Trend reports from bridal fashion week tell you what designers are pushing. This report tells you what brides are actually buying — based on real data from our Edina boutique. The gap between the runway and the fitting room is real, and it's where the useful information lives.
Every January, bridal publications announce the year's trends based on New York Bridal Fashion Week. Those reports are useful if you're a buyer for a bridal boutique. They're less useful if you're a bride trying to figure out what to actually wear. The runway and the real world don't always agree.
What follows is different. This is based on what our brides at Annika Bridal are actually choosing in 2026 — the styles they're drawn to, the features they're requesting, and the shifts we're seeing in real appointments with real brides planning real Minnesota weddings. It's trend reporting from the fitting room, not the catwalk.
What Is the Biggest Wedding Dress Trend in 2026?
The new minimalism — but it's not what you think. The dominant trend of 2026 is not stark, plain dresses. It's dresses that look simple but are extraordinarily well-made. Clean silhouettes with exceptional fabric quality, invisible boning that creates perfect posture, subtle draping that only reveals its complexity when you move. The look is effortless; the construction is anything but.
We're seeing this most clearly in our crepe gown sales, which have increased substantially over the past year. Brides are choosing clean-lined crepe dresses with dramatic backs — often a deep V or an unexpected cut — that create a 'front view vs. back view' reveal. From the front: elegant simplicity. When she turns around: the wow moment.
Designers leading this trend: Ines Di Santo, whose architectural approach to bridal is perfectly calibrated for this moment, and Tulle New York, whose fashion-forward sensibility delivers restrained drama better than almost anyone.
Are Statement Sleeves Still Trending in 2026?
Yes, but they've evolved. The balloon sleeves and extreme puff sleeves of 2023–2024 have given way to more refined options. What we're seeing now is structured sleeves with intentional shapes — bishop sleeves that taper precisely at the wrist, long fitted sleeves with a slight flare at the cuff, and detachable sleeve options that let brides have two looks in one.
Detachable sleeves in particular have become one of our most-requested features. Brides love the versatility: full sleeves for the ceremony and a strapless look for the reception. Several of our designers, including Galia Lahav, now offer sleeves designed to pair with specific gowns in their collection.
Are Brides Wearing Non-White Wedding Dresses?
More than ever — but still as a minority. About 15% of our brides in 2026 are choosing something other than traditional white or ivory. The most popular non-traditional shades are champagne (warm gold undertone, stunning in candlelight), blush (delicate pink, romantic in outdoor settings), and nude (skin-toned base that creates the illusion of embroidery floating on bare skin).
We're also seeing more brides choose a non-traditional color for a second dress. The ceremony gown stays traditional; the reception dress — often shorter, more playful — introduces color. This connects to the two-look trend below.
What Is the Two-Look Wedding Trend?
More Minnesota brides in 2026 are planning two bridal looks: a formal gown for the ceremony and a different dress for the reception or after-party. This isn't about changing because the first dress is uncomfortable (a well-chosen and well-altered gown is comfortable all day). It's about creating two distinct moments.
The most common approach: a structured or embellished gown for the ceremony → a sleek, danceable crepe or satin slip dress for the reception. Some brides go further: a full ballgown → a fun, short party dress for the after-party. The second dress typically costs significantly less than the primary gown.
Are Veils Still Popular in 2026?
Very much so — about 70% of our brides still choose a veil — but the approach has shifted. Fingertip-length veils remain the most popular option (practical, flattering, easy to manage), but we're seeing a significant uptick in two extremes: very long cathedral veils for brides who want maximum drama, and very short modern veils or headpieces for brides who want something non-traditional.
The middle ground of elbow-length veils has declined. Brides in 2026 tend to want either a statement or a departure — not a compromise.
What About Sustainability in Bridal?
Sustainability conversations are more common in appointments than they were two years ago. Brides are asking where gowns are made, what fabrics are used, and whether the brand has ethical labor practices. But the honest truth is that sustainability in bridal fashion is still nascent — the industry is behind many other fashion sectors.
The most impactful sustainable choice a bride can make is to buy quality. A well-made gown from a reputable designer — the kind that uses natural fibers, pays fair wages, and constructs garments meant to last generations — is inherently more sustainable than a fast-fashion wedding dress that will fall apart within a year. We believe quality is sustainability, and we curate our designers accordingly.
The best trend is no trend at all — it's a bride who knows what she wants and has the confidence to choose it regardless of what's fashionable this season.
Curious how these trends translate to actual gowns? Book an appointment at Annika Bridal in Edina and explore the 2026 collections in person. We'll show you what's new, what's evolved, and what's timeless.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest wedding dress trends for 2026?
The new minimalism (clean silhouettes with exceptional construction), structured sleeves (especially detachable options), non-traditional colors like champagne and blush, and two-look weddings. The overarching theme is intentional, confident choices over following trends.
Are colored wedding dresses popular in 2026?
About 15% of brides are choosing non-traditional colors. Champagne, blush, and nude are the most popular alternatives to white and ivory. Many more brides choose a non-traditional color for a second reception dress while keeping the ceremony gown traditional.
Are veils still in style for weddings?
Yes — about 70% of brides still wear a veil. The trend is toward extremes: very long cathedral veils for drama or very short modern veils for a non-traditional look. Mid-length veils are less popular than in previous years.
Annika Bridal · Edina, Minnesota
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