10 Questions. 10 Experts. One Magical Wedding

Here’s the thing about trend reports, especially when it comes to Indian weddings. They seem to encompass a little of everything. So this year, what we’ve aimed to do at The Wedding Collective is to give you a definitive answer. A singular point of view. From the experts themselves. So if you’re engaged or just planning your future wedding’s Pinterest board, look no further; this is your ultimate guide to all things wedding.

Expert: Manish Malhotra, designer

If you had to pick, what’s the ONE colour you see brides opting for this year for the ceremony?

“If I had to point to one direction that truly defines the bride of this year, it would be soft ombré palettes. Ivory that gently moves into blush, muted peach, or antique gold. Nothing dramatic, nothing loud. The beauty is in how quietly the colour shifts. There’s a certain emotion to it. An ivory lehenga that deepens into the faintest rose at the hem, or a warm champagne base that moves into antique gold through embroidery. It feels very current, yet something that will never date.

What I really love is how ombré is being moulded today. In fact, I am actually very excited to see its return because this is something I started exploring back in the ‘90s with ombré saris. Colour was never meant to be flat. Even in my latest collections, you’ll find many ombré tones coming through, reinterpreted in a modern way, but with the same sensitivity. Today, ombré isn’t worn for effect. It’s worn as a feeling. It works beautifully in fluid lehengas, couture drapes, layered veils, and even veils, where sheer fabrics allow the colour to reveal itself gradually. As the bride moves, the tones shift, the embroidery catches light, and the garment feels alive. In many ways, this reflects the bride herself. She’s confident, nuanced, and emotionally aware. She doesn’t want to be defined by a single colour but by a journey of tones. For me, that’s where bridal fashion is headed. Elegant, expressive, and quietly powerful.”

Expert: Vedika Mohan, creative director, The Wedding Design Company

What’s the destination wedding location in 2026?

"Marrakech is a destination I see gaining even more momentum in 2026; its ability to feel both exotic and refined while offering incredible scope for design and storytelling. Couples today want their celebrations to feel considered and immersive rather than overdone, and Marrakech allows that beautifully through its architecture, gardens, textures and warm hospitality. The Amanjena in Marrakech is especially compelling for intimate weddings and stands out for us. Its palatial layout, rose-hued walls, reflective pools and lush grounds create a sense of calm luxury."

Expert: Shantnu and Nikhil Mehra, designers

When it comes to colour and silhouette for grooms, what are you bullish on in 2026?

“The ceremony today is deeply personal, and the modern groom is approaching wedding dressing with far greater awareness, confidence, and clarity. The shift is no longer about spectacle but about silhouette, proportion, and presence. We are particularly drawn to champagne golds, antique ivories, and deep charcoals. These tones offer depth, refinement, and versatility; soft yet commanding and classic yet directional. In silhouette, sharply tailored Sherwanis, elongated Bandhgalas, sculpted Jackets, and fluid-draped Kurtas paired with waistcoats continue to define the modern ceremonial wardrobe. Clean architectural lines paired with thoughtful layering, kamarbandhs, stoles, and textured waistcoats introduce dimension while maintaining restraint. The groom of 2026 is assured, composed, and expressive in a quieter, more deliberate way.”

Expert: Pooja Dhingra, chef, Le 15 and Pardon Your French

What’s the wedding dream cake of the year?

“The 2006 wedding cake is leaning towards more personal and handcrafted styles. We’re seeing a shift to soft buttercream finishes instead of flawless fondant. People are more open to trying new flavours – think dark chocolate, espresso, pistachio cream, brown butter and caramel. It’s also now about DIY, finishing the cake in front of the guests by placing berries. Cakes are now edible art with meaning, not just a centrepiece. 

Expert: Ashwin Lodha, creative head, Alok Lodha Jewels

What’s the ideal 2026 engagement ring?

“Unique cuts paired with detailed, craftsmanship-led settings define modern engagement rings. Distinctive shapes like moval, antique cushion, and step cuts, along with rare natural diamonds and exceptional gemstones, will be preferred over standard rounds. Intricate and refined detailing will create rings that feel personal and heirloom-worthy from the start.”

Expert: Dhwani Parikh, founder & CEO, The Travel Bus Company

Where should a couple honeymoon this year?

“As honeymoon curators, we’ve been observing a clear shift in how couples are choosing to travel after their wedding. The honeymoon is no longer a quick escape squeezed in before work resumes. I genuinely feel the new direction is toward longer, slower journeys – 20 to 25 days, where couples allow themselves to unwind properly. We’re seeing growing interest in destinations that feel truly distant, not just geographically, but emotionally removed from everyday life. New Zealand continues to be a favourite for couples who want space, nature and privacy. Long drives, dramatic landscapes and intimate lodges make it ideal for slowing down together. Across South America, the appeal lies in depth–whether it’s a mix of wilderness and wine regions or charming towns that encourage you to linger rather than rush. In the Caribbean, islands like Saint Barthélemy (St. Barths) are drawing couples who want understated elegance, quiet beaches and a sense of seclusion without excess. Couples want experiences that feel personal and unhurried. The idea is less about covering ground and more about creating space - for conversation, reflection, and simply enjoying each other’s company. The modern honeymoon, in our experience, is becoming less about ticking destinations off a list and more about beginning married life at a gentler pace.”

Expert: Anushka Khanna, designer

What are the wedding guests and extended family wearing this year?

“The sharara is still a sleeper hit, and I don’t see it slowing down this year. The ease, comfort and flattering fit are really unparalleled. It has some of the fluidity of a lehenga without weighing you down. It really is a silhouette that flatters across ages, and we create pieces that can be worn and layered in different ways—we have the slip kurta, we have a long jacket paired over a shorter crop, and we swap the voluminous dupatta for a twisted, braided stole. And because there’s nothing more enjoyable than dancing your heart out at an Indian wedding and we believe you just be able to all night, we’ve added ghungroos, payals and little accents, that make your twirl even more impactful.”

Expert: Devika Narain, wedding designer & founder, Devika Narain & Company

What’s a design element you would love to see more of in 2026?

“I’d love to see more experience-based details. Flower shops and other activities for guests. I want to see concepts inspired by our rich cultural heritage, Indian-grown flowers used in modern ways as installations or in the creation of walls. More craft in a modern context. I’d also love to see western flowers strung and draped.”

Expert: Biren Vaidya, creative director, House of Rose

What’s the go-to bridal jewellery item this year?

“Bangles and the wrist should be a strong focus. Our Bala, a solid, rounded traditional bangle, set with natural gemstones and gold, is a circle of continuity, tradition and protection. Traditionally, it’s been seen in Gujarati, Rajasthani and Marwari weddings, but now it’s universal. It really is the most timeless piece of jewellery and is a future heirloom across generations.”

Expert: Mira Kapoor, founder, Dhun Wellness

What do you think every bride should try and do this year? 

“Lymphatic drainage is emerging as the quiet global wellness trend, and it’s the one ritual I would recommend for every bride in 2026. It’s no longer a luxury—it’s foundational. And as with most things in wellness, the magic lies in the detail; technique is what separates transformative results from the ordinary. The lymphatic system clears excess fluid, toxins, and metabolic waste, yet unlike the circulatory system, it has no central pump and depends on movement and precise manual stimulation to function optimally. Wedding celebrations—travel, sodium-rich meals, late nights, hormonal shifts, heightened emotion—inevitably lead to puffiness, water retention, inflammation, and dullness. Consistent lymphatic drainage in the weeks leading up to the wedding naturally contours the body, refines the jawline, reduces bloating, improves circulation, and supports internal detox pathways.

At Dhun, our signature Sculpt lymphatic drainage therapy is designed to enhance definition and create that effortless, elongated silhouette while restoring internal balance. And I always say—never skip the Red Light Collagen Bed. In just 20 minutes, it stimulates collagen, accelerates cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and delivers skin that looks plump, luminous, and lit from within. As brides move toward minimal makeup and skin-first beauty, healthy, radiant skin becomes the ultimate canvas. Bridal wellness in 2026 is less about quick fixes and more about intelligent, consistent preparation—the kind that quietly transforms everything.”