Wedding Dress Designers Are Forecasting These Major Trends For 2025/26
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2 weeks ago
The new bridal favourites have arrived
It might seem a long way off, but there are brides all over the world planning their 2026 nuptials as we speak. And one (rather important) item on the To Do list is finding the perfect dress to walk down the aisle. Want to get ahead of the curve with wedding planning? These are the dresses, details and accessories trends that designers are predicting will be big throughout 2025 and 2026 wedding season.
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The Wedding Dress Trends Taking Over 2025/2026
Brides are shaking off minimalism in favour of wedding dresses that are bigger, better and bolder than ever. From sculptural fits, maxi trains and beaded sleeves to vintage styles and pops of colour, expect only fun things going forward. These are the wedding dress trends to know (and love) in 2025/2026:
Trends At A Glance
- Colour Pop
- Long Sleeves
- Cartouches
- Watteau Trains
- Updated Romance
- Structured Bodices
- Bridal Scarf
- Vintage Inspiration
- Maximalist Details
- Bridal Suits & Jumpsuits
- Thoughtful Fabrics
- Sculptural Silhouettes
- Bespoke Services
- Wedding Wardrobes
- Re-Wear
1. Colour Pop
Dreaming of a big white wedding? No? You’re not the only one. ‘More brides are opting to include a subtle splash of colour in their wedding ensemble,’ says Phillipa Lepley, a couture wedding dress designer based in London. ‘This is usually through a meaningful, personalised piece of embroidery on their dress, such as on the back or train. This could showcase their favourite flower, initials or wedding logo in shades of pale pink, gold or blue. Blue is emerging as the new favourite, particularly in thread-work flowers.’
Phillipa Lepley
2. Long Sleeves
You’ll also catch brides continuing the trend of long statement sleeves. ‘Long sleeves are trending, particularly in soft, sheer materials that lend an elegant, light and airy appearance,’ comments Phillipa.
But don’t expect the maximalist scale of previous years. ‘They’ve reduced in size,’ says Rebecca Brennan-Brown, founder of Get Wed. ‘But I don’t think interesting sleeves are going anywhere. Rather than bell sleeves, we’re seeing lots of textured lace and delicate flowing silks, playing into the romantic vibe.’
Phillipa Lepley
3. Cartouches
Ateliers are also noticing a greater shift towards highly decorative cartouches. But what exactly are they? ‘A cartouche is an ornamental design typically framed in an oval or oblong shape, featuring a hidden message, wedding logo, family crest or date inside,’ explains Phillipa. ‘Some brides are opting to place a personalised cartouche discreetly inside the lining of the dress, while others are featuring them prominently on their veil or train.’
Phillipa Lepley
4. Watteau Trains
And speaking of trains, the one on every bride’s radar right now is a Watteau. ‘We are noticing an increasing number of brides choosing this style,’ highlights Phillipa. ‘It features a train attached at the shoulders or upper back of the dress instead of the waist, and gives a cape-like look that follows the bride as she walks.’ The designer also notes that brides will be drawn to the contemporary style and versatility of the design. ‘Watteau trains can vary in length and width, ranging from a gentle sweep to a dramatic cathedral length.’
Phillipa Lepley
5. Updated Romance
One of the wider wedding dress trends our experts note for 2025 and 2026 is romance. ‘There’s a real romance coming back into wedding design in general,’ confirms Rebecca. ‘And we’re seeing a lot of brides bring that into their dresses. Think corseted, strapless tops with flowing skirts – these will definitely be a staple.’
Vivienne Westwood
6. Structured Bodices
Corsets especially seem to be coming back into fashion, likely spurred on by recent celebrity weddings like Millie Bobby Brown‘s (who wore four dresses, including three corseted designs, on her big day). ‘The resurgence of corset-style bodices could be a significant trend, adding structure to bridal gowns while highlighting the waist,’ notes Laura Bremner, Wedding Coordinator at Hensol Castle. ‘These styles combine old-world charm with a modern, flattering fit that accentuates the silhouette.’
Halfpenny London
7. Bridal Scarf
You might have heard of bridal bags, shawls and coats – but what about a bridal scarf? ‘A trend I’m so here for is the scarf,’ says Rebecca. ‘Unlike your big knitted winter comfort, the bridal scarf is a beautifully delicate, modern addition to wedding gowns. They take the look from simple elegance to stylish queen, and are perfectly contrasted by a pair of chunky heels.’
Dana Harel
8. Vintage Inspiration
But where some brides find joy in newness, others are looking for something a little more vintage. ‘Some of our favourite bridal silhouettes to look forward to in 2025 and 2026 pay homage to the silhouettes from yesteryear,’ emphasises London-based bridal designer, Catherine Deane. ‘From Victorian-inspired ball gowns to the effortlessly chic dropped waistlines of the 1920s, the design elements that accompany this trend are endless. Keep an eye out for vintage-inspired creamy hues, high necklines, and detailed embellishments when looking to create a bridal look based on this trend.’
Vivienne Westwood
9. Maximalist Details
The age of simplicity is (finally) over – meaning we can expect much more from wedding dress trends in 2025 and 2026. ‘After the long reign of minimalism, we welcome a new era of maximalism through the artful use of bold laces and beaded fabrications,’ confirms Catherine. ‘We adore the personality that a pearl scattered tulle or a flamboyantly floral lace lends to a wedding look. In a world where pearly whites are the norm, experimenting with lace and beaded detail is the pop of interest that will bring wedding silhouettes to life.’
Catherine Deane
10. Bridal Suits & Jumpsuits
If a dress simply does not appeal, then you’ll be pleased to know that tailoring is on the rise in ateliers. ‘More non-traditional brides will embrace bridal suits and jumpsuits, allowing for a chic, fashion-forward look that can be tailored or flowy,’ adds Laura. ‘These options provide a fresh take on bridal fashion for those seeking a contemporary aesthetic.’
Dana Harel
11. Thoughtful Fabrics
The next generation of brides are also more aware of the materials they’re wearing – and where they came from. ‘Sustainability is growing in importance across the fashion industry, including bridal wear,’ Laura tells us. ‘Expect more designers to focus on materials like organic cotton, recycled fabrics and biodegradable silks. Vintage or upcycled dresses could also gain popularity, reflecting the growing trend of conscious consumption.’
Vivienne Westwood
12. Sculptural Silhouettes
And when it comes to the overall look and shape of the dress, brides will be bringing all the drama to the aisle. ‘Big is back, but not in the old-school meringue way,’ says Rosie Williams, co-founder of The OWN Studio. ‘Next year will be all about sculptural and dramatic silhouettes that still feel fashion-led and fresh. Drop waists are also set to be a firm favourite, as well as more voluminous hems. Brides also love the clean line and structure that comes from a classic column silhouette too. 2024 was all about soft shapes and fluid fabrics and while the 90s slip never goes out of style, structured fabrics are in favour right now, with our brocade, mikado and duchesse satin gowns being among our most popular for 2025 and 2026 brides.’
The OWN Studio
13. Bespoke Services
Our experts have also noticed a much bigger trend take over the wedding world: bespoke services. ‘We’ve worked on a record number of bespoke commissions this year,’ notes Rosie. ‘It’s a growing area and one we’re really excited about. As weddings become more individual, more of our brides are looking for a custom look, a one-of-one, something nobody else has ever had before (or will again). It’s not about buying into certain trends, it’s more about curating a wedding wardrobe that feels one-off and authentic – which is why we’ve seen requests for custom designs triple this year.’
Speaking more on the label’s custom made service, Rosie tells us that the options allows brides to really explore what resonated with their personal style. ‘We offer a custom made service where brides can customise one of our existing styles, as well as a fully bespoke service where we start with a blank sheet of paper and create something together completely from scratch,’ she explains. ‘Sometimes brides have a really clear idea around what they want, while others just love our aesthetic and want to go on a journey together. Both starting points are really fun. There’s no right or wrong way – it’s always a process.
‘Having a bespoke dress is like a fingerprint, every cut, stitch and fold has been made especially for you, crafted and fitted to your body. It can never be replicated. There’s something magical about that.’
The OWN Studio
14. Wedding Wardrobes
Does one dress not seem like enough? More brides than ever are ditching the one dress rule in favour of an entire wedding wardrobe. As Rosie notes, ‘Shopping for a wedding wardrobe versus one wedding look is something we’re also seeing a lot more of. Each event surrounding the wedding has become its own fashion moment (because why not?). But these individual pieces need to work harder than ever before; they need to be re-wearable for years to come or something that can be listed on rental platforms after the wedding.’
The OWN Studio
15. Re-Wear
And it’s this idea that gives us our final trend: a wedding wardrobe with longevity. ‘We are seeing an increasing number of brides coming back to us after the wedding to discuss ways to re-wear their dress,’ says Rosie. ‘It’s always been a passion of ours, and where it was previously more of a micro trend with brides it’s definitely gaining momentum. Like us, a lot of our brides are passionate about circular fashion and sustainability, so being able to re-wear their outfit after the wedding day is really important to them. They lean into fabrics that can be dyed after the wedding or styles that can be repurposed to become enduring pieces in their wardrobe.’
The OWN Studio
Featured image: The OWN Studio
