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The Who What Wear Podcast
WWW Weddings 2025: The Definitive Guide to This Year’s Bridal Fashion and Wedding Planning Trends
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- [00:02]
Hilary Kerr
Thank you to ebay for sponsoring this episode. This is what you do when you have high standards and fancy all the fancy things like an iconic Dior saddle bag or that diamond tennis bracelet, you go to ebay. There you'll find new loves that will never disappoint. Expertly authenticated and everything. Whether it's that vintage pearl necklace or brand new ruby earrings, a Prada crossbody bag to be besties with your other handb. Even an eternally classic watch like that Rolex Oyster or that Cartier tank. You know the one. And when you find it, ebay has their expert's eyes to make sure you're getting the real deal. That way you can be confident that the designer finds you came for the luxury wardrobe that you've always wanted. It's all real. In fact, it's verified authentic. So bring your high standards and never limit what you can find. Yeah, ebay the place for new, pre loved vintage and rare fashion. Ebay Things People Love welcome to the who what Wear? Podcast, your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors and tastemakers who are shaping the ever evolving world of fashion. I'm who what Wear's Co Founder and Chief Content Officer Hilary Kerr, and today on the podcast, our Associate Director of Special Projects Kristen Nichols and Senior Fashion Editor Anna Laplaca are giving you the definitive report on all things weddings. Kristin attended the Spring 2026 Bridal Fashion Week in New York earlier this year, and she's analyzed all of the bridal fashion trends to know, from chiffon capes to grand dramatic skirts to the return of peplum silhouettes. And Anna has been talking to experts in the wedding industry about everything beyond the dress think settings, decor, food and stationery. They're covering all of the biggest trends to know how the bridal industry reflects the larger fashion landscape and which emerging designers to keep an eye on. It's all coming up on who what Where.
- [02:36]
Kristin Nichols
Hi Anna.
- [02:37]
Anna Laplaca
Hi Kristen. So excited to be on the POD again and so excited to talk about all things weddings today.
- [02:44]
Kristin Nichols
Yes, I'm going to give the rundown on the fashion trends I noticed from the Spring 2026 Bridal Fashion Week that took place in New York earlier this year and how we're actually seeing those trends play out across the bridal industry. And Anna is writing a report on the larger themes around weddings overall this season, so she's going to break down what we're seeing across decor, food, destinations and much, much more.
- [03:11]
Anna Laplaca
Kristin, should we start with wedding dress trends? Remind me what we're Seeing in terms of bridal fashion trends this time last year. And then I'm curious if those trends have endured or if they've evolved or maybe even disappeared.
- [03:26]
Kristin Nichols
Yes, I was trying to think back to what we were seeing last year, but we always do a really great annual wedding report, so I revisited it. And last year, some of the biggest trends we saw were a lot of drop wastes, this return to timeless elegance, and also the resurrection of a lot of archival looks as brides wanted to source these unique, rare vintage pieces. And then we also saw a lot of thoughtful looks for pre wedding events and after party looks as people have started to build out their wedding weekend wardrobes, more so than just their actual wedding dress. And a bride who did it all was Alex Cooper, who really incorporated elements of all of those trends into her wedding wardrobe. I actually almost want to avoid using the word trends because a lot of these are very classic pieces, which is something I think we're seeing evolve in fashion overall as people really return to this kind of more timeless fashion. But it's especially making an impact in the wedding space. And then in terms of trends, there are a few that are kind of slowing down. I think last year was all about these neck scarves, also these dramatic floral appliques. But I think we've seen those slow down a little bit. And another one in that accessories space that we were kind of picking up on last summer are these chiffon capes. But I'm actually starting to see more and more of those, so I think that's something we'll have to keep our eye out for.
- [04:53]
Anna Laplaca
Oh, I love the idea of a chiffon cape. I think that also kind of mirrors what we're seeing in the ready to wear space as well, with a lot of these cape tops in the summer and even in the winter. So I love the idea of that flowy movement type of piece as an evolution to all of the neck scarves of last year.
- [05:13]
Kristin Nichols
Yeah, I think it's like a way we're seeing brides and non brides really accessorize more evening looks. I think we saw Rosie Huntington Whiteley just last week where look with that element on her summer family trip in Italy. And then I've seen Elsa Hosk wear an element of that that's kind of like Grace Kelly inspired. So I think it does also hearken back to that sense of like elegance and timelessness that's reinterpreted in a very modern way.
- [05:40]
Anna Laplaca
What about newer trends? Is there anything that feels especially fresh for this season that you're really excited for.
- [05:48]
Kristin Nichols
Yeah, I think one of the things that made the biggest impact during Bridal Fashion Week, specifically were these very grand gowns with voluminous skirts that are coming back in a big way. I think we saw gowns finish with these giant bubble skirts and basque waists. Really impactful looks. And I think it's perhaps a nod to the 80s glamour and lavishness that's also been taking over the runways. Anthony Vaccarello did this so well on his last Runway show with giant bubble skirts that are very editorial, but just create a very impactful, maximalist moment that can also be very romantic at the same time.
- [06:26]
Anna Laplaca
Yes, I love all of those A line moments. It feels very old school and timeless in a way.
- [06:34]
Kristin Nichols
We saw this play out with pieces that felt a lot more traditional than things we've seen in past years. We saw this almost like 1950s mid century inspired design with the lace sleeves and high turtleneck, which we saw Emelia Wickstead as well as Anne Barge pairing these lace covered top moments with full skirts that were actually very similar, if not inspired by what Grace Kelly wore for her wedding in 1956. Also, Markarian showed a slew of 1950s inspired looks as well. That really kind of was a range of styles from that era, whether it was a peplum jacket or a very kind of like Dior new look, a line skirt. So I thought that was interesting. And then even like newer designers on the wedding market, like Tanner Fletcher, had these very nostalgic looks. So I think there's a lot of looking back in fashion overall and in the bridal space specifically as well.
- [07:35]
Anna Laplaca
Yeah, absolutely. I think the 1950s and maybe even a bit of the early 60s are two past eras that we keep talking about. So on that note, I'm wondering how you see sort of this broader fashion landscape impacting what we're seeing in the bridal space. Is there anything in particular you've noticed?
- [07:56]
Kristin Nichols
We really are just seeing this nostalgia sweep the fashion world right now. In the wedding space. It's specifically this kind of golden age of style and the real celebrity moments or even bridal moments from the 1950s. I think we're seeing this in Ready to Wear as well, as I mentioned, whether it's looking back to the 80s at St. Laurent, even with Jonathan Anderson's first ideas at Dior, there's this sense of looking back to the heyday of American sportswear, which doesn't necessarily translate at all to bridal. But I think overall we're just seeing this sense of Looking back in nostalgia. So I think we'll see that in the bridal space for a while.
- [08:35]
Anna Laplaca
It's been a very exciting time where I feel like designers are sort of reinterpreting these heritage moments from the past in fresh, modern ways. Well, speaking of designers, are there any bridal designers to watch who are really running the show right now? Are there any classics that you think are always sort of leading the way? And any newcomers that we should have on our radar?
- [09:00]
Kristin Nichols
I would say for classics, a lot of brides still turn to Oscar de la Renta or Vera Wang, and some of those kind of tried and true designers. Vivienne Westwood is also very popular amongst the fashion set. And then I think, really the name that every fashion person utters when they speak about weddings is Danielle Frankel, which is a brand that just continues to be the most coveted dress designer in the bridal space. Especially in recent seasons, we've started to see pieces that feel even more editorial and push the envelope even more. She's really setting the tone in terms of what directional bridal style looks like and whether or not you want to wear the very editorial piece or something perhaps more classic. She has a little bit of everything. But then there are also some newcomers that have been on my radar. The brand Lean, which has Ready to Wear and Bridal, but has just, like, the most beautiful pieces. The own studio does a lot of custom and has just really, really beautiful pieces as well. And then Wiederhoeft and Tanner Fletcher are very talked about, especially on the New York fashion scene. And those are brands carving out a space in the bridal world, which is exciting.
- [10:16]
Anna Laplaca
Yeah. I particularly love the latter two that you mentioned. I think both of them are pushing things in such a new and experimental direction, and it's been so exciting to see.
- [10:26]
Kristin Nichols
Yeah. And even the format of their shows or lookbooks or presentations is kind of outside the box. And rethinking the traditional wedding format. And then I also think there's just been this real rise in archival fashion, both in the wedding space as well as major Runway moments. I think people are interested in sourcing items that are very unique and rare and perhaps one of a kind. So there are a few boutiques that specialize in this. For example, Tab Vintage and Happy Isles really cater to the bridal market. And I've just been seeing more and more people that have been going that route, if not for their actual wedding dress, for the wedding weekend looks. And I think it's just so fun to add that really unique vintage element and perhaps it's the one that got away and you spotted it years before and now you have an excuse to hunt it down.
- [11:17]
Anna Laplaca
Both of those that you mentioned are personal favorites of mine to follow on Instagram because I always want to see what they're sourcing and the references from the runways that they're sharing. It's always so exciting.
- [11:28]
Kristin Nichols
Yeah. And I'm seeing a lot of brides turn to stylists who are kind of experts in this. For example, Vittoria Ceretti, while it wasn't for her own wedding, she wore some wedding guest looks for a recent wedding that were all vintage. And Alex Cooper, as I mentioned, had a lot of vintage looks and they were sourced by her stylist. So I think it's really kind of this like niche area in the wedding space in general. It's really fun and I like, I'm so curious where everyone's finding everything.
- [11:55]
Anna Laplaca
Exactly. It's like putting an even more personal spin, I think, on the whole personal style element of bridal and even just wedding guest attire. But for those who might be looking for something forward and on trend, but aren't necessarily wanting to drop a ton of cash on either a custom piece or a lot of these archival looks that we've been talking about, are there any brands or maybe just avenues that you would suggest shopping in terms of like that lower or sort of like mid priced range?
- [12:30]
Kristin Nichols
I always recommend just looking for pieces from non bridal ready to wear brands. I think so many brands create beautiful pieces that are in a white palette or a cream palette or very like wedding aligned design. And because they're not bridal, they don't necessarily have the high price point a lot of the bridal pieces have attached to them. So I think that's always a great place to start, especially if there's a brand that you're aligned with wearing in your everyday life. I imagine they'll have something that would be suitable for a wedding as well. So I think that's a great avenue. And then I do think vintage is a great option too. Obviously there's some specialized boutiques that have some very unique and like perhaps high priced vintage items. But I think you can pop over to some other vintage sources. And there are so many great pieces to be found for lower price points that still have that craftsmanship or quality you might be looking for for a special day like your wedding.
- [13:29]
Anna Laplaca
I love both of those. But especially shopping from non bridal brands that just happen to make dresses or looks in a white or like ivory palette, I think is such a underrated hack because as anyone who has attempted to shop for bridal has realized, as soon as you put the word bride or wedding in front of anything, the price just tends to skyrocke. And I think that shopping from a brand that you already follow and love is just another way to kind of make sure that it's still a look that you feel like yourself in and that is really authentic to you. So I love both of those tips.
- [14:07]
Kristin Nichols
Yeah, there's always different avenues to explore depending on your budget and style and what you're looking for.
- [14:17]
Anna Escalante
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- [17:18]
Kristin Nichols
But beyond the dress, I know you've been chatting with a number of experts about all of the wedding planning trends that are yet to unfold and would love to know who you've been chatting with.
- [17:30]
Anna Laplaca
Yes, I have been speaking with a number of the top wedding planners in the industry and a few of the standout names include Jesse Toomes, who is a wedding and event planning veteran. They most recently worked with Kid Cudi for his stunning south of France wedding that you haven't glimpsed. Just came out in Vogue. So highly recommend flipping through that really beautiful imagery. And then I also chatted with Mindy Weiss, who's the planner behind both Hailee Steinfeld and Demi Lovato's weddings this year, and Suna Yassin and Molly Jones Hennis of the firm Bash, Please. And speaking of Alex Cooper and her highly documented nuptials last year, they were the masterminds behind that beautiful destination wedding in Mexic Mexico.
- [18:23]
Kristin Nichols
It's so interesting chatting with some of these experts because they really have a way of pushing weddings forward in a way that I never would have imagined and coming up with new ways to make all the wedding weekend events really exciting and fresh. After hearing some of the bridal fashion trends, do they mirror what you've been seeing in terms of the wedding planning itself and what is the general vibe going to be?
- [18:46]
Anna Laplaca
Totally. I'm so glad you asked because there's so many different ways that there's a crossover between the two. And I loved what you were saying earlier about that timeless nostalgia and just sort of going back to references from the 1950s. And a few of the ways that we're seeing that play out in terms of, like, the actual wedding planning, for starters, would be stationary. So many of the planners I spoke with all echoed that there's something happening with invites and stationery where they're taking on this very classic and old school mood. And so they are largely inspired by these social invitations from the golden era. So think thick, buttery ivory paper, really deep letterpress printing that leaves that, like 3D indentation. And it just feels so luxe in your hand. Spot calligraphy and even using those waxes seals for finishing off letters and envelopes. Something luxurious that you can really hold in your hand. That feels special.
- [19:57]
Kristin Nichols
I feel like it was the era of the Evite for so long, and this is kind of the opposite of that. It's like really setting the tone from the very early stage of the wedding and you kind of get a little taste of the wedding you're about to head to.
- [20:10]
Anna Laplaca
Yeah, absolutely. One thing that some of our wedding planners mentioned was that save the dates are going more digital, but the actual invites themselves are almost going in the exact opposite direction. Instead of being this ephemeral, fleeting invite, they are something that's so thought through that you might even want to keep it. And then one other way I thought things were sort of mirroring what's happening in bridal fashion was through the overall mood and aesthetics of weddings. And so in terms of, like, the color palette, one thing these planners called out was that the mood is getting much richer and, well, moodier, to be frank. So some of the tones they called out were like oxidized copper, French navy, mossy green, and even oxblood. And then florals, too, are going in this much more structural and contemporary direction. So less of those traditional, like peonies and garden roses, and a lot more ikebana and almost like sculptural. So I think that's some of the directions aesthetics are moving.
- [21:20]
Kristin Nichols
It's interesting because that's something I've also started to notice at brand events. And I love that that's translating to the wedding space as well.
- [21:28]
Anna Laplaca
Yeah, I think there's actually a lot more crossover than you might think in terms of fashion and wedding space. Whether it's some of these event planners actually having a hand in some, you know, fashion events or maybe just having that overall influence or pulling from the same references, There is definitely a through line there.
- [21:47]
Kristin Nichols
So interesting. And there's also been a lot of discourse over the past few years about how lavish the wedding weekend and all the accompanying events have become. And I'm curious, does it seem like that's still the case or are we starting to see people veer away from that and opt for more low key or fewer celebrations?
- [22:08]
Anna Laplaca
That's such a great question. I think while there will absolutely be couples who are opting for much more low key celebrations, the types of weddings that these planners I spoke with are crafting and working on are definitely the much more like high caliber sort. So I don't necessarily see these multi day and like weekend long celebrations slowing down anytime soon, sorry to say. Although I will say a lot of the experts I spoke with called out that couples are instead hosting, whether it be the welcome night or the day after brunch, smaller events throughout the weekend. They're really approaching them in terms of a more intimate and less formal way to sort of do the party, if that makes sense. So it's a lot less overly produced and hyper formal, whether that be arranging excursions that showcase the beauty of like the region that they're in to all of the wedding guests, things like that that really kind of bring more meaning and like sentiment back to who the couple is and what they love.
- [23:19]
Kristin Nichols
Yes, I think it's so great when a couple can really carry their personality and personal tastes through a wedding, even if it's with a planner. I think it's what makes a lot of the most beautiful weddings really stand apart. And I would also love to hear what you are seeing in terms of venue choices, both in terms of local and more far flung destination weddings.
- [23:39]
Anna Laplaca
I think we'll definitely see a rise in destination weddings at large over the course of the next few years, but specifically a rise in venues that are really immersed in nature. I think couples are prioritizing these spaces that feel very cinematic. So that might be like a stone quarry in Menorca, as a friend of mine recently got married, or maybe even in the middle of a vineyard in Tuscany or in Napa. I think having these spaces that feel like you're just completely immersed in them, like you just are almost in a little movie scene is really the goal there. And then some of our planners also called out that remote and rugged is the new romantic, which I love. Destination weddings in places like Montana, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, these really like mountainous regions. And there's like so many fun excursions that could be done in the days leading up to or after the actual wedding. But then there's also A rise in weddings that are hosted at home. And I'll put home in quotation marks, because I'm not talking about a simple backyard gathering, which, you know, could also be done so beautifully. But, you know, maybe it's a private villa in the south of France, or maybe it's at a ranch. But I think that there's something really intimate and meaningful about these types of venues that, whether or not it's your family's actual home, it feels like it could be. And I think there's something really special about that, too.
- [25:14]
Kristin Nichols
Interesting. On one hand, this. This sense of exploration and these really otherworldly vistas, and on the other side, these almost dinner parties that are perhaps lavish but feel intimate at the same time. And I love both of those.
- [25:29]
Anna Laplaca
It's really, really striking. It makes me want to plan a wedding.
- [25:34]
Kristin Nichols
And speaking of more planning elements, I would love to know about the decor and some smaller design details that we'll be picking up.
- [25:43]
Anna Laplaca
So I think the number one theme in decor is draping. That's something that almost every single person I spoke to echoed. And it can kind of range. I mean, I've seen it done really, really dramatically where, you know, an outdoor table might have this tapestry of draping that almost encapsulates it as a canopy, but you could also also do it on a tablescape or even just in terms of, like, how the linens are done. Some of it really does hearken back to that, like, elegance and that sort of, like, 1950s nostalgia that we've been mentioning, especially when you see it done in these ivory tones with, like, crisp pleating. It's really romantic and elevated, I think. And then the next big trend that I'm noticing as well is just personalization could be from the actual stationery, the menus, the itineraries, but it could also be in terms of the guest experience at large. One of my planners that I spoke to spoke about one couple getting monogrammed robes for each guest and leaving it in their hotel rooms, which is, of course, so over the top and luxe, but it's sort of that thoughtfulness and curation that is really, I think, only going to take off from here. So, yeah, personalization. A lot of, like, embroidery on tea towels, embroidery on gifts and trinkets, things like that, is really huge.
- [27:13]
Kristin Nichols
Yeah. I wrote a report last year, and one of the experts said that their favorite element at a wedding was that one bride and groom left handwritten notes at every person's place setting at the dinner table. And personalization in General is so great and such a personal touch, especially for a guest that may only see you for a few minutes at the wedding, depending on how big the wedding itself is.
- [27:37]
Anna Laplaca
I love that. That's so thoughtful.
- [27:39]
Kristin Nichols
I think it's a really special touch and it really stuck with me even a year later. And then we've seen many food and beverage trends come and go, from champagne towers to oversized wedding tarts covered in fresh berries. What are you noticing in that space?
- [27:55]
Anna Laplaca
I think a few of those will certainly carry over. These oversized wedding carts that you mentioned is definitely part of a larger theme that I'm calling out as well of just like these large format ways of producing like the catering and the food, even just in terms of the look of the food. I think food as design is going to be a huge theme and that's something that is absolutely inspired by how the fashion world has used food, whether it be like installations or collaborations like the one between Loewe and Lila Gohar. Jacques Moose has also been known to collaborate with various food artists. And so I think the tablescape is like the new Runway in a sense, where it's all about this beautiful arrangement, also mirroring what we're seeing in terms of florals, but there's this sense of like large formats, whether that be, you know, oversized tart instead of like going higher as multi tiered wedding cake, but also you might have like a grazing table where you have like overflowing like grapes that are like almost like spilling off the table. And these really like over the top ornate arrangements is a larger theme. So yeah, food as design is probably one of the bigger ones that I'm noticing.
- [29:20]
Kristin Nichols
Well, thank you, Anna. I learned so much and can't wait to read your story. Before we go, I also have to tease out that we're going to have another wedding episode coming up with our very own Associate Features Editor, Anna Escalante. She got engaged earlier this year and we're going to be following her hunt for the perfect plus size wedding gown. She's going to be trying on dresses and boutiques and speaking to stylists and designers about inclusivity in the bridal market. So keep an eye out for that.
- [29:51]
Anna Laplaca
Thank you so much, Kristen.
- [29:59]
Hilary Kerr
A huge thank you to Associate Director of Special Projects Kristin Nichols and Senior Fashion Editor Anna Laplaca. Make sure to subscribe to our show wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode. And while you're there, I'd also be so grateful if you'd rate and review us. If you have any guest suggestions or any other feedback, drop us a line at pot podcast@whowhatwear.com or you can find us on social at whowhatwere. See you next Wednesday on the who what Where Podcast. This episode was produced by Hilary Kerr, Summer Hammeris and Natalie Thurman. Our editor is Ko Takasuki Chernovin. Our Our audio engineers are at Glen Canyon Audio and our music is by Jonathan Leahy.