want extra nostalgia

INQUIRE HERE