The biggest wedding trend of 2026 might be the most controversial you could imagine — aside from a guest sleeping with the groom. Yes, upstaging the bride is what all the cool wedding guests are doing this summer, if you are taking your ceremony cues from Euphoria.
In the latest episode of Sam Levinson's polarising HBO drama, the wedding of Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) finally took place. Naturally, the celebration ended in tears, bloodshed, and a missing toe. But before that, Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) delivered one of the most iconic 'revenge dress' moments in pop culture, stealing the bride's thunder.
For context: Maddy and Nate dated in high school. They broke up before Nate and Cassie got together, but the coupling was contentious due to the short timeframe and the fact that Cassie was Maddy's best friend. Hence Maddy's scene-stealing look: a silky olive green ensemble with a plunging neckline, thigh-high slit, knotted waist, gaping side cutouts, and a backless design held by gold chains. She paired it with a green fur stole, slicked hair, and dramatic smoky eye makeup. Cassie's structured corseted bridal gown did not stand a chance.
To be clear, such behaviour might not go down well in the real world, and Maddy ends up leaving in tears. However, being more experimental with wedding guest attire fits within the remit of this summer's biggest wedding trends. Here is everything you can expect.
Don't be afraid to dress differently
Wedding guest fashion can get tedious: clashing floral patterns, overly fussy designs, and insipid pastels. While not suggesting full Maddy, there is scope to be playful. Vogue advocates wearing black, previously a major no-no. 'The rule feels antiquated,' bridal stylist Anny Choi told the publication. 'Black is a great staple that you can rewear to different weddings.'
Expect analogue flourishes
Nineties nostalgia is still strong. According to Pinterest's wedding trends report, couples are embracing analogue details to encourage guests to cherish the moment and stay away from screens. Pinterest notes a 155 per cent rise in searches for 'analogue photobooths' and a 90 per cent spike for 'camcorder weddings'. Others invest in printable wedding games, playing cards, and cornhole boards.
Mocktails go mainstream
In health-conscious times, alcohol carries less importance. Telling someone you are not drinking at a wedding is more likely to elicit applause than a smirk. Luxury wedding planner Mark Niemierko says, 'Non-alcoholic cocktails are very much on the rise and being requested at most bars. It is not a marriage without a good mocktail, taking its cue from fruits the couple loves.'
Beauty is becoming more dramatic
The traditional bridal beauty look is bare-faced and stripped back. Now, according to Pinterest, more brides seek dramatic looks, with searches for 'vintage hollywood make-up' and 'wedding makeup full glam' up by 395 per cent each, alongside '1920s beauty' up by 70 per cent. Hair is more stylised too, with volume, softness, and accessories woven directly into hairstyles.
Sustainability is front and centre
An eco-wedding was once reserved for a subset of society but is now increasingly popular. Niemierko says sustainability is a must-have for clients mindful of their carbon footprint. 'At all Niemierko weddings we now have a flower stall at the Sunday brunch, filled with blooms from the aisle and dining tables, wrapped into small bouquets for guests to take home.'
