As the world’s top designers showcased their exquisitely intricate and billowy white dresses, oyster-coloured separates and corseted lace gowns at New York’s bridal fashion week in October 2024, there were several notable 2025 bridal trends that stood out, which would work well for weddings both grand and intimate, at home and abroad.

Although, of course, many traditional silhouettes and shapes are still holding strong, even decades on (strapless gowns and ’90s slips, we’re looking at you), there are certainly some new looks to be inspired by – especially if you want to make your wedding day a fairytale fashion moment to remember.

From the catwalk to the couturiers, we’ve asked some of the capital’s most renowned luxury wedding dress designers for clues from behind the duchesse satin curtain as to what the most fashion-forward brides will be wearing in 2025 – and what accessories and hidden touches their brides are cherry picking for their big days.

Corsets

With synched, snatched waists and sculpted lines a noticeable new wedding dress trend for 2025’s blushing brides, Noughties corsets are back in a big way. Whether exposed as part of the overall look or hidden beneath the fabric to create that all-important fluidity, they have transcended the ready-to-wear catwalks to create one of the most popular new bridal looks of next year.

With stand-out pieces from the likes of Reem Acra, KYHA Studios and Wona Concept all channelling the vintage, slightly Bridgerton-inspired shape, some of the best-known wedding dress designers in the capital are being swamped with demands. British designer Caroline Castigliano, who has been a stalwart in luxury bridal and eveningwear for 32 years, is renowned for her classy, effortless, and classic lines. She says: “Without question the two big looks for 2025 bridal fashion are the drop waist corsets and the Basque shape corsets. You will see these teamed with full ballgowns, fit and flare skirts and mermaid silhouettes.”

Annelise Sealy, founder of The Fall Bride – a contemporary east London bridalwear boutique that stocks a range of high-end and affordable luxury wedding dress brands spanning Galvan to Harriette Gordon and Self-Portrait – agrees that now is the time to embrace the Basque waist, citing Cinq and For Love as being among the best brands to get the look. “They effortlessly blend vintage charm with modern style. The dropped V- or U-waist cut is not just timeless but incredibly flattering, accentuating curves and creating a beautifully sculpted silhouette for any figure.”

Lace

While it’s true to say that lace never really went away, the traditional material is still reigning supreme for those wanting a whimsical look. Caroline Castigliano says: “Corded lace is making a big come back and is very much on trend right now. So even if you go for an understated, crepe soft line gown, you can team it with a corded lace shrug or lace trimmed veil to bring the fashion element into your look. Three-dimensional flower lace has been around for a while, but it is still huge for 2025: usually small and delicate, these beautiful flowers add romance and femininity.”

Kate Halfpenny, founder of luxury British bridalwear brand Halfpenny London, says she’s seen a strong uptake from those wanting to combine both the corset and lace trends for next year’s nuptials. “Strong silhouettes with intricate lace detailing are popular with 2025 brides, like our beautiful Spencer corset,” she says. “They’re also feeling free to experiment with innovative textiles to create volume and add unique beauty in their wedding look.”

Trains

A big look in the 1980s, with Princess Diana’s 25ft Elizabeth Emanuel-designed train the longest in royal wedding history at the time, these red-carpet ready touches are adding glamour and flair to otherwise classic and understated pieces. Couture British wedding designer Phillipa Lepley says: “We are noticing an increasing number of brides choosing Watteau trains. This style sees the train attached at the shoulders or upper back of the dress instead of the waist. It gives a cape-like look that follows the bride as she walks. Watteau trains can vary in length and width, ranging from a gentle sweep to a dramatic cathedral length.”

Vivienne Westwood’s Nova Cora dress takes inspiration from the seminal Vivienne Westwood Cocotte silhouette, featuring a sculpted corset, and is showcased in the 2025 collection together with a Galatea Watteau train. When combined, the delicate pleating and overall silhouette create an elegant waterfall effect when attached to either the bodice, neckline or waist.

Short and sweet

“The mini has made a huge comeback and there are endless silhouettes, including 80’s bubble skirts,” says Castigliano. “Having a second dress to dance the night away is super cool right now.” Sealy agrees, citing Cortana and Cassandra Graham as some of the best bridal brands to get the bubble hem look. “The ‘00s are back with bubble hems bringing a playful twist — bold, whimsical, and full of movement, they add a flair that’s perfect for brides who want to make a fun statement while keeping it chic,” she says.

“Mini dresses are still growing in popularity as either a second – or third! – look, or worn with an amazing veil as a bride’s civil ceremony outfit,” says Halfpenny. “We have a gorgeous edit of mini dresses and I love to see how brides style them! Our double-breasted Sophie midi dress has also been embraced by brides looking for a chic and sophisticated look.”

Personal Touches

Many designers are also noticing an increase in requests for added personal touches, making the dresses entirely unique to them. “Cartouches are becoming more popular in our atelier,” explains Phillipa Lepley. “A cartouche is an ornamental design typically framed in an oval or oblong shape, featuring a hidden message, wedding logo, family crest, or date inside. Some brides are opting to place a personalised cartouche discreetly inside the lining of the dress, while others are featuring them prominently on their veil or train.”

“More brides are opting to include a subtle splash of colour through a meaningful, personalised piece of embroidery on their dress, such as on the back or train,” Lepley continues. “This could showcase their favourite flower, initials, or wedding logo in shades of pale pink, gold, or blue, with blue emerging as the new favourite, particularly in thread-work flowers.”

Halfpenny agrees: “Artisanal crafts are having a real moment as brides embrace the beauty of appliqués, especially a modern twist on tradition with oversized graphic lace like in our Winter veil.”

Gloves, Sleeves and Bows

For Phillipa Lepley, long sleeves are really having a moment, particularly in soft, sheer materials that lend an elegant, light and airy appearance. Sealy, on the other hand, has seen a resurgence in brides purchasing gloves.

“We're seeing brides styling both ceremony and evening looks with gloves, and this will be more popular in 2025,” Sealy says. “They’re the perfect accessory for brides who want to channel sophistication and romance on their big day, or have a complete styling switch up for the reception without having to change gown.”

“Bows are really on trend for 2025, from a small discreet bow to an oversized bow with long tails creating a train,” says Castigliano. “It doesn’t matter how you wear the bow: it is a bridal fashion statement for 2025.”

Jewellery

When it comes to a touch of sparkle for the big day, King of Diamonds Harry Winston is seeing no shortage in brides looking to go all out with the jewels they plan to wear for the rest of their lives. While the jeweller offers a range of classic plain wedding bands, it's seeing an uptick in brides looking to pair their Harry Winston engagement rings with eternity-style diamond-set bands, and accordingly offers a range of bands echoing the diamond halos on its signature The One engagement ring collection.

For something special for the big day alone, however, Laura Green’s collection for The Modern Bride is for those who desire beauty as well as versatility and comfort, with timeless designs. The collection includes pieces that celebrate hand crafting techniques and artisanal qualities. A trend it is noticing is an increase in brides opting for a look for their wedding day that can be loved, re-worn and repurposed for a lifetime of wear.

Kiki McDonough’s Pearl Collection, meanwhile, features pieces with the brand’s signature coloured gemstones, including blue topaz for brides looking for ‘something blue’. A trend it is seeing for 2025 is brides being drawn to jewellery with motifs and gemstones that have a certain messaging or meaning behind them. Take, for example, the snowflake motif for those getting married in the winter months, while others have the clover motif symbolising luck for the wearer.

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