Scroll To View More Images
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service via a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.
Once upon a time, wedding season was a term used to describe a temperate weekend from May to September. For the bridal party and wedding guests, a four-month time period is expected to be used to interpret dress codes, navigate gift etiquette, and hope the chicken options on the menu aren’t too dry. But lately, it seems like the fairy tale season has been extended into a year-long event. Winter and “off-season” weddings are becoming more and more popular (possibly due to the influx of post-Covid delayed weddings) and with the changing times have come changing trends—the upcoming wedding dress trends for 2023 reflect a renewed celebration of majesty, the rise of the bride and groom. non-traditional and emphasizes all-season silhouettes.
As I wrote this trending story, I was sitting in a coffee shop in a small town in Pennsylvania attending the first of two consecutive November weddings on my calendar. Since I haven’t gone through the process of choosing a wedding dress for myself (though I certainly hope it will eventually), I’ve always wanted to see wedding fashions at every ceremony. This November wedding falls right after Bridal Fashion Week and I’m excited to see if any of the upcoming trends detailed below will make an early appearance. While I may not know the bride very well (I’m still in the “plus one” era), I think the wedding dress that the bride chooses always gives a 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 best friend and future bride, Mary Grace Scully, with me to view the 2023 bridal collection. Scully works tangentially with the fashion industry as Head of the Creator Program. on The Nate App and has a very subtle understanding of her personal style—she plays a part in trends but is never defined by them. Scully grew up in the south, currently lives in New York City, and plans to get married next January in Los Angeles. Needless to say, she was looking for a dress that captured the influence of each location in shaping her personal style—not easy! Fortunately, Scully seems to have a game plan.
“I describe my personal style in 3 words: sporty, sparkly and neat. (Thanks to stylist Allison Bornstein for talking about the 3 word method on TikTok!) This means I really enjoy classic & conservative silhouettes, but love layering and adding accessories in surprising ways that balance feminine and masculine energies. So, going into my wedding weekend (because let’s be real, it’s more than a day), I wanted to balance a traditional silhouette with a modern twist,” explains Scully.
Based on aesthetics, I believe Scully walks the line between classic and non-traditional bridal—a combination that might have been difficult to shop for five years ago but is now the focus of many designers as brides want to balance the trendy and the timeless. Designers like Viktor&Rolf, Elie Saab, and Peter Langner all sported classic silhouettes in their 2023 collections, but added trendy details like large bows, sheer details or dramatic evening gloves to give the bride an optional touch.
By permission of La Pointe.
Scully said, “It’s possible to balance trendy and timeless! For example, feathers are obviously very big in fashion, and have become brides. I’ve noticed a white satin bias dress from LAPOINTE, it has long sleeves and removable fur cuffs. I also saw a lot of tulle in Andrew Kwon and Lela Rose’s collections, which got me thinking about different ways to incorporate it, apart from the classic tiered skirt.”
The clearest (literal) indication that Scully was strategically approaching her wedding shopping was the aquamarine engagement ring and the gorgeous diamond 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 wanted to really lean on the “something blue” tradition. I’ve bought aqua crystal Manolo Blahniks (classic with a twist) and will likely wear them with my wedding dress and for a reception look. I also recently discovered a sheer vintage aqua robe to wear when getting ready in the morning, and am planning to invest in a custom aqua ball gown for the reception,” explains Scully.
Courtesy of Maria Grace Scully.
Scully’s vision is right on the money when it comes to the 2023 wedding dress trends—I can attest that she gushed into the subtle long-sleeved silhouette presented at Lela Rose and was immediately drawn to the dramatic blue evening gown (complete with gloves and bow) in Andrew Kwon. for reception view. If you look like Mary Grace Scully and are a bride looking for the best of both worlds on your big day, the 2023 wedding dress trend will fit your bill—and if your bill allows, you’ll want to wear multiple looks. Keep reading for trends you’ll definitely be considering.
Eisenstein, Amsale, Viktor & Rolf; iMaxTree.
Go Big Or Go Bow
Bows are the hottest (or sweetest) built-in accessory in bridal wear for 2023. Whether they make a single oversized statement or pop up in a bunch, feminine details are on the rise in designer collections. Bows can be incorporated into a wedding look without creature the whole look as it matches the various silhouettes of the dress. For example, Viktor&Rolf sprinkled a simple sheath dress on a small ribbon while Amsale Bride had double ribbons as sleeves on a mermaid dress. The bow can also be easily inserted by adding a removable belt or headpiece.
Amsale’s bride, Enzo Miccio; iMaxTree.
Wearable Settings
Flowers have become a big focus on the wedding day and designers encourage brides to include them in their wedding wardrobe. Floral prints, embroidery and beading are becoming more and more popular in 2023. Unlike most other 2023 trends, floral details emerge as the main focus of clothing, not just details. For example, Enzo Miccio wore a princess-style dress in a large rose. The flowers in most of the dresses match the white of the dress and therefore add a beautiful texture without disturbing the rest of the look.
Sareh Nouri, Lela Rose, Badgley Mischka; iMaxTree.
Feather Bride
At this point, you probably have an item of clothing that features fur trim (or at least wore a boa to a Harry Styles concert). Feather immediately adds a playful flair to event outfits while enhancing the elegance of the ensemble. Designers captured the growing popularity of the makeover to the reception look and added flirty fur mini dresses to their bridal collections. You can wear full fur with a thick fur skirt as shown in the Badgley Mischka collection or opt for a fur inspired fabric as shown in the Sareh Nouri collection.
Rivini by Rita Vinieris, Monique Lhuillier, Alyne by Rita Vinieris; iMaxTree.
All Opera Gloves
Opera gloves fit into the “something old” and “something new” traditions of bridal wear. The classic evening wear style is having a massive revival with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Zoë Kravitz and Blake Lively wearing it to red carpet events and the look has translated into bridal. Opera gloves can be added to the silhouette of any dress (as long as they don’t have long sleeves) and are a great way to create a stylish moment. Gloves are also a great accessory for rehearsal dinners, cocktail hours or just for cutting the cake.
Jason Wu, Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab; iMaxTree.
Some Like It
Warning: the sheer trend might be NSFGP (unsafe for grandparents) but boy, is it fun. Sheer dresses, also known as “nude dresses”, are a trend for bold brides and are preferred for evening ceremonies or receptions. Sheer dresses are everywhere now and designers like Jason Wu have done an excellent job of creating realistic wearable versions. While you might not want to sacrifice your oversized white dress for a sheer slip, I think it’s an excellent choice for an after-party if you’re planning several looks throughout the night.
Agnieszka wiatły, Peter Langner, Andrew Kwon; iMaxTree.
Tulle Is The Rule
This trend is for the maximalist bride—tulle is a “bigger is better” wedding trend and makes the best statement when paired in dramatic layers. Andrew Kwon created a strapless dress that stood out with a tulle skirt. The dress created the illusion that the bride was floating as she walked across the room because there was that many layers.
