Hey there, LittlePinkTop lovelies, gather ’round for some tea because we’re about to dish on the iconic Chanel wedding dresses designed by the one and only Karl Lagerfeld that were recently featured in Vogue. Then we’ll explore some of the most stylish wedding dress trends for 2023, serving up insights from bridal designer Tayo Ishola-Aranmolate, who channels qualities such as grace into her creative expressions. Tess Mann, whose interest in fashion design started at the age of eleven when she took to tearing apart and re-designing hand-me-downs, is now shaping wedding trends through her eponymous brand Tess Mann Haute Couture, and she shares her insights, as well. We’ll also hear from celebrity wedding planner Bruce Russell! And we’ll see examples of some key concepts from LittlePinkTop’s affiliate partners.

Chanel Retrospective

As the recent Vogue retrospective showed, English model Poppy Delevingne had Lagerfeld create a sheer lace beaded gown for her with floral appliques. Now that’s a dream wedding! Singer-songwriter Lily Allen wore a billowy white Chanel frock to her reception. American supermodel Kristen McMenamy, known for her androgynous look, had Lagerfeld walk her down the aisle to marry fashion photographer Miles Aldridge while wearing his fabulous one-shoulder draped chiffon gown. The designer dyed this piece to match her complexion and paired it with a feather headdress by Philip Treacy. 

Remember Keira Knightley’s 2013 wedding to James Righton in the South of France? Not saying you were there, but you may have seen the pics where she looked stunning without going over the top! Keira wore a bespoke blush pink tulle dress paired with ballet flats.

2023 Wedding Dress Trends

According to Tayo Ishola-Aranmolate, a 2023 equivalent of Keira’s untraditional yet compelling look might feature a thigh-high slit on one side of the dress and detachable sleeves. To incorporate iconic Chanel elements into their bridal looks without breaking the bank, Ishola-Aranmolate suggests that brides can hunt down vintage Chanel dresses or opt for custom designs by local designers that are original creations with a touch of Chanel flair.

Ishola-Aranmolate anticipates that dresses with modular designs will be trendy this year because this allows brides to use their dresses beyond the wedding day. She added that she’s also expecting more non-traditional wedding attires that fuse the dress concept with more androgynous or suit-structured designs. The bridal designer also believes that dress selection this summer will be centered around multi-wearability. She explained, “The key thing during the summer is ease of transition from ceremony to reception party while keeping things fresh.” 

Bruce Russell, founder of Bruce Russell Events, made similar observations, predicting that 2023 brides will opt for short cocktail dresses either as a second or third outfit change on their wedding day, especially if they’re separating the party aspect from a city courthouse ceremony. 

Russell has also noticed that bold lace patterns, not the delicate type, are popping up everywhere, either as part of the dress design or bodice or, in an even bolder option, covering the entire dress, paired with a simple long veil. “The mix of simplicity and pattern is so fun and fashion-forward,” he remarked. “Brides want the beautiful dress, but they want it to be on their terms… edited, designed, and crafted for them personally. I believe brides today really want the dress to express their own personality.”

In 2023, Russell sees brides having fun with short hemlines, long-flowing veils, and personalized accessories. He is also a fan of interchangeable pieces in wedding dresses, suggesting brides opt for versatile pieces that can be changed throughout the day and possibly reused later, such as a tulle skirt or removable jacket that reveals a bustier. This approach allows brides to have fun with their wedding attire while also creating a personalized and unique look.

Bridal gown designer and stylist Tess Mann also noticed brides adding personal touches to their wedding day looks by choosing “delicate florals and hues with patterns encompassing pale pink, blue, green and purple showcasing nature elements such as bees, hummingbirds, flowers and butterflies.” What’s more, she sees them shifting away “from the romantic notion of the ‘June bride’ and choosing to schedule their wedding post-September.” 

TheKnot.com, a leading wedding planning resource, observed that New York Bridal Fashion Week showcased a variety of wedding dress trends for 2023. Designers like Monique Lhuillier, Amsale, Elie Saab, and Galia Lahav presented their collections in real life, ending the pandemic adaptation of virtual shows. The season introduced an array of chic inspirations, from dramatic ball gowns to vibrant colors and luxurious embellishments like bows, feathers, and ruffles.

The Paros Gown from Bronx and Banco has both: a sheer back with pearlized embellishments and ruffled hem for a much desired “wow effect!”

But if you want to feel carefree and light, maybe feathers is the answer!  

The Feather Aurora Dress from Likely has ostrich feather detail at the neckline and a sexy yet sophisticated ruffled hem. 

Other wedding dress trends observed by TheKnot.com included capes as a veil alternative; romantic ruffles for added whimsy; oversized bows for a classic embellishment; scoop strapless necklines for a Y2K throwback; high-low hemlines combining formality with the ability to showcase stylish shoes; maximalist ball gowns with extravagant tiered skirts and decadent fabrics and beads; and slip dresses for a more effortlessly chic and sleek bridal look, like the one below.  

An ivory slip dress above a big bow and an open back would be an excellent choice for a wedding and/or a sophisticated dinner party!

But if you’re looking for a silky white dress with a draped neckline, that’s also a great option. 

The Aisle Dress from Elliatt, for example, is embellished with a cute row of buttons at the back and offers satin fabric. It’s perfect for walking the church aisle.

Although, if you’re into floral appliques like Poppy Delevingne, you don’t necessarily need to commission a dress from a luxury fashion house. There are great options out there for that, too, such as the Ullaa white sleeveless midaxi dress with rose texture from Ted Baker!  

Tess Mann also added that the strapless wedding dresses are making a comeback because “brides are loving the graceful slope of their shoulders that the strapless wedding dress bodice portrays in their overall desired look.” This is despite it being a photographer’s nightmare since it often leads to “the candid photography capturing the bride holding up her bodice in most instances.” Perhaps, the solution in revealing instances like that is to accessorize well. As TheKnot.com suggested, wedding accessories, and gloves in particular, are becoming increasingly popular, maybe in part due to the success of the series “Bridgerton” and “The Gilded Age.”

So, if you want to feel like royalty at your wedding, a pair of gloves might add that vintage elegance. Ivory lace gloves with a ruffle trim might work best with a simple design dress. On the other hand (do you see what I did there) if your wedding dress has elaborate designs, going for simple sheer gloves with adorable bows might be the right pick. If you’re wearing a sleeveless or short-sleeved dress, long tulle gloves will complete your outfit and make you look like a chic Bridgerton character yourself. 

As you can see, the world of bridal fashion is constantly evolving, and 2023 is no exception. Whatever your wedding preference may be, 2023 is full of exciting possibilities that will ensure a stunning, personalized look for your special day!