Wedding Cake Trend Predictions for 2026

We love looking forward each year to see what trends will come and go in the wedding industry. Each year brings its own unique twists to traditional wedding celebrations, and 2026 will be no different. With a rise in the number of Gen Z weddings, we expect to see some dramatic shifts in wedding trends next year and beyond. We predict that 2026 weddings will focus more on the guest experience- making sure guests are comfortable with curated lounge seating, transporting them to another time or world with extravagant theme weddings, and a focus on fun with vibrant colors and flavors. We also expect to see a rise in the number of personal details included in the decor and reception as a whole. Branded wedding favors, unique interactive stations, and pictures and flavors that tell the love story being celebrated will all become more popular next year.

These industry shifts will extend to the dessert table as well, and we are excited to explore a few wedding cake trend predictions that we are excited about in 2026!

Themed Wedding Cakes

We expect themed weddings to be a major trend in 2026. Couples will go all-out to host extravagant receptions decorated to look like their favorite historical era or fantasy world. Some popular themes may include Bridgerton regency era weddings, botanical fairy garden weddings, and retro 1970s glamor weddings. Themed weddings will also showcase over-the-top cake designs that serve as the true centerpiece of the reception. Regency weddings will feature towering, Lambeth-style cakes with kitschy colors and details (think pastel colors and candy pearl or lace detailing). Weddings with a garden theme will focus on floral and fruit decor on the cake, with pressed flowers, sugar flowers, fresh floral meadows, and hand-painted details all being utilized. These botanical details will make the cake design feel fresh, natural, and alive. Disco-themed celebrations will center around a cake with bold, retro colors and metallic disco ball decor. These cakes will be all about fun and the celebration of love.

Custom, Curated Flavors and Small Bites

We believe 2026 weddings will show a shift in traditional reception dining. Instead of a seated dinner with multiple courses, more couples will choose to offer dining stations with options for their guests to choose from, or will hire their favorite food trucks to cater. These options are more interactive and create a unique experience for guests. On the dessert table, many couples will choose to forgo the traditional tiered wedding cake for a selection of curated small bite desserts that highlight flavors they love. This is a fun way to incorporate personal details through flavor and tell a story using the dessert table. They might include custom dessert shooters with the flavors of the first dessert they ate together, or flavors inspired by travels they have gone on. They might place personalized macarons at each table for guests to snack on throughout the night. Choosing to offer a curated selection of small bites for dessert is a great way to elevate the celebration and include personal details from your love story.

Vibrant Colors and Earth Tones

Trendy weddings in 2026 will choose one of two color palettes: bold and vibrant, or natural and earthy. We will see fewer weddings with a “black and white” theme, and will instead see couples embrace more saturated, alive colors like sapphire and magenta, or organic neutrals with fun textures. Couples who want to create an environment that pulses with joy and maximalist fun will choose bold colors like emerald, violet, sky blue, and bright pinks. These colors add life to the celebration and are perfect for confident, modern couples hoping to have the best time on their special day. Alternatively, we also expect to see a rise in the natural, organic decor aesthetic. These weddings will focus on sustainably sourced materials, farm-fresh foods, and utilizing a natural setting for the celebration. Earth tones like taupe, deep brown, and light beige will feature heavily in these weddings, along with fun pops of natural colors like brighter greens and terra cotta. We are so excited to explore both of these unique options in wedding cake designs next year!

Daring Textures and Shapes

2026 wedding cakes will be all about creating drama through the use of bold textures and unique shapes. Texture will play a big part in wedding cake designs next year. Fondant will be draped to mimic the look of fabric, or will be molded into dramatic ruffles or sails. Edible paper may also be used to create delicate ruffles and torn edges. These cakes will be works of art on the dessert table and are perfect for couples who want a modern, romantic design. For those who like a more structural, minimalist design, unique tier shapes will also become more popular next year. Shaping cake tiers into diagonal lines or having different tier heights is a great way to add visual interest while maintaining a sleek, modern look. Clear plastic cake tiers may also be added to create the illusion of floating tiers and add towering height to the cake. These simple but stunning cakes have a sculptural silhouette that is sure to wow guests and be memorable.

Sheet Cakes

Sheet cakes are expected to make a big comeback in 2026- and not just as additional cakes that will be cut in the kitchen and served to guests, but as the main showcase on the dessert table. They are typically less expensive than multi-tiered wedding cakes, making them a more budget-friendly option, but that is only one reason they are becoming more and more popular. Sheet cakes offer more surface area than traditional tiered cakes, meaning they have more space for intricate piping and highly stylized designs. Trendy sheet cakes will feature vintage-inspired piping along the edges, as well as custom designs on top that tie into the rest of the wedding design. This might be a bouquet of buttercream flowers, or a groom’s cake with an intricate fly-fishing theme. 2026 will also see a rise in long, infinity sheet cakes that run the whole length of the table. These are dramatic, beautiful celebration cakes that are a fun alternative to a tiered cake and still serve a large crowd.

There are some really fun wedding cake trends coming in 2026, and we cannot wait to explore these unique, spectacular designs. We hope that, whether you are planning your own wedding or just along on the wedding industry train ride, you enjoyed looking at these trend predictions for next year. Each year brings unique and stunning wedding cake designs, and we could not be more excited to see what 2026 has in store!