Getting married in 2016? We understand how excited you are. Not only do you get to marry your best friend surrounded by loved ones but you also get to wear one of the most important garments of your life (no pressure!).

Lucky for you, the trends for wedding dresses in 2016 are sure to impress your spouse, your family, your other wedding guests and, most importantly, you.

Although you’ll still find those classic silhouettes that never go out of style (think ball gowns and mermaid dresses), the current trends will give your gown unique oomph if you’re looking to make a statement.

So take a look at the top eight wedding dress trends for 2016, from deep-V necklines to feather details to floral prints to—our favourite—the pantsuit!

1. Plunging necklines
If 2015 was the year of the cropped-top wedding dress, then 2016 is saying “I do” to va-va-voom necklines. From deep-Vs (as seen at Naeem Khan and J. Mendel) to keyhole cutouts, there’s nothing traditional about this trend.

Balance out the décolletage with a long flow-y skirt, a bit of lace and a cathedral veil—’cause, girl, you’re bringing sexy back.



J. Mendel

2. Florals
Although Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada) decried florals for spring, wedding dress designers such as Elizabeth Fillmore, Oleg Cassini and Jenny Packham embraced the trend for 2016 with romantic looks for the bride who wants more than a classic white dress.

Whether you want to go high tech with 3D floral appliqués, unleash your inner boho goddess with gorgeous embroidery or keep it simple (yet stunning) with a delicate painted-on print, you’ll be sure to turn heads as you walk down the aisle.


Oleg Cassini

3. It’s all about that skirt
If you want a less risqué gown but still want a lot of dress drama, then look no further than this season’s “it” skirts. Breathtaking feather details will make you look more like an A-lister and less like Big Bird, while 3D butterfly appliqués will make your heart flutter.

Or just go for the jugular with a voluminous skirt, as seen from designers such as Romona Keveža, Angel Sanchez and Marchesa . You can’t go wrong with layers of tulle, fab lace or silk chiffon. Only the sky (and your budget) is the limit.


Anne Barge  

4. Flirty feathers
We know what you’re thinking, but hear us out: Feathers are in this season in a big way, and they won’t make you look like you just stepped off the main stage at a Vegas casino.

Lucky for you, gorgeous bride-to-be, there are so many options, whether you want to go big and bold, à la Vera Wang and Lela Rose or fluttery and delicate à la Jenny Packham.

You aren’t restricted to the type of feather, either. Lela Rose and Kelly Faetanini debuted ostrich feathers (seriously, do you love this skirt or what?) for the bride who wants to go next-level gorgeous.


Jenny Packham

5. Grandma’s lace is back
This season, wedding dress designers seemed to take inspiration from the amazing women in their lives by incorporating old-world lace into modern gowns. (How genius of them, by the way, because lace never goes out of style.)

Lela Rose created a gorgeous scalloped-lace bateau top for the chic bride who wants subtle lace elements, while Claire Pettibone’s Victorian-inspired high neckline will make the romantic swoon.

Don’t forget classic long lace sleeves made famous by so many royals (hello, Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton). Check out Reem Acra, Angel Sanchez and Truly Zac Posen for inspiration.


Claire Pettibone 

6. Shades of grey
We can’t all marry Christian Grey, but this season, wedding dress designers got inspired by the silver screen’s sexiest CEO with (almost) 50 shades of 2016’s most romantic colour. From soft grey and silver tulle at Mira Zwillinger to delicate dove-grey tones at Truvelle to textured organza sterling at White by Vera Wang, there are plenty of cool nonwhite gowns in a colour that’s not just trendy—it’s the new classic.


Truvelle

7. The new princess bride
Yes, you can still be the princess bride no matter your age (#feminism), and you won’t be lacking for choice when you go shopping for that special dress. (Think tattoo lace, off-white colours and 3D embellishments.)

Marchesa presented sleek strapless A-line gowns with 3D flowers, while Monique Lhuillier made us gasp with her delicate chiffon gowns with risqué necklines and long sleeves. (She even made one in blue!)

So, if you want to spend a day feeling like a princess, you have your pick of the wedding dress litter.


Monique Lhuillier

8. The pantsuit
Some of us don’t want to feel like a princess, and that’s cool, too. So why not rock a pantsuit instead? This two-piece look is one of our favourite trends, and it’s perfect for the laid-back bride.

The great thing about a pantsuit is you can dress it up or down however you want. Add sequins and rock a veil, like at Naeem Khan or wear a sexy lace top, as shown at Lihi Hod. 

You can also go wild with footwear, whether you pick a killer heel or sparkly flats.


Naeem Khan

Read more:
How to involve the groom in wedding planning
Wedding accessories for brides
12 new wedding trends for 2015
25 wedding dresses under $1000