Weddings and honeymoons are entering a new era in 2026, defined less by tradition and more by intention, personalization and place. In Fora’s first-ever Wedding & Honeymoon Trend Report, our advisors reveal that couples are breaking the rule book, creating immersive destination-driven celebrations that reflect who they are rather than following tradition.
Over half (54%) of Fora Advisors surveyed have seen an increase in destination wedding inquiries over the last year, signaling a clear shift toward travel as the centerpiece of the celebration. From wellness-infused wedding weekends and rising domestic hotspots to cruise ceremonies, safari honeymoons, and phased travel timelines, couples are redefining every chapter—from proposal to honeymoon.
Advisors also report that each generation is approaching this milestone differently. Gen Z couples are more budget-conscious but still expect elevated experiences, often favoring micro-weddings, all-inclusives, and shorter planning timelines. Millennials remain the most experience-driven, prioritizing cultural immersion, multi-stop itineraries, and once-in-a-lifetime honeymoons planned well in advance. Meanwhile, Gen X couples (including those planning second marriages) are decisive and luxury-focused, gravitating toward bucket-list destinations and high-touch travel experiences over trend-driven moments.
Across generations, one thing is clear: themes are out, destinations are in, and travel advisors are playing a pivotal role in bringing these experiences to life.
Weddings:
Destination weddings are more popular than ever heading into 2026, with over half (54%) of Fora Advisors reporting an increase in destination wedding inquiries. Wellness is shaping some celebrations, too, as couples incorporate spa experiences, yoga, and recovery-focused amenities into their wedding weekends. Domestic destinations are seeing especially strong demand, from the deserts of the West and the coasts of New England to the fast-rising Carolinas. At the same time, cruise weddings are gaining traction for their all-inclusive simplicity and built-in, multi-stop adventure.
Wellness Weddings: Wellness is taking center stage across the entire wedding journey from bach parties to the wedding weekend itself. Fora Advisors report bachelor and bachelorette celebrations are evolving beyond all-out party weekends into more balanced, wellness-infused gatherings, with yoga, Pilates, sound baths, sauna, and cold plunges becoming common inclusions. Wellness-focused properties like Miraval Austin and Wildflower Farms are emerging as go-to picks. That focus continues into the wedding weekend, where couples are prioritizing hotels with strong spa and wellbeing offerings. Advisors are seeing growing demand for experiences like yoga and mindfulness classes, health-forward catering, and even full spa buyouts, while post-wedding brunches increasingly feature recovery-focused touches like spa treatments and IV bars.
Miraval Austin Resort & Spa bookings increased 73% year over year
Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection bookings increased 71% year over year
U.S. Destination Weddings: Domestic destination weddings are gaining momentum, with 53% of advisors reporting a rise in U.S.-based celebrations over the last year as couples seek cost-conscious, logistically simple celebrations that still feel transportive and personal. Dramatic desert settings like Las Vegas, Sedona, Utah, and Montana are drawing those who want wide-open scenery and immersive experiences, while New England staples such as Martha’s Vineyard, Maine, and Rhode Island offer timeless coastal charm with easy guest access. The Carolinas are also emerging as standout hubs, with Charleston and North Carolina seeing strong growth and the region earning a spot on Fora’s 2026 Hot List, thanks to their blend of historic charm, Blue Ridge Mountain backdrops, and convenient travel infrastructure.
Western & Desert Destinations
Las Vegas: 145% Increase in Fora bookings
Utah: 113%
Sedona: 88%
Montana: 143%
Wyoming: 89%
New England
Maine: 130% Increase in Fora bookings
Rhode Island: 136%
Martha's Vineyard: 278%
Connecticut: 120%
Cape Cod: 89%
Vermont: 86%
The Carolinas
South Carolina: 157% increase in Fora bookings
North Carolina: 141%
Cruise Weddings: Cruise weddings have officially arrived, with couples embracing ships as the new all-inclusive venue—complete with onboard wedding planners and, in some cases, a captain to officiate. From Mediterranean sailings with immersive excursions to intimate Croatian yacht ceremonies and Charleston celebrations followed by an Alaskan cruise, Fora Advisors say the appeal lies in seamless logistics and multi-destination experiences. Luxury and lifestyle brands like The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages are seeing notable growth, as couples gravitate toward celebrations that combine upfront pricing, ease, and built-in adventure.
The Ritz Yacht Collection: 261% increase in Fora bookings
Princess Cruises: 218%
Norwegian Cruise Line: 198%
Virgin Voyages: 101%
Honeymoons:
Honeymoons remain one of the most meaningful travel investments couples will ever make, with 64% of Fora clients spending $10,000+ and 15% spending $20,000 or more. Nine in ten advisors say couples are willing to stretch their budgets for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, though 64% report clients are increasingly choosing off-season travel to maximize value. Off-peak destinations are surging, from Italy’s Dolomites and Ischia and Greece’s Paros and Antiparos to fall honeymoons in Japan and spring trips to New Zealand. Safari continues to lead bucket lists, with South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania—often paired with Seychelles, Mozambique, or Zanzibar—topping demand, while phased honeymoons like mini-moons, pre-moons, and elope-moons are redefining how and when couples travel.
Phased Honeymoons: Mini-moons, pre-moons, and “elope-moons” are gaining momentum as couples rethink the traditional honeymoon timeline and increasingly choose to take their honeymoon in phases rather than all at once. Many are opting for shorter, immediate getaways after the wedding while postponing a larger, bucket-list trip for later, and a growing number are even traveling before the big day. At the same time, more couples are combining their elopement and honeymoon into one seamless experience, placing greater emphasis on selecting a standout destination and hotel that can serve as both ceremony backdrop and romantic escape.
59% of couples are opting for mini-moon trips and delaying their main honeymoon
1-in-10 advisors say they’ve seen an increase in couples doing a pre-moon
Safari Honeymoons: Safari honeymoons remain a top advisor favorite, with South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania leading the way, often paired with a beach escape in destinations like Seychelles, Mozambique, or Zanzibar. South Africa is emerging as a particularly strong standout, while classic bush-and-beach combinations such as Kenya + Seychelles and Tanzania + Zanzibar continue to define the trend. Beyond Africa, couples are beginning to look to Asia for wildlife-driven itineraries, with Sri Lanka gaining traction for leopard safaris in Yala National Park and other immersive, nature-forward experiences.
Kenya: 295% increase in Fora bookings
Seychelles: 150%
South Africa: 112%
Tanzania: 287%
Sri Lanka: 170%
Off-peak honeymoons: Off-peak honeymoons are surging as couples swap peak-season hotspots for less crowded destinations and maximize their budgets in the process. In Italy, the Dolomites and Ischia are booming in spring and early summer, signaling a shift away from peak August travel, with April emerging as a standout month nationwide. In Greece, Paros, Antiparos, and Naxos are seeing especially strong shoulder-season demand, while Japan is defying cherry blossom expectations with fall (October–December) emerging as a honeymoon high season. Even long-haul destinations like New Zealand are gaining momentum in March and April, highlighting couples’ growing appetite for off-peak escapes.
Dolomites
173% increase in Fora bookings
May: 800% increase in bookings year over year
Ischia
94% increase in Fora bookings
June: 212% growth
September: 118% increase in bookings year over year
Paros & Antiparos
244% increase in Fora bookings
October: 400% increase in bookings year over year
Naxos
450% increase in Fora bookings
October: 400% increase in bookings year over year
Japan
178% increase in Fora bookings
October: highest travel volume, followed by November then December
New Zealand
62% increase in Fora bookings
April: 570% increase in bookings year over year
March: 332% increase in bookings year over year
Methodology: Fora Booking Data: March 2025 vs Feb 2026 and Survey of Fora Advisors, February 2026
