Expect to see these 12 bridal trends everywhere in 2026
image via @magnolia__ave/instagram
words by chloe welling
Two-piece sets, floral purses and side parts.
What makes a bride a bride? In 2026, the answer is less about the big white dress and more about attitude and intent. Antiquated prescriptions of the archetypal bride are fading fast, giving way to a new generation dressing for taste, not tradition.
Slicked-back buns, sweeping mantilla veils and sculptural bouquets dominated the bridal wear landscape in 2025. Brides like Selena Golmez embraced classic elegance, while Charli xcx’s bridal looks were a natural extension of her signature Brat aesthetic, giving her the title, ‘anti-bride’.
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As someone who loves all things fashion and wedding-related, I’ve taken it upon myself to comb through the Fashion Journal wedding archives, along with some of the most defining weddings of the past year, pinpointing the dominant trends that have arisen over the last 12 months.
Planning a wedding (no matter how personal) is no easy feat, and it helps to draw on a wellspring of inspiration to figure out what you do and don’t like. If you need help wading through your options, see our curated list of bridal wear predictions for the year ahead.
However, planning a wedding (no matter how personal) is no easy feat, and sometimes it helps to draw on a wellspring of inspiration to help you figure out what you do and don’t like. If the idea of what it means to be a ‘bride’ feels overwhelming and you need help wading through your options, I’ve curated a list of bridal wear predictions set to take hold over the coming year.
The Dress
Up until recently, a great deal of pressure and expectation has been placed on finding the perfect wedding dress – one that can cater to a ceremony, photos, reception and the dance floor. Increasingly, brides are finding their own ways around this.
Two-piece sets
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Modern brides are set to re-interpret the rules of dressing through reimagining traditional elements. One way we’ll see this manifest is through the rise of the two-piece. Whether it be a slim-fitting tuxedo jacket (à la Bianca Jagger) or an oversized blazer and skirt, brides will be looking for something that feels more closely aligned to their everyday style.
Lace
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From Pinterest boards to Fashion Week, lace is forecast to have a resurgence this year. Ethereal, delicate and whimsical, it has an enduring appeal that transcends shifting trends and seasons.
Beyond its flirtatious charm, the artisanal nature of lace makes each piece feel unique. While local labels like Maison Essentiele and Khya Studios are known for their lace styles, its timelessness makes it a great style to source vintage.
Romanticism
Romanticism is the culmination of some of bridal wear’s biggest trends. Dress silhouettes are embracing all things romantic, with more brides opting for basque-waists, scalloped edges and warmer shades of ivory evoking the brooding elegance of your favourite gothic novel (this could only mean Wuthering Heights, of course).
Beyond the dress, romance is set to take a less literal, personal approach. Vintage brooches repurposed as bouquet fasteners and sentimental hand-me-downs are emerging as meaningful ways to layer up the love.
Accessories
Mantilla veils
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If you’re up to date on wedding trends, you’ll know that the Spanish mantilla veil is the veil of the moment. Designed to be worn just behind the hairline, the style frames the face in a Madonna-like aura.
Cathedral length is undoubtedly the most popular option, but don’t sleep on mid-length and micro variations, which offer a less traditional, flirtatious take on the classic. Adelaide bridal house Calèche offers a cathedral-length mantilla veil adorned with a delicate French lace trim, while Magnolia Ave and Honeymoon Studios have a variety of styles in varying lengths.
Detachable elements
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Finding your dream dress, only to shed it partway through the day for the sake of the dance floor (a worthy cause), is a fairly common occurrence. So instead, we’re going modular.
“I’m definitely seeing a strong move towards modular elements… less as a ‘big reveal’ and more as a way to shift the mood of the day,” explains Cat Spanti, founder of consulting agency Keep In Touch. “Brides are thinking about how they want to feel at different points of the day and using detachable pieces to subtly evolve the look rather than completely change it.”
Lace capes, detachable sleeves, neck scarves, sheer overlays and gloves allow an outfit to move from formal to something more relaxed or editorial without losing cohesion, she explains.
“It’s reflective of a broader shift away from one-off spectacle. Brides want their wedding looks to feel considered, wearable and expressive of different sides of themselves, not just designed for a single moment.”
Shoes
Flats
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Sure, pumps by Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo will always be bridal staples, but if you prefer to prioritise function over form, there’s nothing wrong with opting for a shoe designed to go the distance. Think Miu Miu’s satin ballerinas, Maison Margiela tabis, slinky sandals and vintage Mary Janes.
Beauty
Half-up, half-down
Committing to hair up or down is a common bridal conundrum – so why not both? Ask your stylist for a tight, sleek top section, fastened above a loose, tousled lower half, for the perfect blend of relaxed elegance. Given it’s relatively simple style, it’s also a great option for brides looking to do their own hair on the big day.
Smudged makeup
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While 2025 was all about dewy skin and fairy-floss cheeks, there’s a case to be made for going in the other direction. Thanks to Charli xcx and the revival of indie sleaze, some are opting for a lived-in, lightly smudged aesthetic.
Personality is predicted to trump polish – think just-bitten lips and soft, smoked-out kohl wings. For endless inspiration, turn to Nina Park, or local artists like Chantelle Baker and Rob Povey.
Side parts
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Famously sported by Gabbriette and Addison Rae, side parts are making their comeback. The beauty of the side sweep is that it can be as dramatic or subtle as you want – opt for an off-centre part with waves, or go as far as your hair line will allow for something bold.
The Bouquet
Sculptural florals
Flowers aren’t exempt from changing aesthetics, either. While full, spherical bouquets have long been the style of choice, there’s a move towards more unique, architectural alternatives. With a focus on height and dimension, floral varieties such as calla lilies, anthuriums and cascading amaranthus have become synonymous with the modern bride.
Ashe, floral designer and founder of Judah Rose, is the mind behind some of the chicest bridal bouquets of the moment. “Through their distinctive shapes and movement, paired with subtle, almost traditional colour notes, we’re seeing bouquets evolve into living sculptures.”
Wearable bouquets
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Another way we’re seeing individuality manifest is brides swapping the classic bouquet for something more avant-garde, like a bouquet bag or bracelet. Belle Owen, lead floral artist at Flowers Vasette, notes that while there will always be beauty in traditional arrangements, requests for reimagined bouquets are a fun opportunity to get creative and personal. She recommends “textural and tonal flowers,” limiting designs to two or three types per bouquet for a more luxe effect.
For more wedding trend predictions, try this.
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