Up the glamour with a tiered gown and cathedral train-length bubble skirt. Photo: Instagram/Katherine Tash Bridal
Designers offered a wide range of styles and price points during New York Bridal Fashion Week, which was held recently, as they showcased their Spring and Summer 2026 collections.
The looks were not limited to dresses for the wedding, and included options for the engagement party, the honeymoon and many other events in between.
“We are seeing more brides opting for larger celebrations where they can showcase multiple looks,” said Justin Alexander Warshaw, the chief executive and creative director of the Justin Alexander Group.
He explained these often comprise "a dream dress for the ceremony, followed by different styles for the cocktail hour, reception and after-party".
“The vibrant presentations and events at bridal week definitely reflect the enthusiasm of designers and the excitement in the bridal market,” Warshaw added.
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More ready-to-wear brands entered the bridal fashion arena, including Kindred and Mestiza New York.
Meshki participated in New York Bridal Fashion Week for the first time with a pop-up location in SoHo.
Les Aimants collaborated with cosmetics brand Sisley to present its new collection of customisable dresses.
Other collection debuts included couture designer Reem Acra’s introduction of her Roses by Reem Acra line, which will retail for under US$5,000 (approximately RM22,038).
David’s Bridal unveiled a partnership with luxury brand Marchesa that will offer couture bridal and special occasion dresses online.
Designer Hayley Paige celebrated her return to the bridal industry with a preview of her new collection.
And Pnina Tornai presented her latest collections during her 20th anniversary celebration at Kleinfeld in Chelsea.
Grooms weren’t left out. Joseph Abboud showed its new occasion and bespoke styles at the Lambs Club in midtown.
Tanner Fletcher, a genderless brand, presented its new collection at St. Paul’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chelsea with a wedding-themed runway show, complete with the Late Show’s Gospel Choir and a surprise same-sex wedding.
Halternecks
A popular wedding dress neckline inspired by the 1970s was brought back: the halterneck with an open back. Yellow by Sahar showed the silhouette in a flowing silk charmeuse-and-crepe, bias-cut dress with draping neck ties.
Alyne debuted a drop-waist ballgown featuring a sheer plunging back accented with a dramatic bow.
Nadia Manjarrez presented an organza halterneck ballgown with a lace underlay bodice and a pleated skirt.
Vintage vibes
Heirloom-like dresses with raw edges, pin tucks and puff sleeves were in the spotlight.
“More brides are loving non-trendy, vintage-inspired gowns that look like you found them in your grandmother’s closet or attic,” said Macye Wysner, the founder and creative director of CINQ, whose collection included a tulle-overlay gown with a pin-tucked bodice and long tulle sleeves.
Odylyne the Ceremony showed a crinkle-pleated, A-line gown with an empire waist and removable puff sleeves. And a petal-pink tulle dress at Markarian featured delicate allover pin tucks and a flutter of floral applique.
Exaggerated hips
Designers took a cue from the 17th and 18th centuries when royal women wore voluminous gowns with undergarments that extended their hips.
Alyssa Kristin showed a classic ballgown with a sculpted bodice and lightweight billowy skirt.
Dana Harel incorporated a scalloped waist to add more drama to a clean-line ballgown.
Kim Kassas Couture debuted an intricately embroidered, corseted slim gown with a voluminous overskirt.
Bubble hemlines
The bubble hem is back again, but with more couture-like tailoring and styling options than the looks from the 1980s and early aughts.
Katherine Tash presented a two-piece gown with a lace-up corset and a tiered, cathedral train-length bubble skirt.
Ricca Sposa Atelier’s new collection included an off-the-shoulder, balloon minidress with a detachable floor-length, bubble-hem skirt.
KYHA Studios showed a fun, two-piece dress featuring a slightly cropped top and full, bubble-hem skirt with pockets.
Read more: She designs with love, for love: Nurita Harith speaks on her bridalwear journey
Two-piece elegance
Two-piece gowns, and dresses that look like two pieces, continue to dominate the bridal fashion space with seamless styles that resemble one full dress, as well as sophisticated gowns of mixed fabrics.
WONA Concept’s collection debuted a two-piece mermaid gown with a beaded, corseted top and form-fitting skirt.
Roses by Reem Acra brought on the charm with a fit-and-flare gown that looks like two pieces, featuring a bow-accented corset top.
Monique Lhuillier showed a complete A-line gown with a structured Mikado peplum corset and a tulle ballgown skirt.
Bridal scarves
Designers added a subtle tulle, lace or silk scarf to their gowns that made them even more romantic – or a bit rock ’n’ roll.
Alexandra Grecco paired a lace-detailed tulle column dress with a matching scarf.
A draped tulle scarf with OUMA’s pleated tulle gown added to the dress’s ethereal elegance.
And a silk column dress with a Greek goddess-like draped skirt at Enaura featured a slim silk scarf. – ©2025 The New York Times Company
