After a summer full of weddings, our 2026 Summer Recap looks back at a few celebrations that stood out for the ways each couple made their day their own. Alexandra + Elijah, Brianna + Barry, and Kori + Braden all incorporated color and personal details, but their weddings looked completely different. From a garden setting in San Diego to waterfront portraits in Fort Myers and custom details in Sioux Falls, each celebration offered its own inspiration. They also showed how keeping the ceremony and reception together can make the overall wedding day feel a little easier to navigate.
Alexandra + Elijah | San Diego
Alexandra + Elijah’s wedding at Ethereal Gardens in Escondido was all about letting the setting take center stage. The lush garden backdrop already brought plenty of character, so they kept their design fresh with bright pastel bridesmaid dresses, black suits, and large white florals. Their bouquets and boutonnieres continued the same floral look, giving the day a cohesive feel without filling the space with extra details.
The result was a wedding that felt open, light, and easy to take in. At the reception, a packed dance floor quickly became the center of attention. Alexandra + Elijah chose photography, videography, DJ, and photo booth through Complete Weddings + Events San Diego, covering the parts of the day they wanted captured and enjoyed while keeping their overall approach simple.
Brianna + Barry | Fort Myers
Brianna + Barry’s wedding at The Luminary Hotel showed how much personality can come from the details you add to a classic foundation. They started with black and white decor, then brought in lemons, limes, and colorful florals throughout the reception. Pink, orange, and green bridesmaid dresses added even more color, while their combined bouquets, gold ties, bright pink boutonnieres, and Brianna’s cascading white bouquet tied the wedding party into the overall look.
The waterfront gave them a beautiful backdrop for portraits without requiring a second location for the rest of the day. They chose the full Complete Weddings + Events Fort Myers package with photography, videography, DJ, photo booth, and coordination. Their celebration had a classic starting point, but the colorful and unexpected details kept it from feeling like every other black and white wedding.
Kori + Braden | Sioux Falls
Krbi + Braden made their wedding at Fox Lake Event Center feel unmistakably like theirs. Butter-yellow bridesmaid dresses, pastel bouquets, Braden’s light blue suit, and tan suits with blue ties created a soft color palette across the wedding party. But the most memorable details came from the pieces that could only belong to Kori + Braden, including Jett, their “Pup of Honor.”
Jett joined them for photos and stood beside them during the ceremony, while personalized cornhole boards, a custom welcome sign, and a last-name wedding picture sign carried their personalities throughout the venue. They chose photography and DJ through Complete Weddings + Events Sioux Falls, keeping their package centered on two services they wanted most. From the signage to their four-legged wedding party member, the details made the celebration feel personal rather than simply styled.
A Few Trends That Caught Our Eye
As part of our 2026 Summer Recap, one thing we kept seeing was couples customizing just about everything. Matchboxes, stationery, welcome signs, favors, cups, napkins, and other small details became opportunities to bring in their personalities. Rather than saving personalization for one or two statement pieces, couples carried their wedding look throughout the entire celebration.
We also saw more couples using decor to completely change the feel of their spaces. Personalized stained glass welcome signs added a unique touch from the moment guests arrived, while drapery became a popular way to frame ceremony arches and sweetheart tables.
And then there was 7/11/26. With the date falling on a Saturday, some couples leaned into the 7/11 connection with playful convenience store-inspired details. It was a fun reminder that wedding trends do not always have to be traditional.
Start Planning with Complete Weddings + Events
As we wrap up our 2026 Summer Recap, we’re taking inspiration from all the personal details we saw throughout the season. At Complete Weddings + Events, we help you bring your vision together with photography, videography, DJ, photo booth, and coordination services.
Ready to start planning? Contact us to explore customizable packages and start building your wedding team. For more inspiration, planning tips, and real wedding features, keep exploring our blog and follow us on Instagram.