Dramatic overskirts, dropped waists and big-time bows: The top trends from Bridal Fashion Week Spring 2025

In the spring and again in the fall, designers come together to show their collections for the following year at New York Bridal Fashion Week. And judging by what was shown on the Spring 2025 runways, and at more intimate presentations and press appointments, the options for next year's brides will be endless.

The collections included everything from traditional gowns with full skirts to red carpet-ready, fashion-forward designs to shorter, more informal dresses. Plus, customizations are often possible with wedding gowns, so what's shown on the runways is just a starting point. 

Here are five of the most intriguing trends seen at New York Bridal Fashion Week for Spring 2025.

Dramatic overskirts

An array of overlay skirts, some designed to be removable, added volume and drama to fitted, floor-length gowns this season at Woná Concept, Zuhair Murad, Odylyne the Ceremony and Galia Lahav. At times, they matched the material of the main dress; at others, they were designed to be distinct, providing textural or visual contrast.

This trend is practical as well as beautiful: one could wear the full look for the ceremony and photos, then remove the voluminous bridal skirt for the more informal parts of the wedding — or whenever it might become cumbersome.  

Dropped waists

Dresses with extended bodices, which have been popular for a few seasons, will continue to trend through 2025. We spotted many styles with dropped waists at Cinq, Chosen by Kyha, Lela Rose and Anne Barge. 

To a similar effect, there were also a number of longline corsets and dresses with a basque waist, where the fitted bodice ends in a V shape.  

Mini but mighty

For those looking for a shorter wedding dress (or a second wedding dress to wear during dinner and dancing), the Spring 2025 collections offered plenty of stylish choices. 

While some short styles leaned more informal or minimal, our favourites — spotted at Markarian, Nardos, and Bronx and Banco — were just as elegant as any floor-length gown. They're perfectly suited for a wedding at city hall or the beach, where a long, heavy dress may not make sense.  

Arm candy

Many brides are going with sleeveless, strapless dresses these days. This season, designers paired these options with sheer, pull-on sleeves and gloves that elevated the looks and added texture and interest to the silhouettes. 

There were tulle and silk chiffon versions at Amsale, embellished and lace gloves at Idan Cohen, and we spotted a lace shrug at Reem Acra. 

Big-time bows 

Designers are embracing bows big and small for Spring 2025. This is one bridal trend with longevity and an "it" factor that has certainly crossed over from runway fashion. 

There were larger-than-life bows at Nardos and Yellow by Sahar, as well as at Lihi Hod, where the "Lueur en Blanc" collection included a giant bow that doubled as a fashion-forward bridal veil. At Honor, Reem Acra and Monique Lhuillier, the bows were decidedly smaller and more sweet than sculptural.