Affluent couples are moving away from “cookie cutter” weddings in order to stand out on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.Getty Images
It’s the happiest day of your life, filled with loved ones, cherished memories and saying “I do” to that special person you want to spend your life with. But have you considered drones?
For the ultra-wealthy, “tech-integrated celebrations” are taking centre stage as couples seek to create one-of-a-kind wedding experiences, says Rainbow Chan, owner and creative director of Rainbow Chan Weddings.
“It’s changing how we approach entertainment for the guests,” she says. “It’s not just about [guests] attending a wedding – it’s about creating special memories.”
The Toronto-based bespoke wedding planner has noticed an uptick in tech and artificial intelligence (AI) integration over the past two years, informing both the behind-the-scenes mechanics and the guest-facing theatrics of the big day. And for the most affluent couples, the more unique the experience, the better. That might mean drone shows instead of fireworks and other technologically-enhanced entertainment pieces, such as AI-generated art stations and holographic performers.
Chan says the rise of this kind of high-tech entertainment points to a larger trend: weddings are becoming hyper-personalized, immersive experiences. It’s a way to stand out from the constant barrage of influencer and celebrity weddings on Instagram and Pinterest, says Chan.
“[Clients] want something that’s different and not a cookie cutter wedding,” she says. “People want something that they can Instagram about [and] have things that are different than every other wedding.”
Luxury destination weddings might include activities for guests that hold special meaning for a couple, such as a boating party in the days before the main event.Getty Images
Redefining what ‘luxury’ means
Iris Li, owner of Blue Lavender Events in Toronto, says that while luxury weddings previously meant large scale spectacle and pure opulence, now it’s more about “creating a world for guests to step into that feels deeply personal.” The most luxurious weddings, she adds, “are now multi-sensory experiences.”
Li points to the September 2025 wedding of American influencer Becca Bloom as a prime example of taking personalization to the next level. Bloom’s wedding-week wardrobe featured multiple flower-themed outfits, a nod to her name. The couple baked a traditional Italian millefoglie in place of a wedding cake, honouring their shared love of baking. And the rehearsal dinner decor reflected both the groom’s love of history and the bride’s Chinese heritage.
“This generation of bride is different than the bride from five, seven, 10 years ago,” says Melissa Baum, a Toronto-based events planner specializing in luxury social occasions. “They’re much more intentional, and when they’re making decisions for their wedding or shopping for things they’re really looking for value. It has to feel like it has meaning.”
Both Li and Baum have seen an increase in bespoke destination weddings: multiple-day excursions featuring activities that are unique to the couple, their love story and their friends and family.
“[Clients] want to host pickleball tournaments the night before their wedding, or they want to take you on a tour in wine country, or they want to host a pool party or a boat day,” Baum says. Everything is meant to be experiential and, in many cases, branded for social media.
On the wedding day itself, couples are choosing decor that has emotional resonance for them. For example, couples might fly in special chairs from their favourite restaurant in Italy or custom place settings from their preferred brand of luxury dinnerware.
‘Otherworldly’ venues
Looking forward to the weddings of the future, both Li and Baum say their dream is for couples to push the envelope even further when it comes to personalization and originality.
“Building an environment where traditionally a wedding wouldn’t exist is always very impactful,” Li says. That might mean designing a completely customizable and curated space more like an art exhibit than a traditional wedding venue.
“A glass tent structure in the middle of the field with incredible lighting and projections [that] looks like it doesn’t belong there, [with] a lot of immersive elements,” she says. “Just something that feels almost otherworldly.”
For a smaller wedding, Baum says she would love to work with a foodie couple to create the ultimate intimate, immersive dining experience – “[where] your whole wedding felt like you were sitting at a chef’s table and you got to watch your food being prepared and plated in front of you,” she says.
Whatever the final experience might look like, one goal always remains the same: to plan a day that reflects and celebrates the couple and their love, Chan says. The personalized touches ensure it’s a meaningful event for all.
“I’m a strong supporter of weddings [being] a memory-rich experience, so guests will be leaving saying, ‘I will never forget that experience,’” she says.
