They say that fashion comes and goes, but style is eternal. That said, here at Easy Weddings, we love an influential wedding dress trend. A statement sleeve, an eye-catching print, a texture that makes you want to reach out and touch… Say no more; we’re there! 2023 has already offered up some wedding dress trends we can’t get enough of on the catwalk — and on the aisle.
When it comes to finding your dream wedding dress, there are many different factors at play, including the aesthetic of your wedding, your personal style, and of course, current wedding dress trends.
Undoubtedly, you’ll be looking for a gown that makes you feel like your most confident and beautiful self. Bernice, from Bernice Fashions, agrees: “You need to find that gown that is ‘you’ and that you can wear with confidence. All styles suit every bride differently: classic, romantic, wistful, or minimal. The choice is yours. You need to find a gown style you can rock!”
You might have had your dream dress in your mind’s eye (or even hidden in your closet — we won’t tell!) for years. However, even if you’re not particularly bothered about what’s ‘trendy’ right now, it’s hard not to pay attention to popular dress styles as they flood your Instagram feed and line the walls of every major bridal boutique.
In this article, we have all the inspiration you need with five gorgeous wedding dress trends we can’t get enough of right now.
Bows
Bows are back in a big way, from the delicate and whimsical to the big and bold. Our pick? The more dramatic and eye-catching, the better! Combine this trend with luxe yet unfussy fabrics, like heavy satin, for a sleek and modern take on an age-old trend.
While voluminous statement bows are steadily growing in popularity, dainty bows are set to trend in 2023 too. Expect rows of neat, petite ties to take the place of fabric-covered buttons on the backs of dresses and on trains. Bow belts are another chic way to incorporate this trend into your wedding day look, whether these be in sheer organza, diamonte-encrusted metal or something in between.
Oh-so-pretty bows can fit into any wedding aesthetic, from soft and billowing chiffon for a romantic beach wedding to structured and oversized for a modern inner-city celebration. This trend is also coming back in the bridal accessories space — 60s chic hair bows and veils will feature heavily this year.
Floral patterned gowns
When Sofia Bush took to the aisle in a dreamy Monique Lhuillier gown, we gave a collective sigh of pure joy here at Easy Weddings. The peachy floral print combined with statement balloon sleeves? The honeybees practically buzzing off of the fabric? Pure bridal perfection.
The floral printed gown says “classic” and “trendsetter” all at once. We adore a floral print gown for any wedding, but especially a garden party celebration. Best of all, you can wear this trend in virtually any silhouette. We recommend choosing a dramatic yet simple style so as not to detract from the print. A dramatic full skirt and romantic neckline will help if you fancy this trend but are concerned about not feeling bridal enough.
Adding modern accessories and understated makeup will keep this trend from feeling too old-fashioned. Try a pair of metallic earrings and a bronzed, glossy face for a look that says, “Wedding at noon, frolicking in a meadow by 2:00pm.”
Puffed sleeves
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of a statement sleeve — and who could blame us? The puffed sleeve happens to be one of our favourites. Not only is this trend ethereal and chic, it’s also incredibly versatile. If you don the puff sleeve in 2023, think less 80s Princess Di, and more Princess Beatrice in her repurposed (royal) vintage beaded gown courtesy of HRH. Opting for a sheer fabric is the perfect way to add a puffed sleeve in a fresh, modern way.
Judith of Judith Penack Couture agrees, “Goodbye, veils. Hello, sleeves. In 2023 and 2024, bridal gowns will cover arms, not faces. Scholars have traced veils back to Rome, when brides wore them to fend off evil spirits whose goal was to thwart the couple’s happiness,” Judith continues. “We don’t need that in our lives. But sleeves? You can do a lot with sleeves. They haven’t been incredibly popular in wedding gowns since the 80s, but they’re returning.”
Want to dabble in this trend without committing? Opt for a puffed-sleeve, sheer bolero over a sleek strapless gown. Talk about the best of both worlds!
Feathers
Feathers mean drama. Fashion drama — our favourite kind! In 2023, we’re all about plumage. Blame it on Bridgerton, this Regency-era dress adornment is back in full force. Ostrich and peacock are still popular in 2023, but vegan, cruelty-free feathers are taking the lead in popularity. Thanks to modern textile technology (thanks, scientists!), fabricated feathers are just as soft and luxurious as the real thing.
A spray of feathers effortlessly adds a sense of whimsy and glamour that few other embellishments can. Thanks to their ability to blend seamlessly with any wedding dress design or silhouette, feathered accents can look fun and flirty as well as sensual and sophisticated all at once. As shown by the Blanc Bridal dress above, a feathered dress makes the ultimate reception ‘fit change for when you’re ready to take over the dancefloor.
As with any trend, you can take feathered bridal wear as far as you want to go. Ease in with feathered accents on your clutch or interspersed with delicate beading for an eye-catching textural component. If you’re feeling daring, go the whole nine yards — we’re predicting lots of gorgeous feathered hats, veils, and capes this year.
Colour fades and gradients
All that’s old is new again. In 2002, Gwen Stefani dropped jaws and broke hearts in her hot pink gradient wedding gown. While not everything from that wedding stood the test of time, *ahem*, the dress holds up. Colour-dipped gowns give the best of both worlds for brides wanting a pop of colour, as well as the traditional ivory dress.
A gradient gown can be soft and pastel or bold and autumnal like the dress below — it’s up to you! To keep the look modern, use complementing rather than exact colours in your bouquet and bridesmaid dresses to avoid looking too matchy-matchy.
As tempting as it may be to DIY this trend, the stakes are high, so we recommend leaving it to the professionals. Finding a dress that has an ombre design is optimal. However, if you’ve purchased your dream gown and think it could use the ombre treatment, seek out the advice of a professional dyeing service before going ham with the supermarket dye. Your trusted dry cleaner will be able to point you in the right direction.
With so many gorgeous dresses on offer, we’re going to need a few outfit changes! What do you think of these wedding dress trends? We always love to get your feedback and hear your wedding stories through our Instagram. Reach out to tell us about your dream wedding dress.
