Feathers
Glam is the name of the game this season with designers taking serious flights of fancy via feather embellishments – whether it be frou-frou edgings or all over feather gowns. Keep hair and make-up subtle and accessories super classy to avoid looking like a Vaudeville act. And try to ensure your feathers are ethically sourced.
Something Blue
It’s a colour that’s long been associated with weddings in the form of your ‘something blue’ but this year, there’s a move towards bringing blue out of the underwear drawer and into the spotlight. Both spring and autumn collections have featured dashes of the colour, from navy to palest baby blue and some designers have gone the whole hog and created blue gowns for the big day. Think ethereal and dreamy for a stunning look.
Caped Crusader
You don’t have to be a superhero to pull of this trend, which, to be fair, is not really a trend since capes have been around on the wedding scene forever. But, this year, there are some seriously chic options available which will work well if you’re not overly confident in showing your arms but can be an equally stunning proposition even if your dress has sleeves – think of it as upping the glamour stakes.
Big Bows
Bows are another wedding staple but, this season, it’s a case of go big or go home. Designers have taken a serious turn for the architectural in the use of this, usually very girly, adornment. They’re on shoulders, waists, backs – you name it. And they are a style statement all by themselves, particularly if constructed in a contrasting colour to your gown. Go big and dark for a super-edgy look or stick with a self-coloured or pastel option to accentuate a feature.
Veiled Ladies
Could it be the Meghan Markle effect, she seems to have popped up rather a lot since marrying Prince Harry last year, or maybe designers saw Priyanka Chopra’s spectacular, one-off piece and decided it was time for stunning veils to have their moment. Whatever the reason, this year’s summer and autumn shows were full of gorgeous confections of lace and net. Jewel embellished and embroidered, they floated around the models to stunning effect proving that the veil, for this year at least, is no longer simply a traditional accessory.
High-Low Hemlines
It pains us to include something that is also known as a mullet in a feature on wedding gowns. However, if we think back to the video for Guns N’ Roses’ November Rain, it doesn’t seem so bad. The high-low, or waterfall, hemline has been seen regularly on the catwalks in recent years and it’s now made the crossover to bridal. Show off a great pair of pins and some seriously sexy shoes with a short hemline at the front and add the unmistakable wow factor with a long train at the back.
Go To The Ball
This style is about volume and looking like a true princess. If you’re planning to make a dramatic entrance, a classic ball gown is for you – the bigger the better! Think netting and petticoats, it’s the classic little girl’s dream dress and what a way to make an entrance. Just make sure you have comfy shoes, these things can be heavy, and good, strong bridesmaids.
Tiers on your Wedding Day
So, they say you should not have tears on your wedding day but we can make an exception for this variety. Get the look of lots of movement without the hassle of a huge skirt and long train. This is also a great look if you’re keen on vintage style and, worn slightly shorter, can be a great option for showing off your killer heels.
Cream of the Crop
A perfect option for our hot summer weather and a great chance to show off some skin, should you wish. The 1980s’ favourite crop top has snuck its way into the bridal wardrobe and, though it might not be the first thing you would think of wearing on your wedding day, it can look rather fab. Go for a fitted top with a ballerina-style skirt or team a vest or bustier style top with an A-line bottom. This style would be perfect for a beach wedding.
