A seasoned wedding planner with more than 20 years of experience has highlighted the trends she sees fading in the wedding scene and those she predicts will become popular by 2026.
Robin ‘Birdie’ Yarusso, 43, based in Lakeville, Minneapolis, has orchestrated over 100 weddings in her impressive 25-year career, granting her a comprehensive perspective on evolving wedding trends.
Her extensive experience has given her unique insight into which trends are on the rise and which ones are losing favor in the bridal industry.
With social media perpetually influencing wedding fashions, Birdie has shared exclusively with the Daily Mail which once-popular accessories and activities are declining in popularity.
First thing? Using burlap to decorate your wedding venue.
For years, many people used the material as table runners, placemats, or chair decor, with the fabric helping create a rustic look.
‘Burlap is done. Please please let it go,’ said the expert.
According to Birdie, traditional customs like the ‘dollar dance’—where guests pay money to dance with the bride or groom—and the garter toss, are seeing a decrease in popularity.
The imageCaption, Robin ‘Birdie’ Yarusso, 43, from Lakeville, Minneapolis, has helped plan over 100 weddings during her 25 years in the industry, experiencing almost every trend.
She shared the popular trends that she believes are going out of style… and the ones that will surge in 2026 (stock image)
‘Thank goodness we are seeing the dollar dance and garter toss become rare. Not a fan of either of these,’ she stated.
As for what she thinks will be the next big thing, she revealed that she’s been seeing an uptick in ‘solo weddings’ as of late.
What does that entail? It’s when a couple celebrates their new union without any guests present.
‘Just the couple – in a breathtaking location with no detail missed,’ she explained.
‘I’m taking full makeup, full gown, private musician, photographer, private chef… just a wedding without the guests. It’s so beautiful.’
Birdie also opened up to the Daily Mail about the most annoying thing guests can do… and it’s something many people are guilty of.
When attending a wedding, it’s natural to have questions about logistics.
Maybe you’re wondering where you should park, or what the food options may be… But according to expert Robin ‘Birdie’ Yarusso, you better keep those questions to yourself.
For years, many people used burlap as table runners, placemats, or chair decor, with the fabric helping create a rustic look. But according to Birdie, that’s ‘done’ (stock image)
Birdie (seen) claimed that traditions like the ‘dollar dance’ – where guests give a cash donation to get a dance with the bride or groom – and the garter toss are becoming less and less
‘Texting the bride the day of over little stuff like “where do we park again?” [is the most annoying thing a wedding guest can do],’ she dished.
‘She’s busy. There are so many ways to figure it out without stressing her out.’
In addition, she slammed people who turn up late to the nuptials, pointing out that it often interrupts the event and distracts others guests.
‘Walking into the ceremony late is distracting, [especially] while you find your seat,’ she stated.
The wedding planner also shared the ‘biggest mistake’ that couples make when it comes to preparing for their nuptials: spending too much money.
While weddings aren’t cheap, she stressed the importance of planning a wedding that’s in your budget.
‘Going into debt to plan a day [is not worth it],’ she dished. ‘That adds layers to the stress and builds contempt in the relationship.’
The biggest money waster according to the expert? Party favors.
‘Please stop buying favors,’ she stressed. ‘I make sure venues are cleaned out at the end of the night and 99 percent of the favors are left behind. Every time.’
