Bridal veils, kaleeras, and even sneakers are turning into canvases for the couple’s story today
As weddings shift towards meaning over spectacle, Simran Arora has built a planning company that feels in step with the moment. Founder and Creative Head of The Dreamcatchers Co., the Delhi-based bespoke wedding studio, she is known for polished, personal celebrations with a made-to-measure approach that balances tradition and modern style. She shares what is shaping weddings this year.
The wedding buzz for 2026
“I think the shift is couples moving away from elaborate, picture-perfect weddings and choosing celebrations that feel more thoughtful, intimate, and personal.
Today, couples want weddings that reflect their style and values. They are choosing settings that feel more like an extension of who they are. There is also a move towards smaller, guest-centred weddings, focused on creating a memorable experience for everyone attending.
Technology is playing a bigger role. AI is shaping planning and execution, from design support and personalised guest experiences to post-event photography delivery. It is helping couples customise weddings more deeply.
Aesthetics with heartbeat
“We have seen that weddings are moving away from maximalism and towards intentional minimalism, muted pastel palettes, and meaningful detailing. We are seeing more monochromatic décor and fewer heavily layered classic themes. The grandeur now lies in the details, with couples choosing quality over quantity.
To adapt this to each couple, we treat every design element as an intentional choice. When visual noise is removed, the couple’s personality becomes the focal point. That is where the beauty lies: understated elegance that feels personal, not borrowed from a trend board.
Pastels and muted palettes continue to resonate, especially when they are rooted in the couple’s own story.
“I believe wedding dining is going through a transformation. Couples are no longer interested in expansive, generic menus for the sake of variety. Instead, they want culinary experiences that feel curated and meaningful.
There is a conscious shift towards menus that reflect the couple’s travels, shared moments, and favourite food memories. Food has become part of the storytelling, with family recipes revived and favourite restaurant dishes recreated for the celebration.
One of our biggest signature highlights for 2025–26 has been late-night binge stations at after-parties. These are personalised experiences designed around the couple’s tastes, such as favourite McDonald’s burgers, a nostalgic Maggi counter, or a DIY pasta bar. Guests love these moments, and they often become one of the most talked-about parts of the wedding.
“One of our most memorable weddings this season brought many firsts, which made it meaningful.
It was our first wedding where the couple was not based in India, and the entire celebration was planned and executed almost virtually, with only one in-person meeting, over four months. It was challenging, intense, and deeply rewarding.
Planning a multicultural wedding across time zones, with a couple arriving in India only close to the wedding month, meant navigating distance, logistics, timing, and cultural nuance all at once. What made it unforgettable was the trust. The couple and their family placed tremendous faith in us, and that gave us confidence throughout the process. We also found incredible collaborators along the way, with teams coming together in complete alignment.
“We have noticed couples are moving beyond seasonal trends and designer labels and giving thought to what their outfits can say about them. Bridal and wedding attire has become another canvas for storytelling.
Custom embroidery on bridal veils has become especially popular, with significant dates, coordinates, and handwritten quotes stitched into ensembles. Traditional kaleeras are also being reimagined with personalised charms that reflect the couple’s journey, sometimes honouring pets, shared memories, or inside jokes.
Personalisation is no longer limited to brides. Grooms are embracing it too, with wedding dates or initials embroidered onto jackets and cuffs, and playful customisation on sneakers with hand-painted motifs or witty phrases.
The planner’s personal imprint
“Our philosophy has always been to create understated, intentional experiences that place people at the centre of the celebration.
The Dreamcatchers Co.
For us, guest experience is elevated through subtle, meaningful details, not excess. We do not choose a flower only because it is in season; we choose it because it may hold a memory. We do not add a cocktail because it is trending; we include it because it was the drink the couple shared on their first date. Over time, people have come to associate us with hidden details, emotional layers, and quiet support behind the scenes. The grand moments matter, but the real magic lies in tiny details meant only for the couple. Weddings are about people, emotions, and memories that stay long after the celebration is over.
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