Are you shopping for your wedding dress and want to keep up on the latest bridal trends? You’ve come to the right place! When I was browsing for wedding dresses a little while back, I wanted to choose something that flattered my figure and was in-style for the season. But I didn’t want to pick my wedding dress based just on what was popular at the moment. Trends are a funny thing: you should still pick what YOU love, not just because a gown is particularly trendy. Classic choices are always in style. :)

In this post, we’re sharing the top seven wedding dress trends 2020 has to offer — soaring well into 2021, to be honest — to give you insight on what you might find while browsing bridal racks (even if that means online only for a while). There are many wonderful retailers who design wedding dresses and conduct business solely online, – including New York City Bride as one resource — from start to finish, they take measurements, work with you on the bridal gown you want, design, sew and create your gown, and ship it to your door. Then, you try it on at home and, if needed, take to a seamstress for alterations. In today’s post, we’ll illustrate some of the popular wedding dress trends with gowns from New York City Bride’s latest collections. (You can browse the new collection here!)

If I were to pick my wedding dress today from their Elegance 2020 collection, it would be Madeleine! This style has long lace sleeves, a deep v-neckline, a train, and a fit-and-flare style. It is available here.

Now, let’s get to the trends! Here are the latest bridal gown trends for 2020. Enjoy!

Wedding Dress Trends 2020 + 2021

1. Showing Off Your Shoulders

Off-the-shoulder wedding dresses are leading the way in bridal trends, along with one-shoulder styles. This year, it’s all about showing off your shoulders, a new trend we’re surprised to see — but we’re happy it’s sticking around through 2021! These fun and feminine styles are either slightly revealing a little shoulder or completely down for a full off-the-shoulder look.

In addition to off-the-shoulder gowns, one-shouldered looks are also quite popular. This style is one of our favorites from the new Desert Rose 2020 collection by New York City Bride.

This next dress illustrates two popular bridal trends: off-the-shoulder and a floral embroidered look, which we’ll talk about in the next point.

2. Unique Floral Print Bridal Gowns

When we first spotted embroidered floral gowns, it was clear they would take off in popularity! And, heavens yes, floral embroidered everything — including veils — are now at the forefront of boho and free-spirited weddings.

3. Puffy Sleeves

In addition to long-sleeved wedding dresses continuing its reign in popularity, puffy sleeves are making headlines this year as one of the biggest bridal gown trends. We’re seeing this in two variations: short sleeve puffy sleeves and long sleeves with added volume.

Here’s a longer puffy sleeve example (named Hughette):

Or “Alodie“, with a unique off-the-shoulder and puffy sleeve style twist:

It isn’t just “puffy” sleeves, either: you’ll also see sleeves that are uniquely constructed, like this example named Aveline:

It is not quite a “sleeve”, but it drapes like one and looks stunning!

4. A-Line Dresses

A-line wedding dresses are fitted to your hips and gradually increase in width towards the hem. We’re seeing A-line wedding dresses in every collection this year and expect this trend to continue into the 2021 wedding season, too. It is a classic look that never goes out of style and is versatile in a variety of necklines and fabrics.

I love this long-sleeve a-shaped silhouette paired with a full skirt. This dress is named Bernadette and is part of the new 2020 wedding gown collection.

5. Full Ballgowns

This year, the long full skirt gown is back in style. We’re seeing a combination of A-line wedding dresses paired with a full lace skirt to create a gorgeous and dramatic silhouette.

6. Non White Wedding Dresses

Brides are opting for non-white wedding dress alternatives, even shades that are similar to white such as champagne, ivory, and cream. In addition, we’re seeing pops of color: brides are wearing something blue skirt, blush pink wedding gowns, and grey wedding dresses more than ever before. Adding color is a fun way to personalize and modernize your gown.

7. Short Wedding Dresses

Whether for a courthouse wedding, smaller backyard wedding, going for a rustic look, or just because you like the look, short wedding dresses have exploded in popularity this summer.

8. Jumpsuits

The non-wedding dress choice for brides? Jumpsuits, or pants in general, are a fun twist on the traditional dress. For weddings that have been postponed or turned into elopements and courthouse weddings due to Coronavirus, we’re seeing brides opting for something fun and modern instead. Some brides are wearing a traditional gown and changing into a short reception dress or jumpsuit for the reception as a “second” outfit. Fun idea!

What do you think of these wedding dress trends? Which style is your favorite this year? Tell us about your dress, we’d love to hear about the styling!

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma

NewYorkCityBride is a Featured Artist at Emmaline Bride and wonderful to work with! Shop NYCityBride.com or in their Etsy shop here.