18 Bridal Pieces for the Fashion Girl

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There is a growing number of us. I call my tribe anti-bride. (Or fashion bride.) Basically, this is a bride who is going against what her parents and society wish for her wedding day and, instead, is embracing designer minidresses, sculptural jewelry, pantsuits, and mosaic dome wedding bands. How do I know this? In 2023, I opted for a Rick Owens runway dress, silver crinkled Khaite heels, and a Simone Rocha egg-shaped bag.

Bridal curator Sheila Adetiba of Unlike Bride caught on to the movement early, dedicating an entire website and Instagram page to the brides and brands going against the grain. “There has been a cultural shift toward embracing individuality in bridal attire,” she explains. “Brides are no longer bound by traditional norms and showcase their style through modern structural silhouettes, prints, colors, and cultural elements.”

To make things easier during your wedding-curation journey, I rounded up fashion-forward footwear, statement-making jewels, wedding bands that pack a punch, handbags that can be kept long after you say “I do,” and after-party dresses that are as chic as they are playful.

Wedding Bands

Brides-to-be now have more ring options that expand well beyond the classic diamond halo. Crooked, colorful stones, East-West designs, and layered rings with a single gleaming diamond are among some fashion-girl favorites.

Wedding After-party Dresses

Whether you call it the reception look, the send-off outfit, or an after-soirée dress, there are plenty of unique (yet still bridal-leaning) options on the market today. Vaquera’s taffeta baby-doll-style mini would look killer in a photo op, and 16Arlington’s adds sultry details to a darted bodice gown.

Wedding Shoes

Of course, the wedding gown gets all of the attention, but the right pair of bridal shoes is equally vital. You could add height with Gucci’s modern sky-high heels, or play into the ballerina trend with the Attico’s wrap-around flats.

Wedding Bags

Besides my fashion-inspired wedding dress, my wedding bag of choice was the most complimented and photographed of the evening. To narrow down a potential style for your wedding, look for something that fits the mood and overall theme of the day. For something more classic, look to Jonathan Simkhai. For those going full steam ahead into style, look at Mame Kurogouchi’s sculptural chain bag.

Wedding Earrings

Jewelry has always been one of the most personal parts of getting dressed. Whether you prefer statement earrings or understated essentials, bridal earrings are an important part of any wedding-day ensemble, especially when it comes to those close-up portrait shots.

Wedding Veils

There’s been a noticeable uptick in veils that push the envelope of what a veil can look like. Just think of Hailey Bieber’s personalized Off-White version or Chloe Sevigny’s gauzy veil. Rodarte’s offers a vintage-inspired tone, while Ofrenda Studio’s gives an English nod.