Top Wedding Dress Trends of 2023

Wedding ceremonies throughout the ages and across cultures, whether small and intimate or big and glamorous have one thing in common – the bride always takes centre stage. As such, the wedding dress counts as one of the most important aspects of the ceremony. For most (if not all) brides, the bridal gown would be the single most important attire they will wear in their lives. Traditionally, western brides may have been more inclined towards wearing virginal white, with hints of lace, a classic A-line gown etc. But the modern bride has increasingly eschewed some of the more traditional aspects of the wedding dress and embraced a more individualistic approach to her bridal style. Brides in the post pandemic era are embracing bolder and more unique designs for their wedding dresses, celebrating their own personal style on their special day.

In that vein, for this bridal season, the runways of Paris, Barcelona and New York are mixing it up with vintage styles paired with modern aesthetics.  Here we look at some  of the top wedding dress trends for 2023 as seen on the fashion runways and top wedding dress designers, and how the modern bride can incorporate these latest trends in bridal wear into her own wedding gown. 

The bridal industry’s top fashion designers and fashion houses pulled out all the stops for the runways of Barcelona, New York and Paris fashion week, showcasing their 2023 collections at these  prestigious fashion events. In keeping with the times and embracing the return to normalcy (post-pandemic), designers exhibited showstopping ballgowns, dramatic trains and unexpected twists on the traditional. Here are the top wedding dress 2023 trends we spotted while looking through the bridal fashion week collections for 2023 –

For full-on glamour and a showstopping bridal look, the bridal fashion runways for 2023 featured some stunning ethearal ballgowns from some of the biggest names in bridal fashion. From Nadia Manjarrez’s embroidered taffeta ball gown to Ines Di Santo’s blush-coloured organza gown with a  sequin covered bodice, Monique Lhuillier’s dreamy creations to Elie Saab’s breathtaking floral organza ballgowns, and Viktor & Rolf’s feathered organza ballgown, this glamourous wedding dress style is fitting for the bride who wants to look feel like a fairytale Princess.

From Julie Vino to Dana Harel, designers are bringing out more daring gowns with sheer fabric embellished with intricate crystal designs or floral embroidery – bringing sexy back to the bridal gown. This stunning look is definitely for the bold bride.

The high neckline with lace made iconic by the elegant Grace Kelly and given a modern update more recently by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with her elegant Alexander McQueen dress is a wedding dress style that has become increasingly popular in recent years. And one can see why – it’s regal and timeless. Designers from Anne Barge and Romona Keveza to Hermione de Paula and Dana Harel, among others have incorporated this elegant design into their couture wedding dresses for this season.

From Amsale to Ines Di Santo and Andrew Kwon, Monique Lhuillier to Romona Keveza and Nadia Manjarrez, more designers are eschewing the traditional white for soft pastels, rose and blues and even gold for their 2023 wedding dress designs. These soft hues make for unforgettable dreamy, sexy and romantic wedding dresses. 

Mini wedding dresses have been trendy in recent years. But they’ve gotten even trendier with the incorporation of the high-low hemline – the option of wearing a mini dress with a longer train or underskirt. Designers such as Galia Lahav, Monique Lhuillier, Amsale, Hermione de Paula and Sareh Nouri have adopted this style for their mini dress designs to add a fun twist to this casual wedding dress option, making it more versatile and trendy.

The big, 80s inspired puffy sleeves (think Diana, Princess of Wales’s iconic wedding dress) as well as the flared sleeves of the 70s are now seeing a revival with a modern twist. Dramatic sleeves are one of the latest trends in bridal wear as seen on the fashion runways. From designer Julie Vino to brands like Halfpenny London embracing the flared sleeves and designers like Romona Keveza, Hermione de Paula, Anne Barge and Monique Lhuillier incorporating balloon sleeves in their ethereal bridal gowns, the dramatic sleeve has gotten a modern and very trendy update.

The bridal collections of Elli Saab, Mira Zwillinger, Naeem Khan, Rosie Assoulin and Hermione de Paula feature whimsical gowns with nature inspired embellishments such as butterflies, 3D flower petals and leaf appliques as well as feathers.  The theme is ethereal romance and the designers have created the most romantic gowns with intricate beading, floral embroidery and lace.

Bows are back, and in a big way. For designers like Amsale, Ines Di Santo and Romona Keveža  and Anne Barge to big fashion houses like Valentino, Viktor & Rolf and the Australian fashion house Essence of Australia and designer Anna Campbell, the bow is very much on trend right now. From big, oversized bows on the shoulder or at the start of a dramatic train to tiny bow details running along the back of the dress, the bow has been incorporated as a whimsical design accent everywhere.

From Australian designer Anna Campbell to American designer Naeem Khan and design house Sachin & Babi and Scorcesa as well as UK based design house Galvan London adopting this modern trend, it looks like this non-traditional bridalwear is indeed becoming a bridal staple worldwide. And why wouldn’t it? It’s chic and versatile and can be comfortably worn from the wedding altar to the wedding party at night without any fuss.

While the wedding dress may be the most important element for the bridal look, there are other elements such as bridal accessories that are of almost equal importance. Carefully chosen and seamlessly incorporated accessories can elevate your bridal look to something truly unforgettable and unique. Explore what are the bridal accessory trends for 2023 you can use to complement your personal style

This year, designers such as Dana Harel, Andrew Kwon and Julie Vino have updated this timelessly elegant accessory by using sheer fabric with embellished details such as intricately woven beadings, 3D floral motifs and embroidered lace lending it both sexiness and mystery. Add a touch of glamour to your casual mini wedding dress or balance the boldness of your daring sheer wedding dress with beaded sheer fingerless gloves for that bold but elegant look.

From Mira Zwillinger to Julie Vino, Monique Lhuillier to Amsale and Arava Polak, and Australian designer Martina Liana, designers are adding interest and versatility to their strapless and off-shoulder wedding gowns with textured detachable sleeves. Take your wedding gown from day to night with detachable sleeves that give you 2 looks with one dress. 

This traditional wedding dress accessory staple has gotten a colourful update, with designers such as Mira Zwillinger, Andrew Kwon, Nadia Manjarrez and Hermione De Paula adopting 3D lace and floral motifs on their veils, sometimes with colour details.

One accessory that has become increasingly popular with the contemporary bride is the cape. Adding drama and interest to any dress (or pantsuit), it’s versatile as well as a standout. This year, designers such as Monique Lhuillier, Amsale, Sareh Nouri, Badgley Mischka and Ines Di Santo opted for a more feminine style with capes, using softer and sheerer fabric such as lace and gauze.

Designers such as Dana Harel, Anne Barge, Galia Lahav and Reem Acra are some of the dress designers who have showcased unique statement jewellery pieces like statement necklaces, headpieces and chandelier earrings in their 2023 bridal wear collections.

Go for the traditional silhouette when it comes to dresses, like the classic A-line or Mermaid gowns but add a modern take on those dresses with texture such as beading, crystals and pearls. Classic necklines such as the sweetheart or high necklines and traditional fabrics such as satin and lace are on trend right now. So make full use of those.  A veil is a traditional accessory for any classical bridal look, but make it trendy with colour and 3D detailing.

Experiment with colour. Try different hues for your wedding dress instead of the classic white or ivory. Go for the non-traditional mini dress with the high-low hemline or separates. Experiment with non-traditional fabrics such as nylon and organza or opt for lots of beading and texture with feathers and floral appliques.  Detachable sleeves would definitely update your gown and make it more versatile for day to night looks. Bedazzle your guests with statement jewellery pieces such as jewel-encrusted necklaces dripping down a plunging neckline.

For the bold and the daring contemporary bride, a completely sheer wedding gown would make for a definite show-stopping entrance. Asymmetrical necklines on classic silhouettes such as A-line dresses would also update your style and make it more contemporary. Capes add drama and versatility to your wedding outfit, whether it is a dress, separates or jumpsuit.

Clean silhouettes such as A-line and Mermaid wedding dresses compliment most figures. Add an embroidered veil with 3D detailing to add a whimsical quality to a more traditional look. A strapless, corseted ballgown accessorised with chandelier earrings and a dazzling headpiece would bring attention to your shoulder and neckline instead and also make you feel like a fairytale princess. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t wear a mini dress on your wedding day should you wish to. The current trend of a high-low hemline with detachable train or underskirt with a mini dress would compliment a plus-sized bride. A long train would add length to your silhouette whilst a lower neckline or off-shoulder style wedding gown would draw the eyes up towards your face, neck and shoulders instead of your lower body. Keep embellishments that add volume to a minimum, such as feathers and 3D appliques and oversized bows. If you wish to have them, use them in areas where you want to draw attention towards. For example, tiny bows running down the length of your back, or an oversized bow on the shoulder, intricate beading, embroidery, or 3D appliques on the hemline or neckline instead of the waist.

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In contrast to the past couple of years, the trend now is towards bolder more daring looks for brides whether traditional or contemporary. A return to normalcy after the pandemic has seen an increase in bigger, splashier weddings and thus more glamorous looks for brides. Wedding gowns are more sensual with figure-hugging silhouettes or sheer fabric. Whimsical and nature inspired gowns with classic silhouettes are an updated take on the laid-back shapeless bohemian dresses of before. With the use of unexpected fabrics on traditional silhouettes, using separates such as detachable sleeves and trains, designers are updating traditional bridal dresses with modern twists, adding individuality and creativity to suit the bride of today. The current trend for the brides of 2023 is all about embracing and celebrating her own personal style on her wedding day.