Why Euphoria will inspire the summer’s most popular wedding trends – UK Times

The biggest wedding trend of 2026 might just be the most controversial you could think of – aside from a guest sleeping with the groom. Yep, I’m talking about upstaging the bride. And it’s what all the cool wedding guests are doing this summer, that is, if you’re taking your ceremony cues from Euphoria, anyway.

In the latest episode of Sam Levinson’s increasingly polarising HBO drama, we finally saw the wedding of Nate Jacobs (played by Jacob Elordi) and Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney). Naturally, as if par for the course for this sexed-up, violent saga, the celebration ended in tears, bloodshed, and a missing toe. But not before Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) served up one of the most iconic “revenge dress” moments in all of pop culture that most definitely stole the bride’s thunder.

For those outside of the Euphoria universe, some crucial context: Maddy and Nate used to date in high school. They’d broken up by the time Nate and Cassie got together, but this was still a particularly contentious coupling, not least because of the timeframe (a matter of weeks) but also because Cassie was Maddy’s best friend. Drama!

Hence why Maddy wore such a scene-stealing look at the wedding itself (frankly, in those circumstances, I’d do the same): a silky olive green ensemble featuring a plunging neckline, thigh-high slit, and knotted waist with such gaping side cutouts it barely resembled a dress at all. It was also backless, with just a set of flimsy gold chains holding it all in place. She paired the look with a green fur stole, slicked back hair, and dramatic smoky eye makeup. Cassie’s structured corseted bridal gown didn’t stand a chance.

To be clear, this kind of behaviour might not go down so well in the real world. And Maddy winds up leaving that wedding in tears. So I wouldn’t exactly advise it. But I do understand it. And being a little more experimental with one’s wedding guest attire certainly fits within the remit of this summer’s biggest wedding trends – also, did you spot Jules’ (Hunter Schafer) barely there wedding outfit?

So, without further ado, if you’re venturing into a season full of nuptials, here’s everything you can expect.

Don’t be afraid to dress a little differently

Wedding guest fashion can get tedious very fast: clashing floral patterns, overly fussy designs, and insipid pastel hues that make you look older than you are. While we’re not suggesting you go full Maddy, there’s certainly scope to be inspired and be more playful with your outfit this summer. Vogue, for example, is advocating wearing black, which was 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. I actually just invested in a classic black suiting option that will be my go-to for autumn weddings.” As someone who has worn her fair share of black to weddings, I concur – my favourites include options from De La Vali and Nadine Merabi.

Expect analogue flourishes

Our Nineties nostalgia isn’t going anywhere, and wedding guests can expect to see this integrated into ceremonies across the summer. According to Pinterest’s wedding trends report, couples are embracing analogue details at their weddings to encourage guests to cherish the moment and stay away from screens as much as possible. Pinterest notes a 155 per cent rise in searches for “analogue photobooths” in the last year, as well as a 90 per cent spike in searches for “camcorder weddings”.

Others are investing in printable wedding games, playing cards, and cornhole boards. “Retro tech is stepping into weddings in a big way,” states Pinterest’s report. “In 2026, couples are embracing analogue-inspired details that make guest participation feel tangible and memorable, while still layering in just enough digital storytelling to replay the magic in real time.”

Mocktails go mainstream

In these highly health-conscious times, alcohol carries far less importance at celebrations than it once did. Telling someone you’re not drinking at a wedding is far more likely to elicit congratulatory applause than it is a smirk or a sneer. Of course, weddings are responding accordingly, tailoring to sober and sober-curious guests with interesting and dynamic mocktail options.

“Non-alcoholic cocktails are very much on the rise and being requested at most bars,” says luxury wedding planner Mark Niemierko, who was behind Julia Carey and James Corden’s Babington House wedding in 2012, as well as Rochelle and Marvin Humes’s ceremony at Blenheim Palace. “It’s not a marriage without a good mocktail, taking its cue from fruits the couple loves,” he adds.

Beauty is becoming more dramatic

The traditional bridal beauty look is bare-faced and stripped back: minimal and not fussy. Hence the famous scene in Girls where Marnie gets married, and Hannah tells her it looked like she’s been “shellacked” because of how heavily her makeup has been done. Now, though, that look would fit right on trend as, according to Pinterest, more brides are seeking dramatic beauty looks for their big day, with “vintage hollywood make-up” and “wedding makeup full glam” searches up by 395 per cent each, alongside “1920s beauty”, with searches up by 70 per cent.

Hair is getting more stylised, too. “Bridal hair in 2026 is all about volume, softness and personality – think telenovela-inspired texture, soft side parts, elevated messy updos and accessories woven directly into the hairstyle – paired with a return to statement makeup inspired by vintage Hollywood and full-glam polish,” states Pinterest’s report. “It’s high-impact, but never too perfect.”

Sustainability is front and centre

An eco-wedding would have once been reserved for a certain subset of society, but is now becoming increasingly popular, with guests across the country finding ways to incorporate sustainable twists into their big day. “Sustainability has always been at the forefront and continues to be,” says Niemierko, who says it has become a must-have for his clients, who are more mindful of the carbon footprint of their celebrations than ever before.

“At all Niemierko weddings we now have a flower stall at the Sunday brunch, filled with blooms from the aisle and dining tables the night before, wrapped into small, easy-to-carry bouquets for guests to take home,” he adds. “The ribbon tying each bouquet together is of course bespoke, the couple’s name, monogram or date engraved across it.”