The Top Fall 2024 Wedding Dress Trends Include '80s Bubble Skirts, Corsets and, of Course, Barbie

New York’s Bridal Week was just as hectic as your social calendar stacked with weddings for the upcoming year. And for Fall 2024, bridal designers took inspiration from a very vast range of references — we’re talking everything from 18th-century England to the hard-partying Reagan Era to a designer’s recent travels touring the gardens of Japan.

If you’re newly engaged: Congratulations! Consider this your guide to the 12 biggest wedding fashion trends for Fall 2024, fresh off the runways. 

Corsets and Skirts Not Not for Bodice-Ripping

Considering the ubiquity of corsetry and even skirting reminiscent of centuries past — from the hip-length Edwardian and Victorian ones (as tops and drop-waist silhouettes on gowns) to a studded underbust layer (seen from Ukrainian gender-neutral label Milla Nova), designers seem to have have mainlined all the trending bodice-ripping period dramas. 

London’s Bon Bridé evokes a trompe l’oeil ’50s Merry Widow shape via delicate seaming on a slip dress, similar to The Own Studio‘s 18th-century conical waistline definition. Tel Aviv-based Kim Kassas Couture‘s Marie Antoinette-inspired collection, meanwhile, features opulently embellished triangular corsetry throughout. Inventive takes on Elizabethan Spanish Farthingale hoop skirts and 1700s hip-extending panniers also conjure sweeping romances — just look to Scorcesa‘s high-low and ruffle-trimmed confection, Aussie label Kyha‘s sculptural paillette-encrusted minis and Honor NYC’s wildflower-patterned silk organza ballgown.

The Return of the Peplum

Like on the Spring 2024 fashion week runways, peplum resurfaced with force. The waistline is associated with not just the 2010s, but also ’80s power suits and even ’40s apparel. But in her ode to timeless wedding fashion, Nardos designer Nardos Imam interprets the accent through blooming 3D florals on an asymmetrical curved shape, while Gala by Galia Lahav nods to free-spirited Latin Quarter creatives with a sheer tulle flounce over lace.

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Opulent Pearls

Whether gracing delicate spaghetti straps at Halfpenny London or full jewel-encrusted dresses by Theia and Lihi Hod, pearls reign supreme for Fall 2024. As the jewel, so to speak, of Yellow by Sahar‘s “Greta” (translation: “pearl”)-themed collection, oversize gems dot the neckline of an ivory mohair capelet. For Pantora Bridal, Andrea Pitter Campbell trimmed the bodice of an opalescent off-the-shoulder mermaid gown with dainty jewels. Demi Raquel Thomas’s La Chenille Bridal Bikini brings the embellishments to beach-y bachelorette parties and destination weddings with a floral-patterned caftan, complete with a detachable floral-topped train.

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Exuberant Bubbles

Speaking of the ’80s, bubble skirts are making a lively comeback, along with a continuation of the puff sleeve in bridal.

For the splashy runway debut of Bronx and Banco’s upcoming bridal offerings, Natalie De’Banco introduced two shimmering asymmetrical mini-dresses that would look right at home in an ’80s-set Bret Easton Ellis adaptation. Amsale’s ruffled high-low ballgown pairs with a detachable column skirt, also creating a peplum effect. 

Vivacious bubble silhouettes proliferate on sleeves too, like a voluminous high-neck shrug at Nardos; there are also detachable options, in varying sizes, to create a playful off-the-shoulder silhouette.

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Hot Pants (or No Pants)

Wedding fashion has also embraced the leggy look seen all over fashion month. Halfpenny London, Bronx and Banco and Kyha forgo suit trousers for blazers styled as dresses. Colombia-based Francesca Miranda introduces a long-sleeve, high-neck French lace romper as an afterparty alt, and Rime Arodaky sent lingerie-style sheer lace shorts and crop tops down her runway. For the adventurous (or those popular Western-themed weddings), Bon Bridé pairs short-shorts with cheeky chaps.

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Dynamic Florals

Through elaborate 3D embellishments and fluttering lace embroidery, florals truly flourish this season — even growing larger… literally. 

A visit to Japan sparked inspiration for Amsale Design Director Michael Cho, who meticulously shaped and wrapped a spectacular clematis orchid across the bodice of a tulle-skirted gown. (The flower is rolled with bendable wire for the wearer to style as they wish.) Galia Lahav and Esé Azénabor both adorn gowns with a single oversize rosette as the centerpiece, while Viktor&Rolf Mariage elevates its enduring floral motif with crystals shimmering amongst swirled tulle roses. 

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Fresh Takes on Lace

From traditional ceremonies to the archetypal “beach bride,” lace remains evergreen. But this season, bridal designers offer edgier updates, like the bold pantsuits from Francesca Miranda and Bronx and Banco and gossamery, high-low cami tops at Rime Arodaky. 

Mark Ingram Atelier celebrates his “golden year” of multiple milestones (including a new Madison Avenue salon) through a high-neck, subtly peekaboo long-sleeve gown. Also heartfelt: For her self-named label, Caracas-born and NYC-based Mariela Torres Soucy surprises with a matcha-hued strapless A-line dress paying tribute to her mother’s love of flowers.

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Ethereal Overlays

Layering options continue to snowball in bridal. For Fall 2024, we see sheer, billowing floor-skimming gowns; heavenly ruffled robes; iridescent shrugs with flowing trains and versatile high-low tops.

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Black-and-White Wedding

Designers play with combinations of black and white for Fall 2024 — if even just with layering accessories, like The Own Studio’s black bra-top and Moira Hughes Couture‘s ribbon belt. Nadia Manjarrez, who just opened a Manhattan showroom, mimicks black grisaille paint on stained glass windows through lush floral embroidery on white silk organza. For his Scorcesa collection celebrating the Haitian diaspora (and lookbook shot in Brooklyn’s Little Haiti), Charles Dieujuste incorporates a chic ivory swirl pattern on a black strapless gown. New Zealander Katie Yeung’s Hera Couture illustrates her “Royal Rebel” theme with white pearls adorning a black silk mikado column gown and exaggerated bow.

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Dramatic Draping

Designers play with ornate draping on various materials and silhouettes this season. Corseted Grecian goddess-style gowns thrive from the old guard — Reem Acra and Romona Keveža — and contemporary labels — Houghton and Divine Atelier — alike. Soucy and Alexandra Grecco drape dreamy lace, while Kyha wraps and ruches tulle in luxuriant chocolate brown hues.

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Something Blue … and Pink

In a surprise to no one, pink — from a dusty mauve at Nadia Manjarrez to, yes, a Barbie fuchsia by Rebecca Vallance — joins the enduring blue as an alternative to bridal white. Meanwhile, to introduce her interpretation of “something blue,” Sally Lapointe offers a silvery shade christened “cloud” on slinky silk satin dresses, matching veils and a feathery bolero. Honor NYC illustrates its terrarium motif through holographic blue and pink abstract florals. (Do Anne Barge‘s plush layers of lilac make the cut, since pink + blue = soft purple?)

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Studio 54 Excess

Dazzling party — and after-party — options abound as multi-event weddings explode into next year. Dedicated revelers may want two looks from Dana Harel (a shimmering champagne halter jumpsuit and a mirrored silver chainmail mini dress), while Elie Saab’s Art Deco-inspired “Diamond Dust” collection includes head-to-toe crystals, feathers and sequins.

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