What’s on the horizon for brides in 2019?

Plenty. And thank you for asking.

Not everything is brand new between 2018 and 2019, but the best trends have prevailed. The joyous vibes, classic styling and effortlessly elegant look of Meghan Markle (now the Duchess of Sussex) on her wedding day in May made brides everywhere begin to rethink what being understated meant. I certainly saw it in my shop with a bride who chose a tea-length dress straight out of Audrey Hepburn’s Funny Face. She GLOWED and she rocked it.

We all fell in love with simplified silhouettes, more classical shapes, fewer embellishments and ornamentation in order to let personality and style shine through. A super-simple dress does not have to be so pared down that it is dull and impoverished. The Duchess proved that. Markle’s veil told a story with its sewn in birds and elements representing the British Commonwealth, while her gown was elegant and modest.

The Duchess of Sussex

That veil.... be still ALL of our hearts...

In our neck of the woods, there is this revival to a point, but there is also still a craving for gorgeous A-line dresses, ball gowns, a bit of sparkle and flair and plenty of flowy skirts. One trend that continues to be strong is the tiered skirt and use of Illusions lace both around the waist and at the neckline. When used sparingly, strategically and with little or no beading, this sheer element is an absolute knockout (pardon the pun). We’ve seen some side cut-outs that brides love, as well as deep V-necks, plenty of beading, a variety of laces and sheen, but we’re happy to say that modesty also prevails. Nothing over-the-top is going to rule in 2019. No Bob Mackie gowns for Cher in the 1980s. It’s a wedding, you guys. I love that so many of our brides at Bridal Traditions are modest but have imagination when it comes to what they want. They want to exude grace, a sense of unpretentiousness and make sure that the weight and magic of the occasion come through. There are still plenty of soft, flowy and feminine gowns out there for brides and bridesmaids as well.

For the guys, the more form-fitting suit, especially the 3-piece suit, is still the only current game in town. Grooms want the slim, ultra-slim and more athletic cuts and Jim’s Formal Wear (JFW) specializes in these. While they have yet to release their latest collections to the public, we know that the 3-piece for grooms is still on point and trend and can be paired with just the right tie, socks and gear to complement a bride.

Finally, bridesmaids continue to be the biggest winners. Styles and colors are endless, classic, retro, elegant, sassy, fun and fit all body shapes. The trend for bridesmaids will be – again (pausing for cheers here) to wear a color of the bride’s choosing or on theme for the wedding, and then to choose a style that fits and suits them. It’s a fool-proof way to make everyone comfortable, happy and look great. 

The biggest trend for 2019 will be authenticity. Be yourself. Choose based on your wishes and passions as a bride and groom (don’t forget location and season) and then allow the other elements to fall into place. ​​