The Wedding Collective's Inner Circle on the wedding trends of the year

The countdown to Season 3 of The Wedding Collective in Mumbai, is on. But before the big weekender arrives in a shower of sequins and serotonin, we're letting you in on the secret sauce again—the Inner Circle. Our handpicked squad of tastemakers, curators and creators who don't just love weddings, they live them. They're the voices you want in your wedding group chat and the opinions worth bookmarking before you do any wedding shopping or planning.

This season, they're spilling their insider knowhow and secrets. From the trends that will dominate the upcoming wedding season to shopping secrets and what you should have your eyes out for at the show, this year. Their answers? Sharp, considered, occasionally funny, and all entirely worth reading before you start shopping. Meet the Inner Circle:

Aakriti Ahuja Khurana

Entrepreneur & Founder, LaFeria Events

Trend of the year: "Social media content, people don't want to just see what your wedding looks like, they want to see what led up to your wedding, how everyone is feeling throughout the wedding, what are the inside jokes? What is the inside gossip?"

Wedding shopping rule: "Do not listen to every Chachi or Mami that tells you what to buy, you should see what works for you and what does not. If heavy outfits are something that doesn't work for you, buy the lighter ones! Figure out what works for you."

Top pick at TWC '26: "Interacting with designers personally, getting their advice and recommendations."

Ayanka Nihal Singh

Co-founder, Pret-A-Pop

Trend of the year: "Patola lehengas and saris most definitely. Also gold jewellery is making a comeback."

Wedding shopping rule: "Invest in timeless pieces and not short-lived trends."

Top pick at TWC '26: "I'm excited to explore the new designers and pick up some exquisite outfits to refresh my wedding wardrobe for the season ahead."

Azmina Rahimtoola

Co-founder, ATOSA, fashion, bridal and lifestyle consultant.

Trend of the year: "Thoughtful choices. Couples are becoming far more conscious about quality, craftsmanship, and pieces that hold value beyond the wedding itself."

Wedding shopping rule: "Start earlier than you think you need to. The best decisions are never rushed, and wedding shopping should be an enjoyable journey, not a stressful checklist."

Top pick at TWC '26: "Having been in the industry for over 20 years, I can honestly say that for me, it's always the conversations. Meeting designers, reconnecting with industry favourites, and seeing what's new under one roof is what makes The Wedding Collective such a special experience."

Ritika Talwar Singh

Founder, Paperazzi & co-founder of Pret-A-Pop and Door No. 3

Trend of the year: "Picking experiences over extravagance. Couples are becoming far more intentional about where they spend and are prioritising elements that guests will genuinely remember, whether that's immersive food experiences, personalised details, intimate celebrations, or destination-inspired aesthetics."

Wedding shopping rule: "Buy fewer things but buy them well. Invest in pieces that truly excite you and that you'll love looking back on years later, rather than chasing every trend or buying outfits simply because tradition dictates it. The best wedding wardrobes today feel curated, not excessive."

Top pick at TWC '26: "I'm most excited about bringing together some of the finest names in fashion, jewellery, beauty and celebrations under one roof and creating an experience that feels inspiring, effortless and enjoyable for brides and their families.”

Shaan Khanna

Founder, Networking Now India, business consultant and entrepreneur

Trend of the year: "I think the OTT glam, sequence and shimmer is back! The days of easy breezy might be behind us now. I'm loving the maang tikkas and heavy saris back in action, Bollywood style."

Wedding shopping rule: "Everything is limited edition, one piece only, made to order, exclusive–please do your research and buy what you love."

Top pick at TWC '26: "The clothes! There's always so much new stuff and new collections never seen anywhere else, so excited for that."

Tasheen Rahimtoola

Founder, Taste Retreat, content and event Creator

Trend of the year: "I think 2026 weddings are going to feel a lot more personal. People are moving away from following every trend and are choosing details that actually reflect their personality, whether that's fashion, décor, or even the guest experience."

Wedding shopping rule: "You don't need ten outfits just because it's a wedding season. I'd rather invest in pieces I genuinely love and know I'll reach for again, instead of buying something just for one event."

Top pick at TWC '26: "Discovering new designers and finding those hidden gems. That's honestly my favourite part, walking in with no expectations and leaving with a wishlist that's way longer than it should be."

Upasana Asrani

Founder, Madras Art Weekend, artist, curator and entrepreneur

Trend of the year: "Weddings in 2026 are all set to make celebrations epic in every way from experiential and sensorial decor to exotic destinations and a more intimate and personalised guest list thereby making every moment authentic, memorable and meaningful."

Wedding shopping rule: "Shopping for a wedding should have all the elements to make it glam, sexy and chic. Bolder silhouettes, dramatic and glamorous looks highlighted with embellished and versatile one of a kind pieces that add to the overall look and feel."

Top pick at TWC '26: "Looking forward to seeing all the amazing brands under one roof, the palpable energy in the room, and as always the thoughtful curation that makes this a one of a kind show."

Richa Begani

Co-Founder of The Line Up, Luxury and Lifestyle Influencer

Trend of the year: "Fashion-forward. Brides are experimenting beyond the traditional lehenga with interesting silhouettes, separates, drapes and styling that feels almost editorial. The outfit itself is becoming a lot more fun."

Wedding shopping rule: "Have fun with it, and remember too many cooks spoil the broth! Everyone will have an opinion, but at the end of the day, you know what feels most like you. Don't overthink it, trust your instinct and wear what makes you happy."

Top pick at TWC '26: "Honestly, just seeing so many ideas and creative people come together in one space. I'm excited to discover what's new, meet people doing interesting things and see all that inspiration come to life in ways that make weddings feel more personal."

Tina Kakkad

Co-founder of The Line Up, TedX speaker, Luxury and Lifestyle Influencer

Trend of the year: "I think weddings are becoming a lot more personal. It's less about following cookie-cutter trends and more about telling your story through the design, the details and little customisations that actually mean something to you."

Wedding shopping rule: "Less is more. I would say one should rather invest in fewer, really special pieces than buy just for the sake of buying. Things that feel timeless, one-of-a-kind and can eventually become heirlooms rather than pieces you wear once and forget about."

Top pick at TWC 2026: "I'm excited to discover what's new, meet people doing interesting things and see all that inspiration come to life in ways that make weddings feel more personal."