For brides who love all stylish and fashion-forward things, modern wedding dresses are a beautiful choice! Modern weddings are versatile enough for brides to sport different types of wedding gown silhouettes, from ballgowns to fit-and-flares. It’s all about keeping it chic and elegant!
What Makes a Wedding Dress Modern and Elegant?
Wedding dress features such as clean lines, modern silhouettes and chic details come together to create an elegant and sophisticated bridal look. If your goal is modern, minimal and elegant, you will want to look for unadorned fabric where the detail is focused on the cut and silhouette— the trademark of the modern bride.
Less is often more for the modern bride, but it doesn’t mean you have to skip on details like lace embroidery or beaded embellishments. Contemporary brides who still want added detail in their elegant wedding dresses can find a design with a curve-hugging silhouette with pearl, lace or beaded accents strategically placed throughout.
When choosing a modern wedding dress, keep these tips in mind to help bring your vision to life:
Modern bridal gowns are all about the here and now! In order to best reflect your eye for contemporary design, do your research on what is fresh, trendy and fashion-forward. Let your bridal stylist know what you are looking for so they can pull the right modern styles for you to try on during your appointment. There’s no such thing as too much research when it comes to being a trendy bride!
One of the key markers of a modern wedding dress is the fabric and materials used to make it. Often the base of the dress is made from luxe materials like Mikado, silk satin or crepe. Look for these fabrics to create a curve-hugging effect that will flatter in all the right ways!
Since modern wedding gowns are often chic and slightly different from traditional and classic bridal styles, you may be hesitant if a gown in the bridal salon doesn’t seem like your style. While a contemporary dress can sometimes look simple on the hanger, once you put it on it can look ultra-flattering and beautiful. Keep an open mind with your bridal stylist and choose a gown you love at the end of the day!
Modern Wedding Dresses
Whether it’s for a glamorous black-tie affair or a sophisticated wedding at a local art gallery, we’ve curated a variety of styles tailored to the modern bride:
Simple Modern Wedding Dress
A bit modern, a touch of sexy vintage and a whole lot of beauty! A modern fit-and-flare, Essense of Australia Style D3488 is a dazzling yet simple number. Adorned with dainty spaghetti straps, romantic side cutouts and a lace-trimmed scalloped train, this contemporary wedding gown is completely swoon-worthy. The linear beadwork and lace accentuate the already ultra-flattering figure for a sophisticated yet alluring bridal look.
Modern Ballgown Wedding Dress
It’s true, ballgown wedding dresses can be modern too! Martina Liana Style 1448 is ideal for the bride who defines their style as a modern goddess! This Mikado gown has a sleek, strapless silhouette that complements a timeless sweetheart neckline while the on-trend boning on the bodice gives the modern ballgown a contemporary structure. The subtle lace back and oversized bow add a romantic touch to a clean and couture bridal look.
Modern Long Sleeve Wedding Dress
Long sleeves are hot right now, so jump on the trend with the eye-catching Martina Liana Style 1472. Dramatic and voluminous sheer sleeves with a chic button cuff detail add a bit of drama to the simple sheath wedding dress. This fashion-forward column silhouette features a subtle V-shaped back and a dainty tie-back detail. This modern style is finished off with fabric-covered buttons that flow down the back of the gown to the hem of a sweeping contemporary train.
Modern Beach Wedding Dress
This fresh take on this A-line silhouette is sure to appeal to bridal aesthetics from elegant to modern. The large-scale floral embroidered bodice of Style 7413 from Stella York will beautifully catch the light at any sunset ceremony. With the delicate layers of sparkling tulle that flare out of the skirt, we cannot think of a more fitting gown for a modern beach wedding!
Modern Plus Size Wedding Dress
This show-stopping number doesn’t need a ton of embellishments to take your breath away! Available in plus sizes, Stella York Style 7535 combines the likes of classic and contemporary with a regal, off-the-shoulder banded neckline that is both flattering and elegant. This A-line Mikado bridal gown has a full skirt with discreet pockets and a modern horsehair hem for a structured appearance. With soft buttons trailing down the back, this modern wedding dress would look amazing at an elegant estate wedding.
How Can I Make My Dress Look More Modern for the Ceremony?
For a minimalist bridal style, sleek and delicate jewelry like a simple pearl drop necklace or earrings will add a modern touch of sparkle. If you’re looking to make a dramatic statement during your walk down the aisle, consider a trendy floor-length veil for a fashion-forward bridal look. If your dress has a sexy side slit, pick out a pair of bridal heels that have a fun, modern element to them like a fun color, tulle bows or pearl accents. Brides can also incorporate a contemporary, fashion-forward purse to hold their essentials, like an acrylic or satin clutch to complete the look.
When it comes to modern wedding hairstyles, there are plenty of styles to wear your hair down or in an updo. Sophisticated updos like architectural-inspired sleek buns or a chic ponytail make an excellent finishing touch for a contemporary bridal look. For the modern bride who wants to wear their hair down, try Old Hollywood-inspired curls with ample bounce. A popular trending wedding hairstyle is to opt for softer curls with the front pieces tucked behind the ears. It’s the ideal modern glam wedding hairstyle!
Did one of these modern wedding dresses catch your eye? Find a bridal store near you using our store locator to try on and shop your favorite gowns.