2025 Wedding Dress and Fashion Trends
2025 wedding fashion, as far as we’re concerned, is all about making a statement, from the first look to the final dance. We’re obsessed with looks that captivate, enthrall and demand attention all evening long.
We brought together some of the top North Carolina wedding pros at The Carolina Manor House in Franklinton, North Carolina, for a day of styling romantic scenes showcasing 2025 wedding dress trends in one of our most decadent fashion editorials to date.
Photography by Rae Marshall Photography | Styled by Amy Plant-Perdue
The result? A visual celebration of bold silhouettes, sumptuous fabrics and luxurious details set against the timeless charm of this 1904 Queen Anne-style mansion, complete with countless photo ops.
Soft glam hair and makeup by Pinup Studio balance the boldest of these ensembles and complement the more understated with just the right amount of polish. Lavish, hand-embroidered lace and adventurous textures abound, underscoring the “more-is-more” approach that’s taken the bridal fashion world by storm.
The manor’s rich mahogany trim and molding provides a striking contrast in these images captured by Rae Marshall Photography. Rae’s keen eye for composition and lighting brings the magic of these fashion-forward looks to life and highlights the unique chemistry in every embrace.
Highlighting the Best in 2025 Bridal Fashion: Whimsical Wedding Gowns by Alexandra Grecco
The New York City-based designer founded her bridal line in 2014 after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology. “We’ve carried Alexandra Grecco since the beginning,” says Gilded Bridal owner Susan Langford.
Susan says that Alexandra Grecco gowns typically fall into one of two aesthetics: effortlessly sophisticated, or intricately detailed, whimsical and playful. These made-to-order silhouettes break from traditional bridal styles, offering modern, highly customizable options, Susan adds.
The two Alexandra Grecco dresses pictured in our 2025 fashion editorial are from the 2025 collection, which is inspired by the quiet stillness and draping of classical sculpture, and the poetic movement of lightweight silk. Both embody the resplendent elegance and beauty synonymous with the label.
Trending Couture Wedding Dresses
Designer Madeline Gardener’s styles are nothing short of show-stopping. She’s known for “over-the-top, voluminous ballgowns that are still classic,” says Nell Todd, owner of New Bern, North Carolina bridal shop Thornbury Brides.
These dresses are as comfortable as they are glamorous thanks to impeccable interior corsetry, Nell adds, ensuring you feel your best from the first look to the final dance.
UC Models‘ Colombe Martin stuns in a strapless ballgown with a rose motif, showcasing Madeline’s hallmark flair for unexpected texture and intricate embellishments in her singular couture creations.
Wedding Dresses Produced with Sustainability in Mind: Bridal Gowns by Truvelle
“Truvelle is committed to ethical fashion and sustainability,” Susan says. “They are dedicated to minimizing waste in the production of their gowns and to being ethical in how they employ people to create them.”
Each Truvelle gown is handmade at the Vancouver, Canada, atelier. “When you get your dress, the name of the person who made it is handwritten on the tag,” Susan adds.
Model Sarah Hesselink wears a floral jacquard ballgown (one of six dresses in Truvelle’s 2025 collection) that offers convertibility and customizable elements, two qualities that continue to be popular in bridal fashion. The bow straps can be worn three different ways – on the shoulder, off the shoulder or not at all – and the bustier bodice with exposed boning (a style that’s extremely a la mode this season, Susan says) can be designed with either a zipper or lace-up closure.
Endless Customization & Luxurious Materials: Meet Beccar
UC Models’ Laila Hudgins is radiant in a floral lace gown from Beccar’s spring 2025 collection. “[Beccar produces] some of the highest quality dresses I’ve ever seen,” Nell says. “They’re detail-oriented, and they always have veils to match, which I love.”
Beccar’s romantic and feminine silhouettes also offer adjustments to suit personal preferences. “There’s a lot of flexibility,” Nell says. “If you see a fabric you love in one of their skirts, it can be put on a bodice for you. They’re great at making custom changes, but what [impresses me most are] their fabrics. They use very unique fabrics and laces, and how these are applied in their designs is, to me, masterful.”
2025 Wedding Dress Trends Embraced by Stella York
“‘Stella’ means star in Italian, and I think the goal of Stella York is for [anyone who wears their gowns] to feel like a star on their wedding day,” says Heather DiMasi, owner of White Bridal Boutiques.
“A lot of Stella styles are runway worthy, yet approachable from a style perspective. There’s still a timeless aspect to them. They’re inclusive in pricing and sizing as well, and I love that about Stella York.”
The puff sleeves and structured bodice of the pearl organza ballgown modeled by Sarah exemplify many of the elements currently filling wedding dress shops. “We are going to see a lot more of [these features] in 2025 for sure,” Heather says.
