Soft Romance of Pastels

Romance takes a softer and dreamier form in 2026. Pinterest searches for Soft Pink Themes have skyrocketed by +473%, reflecting a collective move towards delicate tones and emotional minimalism in wedding fashion.

  • Dusty Rose Sarees (+114%) and Pastel Colour Sarees (+83%) are redefining bridal elegance by blending nostalgia with new-age refinement. Brides can choose muted palettes layered with sheer fabrics, tone-on-tone embroidery, and soft shimmer instead of heavy contrast.
  • Dusty Pink Gowns (+62%) and Dusty Lavender (+56%) shades are becoming go-tos for receptions, cocktail nights as well as day weddings.
  • The pastel effect continues for grooms as well. Expect powder pink bandhgalas, lavender kurtas, and champagne-toned wedding sherwanis paired with muted gemstone brooches or ivory safa designs. 

The Corset Comeback

The corset blouse is making a stunning comeback in Indian fashion. Thanks to Gen Z’s love for statement fits, waist-focused silhouettes, and nostalgic fashion with a twist. Brides can pair corset blouses with saris, lehengas, and even sharara dresses, experimenting with fabrics like sheer organza, embroidered tulle, and metallic silks. 

  • Searches for Corset Blouses are up 50%, Corset Saree Blouses are up 53%, and Corset Blouses for Lehengas are up 83%.
  • Brides are pairing sculpted bodices and sweetheart necklines with fluid sarees or voluminous bridal lehengas, blending heritage drapes with modern structure.

Quiet Luxury in Fashion

Wearing your legacy will be the next big trend. The Old Money bride and groom draw inspiration from vintage European aristocracy and Indian royal wardrobes, think heirloom jewellery,, rich silks, tailored blouses, and subdued palettes that whisper elegance.

  • Pinterest searches for the Vintage Bride are up 86%, echoing a renewed love for timeless drapes, heirloom jewellery, and traditional craftsmanship.
  • Seo search for the Old Money Outfit trend is up 123% for outfits and up 85% for Old Money Look.
  • Expect timeless tailoring, pearl accents, and sumptuous textures like velvet, silk, and brocade.
  • Brides are choosing minimal embroidery and classic cuts over sparkle.
  • Grooms are elevating tradition with structured bandhgalas, monotone layering, and vintage-inspired accessories.

Goddess Core

Think modern-day Lakshmi meets Aphrodite; radiant, regal, and rooted in divine energy. Rooted in the imagery of Greek and Roman goddesses, this trend is all about flowing silhouettes, draped fabrics, glowing skin, and celestial accents. It celebrates softness and strength in equal measure, perfect for brides who want to look powerful yet poetic.

  • Searches for Golden Lehengas are up 22% online, while Golden Bridal Dresses have soared +90% (Pinterest), marking gold as the colour of empowerment.
  • Champagne Gold Bridesmaid Dresses are trending +51% on Pinterest. 
  • The Red Goddess Bridal Look is gaining expert approval for its fusion of traditional symbolism with high-fashion styling.
  • Online searches for Bridal Veils are up 26%! Add layers of drama and divinity to the modern bridal look. Think cathedral-length veils, and pearl-dusted veils that frame the bride like a halo.

Heritage Wedding Venues

Heritage spaces, estates, and classic architecture work best for couples who want the Old money aesthetic moodboard. Venues with classical architecture, high ceilings, or heritage charm lend themselves naturally to Rococo,” shares Prerika Puri, Founder and Creative Head of To the Aisle. “That said, with careful design choices, modern venues can be adapted using timeless décor, neutral palettes, and statement furnishings. For example, we can adapt contemporary spaces by using curated décor elements, modern furniture with gilded accents, and soft, layered florals to maintain the theme while keeping it relevant.”

Nature Resorts

Indian weddings are finding their way back to nature. One of the biggest shifts of 2026 is the rise of nature resorts or natural landscapes as wedding backdrops (+50%) online, as couples trade ornate stages for the quiet elegance of open skies, lush greenery, beaches, forests, and mountain vistas. This evolution mirrors the Gen Z mindset, where mindful moments, slow travel, and emotional connection take precedence over grandeur.

Rococo Theme

The Rococo Theme is taking 2026 weddings by storm, with searches up +1000%, emerging as the leading visual direction across décor, fashion, and overall wedding aesthetics. It is a highly ornamental and romantic aesthetic that originated in 18th-century France. The theme celebrates fantasy and elegant beauty, the detailing is soft, lavish and artful. “It blends romance and opulence with a playful whimsical charm. It’s a shift from minimalism to maximalism with pastel palettes, ornate details and dreamy settings that feel very Instagrammable. Pop culture influences like Bridgerton have only made it more desirable,” says Pooja Doshi, Founder, Elusive Dreams. 

  • Delicate, airy, and timelessly romantic Soft Pink Themes have surged +473% on Pinterest, cementing pastel hues as the quintessential Rococo palette.
  • Purple Themes (+1434% on Pinterest) and Purple Wedding Décor (+24% online searches) are adding depth and regal undertones. Doshi confirms, “We are seeing both ends of the purple spectrum trending, but in different ways. Soft shades like lavender and lilac are popular for daytime weddings while deeper tones like plum and amethyst work beautifully for evening receptions, adding richness and drama.” 

Garden & Sunflower Blooms

Garden Themes and Sunflower Themes invite couples to celebrate amidst curated greenery, manicured florals, and dreamy outdoor installations, bringing a touch of natural poetry to their nuptials.

  • In 2026, Gardencore will be one of the most enchanting trends in Indian weddings; celebrating all things floral, whimsical, and nature-kissed, with garden themes up 22% online and dark olive green rising 58% (Pinterest). 
  • Sunflower Haldi (+62% Pinterest) and Sunflower Bouquets (+65% Pinterest) infuses pre-wedding rituals with cheerful, sun-drenched vibrancy, elevating tradition with playful elegance.

Multi-Sensory Experiences

Fully immersive, multi-sensory experiences that engage sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch are a great idea for 2026 couples. Couples will want to curate weddings that not only look beautiful but also feel magical, and smell nostalgic. Celebrity Makeup Artist, Shradha Luthra shares, “One of the most special touches at my engagement ceremony was scenting the venue. Jo Malone London helped us create an atmosphere that felt like a memory captured in fragrance. We also gifted each of our guests a Jo Malone perfume, complete with the date embossed and beautifully personalised boxes. It was our way of sharing something meaningful with them, a keepsake they could carry home and always associate with that moment.”

  • Think scent bars, edible aromatics, and interactive touchpoints. 
  • Live art installations and calligraphy corners add a bespoke, artisanal charm, while projection mapping turns venues into dynamic canvases of light and storytelling.

Purple Wedding Themes

Purple is emerging as one of the most versatile colour stories for 2026 weddings, with Purple Themes surging +1434%, Mulberry up 85%, Dusty Purple up 52% on Pinterest, and Purple Wedding Décor rising 24% online. From lavender and lilac accents to bold plum and amethyst tones, this palette offers endless room for expression. “Couples are drawn to both soft shades like lavender and lilac for romantic and airy vibes, as well as deeper tones like plum and amethyst for a rich, dramatic feel. Choice depends on the mood they want to create,” says Prerika Puri.

Editorial Photos

Editorial photos are emerging as a leading trend, up +308% online, combining stylised, story-driven, and meticulously composed images and videos that feel like luxury magazine spreads. “I think it’s here to stay, but it will evolve. It won’t stay stiff or fashion-only. It’ll soften, it’ll breathe. It’s less about ‘posing like a model’ and more about using the language of fashion to tell very human stories. The real magic is in how they breathe into the moment. I often say fashion gives the body, but the couple gives the soul,” says Himanshu Patel, Founder of Epic Stories.

Retro Pre-wedding Theme

The Retro Pre-Wedding Theme (+82% on Pinterest) is making a chic comeback in India, where nostalgia meets modern sensibilities. Couples are leaning into vintage vibes, turning their pre-wedding shoots into cinematic stories filled with timeless charm, playful elegance, and a dash of old-world glamour. Patel shares, “Retro works when it’s homage, and not a costume. Usually it’s a mix. Sometimes it’s the charm of old Bollywood romance, sometimes it’s nostalgia for the ’70s and ’80s. Couples want film grain, vintage cars, and soft tones. It’s less about accuracy and more about evoking a mood.”