6 Gorgeous Wedding Dress Trends 2021 Brides Have to Choose From

Viktor & Rolf
Viktor & Rolf

During these rare and unprecedented times, so many brides are left scrambling, wondering whether or not it makes sense to postpone their weddings or elope. Should they cancel their wedding-dress appointments or rather schedule a virtual one? There is no denying the fact that social distancing will remain the norm for a while, and the idea of a wedding dress (a big, important detail for a lot of brides!) may remain just that, for now: an idea.

"A wedding stands for hope and trust. Two values we need now."

"In this difficult time we think it's important to dream. A wedding stands for hope and trust. Two values we need now," Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren stated in their press release for the Viktor & Rolf Spring 2021 Mariage gowns, which are inspired by classical gardens.

We're the first to agree that a wedding ceremony is a symbol of marriage, and the marriage itself is what sticks — dresses, flowers, shoes, and cakes, these are all just details. Just the comfort of knowing that your partner will be there down the line might allow you to open your mind to the idea of dreaming about the little things — and a wedding dress is a fine place to start.

Surprise Skirts
Sophie et Voilà

Surprise Skirts

How whimsical are these half-and-half dresses, as I call them, which feature structured bodices and wispy layers of tulle or chiffon as the full skirt underlay?

Sophie et Voilà Spring 2021

Surprise Skirts
Oscar de la Renta

Surprise Skirts

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2021

Surprise Skirts
Christian Siriano

Surprise Skirts

Christian Siriano 2021

Surprise Skirts
Monique Lhuillier | Jack Jeffries for Christian Oth Studio

Surprise Skirts

Bliss Monique Lhuillier Spring 2021

Surprise Skirts
BHLDN

Surprise Skirts

BHLDN Spring 2021

Surprise Skirts
Viktor & Rolf

Surprise Skirts

Viktor & Rolf Spring 2021

Surprise Skirts
Amsale

Surprise Skirts

Nouvelle Amsale Spring 2021

Surprise Skirts
Justin Alexander

Surprise Skirts

Justin Alexander Signature Fall 2021

Surprise Skirts
Leanne Marshall

Surprise Skirts

Leanne Marshall Fall 2021

Surprise Skirts
Romona Keveza

Surprise Skirts

Romona Keveza Bridal Collection Fall 2021

Sheer Details
Amsale

Sheer Details

I love the idea that a touch of sheer fabric — however small — can provide a little something extra, even if, in reality, it requires less fabrication and bares some serious skin (Reem Acra, I'm looking at you and your see-through side panel!).

Nouvelle Amsale Spring 2021

Sheer Details
Oscar de la Renta

Sheer Details

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2021

Sheer Details
Savannah Miller

Sheer Details

Savannah Miller Spring 2021

Sheer Details
Erdem

Sheer Details

Erdem White Collection 2021

Sheer Details
Reem Acra

Sheer Details

Reem Acra Spring 2021

Sheer Details
Dan Jones

Sheer Details

Dan Jones Spring 2021

Sheer Details
Eisen Stein

Sheer Details

Eisen Stein Miracle Collection 2021

Sheer Details
Vera Wang

Sheer Details

Vera Wang Fall 2021

Sheer Details
Ines Di Santo

Sheer Details

Ines Di Santo Couture

Sheer Details
Justin Alexander

Sheer Details

Justin Alexander Signature Fall 2021

Sheer Details
Alexandra Grecco

Sheer Details

Alexandra Grecco Botanica 2021

Intricate Embroidery
Courtesy of Reem Acra

Intricate Embroidery

Whether it's lace or beading, I'm completely mesmerized by the detail and handiwork that went into some of these gowns, most of which feature full sleeves and add-ons like a little matching bolero or veil, showing how bridal designers went "all out" for the 2021 bride.

Reem Acra October 2021

Intricate Embroidery
Christian Siriano

Intricate Embroidery

Christian Siriano 2021

Intricate Embroidery
Eisen Stein

Intricate Embroidery

Eisen Stein Miracle Collection 2021

Intricate Embroidery
BHLDN

Intricate Embroidery

BHLDN Spring 2021

Intricate Embroidery
Oscar de la Renta

Intricate Embroidery

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2021

Intricate Embroidery
Anne Barge

Intricate Embroidery

Anne Barge Fall 2021

Intricate Embroidery
Grace Loves Lace

Intricate Embroidery

Grace Loves Lace Elysian Collection 2020/2021

Intricate Embroidery
Monique Lhuillier | Jack Jeffries for Christian Oth Studio

Intricate Embroidery

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2021

Intricate Embroidery
Justin Alexander

Intricate Embroidery

Justin Alexander Signature Spring 2021

Intricate Embroidery
Justin Alexander

Intricate Embroidery

Justin Alexander Signature Spring 2021

Intricate Embroidery
Ines Di Santo

Intricate Embroidery

Ines Di Santo Couture

Unstructured
Viktor & Rolf

Unstructured

The idea of a shapeless dress sounds far less romantic than it is when the term meets the bridal world, and the silhouette becomes a gown. These numbers hang beautifully on the figure, rather than falling off. There are details that keep them sexy, like a bare shoulder, but at the end of the day, this trend is chic and certainly most appealing to the fashion-forward bride.

Viktor & Rolf Spring 2021

Unstructured
BHLDN

Unstructured

BHLDN Spring 2021

Unstructured
Sophie et Voilà

Unstructured

Sophie et Voilà Spring 2021

Unstructured
Viktor & Rolf

Unstructured

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2021

Cutouts
Viktor & Rolf

Cutouts

Cutouts are the one trend that I always imagine will grow old when it comes to bridal. But season after season, designers continue to prove me wrong, offering surprising iterations that are fresh and modern — Viktor & Rolf's cutouts are met with a prim and proper bow, while Sophie et Voilà's cutout separates pants and an elegant satin knot crop top.

Viktor & Rolf Spring 2021

Cutouts
Shona Joy

Cutouts

Cutouts
Self-Portrait | Han Chong

Cutouts

Self-Portrait summer/pre-fall 2021

Cutouts
Amsale

Cutouts

Nouvelle Amsale Spring 2021

Cutouts
Rebecca Vallance

Cutouts

Rebecca Vallance Bridal

Cutouts
Vera Wang

Cutouts

Vera Wang Fall 2021

Cutouts
Sophie et Voilà

Cutouts

Sophie et Voilà Spring 2021

Cutouts
Justin Alexander

Cutouts

Justin Alexander Signature Fall 2021

Cutouts
Leanne Marshall

Cutouts

Chiffon Overlays Fall 2021

Cutouts
Rebecca Vallance

Cutouts

Rebecca Vallance Bridal

Cutouts
Shona Joy

Cutouts

Chiffon Overlays
Savannah Miller

Chiffon Overlays

Who doesn't love the idea of a dress that looks completely different when you give it a spin or a twirl? This Savannah Miller number is simple and straightforward, but it begs for movement. And when the bride obliges, it becomes so much more than a floor-length sheath.

Savannah Miller Spring 2021

Chiffon Overlays
Romona Keveza

Chiffon Overlays

ROMONA New York Fall 2021

Chiffon Overlays
Sophie et Voilà

Chiffon Overlays

Sophie et Voilà Spring 2021

Chiffon Overlays
Ines Di Santo

Chiffon Overlays

Ines by Ines Di Santo

Chiffon Overlays
Leanne Marshall

Chiffon Overlays

Leanne Marshall Fall 2021