Bridal Trends 2020 | Moda Operandi

1. Forget the royals—the “FASHION BRIDE” will REIGN for 2020

If 2019 was the year of Meghan Markle’s wedding—her high-neck Stella McCartney dress was recreated many times and the once-forgotten aquamarine is center stage again—weddings in 2020 are going to feel very editorial. Thanks to Instagram, easy access to inspiration and collections encourages brides to be more experimental with statement designs like bows and big sleeves and unexpected elements like hoods, capes, and color. For the most part, the strapless sweetheart neckline paired with a mermaid silhouette is a thing of the past.

Because brides are now making braver fashion choices, they’re confident choosing up-and-coming names (see: Zoë Kravitz in Danielle Frankel and Alexander Wang) or white pieces from ready-to-wear collections. Designers are responding accordingly. Danielle Frankel has chunky knits and sweaters. Lela Rose is doing jumpsuits. There’s frothiness and feathers at Oscar de la Renta, Zuhair Murad, and Ralph & Russo. Statement suiting, Victorian puff sleeves, empire waists, and short-short after-party frocks feel ethereal, romantic, fresh, and modern. Now, more than ever, the wedding dress reflects the bride’s personal style.

1. Forget the royals—the “FASHION BRIDE” will REIGN for 2020

If 2019 was the year of Meghan Markle’s wedding—her high-neck Stella McCartney dress was recreated many times and the once-forgotten aquamarine is center stage again—weddings in 2020 are going to feel very editorial. Thanks to Instagram, easy access to inspiration and collections encourages brides to be more experimental with statement designs like bows and big sleeves and unexpected elements like hoods, capes, and color. For the most part, the strapless sweetheart neckline paired with a mermaid silhouette is a thing of the past.

Because brides are now making braver fashion choices, they’re confident choosing up-and-coming names (see: Zoë Kravitz in Danielle Frankel and Alexander Wang) or white pieces from ready-to-wear collections. Designers are responding accordingly. Danielle Frankel has chunky knits and sweaters. Lela Rose is doing jumpsuits. There’s frothiness and feathers at Oscar de la Renta, Zuhair Murad, and Ralph & Russo. Statement suiting, Victorian puff sleeves, empire waists, and short-short after-party frocks feel ethereal, romantic, fresh, and modern. Now, more than ever, the wedding dress reflects the bride’s personal style.

Shop More: THE EDIT: FASHION BRIDE

2. She wears (and CHOOSES) the RING

Surprises aren’t always a good thing, especially when it comes to such a big investment and something you’re supposed to love and wear until the end of time. Hence the uptick in couples picking out the engagement ring together. Women today are more specific in their tastes because, like the dress, they see their ring as an extension of themselves. This means the ubiquitous—albeit classic—brilliant-cut diamond on a simple band is less popular (no matter how big it is). Eternity bands, chunky gold settings, and estate rings are on the rise. Couples are opting for designers they love and already have a relationship with, as well as niche fine jewelry brands like Prounis and Spinelli Kilcollin.

2. She wears (and CHOOSES) the RING

Surprises aren’t always a good thing, especially when it comes to such a big investment and something you’re supposed to love and wear until the end of time. Hence the uptick in couples picking out the engagement ring together. Women today are more specific in their tastes because, like the dress, they see their ring as an extension of themselves. This means the ubiquitous—albeit classic—brilliant-cut diamond on a simple band is less popular (no matter how big it is). Eternity bands, chunky gold settings, and estate rings are on the rise. Couples are opting for designers they love and already have a relationship with, as well as niche fine jewelry brands like Prounis and Spinelli Kilcollin.

3. From wedding DRESS to wedding WARDROBE

There’s been a real shift in the industry in terms of shopping habits. Brides are no longer looking for “the one.” Instead, they’re shopping for the “wedding weekend wardrobe.” Translation? A curation of looks that takes them from the welcome party to the recovery brunch. The 2020 bride doesn’t necessarily want all-white either—color, even black, will likely be embraced more than ever.

3. From wedding DRESS to wedding WARDROBE

There’s been a real shift in the industry in terms of shopping habits. Brides are no longer looking for “the one.” Instead, they’re shopping for the “wedding weekend wardrobe.” Translation? A curation of looks that takes them from the welcome party to the recovery brunch. The 2020 bride doesn’t necessarily want all-white either—color, even black, will likely be embraced more than ever.

4. Bigger isn’t necessarily BETTER

The destination wedding is still very much alive and well. While locations are getting increasingly creative and memorable, couples are cutting back on the guest list, with numbers totaling out at no more than 50. Bridal parties are following suit. The days of the betrothed up at the altar flanked by fourteen bridesmaids and groomsmen are from a bygone era. Now, most couples opt for what they call “honorary” bridesmaids or groomsmen. The duties are optional and the wardrobe requirements are far looser. Thank goodness.

4. Bigger isn’t necessarily BETTER

The destination wedding is still very much alive and well. While locations are getting increasingly creative and memorable, couples are cutting back on the guest list, with numbers totaling out at no more than 50. Bridal parties are following suit. The days of the betrothed up at the altar flanked by fourteen bridesmaids and groomsmen are from a bygone era. Now, most couples opt for what they call “honorary” bridesmaids or groomsmen. The duties are optional and the wardrobe requirements are far looser. Thank goodness.

BRIDESMAIDS WEARING MARKARIAN

5. RIP matchy-matchy BRIDESMAIDS once and for all

The switch from a one-size-fits-all, “you can definitely wear it again” approach to cherry-picking mix-and-match ready-to-wear for a look that feels organic yet organized has been happening for a while, but will only gain more popularity in 2020. For summer weddings, women will gravitate towards florals from uber feminine labels like Brock Collection, Markarian, Zimmermann, and LoveShackFancy, while jewel-toned slip dresses will be popular choices from late fall through spring. In reflection of the recent runway trends, suiting is set to make for a powerful bridesmaid fashion moment for 2020.

5. RIP matchy-matchy BRIDESMAIDS once and for all

The switch from a one-size-fits-all, “you can definitely wear it again” approach to cherry-picking mix-and-match ready-to-wear for a look that feels organic yet organized has been happening for a while, but will only gain more popularity in 2020. For summer weddings, women will gravitate towards florals from uber feminine labels like Brock Collection, Markarian, Zimmermann, and LoveShackFancy, while jewel-toned slip dresses will be popular choices from late fall through spring. In reflection of the recent runway trends, suiting is set to make for a powerful bridesmaid fashion moment for 2020.

ALEXANDRA SEGALAS’ WEDDING, STYLED BY OVER THE MOON

6. The birth of the bridal STYLIST

Couples are discovering that employing a stylist isn’t for A-listers only. With more celebrity stylists getting into bridal (see: Micaela Erlanger and Julie Sabatino), as well as specialized bridal stylists like Cynthia Smith, there’s a heightened awareness that this is an option—and not always out of budget. We at Over the Moon have recently launched this service [see above], and it’s been a hit!

6. The birth of the bridal STYLIST

Couples are discovering that employing a stylist isn’t for A-listers only. With more celebrity stylists getting into bridal (see: Micaela Erlanger and Julie Sabatino), as well as specialized bridal stylists like Cynthia Smith, there’s a heightened awareness that this is an option—and not always out of budget. We at Over the Moon have recently launched this service [see above], and it’s been a hit!

7. HEADPIECES are happening

Who doesn’t love a Princess Grace moment? Whether it’s Lele Sadoughi’s bridal collection, Gigi Burris’s hats, Magnetic Midnight’s crown-like headbands, or a family heirloom, a topper is the new finishing touch of choice (likely, a residual post-royal wedding trend). That said, Google “wedding headpiece,” and some of the images that crop up are downright scary. The key is all in the styling. As a general rule, refrain from anything that looks too “done”—looser hair and natural makeup tend to work best.

7. HEADPIECES are happening

Who doesn’t love a Princess Grace moment? Whether it’s Lele Sadoughi’s bridal collection, Gigi Burris’s hats, Magnetic Midnight’s crown-like headbands, or a family heirloom, a topper is the new finishing touch of choice (likely, a residual post-royal wedding trend). That said, Google “wedding headpiece,” and some of the images that crop up are downright scary. The key is all in the styling. As a general rule, refrain from anything that looks too “done”—looser hair and natural makeup tend to work best.

8. Put a TWIST on TRADITION

The most stylish weddings are not bound to tradition—it’s about playing with the formalities on your own terms, rather than being beholden to what others expect you to do. Case in point: Hailey Bieber’s Off-White ℅ Virgil Abloh lace dress and veil with “Till Death Do Us Part” embroidered across the bottom. Yes, her overall look was traditional, but the take on it was unexpected and cool. For her English wedding, Moda’s own Tatiana Hambro paired the Victorian tiara that’s been in her family since the 1800s with a cathedral-length Monvieve veil, costume Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, organza opera gloves, and sunglasses—the perfect mashup of Old World elements, but with a modern spin.

8. Put a TWIST on TRADITION

The most stylish weddings are not bound to tradition—it’s about playing with the formalities on your own terms, rather than being beholden to what others expect you to do. Case in point: Hailey Bieber’s Off-White ℅ Virgil Abloh lace dress and veil with “Till Death Do Us Part” embroidered across the bottom. Yes, her overall look was traditional, but the take on it was unexpected and cool. For her English wedding, Moda’s own Tatiana Hambro paired the Victorian tiara that’s been in her family since the 1800s with a cathedral-length Monvieve veil, costume Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, organza opera gloves, and sunglasses—the perfect mashup of Old World elements, but with a modern spin.

9. Mind your LANGUAGE, please

Whether you prefer toasts or roasts, there’s no getting around the fact that speeches are a big deal. And with good reason: they’re often the highlight of the night, with people talking about them for weeks (if not years!) later. The pressure to keep it clean and make it good is real. So much so that some are hiring companies like Speech Tank to help them perfect theirs before the big day.

9. Mind your LANGUAGE, please

Whether you prefer toasts or roasts, there’s no getting around the fact that speeches are a big deal. And with good reason: they’re often the highlight of the night, with people talking about them for weeks (if not years!) later. The pressure to keep it clean and make it good is real. So much so that some are hiring companies like Speech Tank to help them perfect theirs before the big day.

10. Waste not, want not: the SUSTAINABLE wedding

A wedding can easily feel like an over-the-top extravagance, even braggadocious. If you’re hellbent on having a big event, consider what you can do to reduce the overall environmental footprint. We’re expecting to see a surge in paperless weddings, the use of recycled paper for the invites, and/or limiting the amount of cards in the envelope—the 20-piece invitation is over.

People are increasingly making the switch to giving charitable donations in lieu of party favors and listing a charity on their wedding registry. Going local where possible with regards to food and flowers and promising to have a single-use plastic-free weekend makes a long-term impact and isn’t a heavy lift—hopefully we’ll see more of this in the next decade.

10. Waste not, want not: the SUSTAINABLE wedding

A wedding can easily feel like an over-the-top extravagance, even braggadocious. If you’re hellbent on having a big event, consider what you can do to reduce the overall environmental footprint. We’re expecting to see a surge in paperless weddings, the use of recycled paper for the invites, and/or limiting the amount of cards in the envelope—the 20-piece invitation is over.

People are increasingly making the switch to giving charitable donations in lieu of party favors and listing a charity on their wedding registry. Going local where possible with regards to food and flowers and promising to have a single-use plastic-free weekend makes a long-term impact and isn’t a heavy lift—hopefully we’ll see more of this in the next decade.

ALEXANDRA’S BRIDAL FASHION WEEK PICKS

Shop More: THE WEDDING GUEST WARDROBE

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