Here comes the trends - What’s hot for the 2026 wedding season
As one of Australia’s most popular wedding destinations, I see a lot of trends come and go here in Port Douglas. And with many couples now planning their 2026 weddings, I thought we should take a look into what’s trending for next season to inspire my 2026 couples.
Micro wedding, multi day
Wedding sizes are getting smaller and more intimate but that doesn’t mean lowkey, rather quite the opposite. Instead of just the main event, we’re now seeing the celebration stretched across multiple days. Think arrival drinks, pre-wedding dinners and recovery sunset sails, usually across different locations. Because if you’re having a destination wedding, why not make the most of it?!
Next level locations
While we can never go past a church wedding (hello, St Mary’s By The Sea) 2026 is the year of switching it up. Smaller wedding numbers open up doors to unique wedding locations. Don’t be surprised if you see people exchanging vows on a private sand cay on the Great Barrier Reef or deep in the rainforest surrounded by fairy lights thanks to Flames in the Forest. Sailaway Port Douglas have also seen a number of couples tie the knot aboard their luxury sailing catamaran which is about as next level as it gets.
The rise of the content creator
In an age of storytelling, no modern wedding is complete without a content creator. Forget the influencer stereotype, these are professional creatives, redefining how you’ll remember your day. Working alongside your traditional photographer and videographer, they capture the raw, candid moments, using just an iPhone, to deliver you social-media ready content to share almost immediately. This means you or your friends can be fully in the moment and can leave the phone where it belongs - in your bag. Looking for a local creator? Event Diaries specialises in elegant, and story-driven coverage.
Weekday weddings
Going with the rule-breaking theme, weddings are no longer weekend-exclusive. Opting for a midweek celebration not only saves you money but also boosts your chances of locking in your dream venue and vendors, especially in a wedding hotspot like Port Douglas. Plus, let’s be real: when your guests are already on holiday for the wedding, the day of the week hardly matters. Midweek weddings are the savvy couple’s secret to more flexibility, better availability, and a celebration that feels all the more exclusive.
Interactive experiences
You heard it here first: sit down dinners are out, immersive experiences are in. This goes for everything from the food to the entertainment. Think live food stations and cocktail bars, roving magicians and video guest books (cue your content creator!). Nowadays, weddings are designed to entertain. It’s no longer just about the couple, it’s about giving guests a night to remember
