The time I spent in New York City this April at the New York Bridal Market filled me with inspiration and excitement for the upcoming wedding seasons. Running from show to show with The Plumed Serpent, I saw new trends shaping the industry and classic looks reigning strong. Designers like Mark Ingram, Anne Barge, Monique Lhuillier, Lela Rose, Ines di Santo, and so many more filled the newly renovated Hotel Chelsea, The Plaza and various showrooms throughout Manhattan, with intricate, creative styles that set new trends for luxury wedding gowns for the next few years. Read on to see my favorite designs and notable trends, then head over to my Pinterest to start an inspiration board for your 2024 or 2025 wedding!
New York Bridal Market: Timeless Looks
Classic designs are classic for a reason: they stand the test of time and remain a staple in wedding fashion. This week included many timeless details like sweetheart necklines, A-line skirts, and the loveliest trains and veils. Look closely at the designs, however, and you’ll see how each designer breathed new life into each one.
I love this classic silhouette from Ines di Santo with playful tulle ruffles on the skirt. Tulle is making a comeback in all the best ways! Ines views a bride’s journey to finding a dress as a grand adventure that ends with a bride finding her perfect dress, no matter her style or preferences. One look at her catalog of diverse styles and it’s clear that any bride will find her dream dress with Ines.
Another stunning example of tulle is this lightest lilac, floor-length gown with a sweetheart neckline. The unique skirt adds more intrigue with the structured flares on each side. Anne Barge is well-known for redefining classic looks for the modern bride, finding the perfect balance of old-world glam and new-world inclusivity.
Ines di Santo wowed as always with bold detailing and low, open-back dresses. This gown in particular brought visions of weddings at an architectural masterpiece in Europe. I can envision this bride on the balcony at Villa del Balbianello or lounging on the staircase or garden at my favorite chateau in Provence, France.
In the rare moments that a designer will allow me to steal a model away for a few minutes, I love photographing the dresses against the New York cityscape, especially when there is a view to the Empire State Building! Lela Rose was one such designer and this fit-and-flare dress and elegant, long-sleeved gown were absolutely done justice by the structured beauty of the skyscrapers.
The long-beloved styles of wedding gowns are surely in safe hands with these talented, innovative, and imaginative designers.
New York Bridal Market: New Trends
I love seeing innovation and creativity shine, and witnessing these incredible designers blazing new trails was as inspiring as it always is. Notable new trends on the market this year included sleeves and gloves, intricate and bold embroidery, short dresses, and all-in-one gowns designed to take brides from reception to after party without skipping a beat.
Mark Ingram showed at the iconic Plaza and dazzled with this playful and deceptive day-to-night number. Overskirts, capes, and boleros were a big feature this year as designers worked to bring flexible gowns to brides everywhere. While many brides choose separate dresses for their ceremony and reception (and maybe another for the after-party), designers are seeing and fulfilling a need for one dress to do it all. I don’t know about you, but I could watch Mark present dresses all day long. His energy is everything!
I also fell head-over-heels for this short dress shown above by Mark Ingram. The bold lace daisies were whimsical and innocent and everything I love to see in a unique dress like this. The gloves were just the crowning touch: simple and playful and a new trend I can’t wait to see take off.
Several designers debuted short dresses this year, like these two by Monique Lhuillier:
This flirty dress below by Lela Rose featured a straight neckline and a playful, geometric texture:
Possibly one of my favorite returning trends this year was detailed floral embroidery as seen in this Monique Lhuillier gown. It also featured dramatic sleeves and an extravagant cape that transformed the dress from beautiful to utterly magical.
Monique also presented this gown that looked at embroidery and said “Yes! More please!” I love the corseted top and sheer fabric.
Ines di Santo contributed to the array of floral embroidery with this gown that gets more beautiful the longer you look at it:
Sprinkled through the shows were a lovely variety of sleeves and gloves that elevated every dress and will allow brides to transform their wedding day look without the hassle of buying and changing multiple dresses. These two changeable looks from Monique Lhuillier were beautiful and I can envision a bride in the south of France with the sun shining through the softly blowing layers at a wedding venue such as the Villa Ephrussi:
This dress also by Monique featured gloves and a bolero that created several unique and equally graceful looks:
Delicate embroidery continues to trend, seen here on one of Ines Di Santo‘s chic bodices accessorized with an asymmetrical cape and Verdin‘s soft layers of tulle, accessorized with the most popular trend of sheer gloves and, my favorite, a classic NYC cab!
Through every look, the theme of independent style flowed through designs both classic and innovative. Designers debuted gown after gown designed to fit every bride while being unique to each one. From distinctive designs to custom additions of sleeves and overskirts, each dress could fulfill any bride’s dreams while being unique to her and her alone.
Which designer do you have in mind for your 2024 or 2025 wedding?
Wedding Market Team:
Photographer | Melani Lust Photography
Bridal Boutique | The Plumed Serpent
Featured Designers
Mark Ingram
Enaura
Verdin
Monique Lhuillier
Ines di Santo
Lela Rose
The 2nd Skin Co
Anne Barge
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