We’re officially back from New York Bridal Fashion Week where bridal designers from across the globe revealed their latest collections and, of course, the wedding dress trends for 2020! Unlike past seasons in which we've seen a lot of interesting but not totally practical trends (that means you, bridal athleisure), the 2020 fall wedding dress trends are actually wearable—and in a way, they signify a big return to tradition. Get ready for updated takes on classic bridal staples, including pearls, pretty floral prints, and sparkles. If you're planning a 2020 wedding and are about to go shopping for your wedding dress, here's what you can expect to see arriving at bridal salons in the coming months.
Get a first look at the wedding dress trends for 2020 right here.
Designs by Lee Petra Grebenau, Lela Rose, and Hayley Paige
Pearl embellishments
We spotted pearl embellishments on almost every single runway this season, so there’s no doubt in our minds that this is one of the biggest wedding dress trends for 2020 brides. But these are not your grandma’s pearls—instead of incorporating pearls as an understated detail, designers went above and beyond with the iridescent gems by using them for everything from off-the-shoulder sleeves and head-to-toe beading, to jewelry and shoes. Lela Rose featured pearls throughout her entire Fall/Winter 2020 collection, including an off-the-shoulder column gown with a layered pearl neckline. Lee Petra Grebenau gave us ALL the pearls with her Fall/Winter 2020 Collection (named Fields of Pearls), while Hayley Paige showed us how to do Western chic with a denim jacket and jeans encrusted in pearl fringe.
Dresses by Lazaro, Alexandra Grecco, and Dear Heart by Carol Hannah
Metallic details
Move over, beading, crystals, and glitter tulle. There’s (finally) a new way to achieve bridal sparkle: metallic fabrics and shimmering embroidery. For fall 2020, designers used elements like metallic foils, iridescent fil coupé (a fabric with a woven, fringe-like pattern), and glittery threads to give their collections an otherworldly, heavenly effect. The new collection by Alexandra Grecco, which is appropriately named Moonstone, is filled with slinky gowns in a pearlescent, celestial-inspired color palette for totally dreamy vibes. We also saw this romantic trend pop up in designs by Lazaro, Carol Hannah, Morilee by Madeline Gardner, and the Stardust Collection by Rime Arodaky x The Mews Bridal.
Dresses by Julie Vino, Isabelle Armstrong, and Rivini by Rita Vinieris
Italian influences
La vita e bella! This time around, Italy was a major source of inspiration for several designers. Looks ranged from curve-hugging gowns worthy of Sophia Loren’s wardrobe to sleek minimalist gowns that capture the essence of Milanese sophistication, making this trend one of the most versatile of the season. Some designers named their entire collections after their favorite Italian escapes—like the Napoli Collection by Berta, the Bellagio Collection by Julie Vino, and the Amalfi Collection by Kelly Faetanini—while other designers drew inspiration from specific Italian landmarks and eras. Isabelle Armstrong wowed us with her modern takes on masquerade ball gowns in 16th century Venice, putting ornate fabrics, dramatic silhouettes, and a regal coat at the center of the collection.
Dresses by Ines Di Santo, THEIA, and Monique Lhuillier
Floral prints
Say hello to one of the prettiest wedding dress trends of 2020. Airy floral prints were seen on dresses in some of the most notable collections of the season, including Ines Di Santo, THEIA, and Monique Lhuillier, whose floral Tuileries ball gown is straight out of our wildest garden wedding dreams. Watercolor botanical patterns, floaty fabrics, and actual hand-painted flowers (spotted at Ines Di Santo and Isabelle Armstrong) are all fashion-forward options for the bride who wants the ultimate fairytale wedding dress.
Dresses by Zac Posen for White One, Berta, and Sareh Nouri
One shoulder necklines
After several seasons at opposite ends of the wedding dress neckline spectrum (full-length sleeves followed by super-thin spaghetti straps), designers have found a happy medium for fall 2020 with one-shoulder gowns. This elegant neckline works with nearly any type of fabric and silhouette, which is why we saw so many different designers incorporating it into their latest collections. Zac Posen for White One, Berta, and Inbal Dror took a sexier approach with form-fitting one-shoulder wedding dresses, while Sareh Nouri and Amsale opted for classic minimalism.
Dresses by THEIA, Anne Barge, and Ines Di Santo
Fuchsia accents
Instead of the soft blush and pale blue of past seasons, eye-catching fuchsia is on track to be the "it" color for wedding dresses in fall 2020. This bold hue is made for the bride who wants to add a pop of fun to her wedding day look, and designers showed us several different ways to pull it off. For the most understated option, you can add a fuchsia sash or ribbon to a white wedding dress, like we saw at Anne Barge. If you're a fan of the wedding cape trend, a fuchsia style like the one that went down the runway at THEIA is even more unique. And finally, a red and fuchsia tulle dress à la Ines Di Santo is totally unforgettable. Need more proof that this statement-making color is on the rise? It was spotted all over the red carpet at the 2019 Emmy Awards, with Mandy Moore, Taraji P. Henson, and Marisa Tomei all wearing dresses with bursts of fuchsia.
