Marie Claire UK Marie Claire UK
  • Fashion Fashion
      • Fashion
        • View all Fashion
        • Fashion Trends
        • Shopping
        • Watches and Jewellery
        • Fashion News
  • Beauty Beauty
      • Beauty
        • View all Beauty
        • Fragrance
        • Hair
        • Make Up
        • Skincare
        • Nails
        • Marie Claire Beauty Awards
  • Health Health
      • Health
        • View all Health
        • Fitness
        • Nutrition
        • Female Health
        • Wellbeing
  • Life Life
      • Life
        • View all Life
        • Opinions
        • Travel
        • Sustainability
        • Weddings
        • Money & Work
        • Competitions
  • Culture Culture
      • Culture
        • View all Culture
        • TV and Film
        • Celebrity News
        • Books
        • Royal News
  • Vouchers Vouchers
      • Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Mint Velvet
        • Karen Millen
        • H&M
        • nobody's child
        • ASOS
        • ARKET
        • MANGO
      • Designer Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Reiss
        • THE OUTNET
        • SSENSE
        • Mytheresa
        • Liberty London
        • Selfridges
        • Farfetch
      • Accessories
        • View all Vouchers
        • AllSaints
        • Aspinal of London
        • Charles & Keith
        • River Island
        • FitFlop
        • Kate Spade
        • Vagabond
      • Jewellery
        • View all Vouchers
        • Pandora
        • Abbott Lyon
        • Goldsmiths
        • Beaverbrooks
        • Astrid & Miyu
        • Swarovski
        • Angara Jewellery
      • Beauty
        • View all Vouchers
        • Sephora
        • Cult Beauty
        • Space NK
        • Dyson
        • Clarins
        • Look Fantastic
        • Clinique
      • Activewear
        • View all Vouchers
        • Lululemon
        • Gymshark
        • Sweaty Betty
        • Nike
        • adidas
        • New Balance
        • Helly Hansen
  • NEWSLETTER Signup to our newsletter
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Women in Sport 2026
    • Marie Claire Masters
    • Spring Summer 2026
    • Nail Trends 2026
    • Best Investment Bags
    • Best Perfumes
    • Digital Issues
    • Women Who Win
    1. Fashion
    2. Fashion Trends

    3 wedding dress trends we're set to see in 2023, according to an expert

    Some of these might surprise you.

    Zoe Anastasiou's avatar
    By Zoe Anastasiou
    Published 5 January 2023 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    2023 wedding dress trends
    (Image credit: Courtesy of Phillipa Lepley)
    Jump to category:
    • 1. Colourful Dresses
    • 2. A return to the classics
    • 3. The rise of personalisation
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Whether you're a traditional bride or your aesthetic veers more towards alternative bridal dresses, there is no denying that choosing a wedding dress is an incredibly big decision. After all, your wedding day is a moment that you will look back on for the rest of your life, so ensuring you have a gown you love is paramount. 

    With planning for 2023 and 2024 weddings well underway, we turned to expert Phillipa Lepley, to understand exactly what kinds of dresses are expected to gain prominence this season. Lepley is a London-based bridal couturier with thirty years of experience in the industry, so there is no doubt she knows exactly what she's talking about. 

    From the rise of colourful dresses to the resurgence of classic silhouettes, keep scrolling for Lepley's insights on the 3 wedding dress trends we can expect to see this season. 

    1. Colourful Dresses

    According to Lepley, "We are seeing a shift in more brides opting for colourful dresses." Though, this doesn't necessarily mean we're about to see bright, saturated shades walking down the aisle. Lepley clarifies, that we're seeing brides opt for "soft elegant shades of pink and coloured floral embroidery in soft tulle overlays." It's all about a subtle use of colour. 

    Pale pink bridal dress

    (Image credit: Courtesty of Phillipa Lepley)

    2. A return to the classics

    It seems this year, brides will make a case for the traditional. "There will be a return to a more classic look," Lepley explains. Think full skirts, cathedral-length veils, clean satin dresses and full lace. 

    You may like
    • @oksanarim1 wears white dress, big sunglasses Not All White Dresses Are Equal—These New Silhouettes, Fabrics and Styles Are the Ultimate in Elegance
    • AW26 denim trends listing Autumn's Denim Trends Are Already Surfacing—Here Are the Cuts, Colours and Details to Know Now
    • Spring/Summer 2026 Fine Jewellery Trends Fine Jewellery Has Entered a New Era—These 6 Spring/Summer 2026 Trends are Leading the Shift

    In addition to this, Lepley predicts that brides will be drawn towards looks that have the ability to be modified. "There will also be more top layers and removal sleeves," she said. These items can be added or taken off after the ceremony to create an entirely new look.

    Bridal trends

    (Image credit: Courtesy of Phillipa Lepley)

    3. The rise of personalisation

    "Personalised elements are becoming increasingly popular," Lepley says. From monogrammed initials to hidden sewn in dates, and even paw prints. "People are wanting to tell their story through their dress!" 

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Lepley explains that she's also seeing more brides opts for multiple dresses, further enhancing the personalised element of their day.  

    A post shared by Phillipa Lepley (@phillipalepley)

    A photo posted by on

    Explore More
    Weddings
    Zoe Anastasiou
    Zoe Anastasiou
    Social Links Navigation
    Fashion Editor

    Zoe Anastasiou is a Fashion Editor with over eight years of experience working across digital publications in New York, London and Australia. She has contributed to publications including Harper’s BAZAAR and ELLE Australia, and was the Fashion and Social Media Editor at Who What Wear UK before joining Marie Claire. 

    Read more
    @oksanarim1 wears white dress, big sunglasses
    Fashion Not All White Dresses Are Equal—These New Silhouettes, Fabrics and Styles Are the Ultimate in Elegance
    AW26 denim trends listing
    Fashion Autumn's Denim Trends Are Already Surfacing—Here Are the Cuts, Colours and Details to Know Now
     
     
    Spring/Summer 2026 Fine Jewellery Trends
    Watches and Jewellery Fine Jewellery Has Entered a New Era—These 6 Spring/Summer 2026 Trends are Leading the Shift
    Dua Lipa attends the wedding Of Simon Porte Jacquemus And Marco Maestri
    Relationships Did Dua Lipa Use Astrology to Plan Her Wedding? Here's Why the Internet Thinks So
     
     
    Latest in Fashion Trends
    Open Bag Trend: ChanelFall Winter 2026, Ready to Wear
    Fashion Trends I'm Baffled by the "Open Bag" Trend, But It Perfectly Captures the World the Ultra-Rich Live In
    @alexisforeman wears tunic trouser trend
    Fashion Trends The Best-Dressed Women Are Swapping Jeans and a Nice Top for This Low-Key, Throw-On Alternative
     
     
    @polliani wearing a pop of red
    Fashion Trends From Gwyneth Paltrow to London Fashion Insiders, the "Pop of Red" Colour Trend Is Coming Back Again for Summer
    black flip flops
    Fashion Trends This Spring, Black Flip-Flops Are the Simple Way to Look Cool and in the Know
     
     
    Latest in Features
    Sensoria Dolomites
    Travel Part Ski Resort, Part Sanctuary, Sensoria Dolomites is Capturing the Wellness Zeitgeist
    Marie Claire UK Skin Awards Judges 2026
    Skincare Marie Claire UK Skin Awards 2026: Meet the Visionary Judges Defining the Best in Skincare
     
     
    Cara My Life in London
    Fashion Cara Delevingne on Designing Her First Collection for Topshop and London's Best-Kept Secrets
    Parched earth, a woman drinking water and London’s skyline illustrate drought and growing concerns around AI water use.
    Life I Investigated the Hidden Cost of AI. One Data Centre Can Use as Much Water as 10,000 People
     
     
    logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Site Archive
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Terms and conditions
    • Advertise with us
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • About us
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.