The Spring/Summer 2023 bridal gown lineup is looking as beautiful as ever, with April’s New York Luxury Bridal Fashion Week marking the beginning of a new chapter in the wedding industry. For the first time since 2019, the Wedding Style team had the opportunity to travel to NYC and enjoy Bridal Fashion Week in person, visiting with designers and even catching a live runway show. Some designers didn’t attend in person, but still debuted their new collections by unveiling videos and imagery that were nothing less than awe-inspiring. This season, we’re seeing the return of timeless favorites like lace, tulle, and floral decals; but the top wedding dresses of 2023 are also incorporating modern silhouettes, exquisite draping, and couture details geared towards a discerning and fashion-forward bride. Here’s some of our designer favorites for Spring/Summer 2023.
Ethereal accents are featured on several gowns in the Spring 2023 collection by Zuhair Murad Mariage. Different styles feature a varying range of embellishment, but it’s the pleating and luxe gathering of fabric that make these bridal ballgowns stand out. Similarly, The Atelier showcases a great amount of intricacy in their SS 2023 lineup, but with lace rather than rhinestones and crystals. The collection, aptly called “Shakespeare in Love” strikes a beautiful blend of romance and drama with full ballgown silhouettes and daring peek-a-boo mesh.
Just like the Spring season itself, Elie Saab has chosen to embrace the natural beauty of flowers and foliage for his latest crop of wedding dresses. Voluminous capes pair playfully with shorter lengths for a fantastic second wedding dress look; and lavish layers of tulle add that classic sense of fairytale romance that so many brides love.
Of course, no NY Bridal Fashion Week would be complete without the expertly crafted bridal gowns ofInes Di Santo. Her use of delicate floral appliques, paired with gorgeous corsetry and sumptuous silhouettes, is perfect for any spring or summer bride.
Floral decals get a different interpretation with the Spring 2023 collection by Galia Lahav, which takes a more contemporary approach to the princess-like aesthetic. Daring cutouts, lace-up closures, and peek-a-boo panels reframe traditional floral bridal gowns from “fairytale” to “sultry.”
In that same spirit, Vera Wang designs are among the top wedding dresses of 2023, as she has created her gowns specifically to be modern, fashion-centric, and size-inclusive. Vera Wang wedding gowns are deceptively simple, with unembellished fabrics and a minimalist, stark white color palette; but the designer’s use of volume, layering, and playing with one feature at a time – an interesting neckline for one gown, a dramatic off-shoulder cut for another – results in a collection of head-turners.
As the epitome of modern romance and refinement, the 2023 Finesse collection by Neta Dover is a continuation of the brand’s signature aesthetic. NICOLLE is a strapless bridal ballgown with a skirt that mimics the texture and beauty of an entire flower field. NASYA is a sleek and sexy dress that relies less on embellishment and more on cut (including a gorgeous leg slit) for that “WOW” factor. And we adore the collared NEEL wedding dress, with its demure silhouette and transparent lace detailing.
Naeem Khan’s Spring 2023 was a pleasure to witness, as the models made their way down the catwalk in crowns of baby’s breath. There’s an abundance of texture and volume in the LISSE ballgown; effortless elegance and style in the strapless GRANADA column gown; and the strapless VIENNA ballgown makes for the perfect bridal moment with its ribbon embroidery.
The top wedding dresses of 2023 celebrate the Spring/Summer season, and the latest collection of Anne Barge is no exception. “I envisioned a bride in one of these lush topiary gardens, beneath a trellis of roses, looking breathtaking,” says Shawne Jacobs, Creative Director of Anne Barge. “I thought of floral appliques, flowing trains, bare shoulders, and pops of soft color. I wanted to capture the essence of natural beauty.”
Sareh Nouri found inspiration in her southern brides this season, naming her new 2023 collection, “Southern Charm.” It’s almost impossible to choose a favorite from Sareh’s incredible bridal ballgowns, but the GRAYSON dress is a definite standout. Available in frost blue and ivory, the gown features a pleated draped tulle straight edge neckline, tiered pleated ballgown skirt, and a tiered pleated capelet.
When Reem Acra was designing her latest collection, “Love From Above,” her focus was creating gowns that meld drama and elegance together – all, while being available for brides to shop in retail stores. “I really wanted to cater to all my brides’ needs,” she says. “What you see today, you can try today.” With lace cape overlays, and detachable trains and sleeves, the new Reem Acra lineup is as versatile as it is effortlessly stylish.
Gowns by Arava Polak are undoubtedly among the top wedding dresses of 2023, as they’re the perfect portrait of Old-World Romance, redefined for a modern bride. The gauzy layers, puffed sleeves, off-shoulder cuts, and silky fabrics are simply dreamy.
The SS 2023 “Wonders” collection by Mira Zwillinger is not only an ethereal work of art – it’s also inspired by a deeper message. This season, the designer explored the importance of “staying united amidst a newfound disconnect,” and how relationships are necessary for inspiration, harmony, and balance. Lihi Hod took a relatively cerebral approach as well to their “Mystic Flower” 2023 collection. Inspired by the beauty of nature, these beautifully crafted wedding dresses are intended to be a reminder of perpetual hope for a renewed, better future.
Honor NYC strikes an idyllic balance of playful sophistication this season with sleeved wedding gowns and high collars. For brides who prefer their necklines to take the plunge, we love a deep-V wedding dress by Dana Harel; and Costarellos always succeeds in designing timeless bridal gowns that could be passed down as family heirlooms for generations to come.
There’s never a doubt that an incredible amount of love and thought goes into the bridal collections by Francesca Miranda. Her Spring 2023 wedding gowns are dedicated to the confidant bride who isn’t afraid to stand out on her wedding day. With stunning, barely-there details, we can see these dresses being worn by brides worldwide, whether they’re walking down the aisle of a sandy Caribbean resort or saying “I do” in Cartagena. This season's wedding gowns by Liz Martinez would be equally fitting for an international affair, as there's a definite global appeal to the designer's use of sensual cuts, flowing skirts, and stunning corset craftsmanship.
Monique Lhuillier’s latest wedding dresses were practically made for a royal bride. We’re particularly in love with her bridal two-piece suit, which would be fitting for any bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or post-reception getaway in a vintage car. And her high-neck lace bridal ballgown is an absolute stunner that would look right at home with a wedding at Blenheim Palace.
For the Boho Chic bride, the top wedding dresses of 2023 will come from Inbar Freiman, with crochet-like textures and the most charming vintage aesthetic. Finally, for the ultimate “New York Bride” moment, it doesn’t get any better than an Amsale showstopper. This one-shoulder masterpiece and train is absolutely exquisite.
