How to have a meaningful wedding in 2026: 10 ways to refocus and make your day special
If you could bottle up and keep just one thing from your wedding day, it’d be the joy. The exact feeling of saying “I do”, or perhaps when you first see each other walking down the aisle: that burst of love and happiness. That right there is your once-in-a-lifetime wedding moment. Couples who feature on English Wedding tell us again and again how amazing it feels. And only afterwards do you realise that every minute of the last however-many-months you’ve spent planning was all leading up to that moment.
Images in this blog are from Jemma Khan Studio. Known for calm guidance, thoughtful service, and abundant yet considered arrangements, Jemma works with couples to design floral experiences that feel personal, timeless, and completely effortless. Header image by Sophie Mort Photography
It’s easy to get caught up in wedding planning, follow all the details on your checklist and feel as though you need all of those little details: the table decor, the signage, the blankets or baskets of flip flops, sparklers and 8pm pizza truck*. But with that comes a trap where you lose sight of what’s important.
Here’s how to refocus on having a meaningful wedding.
- Scale it back: invite people you’re both genuinely close to, and avoid unfamiliar faces and awkward catch ups on your big day
- Have a considered ceremony: Celebrants are highly recommended for the most meaningful wedding ceremonies – learn about humanist and independent wedding celebrants here
- Include extra little touches – but not stuff: How about some meaningful wedding readings?
- Choose natural wedding photography with minimal (if any) posed shots
- Hire trusted suppliers: folks who’ll be calm, and experienced enough to solve any problems on the day without you even needing to know about it!
- … and trust your suppliers. If you’ve picked the right team, you should be able to relax and just let them do their thing.
- Go for relaxed, not formal vibes. Formality, tradition and etiquette can all get in the way of what’s important, and that’s basking in the LOVE all around you. Ditch the bouquet toss and don’t even consider a receiving line!
- Stay comfortable: don’t ask anyone to speak if it’s not their thing and it will make them nervous (including traditional speakers: a shy best man, neurodivergent groom or self-conscious dad shouldn’t be forced into it. You don’t need to have speeches at all, but if you do, avoid AI and watch this wedding speech advice instead
- Personality: make the day (and the planning) about both of you – no surprises, and equality all the way if you plan your wedding together
- Prioritise self care to avoid overwhelm and planxiety, especially as your big day draws closer
Photography by Emilie May Photo at Holesfoot Cumbria; floral styling by Jemma Khan Studio
More really lovely advice here:
How to plan an intentional, sincere and authentic wedding
11 ways to have a more authentic, heartfelt wedding
Beyond the “I Do”: 10 ways to have a meaningful ceremony
* OK – we’re happy to consider pizza trucks an essential if you are!
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