With stars from Taylor Swift to Dua Lipa saying ‘I do,’ the fashion world is already speculating on which gown the style set will be saying yes to this upcoming season. Whether it's for a civil ceremony at home or a glamorous wedding abroad, a traditional wedding dress is no longer necessary for your big day (unless you want it to be).
Many brands understand that modern brides may want a more contemporary outfit, therefore the range of pieces outside of conventional dresses is endless. From feathered strapless options to tailored two pieces, there are ample styles to peruse ahead of your big day.
Unconventional silhouettes are quickly ascending the style ranks, with colour and embellishment taking centre stage. For example, Emily Ratajkowski married in a mustard Zara suit, Mandy Moore glowed in pink tulle, and Avril Lavigne went full gothic in black lace - as did Sarah Jessica Parker. Ahead of her time as always, Elizabeth Taylor wore a yellow chiffon gown designed by Irene Sharaff for her wedding to Richard Burton.
Mini silhouettes are also a cool-girl staple, with brides including Made In Chelsea’s Sophie Habboo and Lily Allen paying homage to the philosophy that sometimes less is truly more.
Sharon Sever, head designer at couture bridal label Galia Lahav, has dressed the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton and Beyonce in bridal gowns. He previously gave H! Fashion his top tips for finding your personal style, which include: Be true to yourself, start with research, try on a variety of styles and take your time. Noted.
Discover the best dresses for the cool-girl bride in 2026 below. Time to say 'yes' to the dress.
10 dresses that are perfect for the cool-girl bride in 2026
Cream Boucle Collared Mini Dress
Self-Portrait
Channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw with a Self-Portrait concoction. This clean-cut gown flows into a preppy bubble skirt silhouette, marrying cool-girl glamour with traditional tailoring.
Elna Mini Dress
Malina
Introducing Malina, the hottest name to know for brides-to-be. We love the brand's Elna Dress, which features a 1960s-inspired shift style, long sleeves and bow detailing on the back. Chic and sweet in equal measure.
Embellished Georgette Dress
Erdem
Shimmering with silver sequins and trimmed with lavish lace, Erdem's luxurious, georgette-style slip is primed for brides wanting something a touch more rock 'n' roll.
White Tweed Mini Dress
Chanel
Cool-girls get hitched in preloved Chanel. Ideal for vintage fiends, this timeless mini has all the hallmarks of a classic Chanel piece - bouclé and beautiful.
Astra Dress
Huishan Zhang
Make it a day to remember in Huishan Zhang - the designer every fashion girl wants in her wardrobe. Complete with spaghetti straps, a fanciful feather trim and beaded embellishment, this unique gown is the epitome of luxury.
Klara Jacquard Bow Mini Dress
Sister Jane
Style it out with Sister Jane. The brand's Klara gown is an affordable choice for brides to be - complete with a mini silhouette and bow detailing conjure up ethereal elegance on the big day.
Lia Embellished Mini Dress
Rebecca Vallance
When in doubt, look to Rebecca Vallance. The designer is celebrated for her glittering designs, and this adorable mini dress will take you from town hall to after-party with glamorous ease.
Elder Dress
Elliatt
This is giving Sofia Richie Grainge's 2nd wedding dress vibes combined with 2025's floral appliqué obsession, and it's super chic. If changing dresses into a shorter hem evening party outfit is on the agenda, this stunning square neck satin mini is perfect.
+ NET SUSTAIN Boheme Midi Dress
Sleeper
Allow yourself to inject some high-octane glamour into your wedding day wardrobe and shimmy into Sleeper's Ukrainian-made, bias-cut midi. The flair-filled garment features plumes of ivory feathers, guaranteeing that you'll turn heads as you walk down the aisle.
Strapless Twill Mini Dress
Rotate Birger Chrisensen
Made from twill, this strapless minidress from Rotate Birger Christensen encapsulates the brand’s elegant contemporary aesthetic beautifully.
How we chose our dresses:
- The silhouette: Everybody has different body shapes and sizes, so whilst some may love a plunging V-neck, others may prefer to totally cover their upper half. Of course, we'd love to have tried on each dress individually, but instead we've picked our favourite range of dresses with totally different silhouettes, so there is something for all preferences.
- The trend: We've found dresses that adhere to the runway trends of this season, but also some that are as timeless as they are contemporary.
- The price: We've tried to cover a range of budgets, with looks ranging from the £200 mark to £1000+. I've also selected dresses that I think can be reused for other occasions (if you wish).
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. Best Quality Designer Handbag may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this pa
