Bridal gown style guide: how to choose “The Dress” for your dream wedding

The sentiment and commitment of any wedding day are, of course, the most important statements, but let’s be honest, the piece de resistance – the moment that leaves guests waiting with bated breath – is the entrance of the bride in her chosen attire, most traditionally, a gown.

If you are planning your big moment and looking for some guidance on your gown, then look no further. We’re delivering a beautiful overview of the must have looks for 2018.

Chic capes: Solange Knowles is perhaps one of the most famous examples of brides who donned a cape or capelet on their wedding day. Hers was the perfect conclusion to an already-edgy jumpsuit that she donned while making her big entrance on a vintage bicycle. A firm favourite with designers during Bridal Fashion Week, the cape is for the bride that wants to contemporise tradition and become a caped crusader in lieu of wearing a veil.

Off the shoulder: A modest amount of glowing skin can play peek-a-boo in gowns with detached sleeves. Designers like Monique Lhuillier are giving us the cold shoulder in 2018, but in the best possible way. We are seeing a lot of off-the-shoulder styles, some even with puff sleeves in the mix. It might sound like the eighties are planning a comeback, but we can assure you there is nothing retro about this aesthetic, just pure romance written all over the look.

Mid-length: A floor-skimming gown has its foot firmly in traditional bridal territory, but hems are coming up for 2018 – to a very respectable mid-length. Modest and modern; this style pays homage to 1950’s style stars like Marilyn Monroe. This is the perfect compromise for the bride who still wants the glamour that a gown affords, but the comfort and practicality of a dress that can transition from the ‘I Do’s’ to the dance floor.