Are the days of lively dance floors and cheeky photo booths coming to an end? According to our story on Summer 2025 Wedding Trends, couples this year got more creative with outside-the-box experiences they offered their guests. In 2026, we’re predicting these personalized activities will take center stage as couples’ desire for unique, tailored-to-them celebrations continues.
But what kind of activities are we talking? Well, we had the chance to interview three different vendors and artists to learn more about the personalized, interactive experiences they offer at weddings: Bailey Yackley, Co-Founder at After the Tone, Carly Katz-Hackman, Chief Sales Officer at Pinch Food Design, and Zac Crawford aka The Artist Zac.
How did you get started in your craft?
After the Tone
We actually came up with the idea for our own wedding back in 2019. Jacob was a full-time wedding videographer then, and while we were planning our big day, I kept wishing there was a meaningful way to capture our guests’ voices and bottle up the little moments we’d probably (but really didn’t want to) forget! I’ve always saved voicemails from friends and family, and with my love for all things vintage (and the fact that most of our decor was thrifted), the idea of a real rotary phone felt fun, nostalgic, and so us. It became the perfect way for everyone to leave us “voicemails” we could listen to after the honeymoon and relive our day. The first time we heard those messages from our own friends and family, we completely fell in love with it. Now, we listen to them every anniversary on a custom vinyl record, and it’s become our favorite tradition.
Pinch Food Design
I’ve known from the beginning that I wanted to be in weddings in one way or another. (I was a bride for Halloween every year from ages six to nine, which is insane behavior, but here we are!) Fast forward, and I started my career in food truck catering, back in the boom of 2011, and just fell in love with bringing a couple’s big day to life.
The Artist Zac
It’s actually a very New York origin story! Right after college, I started drawing portraits in Washington Square Park to make a living as an artist. My first wedding came from someone who’d been drawn by me in the park.
How did you book your first wedding?
After the Tone
Our first wedding actually came through one of Jacob’s videography clients, and we’re still so grateful they trusted us to bring this idea to their wedding. In those early days, we brought the phone to every event ourselves, and the very first moment I watched a guest leave a message for someone they loved…I knew we had something really special.
Pinch Food Design
During a meeting with a client, I asked them if they had a coordinator, to which they responded, “Can you just do it?” Why not? So, for a few years, I really got to dive into the planning piece before coming back to a catering focus in the luxury sector. I have been here ever since and have seen some truly incredible events.
The Artist Zac
My first wedding came from someone who’d been drawn by me in the park; they reached out and asked if I’d illustrate live at their celebration. That first event opened my eyes to the world of live art and the impact it has on guests. Since then, I’ve drawn at weddings and luxury events throughout the country and world!
What’s one challenge you've faced working weddings that people might not expect?
After the Tone
With our product, we are not physically present at our clients’ weddings (outside of a few local ones to us), so that means we are completely dependent on the client or the client’s support system around them to make sure our product is used correctly. This has led us to develop seamless communication, instructions, and resources, including a 24/7 hotline if needed for our clients to make sure all questions are answered if required. That being said, it has been a fun journey to figure out what is the best way to guide our clients through using our product, especially on a day like a wedding where a lot of people can find themselves stressed or mentally in a lot of places at once—which puts a premium on being able to provide a white-glove service experience for all of our customers.
Pinch Food Design
I always tell couples that while the catering may be pricey, the family therapy is free! Family dynamics are tricky on an average day, but when combined with the emotion (and expenditure) of a wedding, things can come to a boil. My job is not only to bring food and beverage dreams to life, but also to make sure everyone has fun during the process.
The Artist Zac
Live portraits are always a hit, so the biggest challenge is crowd control! Guests tend to arrive in waves, and everyone wants a portrait. While I prefer drawing from life, I’ll sometimes take reference photos so guests can keep enjoying the celebration while I continue working through the list.
What’s your favorite wedding you’ve worked and why? We’d love to see any photos/videos you have!
After the Tone
I’d have to say my favorite wedding we worked was actually our second client ever. I got to be there with Jacob while he filmed, and that’s when the idea clicked to weave their voicemails into their wedding film. I even had the bride and groom leave a message together for their future selves. Watching that moment unfold in real time was so special, and the film Jacob created afterwards was pure magic.
We still have their thank-you note on our fridge to this day. It serves as an important reminder of how meaningful that wedding was for us and how much this work has meant since the very beginning.
Pinch Food Design
In 2021, we were brought to Aspen for a wedding—we had done the bride’s sister’s rehearsal dinner here in New York at the New York Public Library, and they were looking for a caterer out in Colorado who could do what they needed. They couldn’t find one, so they brought us out. We literally catered an event at the base of a mountain.
I flew out, my whole staff flew out, and there were probably 50 of us staying together in this little mountain town outside of the city. I remember driving to the site from the hotel, around a few switchbacks, into this valley, and boom: there was the Pinch truck set against this insane vista as the sun was setting. It was one of those moments where I thought, “I can’t believe this is my life.” It was seriously so fun. I get to make people happy for a living, and I get to do it surrounded by people I absolutely love.
The Artist Zac
One of my favorite weddings was an intimate celebration in Uluwatu, Bali at The Edge. The setting was breathtaking with ocean views and a stunning sunset, and the intimate size made it feel personal. I was able to connect with each guest as I drew them, which made it a truly unforgettable environment to create in.
Can you recall the most unique or out-there request you've gotten for a wedding? How did you execute it?
Pinch Food Design
We had a request once for some NSFW plating…custom molds, stencils, and strategically placed filets made for a very interesting dinner! Needless to say, Grandma wasn’t invited to this one!
What other wedding activities or experiences do you think will be popular in 2026?
After the Tone
I think vintage film photo booths are going to be really popular in 2026. It’s no surprise that I love a vintage touch, and there is something so fun and nostalgic about stepping into the booth and capturing that moment in time on a little film strip. It reminds me a lot of what we do with our vintage phone guestbooks…giving guests a chance to leave a memory the couple can come back to again and again. Both create little pieces of the day that you can hold onto and revisit for years to come. I can’t get over how cute it would be to frame all the guest photos—a little gallery of memories from your favorite day!
Pinch Food Design
1. Tiramisu will be having a moment in 2026. Couples are already requesting it in every form: large showstopper cakes, french-served scoops from a homespun dish, even playful individual cups—and honestly, we’re here for it.
2. Vintage is also making a major comeback. From multi-tiered cakes with old-school piping to repurposed gowns, tailored suits, and heirloom jewelry, retro romance is going to dominate everyone’s Pinterest boards.
3. And then there’s the rise of maximalism. Think bold color palettes, dramatic cocktail towers (or fountains), statement florals, and food that bursts with personality. 2026 weddings will be all about unapologetic individuality and celebrations that truly reflect the couple’s story.
The Artist Zac
As the world becomes more digital, with AI and robotics becoming part of everyday life, I think people will crave experiences that feel human, creative, and interactive. I expect personalized activities with a hand touch to trend even more in 2026.
I’ve already expanded into a few offerings beyond portraiture, like illustrated sketchbooks, which function as a hand-drawn photo album documenting the entire day. I also create custom illustrated stickers that are drawn digitally and printed on the spot. Couples and guests have loved these fresh ways to celebrate a wedding.
What's the best way for people to contact you about booking? :)
After the Tone
You can book online via our website! Please use the following booking link to get 15% off your order: https://app.afterthetone.co/?promo=HOLDEN15
Pinch Food Design
You can send a form request directly or our Contact Page! Can’t wait to meet you!
The Artist Zac
The best way to reach me is at zac@theartistzac.com or on Instagram at @theartistzac. I’d love to draw at your wedding!
Photo cover courtesy of After the Tone.
Questions? Give us a shout at help@hiholden.com or a ring (pun intended) at 646.722.6817.