Not a fan of traditional wedding dresses? Don't see yourself as a ‘boho' bride. Never fear, for 2020 individuality is here...and we couldn't be happier.
It may have taken its sweet time, but the wedding dress designers are finally coming around to the idea that each bride is unique, and no bride wants to be pigeon-holed. Woo hoo!
The result? Less tradition, less ‘doing what's expected' and more ‘doing it your way' - after all, it's your love story, not anyone else's. Not even your in-laws'.
Now that doesn't mean there's no such thing as a wedding dress trend when it comes to bridal fashion, it just means the trend can relate to an aspect of your overall wedding look on the big day. This means you can pick and choose trending bridal fabrics, colours or wedding accessories - and use them to create the dress of your dreams - whatever that may look like.
Colour crush - pistachio and ginger
Let's start with pistachio first. This gorgeous green was a feature shade in January's Haute Couture collections with designers such as Monique Lhuillier and Vera Wang showing the love for this subtle yet sophisticated hue.
In fact, it was all about soft and subtle shades at Vera Wang's most recent show, with pistachio shown alongside shades of pink, purple, nudes and soft grey.
As for ginger - the happy medium between last season's blush and champagne - it's one of our fave new neutrals, complementing a range of skin tones and a fashion-forward choice for brides looking for alternatives to white, alabaster and ivory.
Ginger plays well with metallics, so up the glam factor and pair it with gold, silver or antique brass tones for a look that's romantic...with an edge.
It's time for translucent
We've seen our fair share of translucent acrylic, translucent wedding chairs and translucent bridal tables, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact translucent has well and truely made it's way to the bridal runway shows. Danielle Frankel is our inspiration.
Layering texture
Textiles provide a simple yet stylish option to layer colour, and texture, rather than sticking to a static white. Use textured fabrics adorned in beads layered over dutchess satin or tulle. It's all about contrast and individuality and achieving a bridal look that's you!
Va-va volume - big is back
From puff sleeves and shoulder-pads to to ball skirts and high-neck collars, volume is a major trend for 2020. Largely inspired by the glam 80s, this is a wedding dress look for fashion forward brides not afraid to take a risk...and reap the reward.
Just remember that petite brides might be overwhelmed by voluminous styles, so be sure to bear this in mind when hunting for that bigger-is-better bridal dress. And remember, if you turn up the volume for your wedding dress, maybe turn it down for the bridesmaids. There's a fine line between modish...and Muriel's Wedding.
Romantic Rebel
Like the bohemian bride, but revved up, this style mixes effortless with edge, with a hefty dose of attitude in the mix. It's all about a laissez-faire approach to your ceremony dress - vintage with Doc Martens maybe - for that ‘too cool for school' look we all love (but are usually too scared to try).
Confidence or a pair of Converse sneakers is the key to pulling this look it off. It's about not worrying what your grandma will think and pleasing yourselves, which is how it should be really, and not just in your outfit choices - we're talking unconventional wedding waltzes, rapping speeches, food trucks - anything goes, so long as you've got the gumption to give it a go.
Why capes are the new hero
While traditional capes have been part of the winter bride's ensemble for eons, the new capes are fresh, mock-necked versions - adorned with lace in the Spring 2020 collection - adding extra coverage together with a striking silhouette. Choose from either vintage or edgy contemporary versions, depending on your gown and wedding style. One of the original - and still the best - ways to cover up without compromising on chic.
The leggy look
Take an 80s prom dress, add a sizeable leg slit, and then start thinking seriously about your shoes, because if you're going to embrace the side split trend, you'll want to put your best shoe forward at the same time. Sounds like the perfect excuse to hit the (shoe) shops to us.
70s chic
The decade that brought us disco is back in the bridal world, with some of our fave designers showing collections featuring some serious Saturday Night Fever inspo. At least that's how it looks to us. From fringed mini dresses for modern weddings or as a second reception dress to shimmery frocks which would be right at home at Studio 54, you'll want to hit the dance floor to make the most of these glam numbers. Wedding dresses made to party - now there's a trend we can see taking off.
Feathered frocks
From decadent feathered ball-gowns to chic minis with feathered skirts to feathered shrugs or necklines, feathers are one of the key features for fashionable brides in 2020. Lightweight, glam and super feminine, designers are using plumes to create chic, theatrical gowns which are romantic, luxurious, dreamy and dramatic - this is the material of the moment for those who want to make an entrance.
Give wedding pants a chance
Not everybody's dream wedding dress is the same. Say bride and wedding dress in the same sentence and most people imagine a big, white dress with a long train topped off with a tiara other may conjure an image of a sleek, sheath design adorned in lace. Not many people imagine a bride walking down the aisle in a sensational pants suit. Thankfully many bridal gown designers do.
It might not be traditional, but it's fast becoming a trend and more and more designers such as Oscar de la Renta are including bridal pant suits in their wedding collections.
If dresses really aren't your style, why wear something that isn't reflecting the true you and might make you feel uncomfortable? Designers have embraced the style, realising that everyone is different and deserves to shine in their own way.
At this year's New York Bridal Fashion Show, designers like Alfred Angelo, Rivini and Lazaro showed off their stunning pant suit designs. Badgley Mischka and Carolina Herrera are also known for including them in their collections.