One of the first wedding planning tasks that many brides can't wait to check off the to-do list is to find their dream wedding dress. Maybe you've been dreaming of your wedding dress since you were a child, something that will make you feel like a princess with a dramatic ball gown silhouette or perhaps something a bit more form-fitting. When it comes to wedding dress styles, there is so much variety across bridal designers, so no matter if you are timeless and classic or more fashion-forward and trendy, there will be a dress for you!
We recently shared the top 8 wedding dress trends and the 9 must-see bridal accessory trends from the spring New York Bridal Fashion Week. With the excitement of New York Bridal Fashion Week still fresh on our minds, it’s no surprise that many brides-to-be are asking the question: Should I choose a trending wedding dress or go for something more timeless?
At Lovella Bridal, we’ve styled thousands of brides over the years, and this is one of the most common questions we hear. So, let’s talk about it.
Video: Should You Buy A Wedding Dress That Is Classic or Trendy?
When you first visit a bridal store to shop for your dream wedding dress, you might be overwhelmed with the amount of options and different styles of bridal gowns available. In this week's bridal fashion advice video, we are sharing important tips to keep in mind as you begin wedding dress shopping and all the considerations when deciding if you should buy a wedding dress that is classic or trendy.
What’s In Style and What Stays in Style
If you’ve been following along with our recent posts on bridal dress trends and must-have wedding accessories, you already know the bridal fashion world is constantly evolving. And after more than a decade in this industry, here’s what we’ve come to realize: Wedding dress trends are a revolving door.
Yes, new styles emerge, fabrics evolve, and silhouettes shift, but it’s incredible how often we see trends make a comeback, just with a fresh twist. Whether it’s sleek minimalism or romantic lace, bridal fashion always finds a way to reinvent the classics.
We’ve seen it firsthand. One of our bridal stylists here at Lovella recently reflected on her cousin’s 2011 wedding, where she wore two gowns: a classic ball gown for the ceremony and a fitted reception dress. Guess what? Both of those looks are still relevant today. If we styled a bride in either gown today, she’d still feel fashionable, elegant, and current.
That’s the beauty of bridal fashion! True timelessness never goes out of style.
Let’s Talk About Trends
Now, we’re not saying to avoid bridal fashion trends altogether. In fact, some of our favorite bridal looks feature modern elements like thigh-high slits, bold cutouts, sheer bodices, and skin-baring silhouettes. These design choices are absolutely on-trend, and they're also evolving to become modern classics in their own right.
Fashion for everyday clothing as a whole is becoming more daring, and bridal is following suit. Just look at the red carpet where we're seeing clothing designs with less coverage that make more of statement. And while these looks may feel new, they’re part of a broader trend cycle that continues to evolve. The last few cycles of bridal fashion have become more daring so we predict trends like peek-a-boo leg slits and sheer fabrics are here to stay.
When considering if you should look for a trendy wedding gown over a classic, what matters most is how these trends make you feel.
What Should You Focus On?
No matter what style wedding dress you think you should wear or what silhouette you think you will like the most, try to shop with an open heart and an open mind. We always tell our brides to not hyper-focus on one element. Don't only think about what’s “in” or worry too much about what’s considered “timeless.” Instead, focus on how you feel in the wedding dress you're trying on.
When you’re in the fitting room, look in the mirror. Take a photo. How do you feel in that moment? Beautiful? Confident? Like yourself, but elevated?
Brides often go home after trying on wedding dresses, scroll through photos, and second-guess themselves. They forget how they felt in the dress and start overthinking. That’s why we encourage you to pay close attention to both how you look and how you feel, in real time in each dress you try on. Let that be your guide.
Forget the Rules, Wear What You Love
Your wedding dress doesn’t have to “match” your wedding venue, location or the season when you're getting married. We’ve seen brides rock long-sleeve lace gowns on the beach in July and slinky, barely-there bridal dresses in historic cathedrals in the dead of winter, and look stunning doing it. It’s not about following the rules. It’s about finding the gown that feels like you.
Your wedding is your moment. Wear what you love.
Don’t Dress for Anyone Else
We know it’s tempting to wonder what your fiancé will think. But here’s the truth: every single bride we’ve styled at Lovella who trusted her instincts walked down the aisle to a partner who saw her as the most beautiful woman in the world.
Not once has a bride ever come back to us saying, “They didn’t like the dress.” It just doesn’t happen.
Trust your gut. You’re not choosing a dress for the trends, the venue, or anyone else’s opinion. You’re choosing the wedding dress you’ll wear when you say "yes" to forever. That’s personal. That’s powerful. And it should be all about how you feel.
More Helpful Wedding Dress Shopping Advice
We hope you have found this advice helpful when it comes to shopping for your wedding dress and deciding if you should choose a classic or trendy bridal gown. For even more helpful advice when it comes to shopping for your dream wedding dress, be sure to check out our past posts:
- Top Wedding Dress Trends Spotted at New York Bridal Fashion Week
- Keeping Up With Wedding Dress Trends After Saying Yes to The Dress
- Why Every Bride Needs a Bridal Stylist While Wedding Dress Shopping
About Lovella
If you're shopping for your perfect wedding dress, come visit us at Lovella Bridal in Glendale, CA. We carry wedding dresses in all sizes and styles, including plus-size bridal gowns and a full selection of veils and accessories. Lovella Bridal is the premier, luxury bridal wedding dress shopping boutique located in Los Angeles, California. Lovella features couture, feminine, modern and chic bridal gowns in all sizes from the best wedding dress designers. Schedule an appointment to find the wedding dress of your dreams at Lovella Bridal. We can't wait to help you!
About Wedding Fashion Expert
Our wedding dress shopping tips and advice are from Nayri, Lovella's own, in-house wedding fashion expert. Nayri is truly the expert when it comes to bridal fashion and wedding style. As the Wedding Fashion Expert, Nayri is the top bridal fashion stylist and the best-selling author of the book "I'm Getting Married And I Have Nothing To Wear," the ultimate guide to helping brides find their wedding day style and their perfect wedding dress. You can subscribe to her YouTube channel or listen to her podcast for more helpful and practical advice on wedding dress shopping.
