May 19, 2025
The bridal runways of the next season may appear to celebrate maximalism with their big ball gowns and lavish flourishes. However, the Spring 2026 Bridal Collections mix time-honoured sartorial elements, including Elizabethan gown craftsmanship and ’80s high-energy volume.
The bridal designers of this season reinterpret classics with their unique, often unconventional visions. The innovative fabrics (see woven Mohair), the elaborate embellishments (star constellations), and the out-of-the-box shapes (bubble skirts) speak to an extremely informed clientele. Brides today are not only on top of the latest fashion trends but also want their wedding style to reflect their individuality.
Stephanie White, designer at the cool Los Angeles bride destination Odylyne the Ceremony, says that bringing classic designs and silhouettes into the modern age is a smart move. Modernizing them makes them unique, rather than latching on to trends.
Tanner Fletcher, based in Brooklyn, launched its bridal line in 2024. Past eras inspired the whimsical look. For Spring 2026, the genderless label looks back to the past with looks like a slinky leg-and-shoulder-baring, Art Deco-inspired update on a ’30s bias-cut gown, an inventively quilted and floral-appliqued ’40s-esque fit-and-flare dress; and a saucy undone tuxedo, with a retro-ruffled shirt and boxers. Fletcher Kassell and Tanner Ritchie, who design together, say that they are leaning towards the antique because it is sentimental. Many of our customers like to pass on the dress they have saved.
The versatility of last season is still in place, and there are a variety of events to celebrate. Browse the top seven trends of Spring 2026 for inspiration to help brides create timeless looks that they will remember forever.
Spring 2026 Bridal Trend: Corsets
The classic vintage-inspired bridal staple is now available in sultrier versions. Elie Saab pairs a structured, woven bodice with a mermaid silhouette and a silk-chiffon billowing skirt. Alexandra Grecco Kyha and Ese Azenabor accentuate alluring corsetry by adding a sporty lacing detail to the back. Justin Alexander Signature frames side seams. Downtown label Lein turns an 18th-century unboned men’s jump into a peplum-cut-out vest. Yellow by Sahar counters a daisy-embroidered, free-spirited 70s-style ball gown with a Victorian-style waist cincher.
Spring 2026 Bridal Trend: Basque Waist
The hot Victorian-era trend — with the corset-framing V-shape seaming at the waist — pops up in pretty much every.single.collection, including Ouma, Alyssa Kristin, Cinq, Nadja Manjarrez, Claire Pettibone, and Wona Concept. Gala by Galia Lahav’s lavishly embellished dresses with crystals and appliques convey a Gatsby party vibe. Sharon Sever, creative director at Galia Lahav, says that the dresses are “very modern”. Michael Cho, head designer at Amsale, says that the waistline also shapes: “Amsale’s contouring line on double-bonded Crepe feels like a second layer.”
Spring 2026 Bridal Fashion: Dramatic Ball gowns
The voluminous skirting is a major influence on the period pieces that rip bodices off — but in a contemporary take. Andrew Kwon’s, Ines di Sante’s, and Markarian’s styles feature tubular frills, while Sarah Seven and Lihi Hod are bringing 18th-century panniers (extreme side-hoops skirts) to TikTok. Viktor & Rolf Mariage embellishes a gleaming gown with “sculptural puffs“, and a mini dress in a jacquard Tudors meets Pretty In Pink. Marchesa Couture’s voluminous skirt is accentuated with an oversized rosette, exclusively available online at David’s Bridal.
Spring 2026 Bridal trend: Ribbons & Bows
This season, ribbons and bows that are simple and elegant feel fresh and new. “We are seeing simpler designs.“ Sabrina Nicholas is a creative branding and public relations specialist at Meshki. She says that not every bride prefers a dramatic look. Accessibly priced Australian label Meshki offers a variety of dainty ribbons on mini dresses that are perfect for after-parties. Viktor & Rolf Mariage has a flurry of bow appliques on its gowns, cheeky little dresses and a cropped pantsuit. Rebecca Vallance uses pearl embellishments to cover tailored bows on adorable mini dresses.
Spring 2026 Bridal Fashion: Bubble Skirts
Surprise! Exuberant silhouettes that were last seen in the 2010s are now chic and refined. Katherine Tash, Kyha and Lihi Hod have all worn them. They can also be experimentally bold, like Ferrah’s diaphanous cocoon drop waist corset dress. Kyha Scott, founder and creative director of Kyha, says that she loves the flexibility of this fashion-forward hemline. The silver disco-ball romper, which was a runway exclusive for the Australian brand, went viral. Enaura Bridal, Savannah Miller and other bridal brands have used “pick-ups,“ or innovative bustles that conceal hidden strings to customize the amount of bubble in the skirts of their ball gowns.
Lace on Lace: Spring Bridal Trend 2026
Alexandra O’Neill of Markarian says, “Nothing feels like bridal more than a beautiful classic lace.“ She points to the brand’s romantic vintage-inspired French-lace strapless midi-dress, matching scalloped veil and mix-and-match toppers. Reem, Galia, and Ines Di Santo all stacked their collections high with convertible layers and exquisite gowns. Lace is also given a high-tech, unexpected treatment for the season. Lein used Italian-woven mohair to create an edgier guipure trim on gossamer chiffon with glimmering capelets. Odylyne The Ceremony replaced a cape with a veil and added a fluted-sleeve gown. Amsale used a raffia corded lace to create a stunning leaf motif on a corseted columns gown with a majestic sleeve.
Spring 2026 Bridal Fashion: Statement Embellishments
From opulent embellishments to subtle luminescence, ornamentation redefines classic silhouettes. “Brides want [clean] dresses right now. How can you make this dress different? Sohil Mistry, Enaura Bridal designer, says that you can drape the fabric or create beautiful embroidery by hand. The result is a basque waist gown with what appears to be finely beaded flowers. Francesca Miranda adds 10,000 pearls to a French lace dress for a stunning effect. Elizabeth Fillmore’s dreamy midi-dress is the opposite of this. Designer Elizabeth Fillmore from New York City calls it “a constellation of stars”. I love its delicateness.
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