- 2021 was one of the most exciting years to date for bridal fashion.
- Some brides got married in statement ball gowns, while others chose chic minidresses.
- Brides took risks with their looks, wearing sheer gowns, dresses with slits, and even black gowns.
Some brides wowed in traditional ball gowns.
Alain Martinez Studio photographed a bride wearing a strapless Enaura ball gown.
Beading made the dress' full skirt stand out even more.
Others embraced more modern looks for their wedding days.
A corset bodice and nude fabric gave this bride's A-line gown a modern edge, while floral detailing softened it.
Peyton Byford photographed the bride.
Backless gowns were popular in 2021.
Hannah Costello photographed a bride who wore a sophisticated Vivienne Westwood gown on her wedding day.
The dress had an asymmetrical neckline, slip style bodice, and a low back. Sheer gloves completed the gown.
Many brides made a statement with sheer fabric.
The corset bodice of Jenna Kaufman's Galia Lahav gown was covered in flowers. The tulle skirt had a dramatic thigh-high slit.
Bows & Lavender photographed the bride.
Lace was a go-to for a lot of 2021 brides.
This bride's long-sleeve gown stood out in Vows and Peaks Photography's picture.
The gown's bodice was entirely covered in floral lace, and it flowed onto the sheer skirt and sleeves. A low neckline and a cinched waist gave the ethereal dress some shape.
The brides' gowns often tied their whole look together.
Suffuse designed this bride's gold wedding ensemble, which was photographed by Hana Alsoudi Photography.
The gold gown was covered in intricate beading from head to toe, transforming the simple A-line shape into a canvas for a masterpiece. A coordinating veil completed the ensemble.
Textured fabric made other gowns stand out.
Photographed by IVASH Photography, feathers made this custom Ese Azenabor gown one of a kind.
The off-the-shoulder bodice was made up of crystal embellishments, while layers of feathered fabric made up the eye-catching, dropped-waist skirt.
2021 brides weren't afraid to have fun with accessories, like capes.
The wedding dress in Stanlo Photography's photo is stunning on its own, with its bodice cutout, off-the-shoulder sleeves, and long train.
But the gown from Alessa's Bridal looks even more stunning with a bridal cape worn over it. The accessory replaces the veil, giving the bride a timeless look.
Other brides had fun with florals on their wedding days.
The tiered skirt and long sleeves of this bride's Monique Lhuillier gown are beautiful, but the colorful fabric makes it truly stand out.
The dress itself is pale pink, and it's embroidered with small flowers. The floral look fits perfectly with the outdoor scenery in which the bride and groom pose for Melissa Ferrara of Iron + Honey Photography.
Some brides didn't wear dresses at all, wowing in pant looks.
Brittany Glover wore a Leanne Marshall top and complementary Claire La Faye pants on her wedding day, as photographed by Ellie McKinney.
The sheer top was covered in lace, giving it a distinctly bridal look.
Classic fabrics like tulle got a refresh in 2021.
It's common for brides to wear skirts made of tulle, but this David's Bridal dress, photographed by Lynn Dunston, took a modern approach to the classic fabric.
The base of the long-sleeve dress was made of sheer fabric covered in delicate lace, with an additional tulle skirt wrapping around the back and sides of the gown. It gave the bride the look of a dramatic train and allowed her to show off her legs.
Modern elements, including feathers, made wedding dresses stand out in 2021 too.
Photographed by Love Is Rad, this bride embraced texture when she chose her Demetrios gown.
The entire dress is covered in floral applique, from the spaghetti straps to the ball-gown skirt. A feathered trim ties the whole gown together.
Brides customized their looks to make them perfect for their wedding days.
Chelsie Hill's custom Galia Lahav dress had a removable skirt, which allowed her to wear it when she was sitting in a wheelchair and standing.
Asha Bailey photographed Hill's wedding.
Some of the best bridal looks for 2021 had a simple elegance.
Kristen Marie Parker photographed a bride who wore a Les Rêveries gown on her wedding day.
The silky gown had a halter neckline and had a relaxed fit that showed off the bride's baby bump.
Daring cutouts and embellishments took some gowns to the next level.
Photographed by Alfred Anderson, this bride wore a Phylicia Ellis gown that combined glamour and classic elegance.
The form-fitting bodice had crystal embellishments and sheer paneling. The skirt was made of simple, white fabric, but a thigh-high slit gave it a sexy edge.
2021 brides weren't afraid to take risks with totally see-through wedding dresses.
Audie J Photography captured a bride who wore a custom D Haleter wedding dress that was almost entirely sheer.
The mermaid-style dress was embroidered with sparkling embellishments that looked like vines, giving the bride an almost otherworldly look.
Other brides literally sparkled on their wedding days.
This bride's Chosen dress was completely covered in gold sparkles. The sheer over-skirt that formed the train also sparkled, giving the minidress a bridal feel.
Daniel Milligan Photography took photos of the bride.
The boldest brides leaned into nontraditional colors.
Kia Watson wore a black dress designed by Maggie Sottero on her wedding day, as Margan Photography's pictures show.
The sheer bodice was embroidered with black lace, while the full skirt was covered in a layer of transparent black fabric. The shape and fabric made the dress look bridal despite the unexpected color.
Simple silhouettes stood out thanks to dynamic fabrics.
Fotomagoria photographed this bride, who stunned in a strapless Oscar de la Renta dress that had a full skirt.
The dress consisted of leafy, three-dimensional applique, which elevated the shape of the gown.
Some brides had fun with short dresses.
Halle Morgan photographed a bride wearing an Odylyne The Ceremony dress to her wedding.
The minidress had spaghetti straps and a ruffled hem, while the top was covered in a sheer overlay that created puffy sleeves and a high neckline. A long veil completed the glamorous look.
Others mixed pantsuits with traditional accessories.
Rather than wearing a gown, this bride slipped into a white Karen Willis Holmes bridal suit on her wedding day.
As Zoe Morley Photography's picture shows, the double-breasted jacket was paired with wide-legged trousers, and the bride completed her wedding look with a floor-length veil.
Dramatic trains were definitely in style in 2021.
Image Haus photographed a bride who sparkled in a George Elsissa wedding gown.
The off-the-shoulder gown was covered in delicate sparkles that sat atop see-through fabric, with the neckline dipping low. The keyhole back was an illusion, with buttons flowing down the back before the dress gave way to a long train that had scalloped edges.
Corset bodices were also popular.
Inbal Dror designed this stunning, strapless gown.
The taupe dress had an exposed corset bodice that was accented by cream, three-dimensional flowers and ruffles around the waist. A tulle skirt gave the dress a romantic look, as The Shepards' photos show.
Brides modernized strapless gowns in 2021.
A cape is the finishing touch on this bride's wedding look, but her Reem Acra Wedding gown is stunning with or without it.
The strapless dress has a delicate tulle skirt, and intricate beading on the form-fitting bodice takes it to the next level.
Natalie Watson Photography & Company photographed the bride.
Many brides embraced layered gowns too.
Tulle was the theme of this bride's dress, which Perry Vaile documented.
Not only did the dress have a layered tulle skirt, but the sleeves were also made up of voluminous tulle, offsetting the sheer, floral bodice that had a plunging neckline.
For some gowns, the little details took dresses from good to great.
Will Reid photographed Nitsan Raiter, who opted for a form-fitting Galia Lahav gown on her wedding day.
The dress was completely covered in floral lace, with lace also creating the off-the-shoulder sleeves. A long train and a cutout on the neckline made the dress even more beautiful.
Sheer panels gave classic gowns a sexy edge.
This unique Katherine Tash gown had a straight, off-the-shoulder neckline and a full skirt that coordinated with the fabric.
But the two pieces of the dress were interrupted by an exposed corset made up of panels of sheer fabric, which gave the dress a modern look. A layered train and the bride's pink shoes made for the finishing touches.
Tailor James Photography captured the event.
Splashes of color brought an element of fun to many wedding gowns.
Steve Steinhardt photographed this floral-focused bride, who chose a Monique Lhullier dress for her wedding.
The off-the-shoulder dress was pale pink, had a full skirt, and was embellished with hot-pink floral appliques. The coordinating veil featured the same floral additions, creating a cohesive look.
No matter the style, it was the brides who wore the dresses that really made them beautiful.
This bride's Daci Gown dress had a little bit of everything, as Tessa Tadlock's pictures show.
From the sweetheart neckline that flowed into a sheer, corset bodice, to the layered skirt, to the delicate lace covering the bodice and sleeves, the gown had a distinctly romantic feel.
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