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The New Mood of Weddings: What Worked in 2025 and What the Industry’s Top Creatives Want to See More of in 2026

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<div><em>This year, weddings became less about spectacle and more about soul. As 2026 approaches, we ask seven of the Philippines’ most respected creatives—stylists, planners, photographers, and hosts—what trends worked, what moments moved, and what soon-to-weds should embrace next.</em></div><div><br/></div><p>At some point this year, wedding design shifted. Not in a loud or viral way, but in a quieter, more meaningful unfolding. We saw it in sculptural florals that no longer sat politely on the sidelines but took center stage. In programs that felt less performative and more personal. In palettes that whispered rather than shouted, and textures that grounded rather than dazzled.</p><p>For me, it was the rise of <strong></strong>architectural florals<strong></strong> that truly marked the change—pieces that felt more like installations than arrangements. Stylists like <strong>Joselle Castañer of Jos Curates</strong>,<strong> Indy Ycasiano of Smitten Events</strong>,<strong></strong> and<strong> Janna Sanchez</strong> created thoughtful visual statements, while <strong>Teddy Manuel</strong>’s painterly centerpieces at <a href="https://metro.style/weddings/2025/12/16/metro-weddings-exclusive-inside-leila-alcasid-and-mito-fabie-s-artistic-i-do-at-pinto-2000" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Leila Alcasid and Mito Fabie’s wedding</a> proved that restraint can be just as powerful as extravagance.</p><p>Having spent years immersed in this ever-evolving industry, I believe we’re entering a new chapter—one where <strong></strong>weddings are guided by intention, not just opulence. Today’s couples are more self-aware. They’re editing more, feeling more, and choosing what reflects their story over what simply fills a mood board.</p><p>So I turned to seven trusted creatives in Philippine weddings to ask: What did 2025 get right? And what would they love to see more of in 2026? Their insights offer both reflection and inspiration.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767174842229teddy manuel wedding styling 1.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Leila Alcasid’s reception styling by Teddy Manuel | Photo by Adrian Ardiente</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767175048546Styling by Jos Castaner of @jos_curates.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Styling by Jos Castañer of Jos Curates</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>1. Design That Feels Like a Story, Not a Set</strong></div><p>Teddy Manuel, one of the country’s most celebrated event stylists and a globally recognized floral designer, describes 2025 styling as “less about decoration, more about atmosphere.” Think sculptural <em>ikebana</em>-inspired pieces, unexpected natural elements, and a strong focus on lighting, texture, and movement.</p><p>“I’d love to see more weddings where every space feels connected from start to finish,” he says. “The ceremony, reception, even the transitions—they should all speak the same language.”</p><p><strong>Amanda Tirol</strong>,<strong></strong> a top destination wedding planner known for her seamless celebrations in Boracay and beyond, agrees.</p><p>“There was a shift toward emotionally driven design,” she reflects. “Weddings felt more human and more honest. In 2026, I hope couples choose design not just for what looks good, but for what feels true.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767176909650Framed photographs of guests on their own wedding days, incorporated as a reception detail.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Framed photographs of guests on their own wedding days, incorporated as a reception detail.| Photo by Jaja Samaniego</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767174898504teddy manuel wedding styling 2.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">“One of my favorite shifts in 2025 was how wedding styling became more experiential. Couples were more open to creative centerpieces—not just florals, but vegetables, fruits, and architectural ikebana-style pieces that felt sculptural and intentional,” global designer Teddy Manuel shares. | Photo by Adrian Ardiente</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2. From Pinterest-Perfect to Emotionally Led</strong></div><p>For <strong>Teena Barretto</strong>, a planner known for concept-driven, experience-first celebrations, the most exciting change this year was in how couples defined beauty.</p><p>“More and more, couples are drawn to how a wedding feels, not just how it photographs,” she says. “We saw slower pacing, layered transitions, and stories told through sound, scent, and light.”</p><p>She also noticed a return to raw and natural materials—sun-washed fabrics, warm metallics, and imperfect finishes.</p><p>“When styled with intention, these elements create a quiet impact,” she adds. “The understated became the unforgettable.”</p><p>Photographer <strong>Jaja Samaniego</strong>, known for her luminous, emotion-first style, echoes this. “Couples are letting go of the pressure to make everything look perfect. They trust their teams more, and the results feel more honest—and more moving.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767175413584A brief postnuptial shoot during golden hour, moments before Lance and Isabel rejoined their guests for cocktails.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">A brief postnuptial shoot during golden hour, moments before Lance and Isabel rejoined their guests for cocktails. | Photo by Jaja Samaniego</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767175702946A bridal portrait taken ahead of the wedding day, allowing Marj to slow down, be present, and experience and enjoy her wedding celebration.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">A bridal portrait taken ahead of the wedding day, allowing Marj to slow down, be present, and experience and enjoy her wedding celebration. | Photo by Jaja Samaniego</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>3. Movement, Mood, and the Art of Less</strong></div><p>This year also saw a renewed appreciation for flow—both visual and emotional.</p><p><strong>Erron Ocampo</strong>, a visual storyteller known for his editorial yet heartfelt wedding imagery, shares: “There was more movement in the design. We saw it in the fabrics, the lighting, the way spaces invited you to move.”</p><p>But motion didn’t mean more. In fact, it often meant doing less.</p><p><strong>Kevin Lapeña</strong>, one of the country’s most trusted wedding hosts, observed: “Couples are letting go of unnecessary tradition. They’re more comfortable curating a program that reflects them, not just what’s expected.” </p><p>Looking ahead, he hopes to see more omni-directional layouts and inclusive formats. “Celebrations don’t just have to entertain—they can truly involve,” he says.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767175834228An editorial bridal moment.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">An editorial moment that today’s brides love. Where the setting feels cinematic and intentional, and the bride isn’t styled to look like a model but is free to be the center of her own story, fully present, confident, and beautifully herself. | Photo by Erron Ocampo</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>4. Beyond the Wedding Day: Experiences That Linger</strong></div><p>For designer and creative collaborator<strong> Franko Barrio</strong>, 2025 was all about “intentional lightness.”</p><p>“From airy dresses to simpler florals, couples embraced less—but with meaning,” he notes. “Even the after-dinner cocktails felt like highlights. They’re designing weekends, not just weddings.”</p><p>Amanda agrees, saying, “We’re seeing more couples lean into the idea of the wedding as a journey—complete with welcome dinners, post-wedding brunches, and quiet, emotional pockets of experience.”</p><p>Erron adds that storytelling is becoming deeply personal. He recalls a Studio Ghibli-inspired wedding where everything—from the invites to the tablescapes—reflected the couple’s shared love for animation. He said, “It wasn’t driven by trend,” he says. “It was rooted in who they are.”</p><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767178668018studio ghibli inspired wedding.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner"> A Studio Ghibli-inspired wedding | Photo by Erron Ocampo for Metrophoto</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>5. What Creatives Want to See More of in 2026</strong></div><p>Across the board, the message is clear: 2026 couples are invited to lean into meaning.</p><p>Amanda: “Fewer but more intentional design moments.”</p><p>Teena: “Spaces that evolve throughout the event.” </p><p>Jaja: “Personal histories made visible.” </p><p>Kevin: “Programs that reflect the couple’s rhythm.”</p><p>Teddy: “Lighting and form that carry emotion.” </p><p>Franko: “Less structure, more soul.” </p><div><br/></div><p>Even palettes told their own story. Amanda was drawn to sun-washed tones like clay, olive, and warm stone. Jaja celebrated the rise of smaller cakes and sculptural florals that felt considered rather than ornamental. Erron highlighted the reimagining of Filipiniana weddings—with guests fully embracing the aesthetic.<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767177170460IMG_0371.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Janna Sanchez</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767177015418IMG_0368 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Floral installation by Janna Sanchez</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767177208376IMG_0367.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Floral installation by Indy Ycasiano</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767177230079IMG_0366.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Indy Ycasiano for Smitten Events</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>The Takeaway for 2026 Couples</strong></div><p>The new markers of a beautiful wedding are no longer scale or sparkle, but soul, story, and flow. The most unforgettable celebrations aren’t just seen—they’re felt.</p><p>So if you’re planning your wedding for the year ahead, consider this your invitation to slow down, strip back, and stay close to what truly matters.</p><p>• Let your florals feel like sculpture.</p><p>• Let your program reflect your story—not someone else’s.</p><p>• Trust your creative team, and give space for magic.</p><p>• Choose fewer things, but love each one deeply.</p><p>• Design not just for the photo, but for the memory.</p><div><br/></div><p>Because the most timeless weddings are the ones that carry the scent of who you are. Subtle. Beautiful. Unforgettable.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767177252559IMG_0372.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Bouquet and event styling by Jos Castañer of Jos Curates</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>What This Means for 2026 Brides</strong></div><p>• Simplicity is the new statement. Edited styling and sculptural florals are in; clutter is out.</p><p>• Programs are being rewritten. Traditions are flexible—personalization is key.</p><p>• Feelings first. Design with your senses: scent, sound, movement, and emotion.</p><p>• Trust your team. Let planners, stylists, and photographers guide the creative process.</p><p>• Design for the weekend, not just the day. Think welcome dinners, brunches, and pauses that allow guests to breathe.</p><p>• Trends come second to truth. If it doesn’t feel like you, let it go.</p><div><br/></div><p>2026 is calling for weddings with heart—and the courage to keep things meaningful.</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos by <strong>Adrian Ardiente</strong> and<strong> Jaja Samaniego</strong></p>

<p>This year, weddings became less about spectacle and more about soul. As 2026 approaches, we ask seven of the Philippines’ most respected creatives—stylists, planners, photographers, and hosts—what trends worked, what moments moved, and what soon-to-weds should embrace next.</p>

This year, weddings became less about spectacle and more about soul. As 2026 approaches, we ask seven of the Philippines’ most respected creatives—stylists, planners, photographers, and hosts—what trends worked, what moments moved, and what soon-to-weds should embrace next.

The New Mood of Weddings: What Worked in 2025 and What the Industry’s Top Creatives Want to See More of in 2026

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The New Mood of Weddings: What Worked in 2025 and What the Industry’s Top Creatives Want to See More of in 2026

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Published Dec 31, 2025 05:45 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 31, 2025 06:58 PM PHT

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