It’s that time of year when the wedding invites start to flood in and the annual “is-this-too-short-to-wear-in-a-church” panic takes hold. It seems that every long-term couple I know are tying the knot, with fat princess-cut diamonds and sweet post-engagement selfies rapidly saturating my Instagram feed.
Naturally, this begs the question - what would we envision for our own weddings? A classic English countryside ‘do? A chic in-and-out situation at the local town hall? A major Ibiza blow-out?
It’s no secret that hosting a wedding is an expensive affair, with London-based ceremonials alone costing upwards of £20,000. Hence, 2026 brides are increasingly jetting off to more affordable but equally romantic European haunts to save some cash. Others prefer to keep things casual, opting for at-home shindigs in the Shires or, like our iconic editor Clare, a good old knees-up at the pub.
The data suggests that many couples are looking back in order to to look forward when planning their nuptials. According to Hitched.co.uk, couples are embracing nostalgia with retro-inspired weddings, with searches for the term ‘Bridgerton-style’ weddings up a staggering 191 per cent year-on-year (think stately homes, corsetry, chandeliers and lashings of lace, paired with soft pastel tones), while ‘old money wedding aesthetic’ has soared in popularity by 133 per cent.
As for the most important component, AKA the dress, the stats indicate that a flurry of bubble hem skirts, statement veils and mini silhouettes are set to take hold this year. Elegant vineyard settings, casual food trucks, dramatic florals, drapery and retro cakes are also leading the charge.
Having never given much thought to the idea, I took the opportunity to ask myself what my dream wedding scenario would look like if money and practicality weren’t an issue. Then I put the question to the H! Fashion team. Here’s what the girls had to say.
The H! Fashion Team's Dream Weddings:
Clare’s It-Brit London Shindig
My idea of the perfect wedding is (luckily) the very one I had last year. A super short mini dress (sorry Dad), some bonkers accessories (AKA the JW Anderson pigeon clutch), a speedy town hall ceremony followed by a good old knees-up at the pub. Of course, far too much prosecco, a slice of cake and then falling asleep in a full face of makeup. Perfection.
Molly’s Chic Chapel Soirée
There’s no wedding of my own on the horizon; however, if I were to plan one for this summer with a bottomless budget, this is exactly how I would do it. It would be a small wedding in Marseille on a perfectly warm day, with a light sea breeze. The ceremony would be held in a tiny chapel with only our most beloved guests. It sits atop a hill with incredible views of the city (whether this place exists, I do not know, but it certainly does in my mind.) We would then head down to Port de Vallon des Auffes, where tables are laid out along the street surrounding the harbour. Lace doilies are strung together to create shade from the June sun, and the tablescape is filled with fresh légumes, think tomatoes, radishes, carrots, and artichokes, rather than traditional florals.
We would fly in the chefs from Brat, and their hispi cabbage would be on the menu, alongside perfectly grilled fish caught that morning. It would be the best food anyone has ever eaten at a wedding and something people will be talking about forever. My dress would be unique and off-white, as I’d absolutely want to wear it again. Of course, I would do an outfit change into a mini dress that’s perfect for dancing. Perhaps sequinned, perhaps from Annie’s. We would dance all night long. The locals would join in. Chilled red wine would flow, as would spicy margaritas. It would be a great day.
Tania’s California Canyon Elopement
Tough to follow Molly's but here goes. This is the first time I’ve really sat down and thought about my future wedding. In true child-of-divorce fashion, I don’t want anything too traditional. Much to my family’s horror, I’ve always loved the idea of running off to California and eloping - no fuss, no frills, just pure West Coast romance and a spectacular off-white mini dress. If budget and convenience weren’t an issue, I’d definitely get hitched in my favourite restaurant in Los Angeles - Inn of The Seventh Ray in Topanga Canyon.
Nestled in the idyllic Santa Monica Mountains, the iconic 1960s spot is flanked by waterfalls and twinkling fairy lights with the best char-grilled chicken in town. Food-wise I’m not fussed, but would love an endless supply of champagne and tiramisu. That, coupled with some calla lilies, a vintage Cadillac to depart in and the presence of a (preferably female) rabbi to keep the parents at bay - and I’m good to go. As long as someone throws me up in the air on a chair, I’m happy.
Lauren’s Big Beachside Bash
I’m getting married next year and, without giving too much away to any guests who might be reading this (they haven’t even received their invites yet), the vision is essentially my dream party: somewhere warm by the sea, a long, candlelit dinner table dressed with pink peonies, tiramisu in place of a traditional wedding cake, followed by a champagne tower, and a glitzy mini dress to dance the night away in.
