Ever wondered where the trend for a traditional white wedding dress came from? For years, it has dominated the wedding scene, but did you know the trend first became popular when the original “modern bride” herself, Queen Victoria, decided to wear a white gown for her wedding, instead of the then-traditional red.
Since then, a classic white gown has been the go-to for many a bride, however fast forward around 160 years, and today every bride seems to be looking for that “wow” factor, something extra to really make a mark, or even a simple and fuss-free alternative. With such a wide range of brands now offering bridal collections, wedding dress trends have moved on from the classic white gown, so that today there’s something to suit every type of bride.
Here are some of our top picks from the trends we’ve seen so far this year.
A theatrical and modern twist on the traditional veil, capes can be just as dramatic and there’s no need to worry about how this accessory might mess with your hair! If you’re saying “I do” in a cooler climate, a cape is also the perfect cover up. The feather trim detail in this modern Grace Loves Lace short Pierre cape looks beautiful paired with a simple, silk dress. For a vintage and feminine touch, the scallop edged Gleam Capelet by Jenny Yoo at BHLDN is a favourite, or for something more dramatic, try the floor length Peter Cape from Halfpenny London.
If the traditional gown isn’t for you, a two-piece suit is a great option for walking down the aisle (and comes without the worry of tripping on a long train!). There are so many options out there, from sharp tailored tuxedos, to more relaxed feminine cuts. A couple of our top picks are the Whistles Annie wedding double breasted blazer and trousers, and Zara’s wide draped trousers and matching waistcoat.
Pastel gowns and colourful embroidery are big trends this year, and are a playful update to the traditional gown. Brands like Hermione de Paula offer brides beautiful bespoke multi-colour embroidery (with initials, quotes or wedding dates), helping to add more meaning to any wedding outfit. Floral embroidery adds an extra feminine touch to any gown at Temperley London. If you’re a little more daring, why not go for a “something blue” gown, with the sky blue and ivory Calla top and Cordelia skirt from Leanne Marshall.
For ultimate disco divas or brides who are just after that extra sparkle, metallic and mirrored accents really catch the light, meaning you’ll shine extra brightly on your special day! This Bardot sequin crepe jumpsuit from Temperley London at Net-a-Porter will dazzle on the dance floor. We love the elaborate kimono embellished Toby dress from One Day Bridal (perfect for the more bohemian bride), or this stunning scoop back, short sleeve sequin gown from Adrianna Papell.
Shorter hemlines offer another playful approach to the traditional wedding dress, and are ideal for weddings in a warmer climate. A mini dress is perfect for the bride who wants to shimmy away from the ceremony and head straight to the dance floor! We love the striking silhouette of the Brandon Maxwell silk-faille mini dress from Net-a-Porter. The super stylish and textured Magda Butrym mini at MyTheresa has a nice retro take on this modern mini trend, or for something more sleek, we’re fans of the Mikado pencil skirt dress with corset-carved bodice from Pronovias.
For the more daring bride, a black gown is a bold and chic statement. There’s an array of options available out there that are perfect for the fashion-forward! If you’re after an elegant and romantic black lace option take a look at the Fame and Partners Twilight dress at Shopbop, or the 3D Lace V-Neck Dress from XSCAPE at Nordstrom.
If comfort and cool are top requirements for your wedding day, then a jumpsuit ticks all the boxes as a stylish and practical choice. The Jill Jill Stuart Mara jumpsuit from BHLDN is chic and sophisticated. Or jump on the asymmetric trend with the striking one-shouldered flutter jumpsuit from Adrianna Papell.
If you’re looking for the ultimate glamorous statement on your wedding day, consider a frock adorned with feathers or plumes. Delicately lined feather sleeves and edges add a fancy touch to the Pronovias mini dress and Zuhair Murad Ruby gown, while Naeem Khan offers a showstopping and elaborate gown, featuring all-over plush ostrich feathers.
A favourite for bohemian or vintage style girls, fringing is a versatile trend that’s now being seen across many wedding collections. This ASOS white fringe maxi dress, and the Pronovias Falling beaded fringe dress both channel 1920’s glam style frills. While the fringing on the Grace Loves Lace Edie dress is inspired by a sophisticated Spanish dancer.
Featured image courtesy of Zara, image 1 courtesy of Grace Loves Lace, BHLDN and Halfpenny London, image 2 courtesy of Whistles and Zara, image 3 courtesy of Hermione de Paula, Temperley London and Leanne Marshall, image 4 courtesy of Net-a-Porter, One Day Bridal and Adrianna Papell, image 5 courtesy of Net-a-Porter, MyTheresa and Pronovias, image 6 courtesy of Shopbop and Nordstrom, image 7 courtesy of BHLDN and Adrianna Papell, image 8 courtesy of Pronovias, Zuhair Murad and Naeem Khan, image 9 courtesy of ASOS, Pronovias and Grace Loves Lace.
All product images courtesy of respective company websites.