We found the trendiest wedding dresses of 2026 online and in regional ateliers

Finding the perfect wedding dress can feel like an incredibly demanding mission. Especially if you are not one of those brides who sketched their dream gown as a little girl. And even if you did, chances are your taste has changed in the meantime. Should you choose a short and practical dress, which is still considered a somewhat atypical choice, or a voluminous ball gown that looks as if it stepped straight out of a princess fairytale? Should you opt for clean lines and minimalism or step into a world of bows, ruffles, and shimmering details?

I know, there are countless questions and they are quite difficult to answer. Choosing the ideal dress depends on style and personal taste, but also on the type of wedding. Is it an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration with several hundred guests? If all these questions, and a few more besides, are swirling in your head, a good guideline can be at least a brief dive into current bridal trends. Perhaps they will become the inspiration that leads you to the right answer. With that in mind, we took a look into the ateliers of regional designers, respected international bridal destinations, and online platforms.

The opulence of ruffles

It seems that ruffles are a timeless addition to wedding dresses. Thanks to them, silhouettes appear romantic and fluid, as if they gently cascade down the body. One ruffled wedding dress, in classic white with bare shoulders, was found at the Alduk atelier, which is currently presenting its bridal collection for 2026. In the Markarian brand offering, a vintage inspired wedding dress adorned with delicate ruffles caught our attention, while at Ines Atelier we discovered a very atypical model, a combination of a blazer and a dress finished with a ruffle.

Long live lace!

Wedding dresses made of lace carry a special aura. Even when they are new and have never been worn before, they seem as if they were inherited and already telling their own story. It is therefore no surprise that this very poetic quality is especially valued in bridal design, and riding the wave of nostalgia currently present in fashion, lace is particularly popular this year. Several lace bridal creations were included in the 2026 collection by the Zagreb based duo eNVy room, while true showstopper models were also found in the offerings of House of Gilles and Jaclyn Whyte.

Shimmering details

Fabrics covered in sequins, crystals, beads, and appliqués are ruling bridal trends in 2026. Everything that sparkles under dimmed lights and brings that special glow we desire for such a major occasion as a wedding. In its bridal collection, Alduk presented a long white wedding dress with shimmering elements spreading across the fabric like roots, creating an intriguing visual effect. Jaclyn Whyte covered her wedding dress with a shiny “web,” while Markarian opted for delicate pearls.

With the addition of a cape

Beyond the bridal domain, the cape is emerging as one of the most significant trends of the coming months. Runways have presented it as a replacement for a coat or as its addition, adding a dose of drama to everyday dressing. When it comes to wedding dresses, a cape is a detail that gives the entire look a note of glamour and elegance, subtly covering the arms if you do not want them fully exposed. Wedding dresses complemented by various versions of capes were found in the ateliers of Zagreb fashion brands such as Alduk and eNVy room, as well as at the brand Roksanda, which offered a version of a wedding dress with a cape that covers only one arm.

Bows

Although they may seem overly “sweet,” bows on wedding dresses do not have to be executed in a classic way. Unlike last year, when they were placed at the back, in 2026 they move to the front of the dress. Particularly interesting are those wedding dresses that redefine the look of a bow. The brand eNVy room did exactly that by placing a large bow on the shoulder, creating an asymmetrical dress, while Mihano Momosa integrated the bow into the very silhouette, offering a dress shape we are not quite used to seeing.

Short wedding dresses

Although trends predict the dominance of opulent, voluminous ball gowns, short white wedding dresses do not lose their importance in 2026 either. In addition to loving their practicality, we also appreciate the special dose of rebelliousness they radiate. Excellent short wedding dresses were found at regional brands such as Ines Atelier and Lokomotiva, as well as at Christopher Esber, whose creation is covered with an unexpected layer of lace. A win win.