Wedding Dress Trends For 2023: 6 Looks That Prove You Can Be Both Timeless & Trendy
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Once upon a time, wedding season was a term designated to describe the temperate weekends from May through September. For bridal parties and wedding guests, a four-month time period was expected to be spent interpreting dress codes, navigating gift etiquette, and hoping the chicken option on the menu wouldn’t be too dry. Lately, however, it seems like the fairytale season has been extended to an ongoing year-long occurrence. Winter and “off-season” weddings are becoming increasingly popular (likely a result of the influx of delayed weddings post-Covid) and with a change in timing comes a change in trends—the upcoming wedding dress trends for 2023 reflect a renewed celebration of grandeur, the rise of the untraditional bride and prioritize all-season silhouettes.
More from StyleCaster
As I write this trend story, I’m sitting in a coffee shop in a small town in Pennsylvania to attend the first of two consecutive November weddings on my calendar. Because I have yet to go through the process of choosing a wedding dress for myself (though I definitely look forward to it happening eventually), I’m always eager to see the wedding fashion at each ceremony. These November weddings fall right after Bridal Fashion Week and I’m excited to see if any of the upcoming trends detailed below will make an early appearance. Even though I may not know the bride well (I’m still in my “plus one” era), I think the wedding dress a bride chooses always gives great insight into their style and personality.
To get a better perspective on the process of choosing a wedding dress and navigating bridal trends, I brought my dear friend and upcoming bride, Mary Grace Scully, with me to preview the 2023 bridal collections. Scully works tangentially with the fashion industry as the Head of the Creator Program at The Nate App and has an incredibly refined understanding of her own personal style—she plays into trends but is never defined by them. Scully was raised in the south, currently resides in New York City, and is planning on getting married next January in Los Angeles. Needless to say, she’s on the hunt for a dress that captures the influence each location has had in molding her personal style—no easy feat! Luckily, Scully seems to have a game plan.
Click here to read the full article.
“I describe my personal style in 3 words: sporty, sparkly, and preppy. (Thanks to stylist Allison Bornstein who talks about the 3-word method on TikTok!) This means I really enjoy classic & conservative silhouettes, but like to layer and accessorize in surprising ways that balance feminine and masculine energy. Therefore, going into my wedding weekend (because let’s be real, it’s more than just one day), I want to balance traditional silhouettes with a modern flair,” Scully explains.
Based on aesthetics, I believe Scully walks the line between a classic and non-traditional bride—a combination that may have been difficult to shop for five years ago but is now the focus of many designers as brides look to balance trendy and timeless. Designers like Viktor&Rolf, Elie Saab and Peter Langner all presented classic silhouettes in their 2023 collections but added trendy details like oversized bows, sheer detailing, or dramatic evening gloves to give brides an optional twist.
Scully says, “It’s absolutely possible to balance trendy and timeless! For example, feathers are obviously huge in fashion, and have made their way into bridal. I’ve had my eye on a white satin bias gown from LAPOINTE, it has long sleeves and detachable feather cuffs. I also noticed a lot of tulle in Andrew Kwon and Lela Rose’s collections, which made me think about different ways to include it, aside from a classic tiered skirt.”
The (literal) clearest indication that Scully is strategically approaching her wedding shopping is the gorgeous aquamarine and diamond engagement ring sitting on her left hand. The emerald-cut ring is the perfect representation of Scully’s commitment to adding her personal flair to her wedding day and serves as the cornerstone of all design decisions.
“I want to really lean into the “something blue” tradition. I’ve already purchased aqua crystal Manolo Blahniks (a classic with a twist) and will likely wear them with my wedding gown and for the reception look. I also recently found a vintage aqua sheer robe to wear while getting ready the morning of, and plan to invest in a special aqua party dress for the reception,” Scully explains.
Scully’s vision is right on the money when it comes to 2023 wedding dress trends—I can attest that she gushed over the delicate long-sleeve silhouettes presented at Lela Rose and was immediately drawn to a dramatic blue evening dress (complete with gloves and a bow) at Andrew Kwon for a reception look. If you’re similar to Mary Grace Scully and are a bride looking for the best of both worlds on your big day, 2023’s wedding dress trends will fit the bill—and if your bill allows, you’ll want to wear multiple looks. Keep reading for the trends you’re bound to consider.
Go Big Or Go Bow
Bows are the hottest (or sweetest) built-in accessory in bridal wear for 2023. Whether they are making a singular oversized statement or appearing in multiples, the feminine detail is on the rise in designer’s collections. A bow can be incorporated into a wedding look without being the entire look because it works with a variety of dress silhouettes. For example, Viktor&Rolf sprinkled an otherwise simple sheath dress in tiny bows while Amsale Bride had a bow double as a sleeve on a mermaid dress. A bow can also be easily incorporated by adding a removable belt or a hairpiece.
Bridal Rosette Crêpe Gown
This strapless dress would be perfect to change into for a reception or even to wear to a welcome party or rehearsal dinner. Plus, it’s on sale.
My Dearly Beloved White Organza Oversized Bow Hair Clip
If you don’t want to commit to a large bow on your dress, there are still easy ways to incorporate the trend into your big day—perhaps a big bow will do the trick.
Wearable Arrangements
Florals are already a big focus on a wedding day and designers are encouraging brides to incorporate them into their wedding wardrobe. Floral motifs, embroidery and beading have grown in popularity for 2023. Unlike many of the other 2023 trends, floral detail is emerging as the main focus of the garments instead of just a detail. For example, Enzo Miccio covered a princess-style gown in large embroidered roses. The flowers on most dresses match the gown’s white shade and therefore add lovely texture without distracting from the rest of the look.
Floral Applique Tulle Maxi Dress
This all-over floral Elie Saab dress would be perfect for a spring wedding.
Appliquéd Silk-Organza and Satin Mini Dress
If you’re hosting a garden party wedding event, this standout floral mini dress by Magda Butrym is an absolute must-have.
Brides Of A Feather
At this point, you probably own an item of clothing that features feather trim (or at least have worn a boa to a Harry Styles concert). Feathers immediately add a fun flair to occasionwear while simultaneously elevating the ensemble’s elegance. Designers are catching on to the increasing popularity of changing into a reception look and are adding flirty feather mini dresses to their bridal collections. You can either go full-on feather with a heavy feather skirt as shown in the Badgley Mischka collection or opt for feather-inspired fabric as shown in the Sareh Nouri collection.
Dolly Strapless Feather-Trimmed Sequined Satin Gown
This Retrofête gown is a great pick for a modern bride especially if the wedding will include a glitzy dance floor.
Ubud Feather-Trim Gown
I am obsessed with this feather trim gown as a rehearsal dinner look. It’s both elegant and fun—a great way to set the tone for a wedding.
All Over Opera Gloves
Opera gloves fit both the “something old” and “something new” traditions for bridal wear. The classic eveningwear style is having a massive resurgence with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Zo? Kravitz and Blake Lively wearing them for red-carpet events and the look has translated into bridal. Opera gloves can be added to any dress silhouette (as long as it doesn’t already have long sleeves) and is a chic way to create a stylized moment. Gloves are also a great accessory for a rehearsal dinner, cocktail hour or just to cut the cake.
White Lana Silk Gloves
Opera gloves are the ultimate accessory for high fashion flair. You can easily add them to any strapless dress look or even just put them on for a few photos.
Elena Gown
This strapless Bronx and Banco gown comes with removable opera gloves with feather trim—a mid-wedding wardrobe change has never been easier.
Some Like It Sheer
Warning: the sheer trend may NSFGP (not safe for grandparents) but boy, is it fun. A sheer dress, also known as a “naked dress”, is the trend for a daring bride and preferably an evening ceremony or reception. Sheer dresses are everywhere right now and designers like Jason Wu have done an excellent job of creating realistically wearable versions of them. While you may not want to sacrifice your big white dress for a sheer slip, I think it’s an excellent option for an afterparty if you’re planning multiple looks throughout the evening.
Bronze Lace Maxi Dress
If you love the sheer trend but don’t want to bare it all on your big day, this lace dress is a wonderful happy medium with the lace bodice and sheer skirt.
Crystal Gown
If you’re familiar with influencer Camille Charriere, you’ll know that she wore a naked dress to her wedding. Fast foward a year, and she now has a collection with Mango inspired by her personal wardrobe. This sheer crystal dress would either be an epic reception look or would fit in perfectly at a bachelorette party.
Tulle Is The Rule
This trend is for the maximalist brides—tulle is the “bigger is better” of wedding trends and makes the best statement when incorporated in dramatic layers. Andrew Kwon created a standout strapless dress with a tulle skirt. The gown creates the illusion that the bride is floating as she walks across the room because there are that many layers.
Genevieve Ruffle Gown
This ruffled gown has a royal feel with the cascading layers of tulle. It comes in four colors besides the champagne one pictured above if you’d prefer to wear it as a wedding guest or give the look to your bridesmaids.
Henri Gown
This dress by The Bar has probably been all over your Pinterest and that’s because it’s responsible for helping to revive the tulle trend. With many influencers wearing this dress, it was impossible for it to not become a trend of its own.
Best of StyleCaster