2026 wedding trends: Food vans, country bands & outdoor “I dos”

Planning your big day and looking for the latest wedding trends? From foodie-approved bites to live music and luxury decor, discover the biggest wedding trends for 2026.

To find out what couples are loving the most, we dove into thousands of wedding bookings for 2026 and asked seasoned wedding experts to weigh in on why these trends are set to impress.

Jump to your favourite!

• Ice cream vans
• Pizza vans
• Mobile coffee bars
• Prosecco vans
• Crazy golf
• Rodeo bulls
• Caricaturists
• Singing waiters
• Country bands
• Ceilidh & folk bands
• Marquees & tents
• Tipis
• Light up letters
• Luxury loos
• Photo booths
• Red buses

Versatile food & drink

Food and drink are one of the most important aspects of any wedding day. So what wedding food trends can we expect for 2026?

Ice cream vans

There’s just something incredibly nostalgic about ordering your favourite ice cream from an authentic ice cream van - and what a treat for guests!

It’s surely no surprise then that ice cream vans have become the most popular dessert option in 2026, quickly followed by ice cream carts. Together they make up 16% of all wedding catering requests (that’s a big deal considering the dozens of tantalising options).

Pizza vans

Now moving onto savoury (some people do eat dessert first, after all), pizza vans continue to dominate the wedding food scene – a favourite for outdoor gatherings and festival-themed celebrations alike.

Whether you prefer stonebaked or woodfired, there’s no denying that beautifully handcrafted pizza is the ultimate crowd pleaser. And it looks like our 2026 couples agree!

Mobile coffee bars

Weddings are beautifully emotional, incredibly fun, and let’s be honest, a little bit draining. Between happy tears, heartfelt speeches, and indulging in glorious food, guests sometimes need a little pick-me-up to keep the party going. Well, 2026 couples seem to have found the perfect solution: mobile coffee bars.

As the second most popular pick for nearly-weds – out of all mobile bar options – coffee bars are having a moment in 2026.

Karen, Owner of The Happy Bee, an independent mobile coffee & cocktail bar serving versatile sips from a vintage horsebox, shares, “Coffee culture in the UK has exploded, and couples are now embracing it as an essential part of their big day. Gone are the days of lukewarm filter coffee at the speeches – guests want barista-made flat whites, silky lattes, bold cappuccinos, and beyond. 

“From morning pick-me-ups for the bridal party and daytime drinks to the champagne toast and late-night espresso martinis, mobile coffee bars – like ours – offer a versatile range of sips for any celebration”.

Prosecco vans

2026 also appears to be the year of prosecco lovers, with prosecco vans being the third most popular mobile bar option. Bringing glitz and glam to any celebration, prosecco vans are perfect for outdoor weddings and DIY venues with outdoor spaces.

Priya, Owner of Prosecco Pod, a beautifully converted Piaggio prosecco van, reveals, “Prosecco vans have become an increasing trend because they combine the charm of vintage-style mobile bars with the popularity of Prosecco on tap! They are a must-have addition to weddings, parties, and events, bringing instant style and sparkle wherever they go. 

“Guests love the novelty of sipping bubbly straight from a chic, vintage-inspired mobile bar that doubles as a photo-worthy centrepiece. Compact, versatile, and effortlessly glamorous, prosecco vans turn an ordinary drinks service into a memorable experience.”

Interactive games

Lawn games have quickly become a staple for outdoor weddings or venues with gorgeous outdoor spaces. So what’s keeping guests entertained in 2026?

Crazy golf

Crazy golf has overtaken giant games as the 2026 wedding game craze. With 35% of couples choosing crazy golf in 2026 compared to 26% in 2025, 2026 seems to be the year of mini greens. Wedding guests better start working on their swing!

Rick, Owner of Putt Putt Golf, a luxury crazy golf course, reveals, “Couples seem to be choosing mini golf for their weddings because almost everyone has played it at some point. It’s familiar yet a bit different. It’s simple, it's fun and gives guests something to do between the big moments in the day. It's suitable for all ages, it's a great icebreaker and it really adds to the whole event."

Rodeo bulls

Rodeo Bulls are also taking weddings by storm in 2026 – with a slight YoY increase in bookings, making it the third most popular wedding game of the year. Imagine the delicate chime of wedding bells giving way to the echoing roars of laughter and cheers - that’s exactly the energy a rodeo bull brings to the big day.

Immersive entertainment

Enjoying your day is the most important thing, and having good entertainment plays a big part in that. Let’s find out how couples are keeping themselves happy and their guests entertained throughout the day.

Caricaturists

As for entertainment, caricaturists are the most popular, making up 28% of all entertainment-based bookings for 2026 weddings.* Both artist and entertainer, a caricaturist offers couples and guests good laughs and lasting memories.

Susan, Caricaturist and Owner of SOOZIHUMOR elaborates on this growing trend, “Bridal bookings are prolific as once guests have seen the impact in person – word spreads! Caricature entertainment envelops the ideal wedding gift from brides and grooms – it is upbeat, a lot of interactive non-invasive fun and an initial ice-breaker whilst bride and groom are being photographed.”

She goes on to say that this welcome surge in popularity could have also been driven by social media, with newlyweds and influencers sharing their experiences.

Singing waiters

“Remember when the waiter suddenly started belting out opera?” That’s exactly the kind of unforgettable memory many couples and guests can expect in 2026. As the second most popular form of wedding entertainment in 2026 (up from third place last year), singing waiters have quickly become a wedding staple for those who love a bit of dramatic flair.

Paula, Founder of Singing Waiters in the UK, adds, “Perfect for weddings, birthdays, corporate events, or anniversaries, singing waiters bring surprise, fun, and unforgettable entertainment for all ages. They break the ice, get guests singing, dancing, and waving napkins – creating lasting memories.”

Cultural live music

Live music is moving beyond traditional cover bands, with couples seeking something excitingly unique, as revealed below.

Country bands

Fans of Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and, of course, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album are going to be happy with this one! When looking at bands by genre, country bands are the most popular, making up 22% of wedding bookings. Perfect for renovated barn weddings, outdoor gatherings, or couples seeking something a little different, country bands are perfect for rallying guests to the dancefloor.

Lee, Owner of Hey Mister DJ, shares, “Live country bands bring a completely different level of energy compared to pressing play on a playlist. They create a sense of excitement the moment they hit the stage. With guitars, fiddles, and banjos, country bands offer a dynamic performance that’s as fun to watch as it is to dance to. Guests aren’t just hearing music – they’re experiencing a show.”

Ceilidh & folk bands

While country bands may have taken the crown, ceilidh & folk bands follow closely, making up 17% of wedding 2026 bookings. Born from Scottish and Irish traditions, a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) act brings everyone together – guiding the steps, packing the floor and turning even the shyest guests into confident dancers by the end of the night.

Schuggie, Ceilidh caller at Schuggies Ceilidhs, an award-winning Scottish Ceilidhs, shares, “Couples are embracing high-energy fun, social vibes and inclusivity. Forget cookie-cutter weddings; they want something real. Ceilidh and folk bands get everyone on the floor (yes, even the shy ones), mixing tradition with a fresh, modern twist. It’s all about authentic, personalised moments, scroll-stopping TikToks, and memories packed with laughter, energy, connection and pure joy.”

Folk performers bring a completely different vibe, but just as incredible. Think laidback, soulful, and warm – perfect for more relaxed gatherings.

Statement spaces

A wedding simply can’t happen without a venue – even if the venue is a field. Let’s find out where couples are planning to celebrate in 2026.

Marquees & tents

A must-have for outdoor weddings, marquees and tents offer some solace against both beaming sunshine and unexpected drizzles. Bookings for these beauties have risen by a significant 14% YoY – highlighting an exciting trend towards outdoor weddings.

Gary, Owner of County Marquees, a family-run marquee hire business in the heart of East Anglia, shares, “It's no surprise to us that marquees and tents are trending for 2026! They offer a versatile, blank canvas that invites couples to reflect their own personalities and love story into the space. Every single marquee is one of a kind, the possibilities are truly endless, and we think that's what makes them so special.”

Often adorned with twinkling fairy lights, vibrant bunting, and elegant drapes, marquees make the perfect outdoor venues.

Tipis

Towering and majestic, tipis have a special way of bringing the festival vibe to your wedding day. Just behind marquees and tents, tipis are set to feature at many 2026 weddings, highlighted by a small yet telling 2% YoY increase in bookings.

Styled settings

Décor. One of the most important elements of any wedding. From green foliage to bold balloon arches, décor brings the wedding theme to life. So what’s hot in 2026?

Light-up letters

Bold, beautiful, and downright Insta-worthy, light-up letters have taken the crown as the most popular décor feature of 2026. With a slight 4% YoY uplift in bookings, light-up letters are taking centre stage. From colossal LOVE signs to mammoth MR & MRS lettering, expect to see these picture-perfect pieces in 2026.

Luxury Loos

Didn’t see this one coming? As the third most popular décor feature in 2026 (up from sixth position), luxury loos are having an unexpected moment in the spotlight. Another nod towards the outdoor wedding boom, couples are putting premium comfort first – even when it comes to the bathroom break!

Picture-perfect moments

More Insta-worthy moments? It is a wedding after all. So it’s hardly surprising that couples are finding fresh ways to capture memorable moments and make lasting memories. So what can we expect to see in 2026?

Photo Booths

Who doesn’t love a photo booth? And no, we’re not talking about bog-standard passport booths where smiles aren’t allowed. Think quirky selfie pods, magic mirrors, 360 booths and beyond.

When looking at all wedding-related photo and video bookings in 2026, photo booths make up a quarter, showing that selfies are more than just a novelty. They’re lasting memories.

Red Buses

When it comes to wedding wheels, nothing beats the big red bus. In 2026, red buses account for a whopping 60% of all wedding transport bookings (up from 42% in 2025). Clearly, couples can’t resist the timeless charm of a classic red bus and it’s easy to see why.

Both practical and iconic, the big red bus is perfect for photo ops and getting guests from A to B in style.

Get ready for the outdoor wedding boom

Is 2026 the year of the outdoor wedding? We think so! From food vans and folk bands to tipis and even luxury loos, couples are pulling out all the stops to create unforgettable celebrations under the open sky.

Any of these trends catch your eye? Whether you’re seeking singing waiters or a glitzy prosecco van with your favourite sips, you can find everything you need with Add to Event. Simply complete our short form to connect with local suppliers who will help bring your perfect day to life.

Methodology

This report draws on internal data from Add to Event. We analysed 17,560 enquiries for weddings taking place in 2026, alongside 46,758 enquiries for 2025 weddings to identify year-on-year trends. As couples are still in the process of booking services for 2026, these figures represent current demand rather than final totals.

*Entertainment category is separate from Games and Live Music.