2026 Sunshine Coast Wedding Predications: What’s In, What’s Fading & How to Plan Your Day Your Way
You can finally say it out loud… we’re getting married this year!
Hello 2026 couples. New year, fresh energy, and so much excitement in the air.
To kick off the very first Pop The Question podcast episode of 2026, I sat down with the gorgeous Kristy Aitken from Vow Haus, Sunshine Coast wedding planner, stylist and the creator of the ultimate Sunshine Coast wedding planning journal. We’ve worked together on plenty of beautiful hinterland weddings over the years, so it felt extra special to start the year chatting trends, ideas and what’s coming next for weddings right here on the Coast.
Photo: Lee Burgess
This episode (and blog post) is all about inspiration, choice and reassurance. Trends are helpful, but they’re never the rule book. If you’re planning a Sunshine Coast wedding in 2026, this is your permission slip to do things your way.
As a Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, I see these shifts play out in real time. Not just what looks good on Pinterest, but what actually works on the day and what couples are still talking about years later.
Smaller Guest Lists, Bigger Experiences
One of the biggest takeaways from Kristy’s 2026 predictions is that Sunshine Coast weddings are still leaning intimate, but they’re being elevated in really fun ways.
Post-COVID, couples are continuing to keep guest numbers a little smaller, but instead of cutting corners, they’re spending more intentionally. The focus has shifted from “how many people can we invite?” to “how do we create an unforgettable experience?”
Think less about scale, more about vibe.
From behind the lens:
Smaller weddings almost always feel more relaxed. Timelines run smoother, couples are more present and there’s more genuine interaction. As a photographer, this means I’m capturing real conversations, belly laughs and emotional moments, not rushed hellos and goodbyes.
Elevating the Guest Experience
For 2026 Sunshine Coast weddings, couples are investing in experiences that get guests mingling, talking and genuinely enjoying the day.
Some of the fun ideas Kristy is seeing more of:
Pop-up tattoo parlours during the reception
Oyster bars and interactive food stations during cocktail hour
Champagne towers being swapped for dessert stations like tiramisu or cheesecake towers
These moments aren’t just fun for guests, they photograph beautifully too. As a wedding photographer, I can tell you these interactive elements always bring out genuine laughter, connection and atmosphere.
My photographer observation:
When guests have something to do, not just somewhere to sit, the whole energy of the wedding lifts. These are the moments where people forget the camera is even there and that’s when the magic happens.
Food as a Social Experience
Food is no longer just about feeding people. In 2026, it’s becoming a social anchor point.
Interactive food stations help guests mingle naturally, especially at smaller weddings where not everyone knows each other. Oyster bars, grazing tables and dessert stations become instant conversation starters and add a relaxed, European-style feel to Sunshine Coast celebrations.
If you’re planning a coastal or hinterland wedding, this style of catering fits perfectly with our laid-back lifestyle.
What I notice on the day:
Some of the best candid photos happen around food stations. People relax, chat, laugh and connect. It’s a natural way to break the ice and it creates beautiful storytelling images that really reflect the feel of your day.
Midweek Weddings Are Having a Moment
One of my favourite trends (and Kristy agrees) is the rise of weekday weddings.
For 2026, Wednesday and Thursday weddings are becoming increasingly popular on the Sunshine Coast. Why?
Better venue availability
More flexibility with suppliers
Often allows couples to elevate their styling or guest experience
Because the Sunshine Coast is such a holiday destination, midweek weddings make so much sense. Couples are turning their wedding into a full celebration week, spending quality time with guests before and after the big day.
From my experience:
Midweek weddings often feel calmer. Suppliers aren’t juggling multiple events, venues are more relaxed and couples feel less pressure. It’s a quieter, more intentional way to get married and I’m seeing couples absolutely love it.
Sunshine Coast Weddings as a Mini Holiday
More couples are planning weddings that double as a getaway.
Kristy is seeing couples:
Marry in the hinterland, then stay down by the beach
Or marry on the coast, then escape inland for a few days
Delay their honeymoon and spend time soaking up the Coast with family and friends
This approach naturally leads to smaller guest lists and deeper connection. It’s less rush, more presence.
Why this photographs so beautifully:
When couples aren’t racing off straight after the reception, everything slows down. The images feel softer, more relaxed and more real. It also means you get more time together, which always shows in photos.
Backyard & Private Property Weddings Are Back
Private property weddings are becoming increasingly popular for 2026, especially for couples wanting something deeply personal.
Family homes, acreage properties and backyard weddings allow for:
More creative freedom
Personal touches that feel truly “you”
Relaxed timelines
I had a backyard wedding myself, so this trend holds a special place in my heart. You can still have all the beautiful details, catering, bar staff and styling, while creating something that feels meaningful and intimate.
A gentle photographer tip:
Backyard weddings work best when they’re planned like a venue wedding. Power, lighting, wet weather plans and flow all matter. When done well, they are some of the most heartfelt weddings I’ve ever photographed.
Barefoot Dancing & Pure Fun
Kristy summed it up perfectly. Weddings are becoming more fun.
If there’s a pool, chances are guests are jumping in by the end of the night. Shoes come off, formalities relax and the celebration turns into a party everyone remembers.
This shift toward fun, authenticity and connection is something I absolutely love capturing as a photographer.
What this means for photos:
The later the night gets, the more real it becomes. These are the images couples come back to again and again because they capture how the day felt, not just how it looked.
Styling Trends for 2026 Sunshine Coast Weddings
Styling in 2026 is about softness, texture and personality.
Kristy is seeing:
Less structured florals
More garden-inspired, abstract arrangements
Flowers that feel like art rather than symmetry
The big styling trend that’s starting to fade? Draping.
It had its moment and while it can still work beautifully, it’s no longer dominating wedding styling the way it has in recent years.
From behind the camera:
Unstructured florals photograph so beautifully, especially outdoors. They move with the breeze, catch the light and feel timeless rather than trend-driven.
Pantone Colour of the Year 2026: Cloud Dance
Pantone’s 2026 colour, Cloud Dance, is a soft white-grey neutral that works beautifully as a base.
What I love about this colour is that it lets couples build their own story:
Coastal couples can add pastels or ocean tones
Hinterland weddings can lean into earthy palettes
Bold couples can layer in colour and contrast
Again, it’s a guide, not a rule.
Photographer note:
Neutral base palettes age beautifully in photos. Years from now, your images will still feel fresh and timeless.
The Biggest Takeaway for 2026 Couples
Kristy’s advice was simple and powerful:
It’s your day. Do it your way.
Trends will come and go. Predictions change every year. What lasts is how your wedding feels and how true it is to who you are as a couple.
Guests remember authenticity. They remember laughter, quirks and moments that feel real.
My short list for 2026 couples:
Plan for experience, not perfection
Choose what feels right for you, not what’s trending
Give yourselves time and space to be present
Trust experienced vendors who know the Sunshine Coast
From everything I see, the couples who enjoy their wedding the most are the ones who let go a little and lean into what matters.
Listen to the Full Episode
You can listen to the full episode featuring Kristy Aitken from Vow Haus right here👉2026 Sunshine Coast Wedding Predications
You can listen to Episode 12 and all of Pop The Question podcasts now on Spotify and YouTube.
Planning a DIY or Sunshine Coast Wedding?
This is where Vow Haus shines. Kristy has poured years of Sunshine Coast wedding knowledge into her beautifully designed wedding planning journal, created specifically for local venues, suppliers and conditions.
It’s available in print, digital or both, and covers everything from venue selection to ceremonies, receptions and DIY planning. If you’re planning a Sunshine Coast wedding, it’s an incredible resource.
You can find Kristy and Vow Haus here:
Instagram: @vowhausau
Website: vowhaus.com.au
Why I Love Sharing This Advice
As a Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, my goal isn’t just to take beautiful photos. I want couples to feel confident, informed and supported throughout their planning journey.
This blog post, the podcast and the expert advice I share are all part of helping you plan a wedding that feels relaxed, real and completely you.
If you’re planning a 2026 Sunshine Coast wedding and want someone by your side who understands the Coast, the light, the locations and the moments that matter, I’d love to chat.
Here’s to 2026 weddings. Let’s make them unforgettable!
📷You can view my packages here - Wedding Photography Packages
🎧 Want more wedding wisdom? See all Pop the Question episodes here
📘 Download my FREE Sunshine Coast Wedding Planning Guide - it’s full of local tips and insider advice to help you plan with confidence.
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Full show notes - https://www.imagesbylouobrien.com/pop-the-question
Episode Transcript
Lou (00:31)
This week on Pop the Question, I'm chatting with the lovely Kristy from Vow Haus Kristy is also a wedding planner with Maple Weddings and she is the wonderful creator of Vow Haus, which is a wedding planner journal designed specifically for Sunshine Coast weddings. So Kristy and I have crossed paths many times working on beautiful weddings up in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
So it's lovely for us to be able to sit down and chat about trends and ideas for what's coming up in 2026. this episode is all about inspiration, choice, and reminding couples that predictions are just that, It's just a guide, but not the rule book. And this is Kiki She loves chatting here with everyone.
Kristy (01:15)
Thank
you.
Lou (01:16)
So if you are planning a Sunshine Coast wedding or just love knowing what's coming up next, then you're going to love this chat with Kristy. Hi, Kristy. How are you today?
Kristy (01:27)
Well, it's a little bit drizzly today. It's nice that it's a bit cooler. My hair's a bit frizzy though. Thank you. Thank you very much. I've had a little bit, yes? 2026, new year, new me.
Lou (01:31)
I know. It looks good. I like the cut. Yeah, you've had a little bit chopped off.
Yeah, love it. And do you want to show me that new little thing you've got on your wrist there?
Kristy (01:47)
These are upside down, but that's my new tattoo. Actually, it's my first. It's not even, it's new, but it's my first one.
Lou (01:55)
It's a beautiful dolphin. love that. Perfect for a Sunshine Coast person.
Kristy (02:00)
Absolutely, I love the ocean, I love being down at the beach. So yes, they are definitely my favourite animal.
Lou (02:06)
Yeah, I call the ocean my vitamin C. S-E-A. Now, Kristy, for anyone out there that hasn't met you before and doesn't know you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Kristy (02:10)
Absolutely. Yeah, for sure.
So I originally started in the wedding industry working as a venue manager at one of the iconic hinterland venues up here. It's a DIY venue. So I did about maybe 18 months to two years there, which I absolutely loved. And then from there, obviously that was my stepping stone. I got to meet people within the industry and having had a previous business in Brisbane, I decided to go out on my own.
Lou (02:34)
Right.
Kristy (02:46)
with the support from the venue, started up Maple Wedding, which I've probably been doing about eight or so years now. So wedding planner, which initially I was only going to be a wedding planner and a coordinator. And then somehow everything grew and then styling and then hire and now I've got sheds. But maybe, yeah, 2026 is going to look a little bit different from Maple Wedding.
Lou (02:53)
Wow.
Kristy (03:09)
So obviously with all of my knowledge of running venues, especially DIY ones and up here on the hinterland and all of my expertise and knowledge from planning so many weddings, I decided to start Vow Haus. So Vow Haus is a wedding planner journal. This particular novel that I've done or my initial one is specific to the Sunshine Coast, obviously because I know it, I live here, this is where I've done all my weddings.
and all my connections are here. So I've put all of the information that I know into the journal. It's over 200 pages.
Yeah, I've sort of built up over the years.
Lou (03:46)
Yeah, that's great. And how did you come up with the name Vow Haus? is there a, sounds German to me.
Kristy (03:52)
It is most definitely German. I was kind of going with just European in general. German, French, you know, something like that. I just wanted something a little bit different, something that would stand out. It's something that was quite generic and then encompassed everything. Like it's basically your journal is your house for your vows and your vows is your wedding. So everything is just in that one journal being your house.
Lou (03:56)
Okay.
I love that. I love that there's a beautiful meaning behind it and it just sounds so chic.
Okay, so to kick off 2026, I thought it would be really fun, Kristy, for you to give us your predictions for Sunshine Coast Wedding.
Kristy (04:30)
This is always a big kind of thing that obviously within the wedding industry, all of our colleagues and peers, we all sort of work individually, small business on our own. And this is something we quite often talk about, especially heading into a new year and seeing what we've just come out of in the last year. Within conversations within the industry and a little bit of research, but also looking at my own personal bookings going into next year.
⁓ I would say that weddings are still a bit smaller than usual. ⁓ That's still just a common, something that has just happened after COVID, everyone sort of reigned things back a little bit, which is great because they're intimate, they're lovely. But with that, going into 2026, we're seeing that weddings are elevating a little bit more. So they're still relaxed, maybe a little bit smaller.
Lou (05:00)
Yup.
Kristy (05:19)
but they are spending a little bit more money and elevating them.
Lou (05:22)
Yes, when you say elevating them, what do you mean?
Kristy (05:25)
Yeah, so when the weddings that we've got coming up or we've just had recently, we're finding people are wanting to spend a little bit of money on the extra things or the extra fun components of their wedding day. One just recently we just did and we have seen this and it's sort of on the grapevine is people are actually having little tattoo parlours at their weddings. Yeah.
Lou (05:48)
is this little tattoo parlor maybe that
gave you the little seed to get your tattoo?
Kristy (05:52)
But
look, no, it wasn't. But when I was there, it was really fun to watch, like, everyone lining up. Obviously, they just got small little things or something that represented the couple or, you know, and the couple both got one. So that was that was really fun, actually. Everyone really loved being a part of that. And obviously, yeah, definitely a memory.
Lou (06:12)
That's super cute.
I did a wedding back at Twin Waters Resort. This was a few years ago now. And the groom actually had his wedding ring tattooed on just before the ceremony.
Kristy (06:21)
Yeah.
Yes, I have had one of those weddings this past year as well. So yes, they definitely that's I guess a fun component where people are elevating because they're paying that extra expense to have something like that come in. and So I'm also finding
people are spending a little bit more extra on food and during that cocktail sort of canapé hour where they're mixing in like oyster stations, things like that, where people are going up grabbing their own oysters. So they are just elevating their weddings just that little bit more by just offering those extra few things. Even... Yes, so fun.
Lou (07:06)
I would love to be invited to a wedding that has an oyster bar. How good would that be? ⁓ my goodness. ⁓
Kristy (07:12)
They're
always great too because people are around the bar and you know, if you don't know the person, it's a good way for people to interact and talk. So it's a good way for your guests to really mingle, especially if they are a smaller wedding. ⁓ So I am finding people are using food as a building kind of experience. Even like we're starting to see champagne towers are still there, but people are kind of swapping out now and doing dessert stations with like tiramisu towers.
Lou (07:26)
Yeah.
Kristy (07:41)
or cheesecake towers, things like that. So again, people are going up, it's a good way to mingle and talk to people. It's just a fun thing to have. So people are spending, but just incorporating maybe more fun things on their day. We've
Lou (07:42)
⁓ wow
I love that.
so they're spending a little bit of money, like on their reception to have like fun experiences for the guests. So the guests have a great time. It builds a great vibe. And the wedding may not be a big wedding, but they're spending more money on the experience.
Kristy (08:11)
Absolutely. And even down to, you know, they are spending and they're elevating their weddings, like even just with the flowers, you know, I'm finding there is like a trend now following through of not so much structural flowers, but more garden-esque, abstract kind of, I guess, art almost, which is a talking point as well. So they definitely are elevating their weddings.
Lou (08:13)
Okay.
wow.
Kristy (08:36)
They're choosing weekdays as opposed to a weekend, which obviously allows them a little bit of extra money to elevate those weddings.
Lou (08:45)
So weekday weddings, that's really cool. I love working weekdays. I mean, as a wedding photographer, I had done so many weekends that I've lost that having weekdays are great. What weekday do you find is the most popular? What do you think will be the most popular for 2026?
Kristy (08:50)
Me too!
I would say, and this is looking at my own personal bookings, but probably in around that Wednesday, Thursday. Obviously Fridays, but I sort of class Friday still as your weekend, technically. ⁓ So your Wednesday, Thursday. So absolutely people are choosing weekdays.
Lou (09:14)
Yes.
Yeah.
Because we're on the Sunshine Coast, having a weekday so much easier because it's a holiday destination. So yeah, why wouldn't you turn it into a holiday as well for you and your guests?
Kristy (09:26)
Absolutely. Yep.
Yeah,
which is what a lot of people are doing now. And again, I think that's why people are reining their numbers back. Just so then they do have quality time. They do stay here. They don't go away for a honeymoon straight away. They definitely are spending that week or two with guests here. And they're mixing it up. If they're getting married on the hinterland, then they're booking down the coast for like a week or vice versa. They're getting married down on the coast. Then they're coming up on the hinterland to hang out. So
everyone's seeing, I guess, the best of both worlds here on the coast.
Lou (10:02)
yeah, we've got so much to offer here. So it's perfect they can do the two of those. Have you got any more predictions for us for 2026 Sunshine Coast weddings?
Kristy (10:06)
Absolutely, absolutely. There's so much to do here.
Lou (10:15)
⁓
So, Kristy, do you have any more predictions for us for 2026 Sunshine Coast wedding?
Kristy (10:22)
I would say, and venues are probably not going to like me much, but I am seeing quite a lot of people are steering clear and they're having them on a private property, family home, that sort of thing. They've got a little bit more freedom. And obviously it's more personalized. And then with that, I'm finding people are having a pool party. If there's a pool, everyone's undressing, end of the night, everyone's jumping in the pool. Again, everyone's more about fun.
Lou (10:37)
Yeah.
my gosh.
Yeah, I love backyard weddings because I actually had one myself. I got married on Kings Beach Headland. So that's where I grew up. So we had our wedding there and then we went all the way to Currimundi to our backyard and had a backyard wedding. But at the same time, we got a marquee, we had bar staff, we had catering and catering staff like
Kristy (10:50)
and
Yes. ⁓
Yep.
Yeah, great.
Lou (11:14)
even though was a backyard wedding, we had all the things I wanted, but it just felt so much more personal to me to be able to do that.
Kristy (11:24)
Absolutely, and I do feel that's where couples nowadays and heading into 2026 are re-evaluating what they want for their wedding and they are opting to personalise their wedding more so, not so much all the traditional things and that's probably why they're reigning their numbers back. So they're wanting something intimate, personal, something that's just more about them.
Lou (11:47)
one thing that you're saying, ⁓ which I've picked on too with what you're saying there is people want authenticity because there's so much AI out there that everything's not real anymore. So they want a real experience. And I feel like, which I'm loving that people are wanting that connection and the realness of the world and not living off your phones and AI and all this fakeness.
Kristy (11:55)
Absolutely. Yeah.
That's
right. I would agree with that, absolutely. And that probably is why people are heading into that direction of going to private property and using their family home and that sort of thing. Like you say, though, like there's still a lot involved. You you've got to have everyone there to manage that, which is why Vow Haus is really good, because it can help you manage your whole DIY wedding.
Lou (12:29)
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Absolutely,
yes, such a good point, I love that. Now, do you know, Kristy, what our Pantone colour of the year is for 2026?
Kristy (12:41)
I guess.
Dancer yes, which is like a white greyish, grey tone.
Lou (12:51)
Cloud Dance. Yeah,
I feel like you could build anything around that color, which is kind of good. They've brought in a neutral color and said, you know what, you put your spin on this. This is the base color and you build around it.
Kristy (13:07)
Add to it which is great because like I say being coastal or hinterland you might want to use earthy colors if you down on the coast you might want to use the pastels or you might go the bright bold colors, so again This is your day Do what you want? Not what everyone else is telling you what the predictions say or what the trends are because trends come and go every year like I say us Vendors get together and think what's happening?
this coming year or what's happening then. And I can tell you now that we've just had the whole trend with draping. Everyone wanted to have fabric and layers and texture and all that sort of stuff, which is great. But heading into 2026, we're not seeing that as much. It will fade out. So predictions and trends are always changing.
Lou (13:42)
Yep.
Yeah. Okay.
interesting. Well, thank you very much for all of that. What we're going to do now is move on to my favorite part of the podcast where I put my guest on the spot with, pop the question, with my mystery themed wedding question. So I'm going to open, we're going to pull one out of here. Let's see what we got, Kristy. This is the
Kristy (14:01)
That's a K!
Bye.
Make it an easy one.
I might end
up swearing and this might not be good. So please make it good.
Lou (14:24)
I'm
my gosh, I tell you what, my little angels go into my camera and find the best questions for people. I'm not joking, I did not pull this out on purpose. This is a complete mystery. It is, what trend do you think will disappear? What?
Kristy (14:39)
I'm scared.
Yay! Thank you! Absolutely, we're not up and down the whole time. But in saying that, when that trend was here in this last year, people weren't just using it for ceiling, they were using it on their tables, through their ceremony, on their arbours and things like that. So draping can be everywhere.
Lou (14:48)
DRAPPING!
Does that mean you don't have to bring as many ladders?
Yes.
Kristy (15:13)
⁓
But yes, definitely that trend has sort of dissipated a little bit, which from a stylist's point of view, is fabulous.
Lou (15:18)
Thank you.
And you called
it early before I even pulled that out. You called it early.
Kristy (15:26)
Thank you. I was so scared
to get that pop the question, so I do thank you. I didn't have to think on the spot.
Lou (15:31)
You did so well. ⁓
Now, before you go, I always like to let our listeners get a couple of good tips or actionable steps to take away from them. So if you were to say to someone planning their wedding for 2026 with your predictions on the Sunshine Coast, what would you say?
Kristy (15:49)
Again, going back to what I just said before, it's your day. Do it your way. Don't worry about predictions. Every wedding is unique. and just keep it personable. Do what makes you happy or what represents the two of you. Quirks and things in your actual ceremony are fun. Guests love that. They're surprised. They hear new things about you. So absolutely just...
Keep it to you, who you both are. Keep it real. ⁓
Lou (16:18)
Yeah, I love that. That's such a good
idea. And I think too, one of the other things is your beautiful journal, The Vow Haus. Do you want to show us that? think you've got, have you got a copy of it? ⁓ So.
Kristy (16:26)
Yep.
I do have it here, right here. So it's
in a binder, so it's a little bit hard to see, but just so you can see, you can get digital or print or both, ⁓ But as you can see, the binder is literally full. I can't fit any more pages in.
Lou (16:35)
Okay, can people get digital copies as well or do they get the hard copy?
Mm-hmm.
That is full.
Kristy (16:49)
And there's like, think
maybe like 25 tabs there. So it covers everything from venue selection, through your ceremony, reception, DIY, venue. It has everything.
Lou (16:52)
Yeah.
Perfect. I love that. Well, if people want to find you on the socials, Kristy where can they find you?
Kristy (17:08)
So we are on Instagram, VowHouseAU and house is HAUS, which is that European, German, French kind of schwang coming through. Or you can find, we do just have the website, which is where you can purchase the journal, which is just VowHouse.com.au. I'm not on TikTok yet, but I will be, because apparently that's a new trend, right? So.
Lou (17:15)
Yeah
We've got to get you there. Yes, it is.
2026 TikTok, that's where it is. So thank you so much, Kristy, for coming along today. And for everyone that wants to find out more information about Kristy, the Vow Haus, or any past episodes that I've had, you can go to my website, which is imagesbylouobrien.com/pop_the_question You'll get all of today's show notes.
Kristy (17:33)
Absolutely.
Lou (17:52)
more inspiration about weddings and more. So thank you again, Kristy. It's been great chatting to you. By the way, absolutely love your top,how cute is it? No worries. See
Kristy (18:00)
Thank you.
Yay! Thanks for having me!
Pop The Question podcast is brought to you by Sunshine Coast Wedding Collective and hosted by Lou O’Brien, Sunshine Coast Wedding Photographer. Podcast link - 2026 Wedding Predications for Sunshine Coast Weddings