We set up decor most weekends, so we get a close look at what couples are spending on in 2026, and what they quietly regret. A few choices are genuinely worth it. A couple are not. Here is an honest read from the floor.
Lighting Earns Its Keep
If you get only one thing right, make it the lighting. Warm uplighting, a few well-placed spots, and dimmed ambient light change a room more than any amount of flowers, and usually for less. The Royal Samaroh reads completely differently under warm light than under flat white tubes. On the Sky Samaroh rooftop, a canopy of string lights does most of the work on its own.
Dried and Potted Florals
Dried flowers, pampas, and potted greenery have moved from budget option to deliberate choice. They photograph well, they do not wilt under the lights by the second hour, and they can go home with guests instead of into a bin. Fresh flowers still win for the mandap and the couple's stage. Spend there, economise elsewhere.
Warmer, Deeper Colours
The pastel-everything look has cooled off. Burgundy, terracotta, deep green, and gold are what couples pick now. They suit warm lighting, they hold up in photographs taken after dark, and they feel less generic than the blush-and-white palette every venue ran for years.
Where the Money Gets Wasted
Two things, honestly. The first is the giant single-use floral wall that costs a fortune and lives for one evening. A smaller, better-lit backdrop usually photographs just as well. The second is an elaborate entrance arch that guests walk past in ten seconds on their way in. Put that budget on the stage and the dining area, where people actually spend their time.
Let the Venue Do Half the Work
The decor that works best is the decor that suits the room. A rooftop evening wants string lights and open sky, not a heavy indoor canopy. A large hall with a high ceiling can carry tall installations that would swamp a smaller space. Decide the venue first, then design decor that fits it instead of fighting it.
See how different setups look across our halls in the photo gallery, or start with the basics in our wedding planning checklist.
