Bridal fashion trends come and go and are often influenced by Royal or celebrity brides. After Kate Middleton’s wedding to Prince William suddenly every bride loved lace, structured bodices, sleeves, and of course a cathedral length veil. Even those brides who wanted a simpler look still borrowed something from Kate’s style. Then brides moved from the regal but modest style of her dress to low backs and bling but lace kept going strong. Now Royal bride Meghan has turned all of that on its head and bridal fashion has swung to the other extreme – chic simplicity but still with huge emphasis on the veil.

Meghan influence will continue to be strong in 2019 with slip dresses, halter necks, boat necks, sleeves and drapes but definitely no bones or corsets! Other strong trends include: retro styles from the 1950’s – jive and rockabilly, simple slip dresses, 60’s inspired mini dresses, jumpsuits and trousers. Bows are also on-trend but overstated and placed to create sleeves, or enhance hips and curves. These can be made from a beautiful draping fabric to show off the folds of a beautiful silk crepe or from a stiffer silks such as Duchess satin to create a structured bow.

Having been a couture designer for over 20 years, I have seen trends come and go and my advice to brides would be to dress according to the style of their wedding and their personality. It is your day and you will treasure the memories and the photos for ever, so don’t be over influenced by current trends.

Jennifer, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture slip wedding dress

The first slip wedding dress I made was for Jennifer, an American bride, who discovered me while on a trip to London with her father. At the time, trends were for long, ivory gowns with trains, lace and beading. Jennifer loved the idea of touches of ivory and wanted detail but a dress that was different. I made her a calf-length banana coloured crinkled satin slip  dress with an ivory chiffon handkerchief hem. The straps and décolletage were hand beaded with vintage lace and ivory pearls with curling twists of the chiffon edged with embroidered rolled hems and twisted chiffon flowers. Jennifer loved her unique wedding dress so much and wore it for a photo shoot in the mountains.

Amy was my first bride to ask for pockets in her wedding dress. I made her a very elaborate blush and ivory sheaf dress appliquéd with beaded lace flowers over which she wore an overskirt in blush silk again appliquéd with lace and pearls. This was shown off with attitude as Amy put her hands in the hip level pockets and moved and twirled. The overskirt was such a success that Amy did not take it off for the evening dancing as planned.

Clare was also ahead of the trend when she asked for a 1950’s ballerina length wedding dress for her barn wedding. The barn Clare had chosen for her wedding day had retained all it’s original charm and had not been overly restored. Flagstone floors, a dirt track to the venue and fields all around made the setting for Clare’s wedding celebration with afternoon tea followed by sausages and mash in the evening. Her dress had a full 1950’s skirt and worked perfectly for the couples’ choreographed rock n roll first dance. I was lucky enough to attend this true barn wedding.

If you are struggling to find your style for your wedding dress, I will be at The National Wedding Show, Olympia from February 15th to 17th. I am always happy to have a chat to brides about the style or theme of the wedding.