The 2016 Nostalgia Trend and How it is Shaping Weddings in 2026

Laura Charles
7 days ago
5 min read

Currently there is another wave of nostalgia sweeping across social media, the latest trend is people sharing memories from 2016.

Photos from that year, the outfits they wore, the music they obsessed over, their homes, families, the milestones that have shaped their lives since 10 years ago and how things have changed.

But this isn’t just social media sentimentality curiously it’s a huge cultural shift.

And like all cultural shifts, it is now influencing the way we plan and celebrate weddings.

The Psychology of Nostalgia

Nostalgia isn’t just rose tinted reminiscing, it’s emotionally powerful. When we revisit memories from around eight or ten years ago, especially from personal high points or transformative seasons, our brains release dopamine. It makes us feel comforted, connected, and rooted almost like revisiting an old favourite song or place. Maybe this is comforting during one of the most darkest months in the year.

In uncertain times, lots of us are turning to nostalgia more so as a way to anchor ourselves. Sharing “2016 memories” isn’t just about nostalgia for the sake of it, it’s a way of saying look how much has changed in 10 years.

I personally have been slowing down, particularly over Christmas to hang onto memories of past Christmases that were lighter, seemed simpler and more connected. Definitely more magical.

I lost my mother in 2025, it was a deeply sad time and came armed with problems I could never foresee.

As the dust settled at the end of last year I yearned for a much simpler life and the magic of my childhood needed to be revisited. I set myself some thoughtful tasks to replicate some of my wonderful memories, making a Christmas cake, taking a lot more time to enjoy decorating my home, slowing down to write cards, buy presents and generally be much more present in each day instead of rushing to get it all done.

Now I see exactly why this sentiment is being translated into weddings & events. Nostalgia is everywhere, particularly evident in how Marbella has also changed post pandemic.

Famous iconic ‘brands’ are holding the old glamour Marbella style close to their hearts showing us the beautiful aesthetics of the old Marbella and many new places are joining in with this movement bringing so much elegance, design and attention to details to bring the best experiences to all who visit Marbella.

We sadly lost a few old school establishments too but they really were stuck in a time warp and didn’t understand the need to ‘keep up with the times’. As charming as they were they were and so 80’s they had become extremely tired and uncared for.

How the 2016 Nostalgia Trend Is Showing Up in Weddings

The influence of this trend shows up in lots of unexpected ways. Here are the top wedding trends in weddings I have noticed for 2026.

Silverware, Lace & Drapes

One of the most significant changes recently is ‘silver service’ is back, going out is gold as silver service style becomes the new Queen of Weddings.

Think vintage silverware, crisp white linens, silver platters, the silver dummies often seen at high end establishments, silver coupes and crystal glassware.

Images courtesy of Broyt

Lace and fabrics, textures, drapes add a playful touch to weddings.

Statement fabric ceremony backdrops, tables beautifully draped, delicate vintage lace details and even retro paper doilies are in all their glory & thoughtful details.

Images found on Pinterest and Acqua & Ink

Rustic has gone, understated elegance is back.

Throwback Music & Playlist Curation

Couples today are intentionally filling their wedding playlists with hits from the past decades and sometimes eras that defined them.

Tik Tok is a huge influence on trending music, think Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ TikTok has been a key player here, creator Nathan Apodaca filmed himself skating down a highway, drinking cranberry juice and lip-syncing Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 hit Dreams. This video gained 41 million views and became a viral sensation.

We all watched Julian Cohen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, shot in Paris, become a viral sensation, these aren’t new songs they are from eras gone by, classics but now viral sensations.

From Queen to laid back jazz and festival classics these are all tracks that remind guests (and the couple) of their best years. It is less about current hits and more about shared memories on the dance floor. Give me Saturday Night Fever any day and is Harry Styles about to bring back the disco era? Let’s wait and see!

Retro Photo Aesthetics

Film cameras, polaroids, and vintage filters have been popular for a while but becoming more sought after. Couples are choosing photographers who shoot film or create digital edits in nostalgic tones, softer contrasts, warm hues and faded edges to evoke the look and feel of old memory albums. It’s not just a trend, it’s intentional storytelling.

Content creation is now huge, we live in an instant world and whilst you should never replace timeless professional beautifully edited photos and video, couples want the spontaneity of being able to share their raw highlights almost immediately on their socials.

Memory Tables and Handwritten Notes

Rather than traditional seating signage alone, many couples are creating memory tables at their receptions. These tables showcase photos from key years of the couple’s life together, of friends who’ve been there since day one, and of family moments that matter.

Some couples pair these with short handwritten captions and stories that invite guests into the timeline of their relationship, it is fun and personal.

Handwritten notes to each guest telling them what is special or reliving a memory is also creating a wonderful keepsake that will be treasured for many years to come.

People are learning & embracing more creative skills and using these for their celebrations.

Retro Food & Drinks

I am old enough to remember the glamour injected into culinary delights of the 70’s when it became fashionable to host dinner parties!

As people started to travel their eyes were opened up to a completely new list of ingredients and different dishes to create.

This combined with TV programmes, cookery books and accessibility to much more information they learnt how to make boozy puddings, think Martha Stewart with her recently revived videos from the archives and her rather now famous boozy egg nog!

Pasta became a thing, cocktail sticks of cheese & pineapple, prawn cocktails, eggs mimosa, the cookery and food industry changed many households and the way we ate and entertained.

Over the past few years we have seen ‘wedding food’ transform into immersive experiences.

Champagne towers becoming dessert towers, adopting other countries traditions such as large sheet cakes, often made in front of the guests, yet to see other retro classics such as Pavlova and Crepe Suzette, let’s wait to see what this year brings or perhaps flaming desserts are too dangerous to create for weddings.