We’re taking a trip down memory lane to 2020, where wedding gowns were a mix of bold and beautiful to simple and classic.
Monique Lhuillier gave us one of the dreamiest gowns we’ve ever seen, Reem Acra made us fall in love again with the big apple, and Berta was…well, Berta—in all her stunning form.
Need a reminder of the hottest styles of 2020? Check out some of our favorites below!
Shine Baby Shine
2020 was a year full of glitz and glam in the bridal world, and this first look from Inbal Dror’s Fall 2020 collection is a hot example.
The collection features sultry accents like sexy cutouts, plunging necklines and sheer overlays.
This long-sleeve silver gown has all three features, plus stunning all-over metallic beading. To complete the futuristic look, a dainty silver bow at the waist.
Another sparkly number is the A-line Brandy gown by Justin Alexander.
The gown, from the designer’s Spring/Summer collection, boasts a unique unlined bodice with beaded trim at the natural waist and along the plunging v-neck.
We love the sequin-glitter tulle skirt; it’s fit for a princess! To finish the look, a sensual low back and chapel-length train. This airy gown is a feminine pick for any season.
For a touch of drama, this haute couture gown from Pronovias. The Vicenta gown, along with the rest of the collection, was inspired by art director Hervé Morreau’s childhood in Nice.
The collection celebrates feminine forms and flattering them with couture fabrics, elaborate embroidery and modern details.
This mermaid gown features dreamy crepe fabric with a tattoo-like neckline in the front and back.
The bust and bodice are covered with white, budding roses and the cap sleeves match with the same floral accents.
For our final shine moment, style 9726 from Allure Bridals. The designer is known for dreamy, princess-like gowns and the Spring 2020 collection was no exception.
The ivory A-line gown boasts a nude top with stunning silver beading and sparkly crystals across the illusion bodice and long sleeves. Swarovski crystals line the open back all the way down to the train.
Modern touches like a sparkly belt and pockets make this gown a total winner.
Simple & Sultry
Another trend for 2020 was simple sheath or column gowns that had a slight sultry edge.
Alexandra Grecco’s Fall 2020 Moonstone collection was all about light and incandescence.
It was created with the modern bride in mind with shimmery textures, sleek silhouettes and contemporary cuts.
This chic one-shoulder gown, titled “Siren”, is made of soft silk crepe and boasts a billowy textured sleeve and high slit in the skirt.
We love how simple yet contemporary the gown looks and feels.
Designer Lela Rose was a big hit during the 2020 bridal fashion week.
The Spring collection had an array of different silhouettes and even featured a two-piece pant suit. Each design had clean, simple fabrics with hints of feminine details like 3D florals and lace.
The Maybury gown is one of our favorites from the collection. The dress is crafted with soft white crepe fabric and features corded Chantilly lace in the bodice and a stunning low back.
We love the detailed top paired with the sleek and flowy skirt.
You can’t go wrong with an Oscar de la Renta gown, and the Spring 2020 collection was bold and modern.
The gowns varied from romantic ball gowns to short skirts, including this fun and flirty dress above.
We love the artful draping all over the dress, but the wow factor lies in the sweeping fringe detail at the hip.
This dress is ready to dance the night away as a stunning reception dress.
This next gown is simply angelic, aptly named “Angeline”. The gown was part of Amsale’s Fall 2020 collection, which boasted clean and simple silhouettes in exquisite fabrics.
The designer wanted to evoke a sense of ease and understated luxury with each design.
This strapless fit-and-flare gown does that and more with a dramatic detachable chiffon-organza off-the-shoulder cape.
The hand-appliqued Lyon lace is a romantic addition.
The Traditional Ball Gown
Known for her feminine designs with a touch of edge, this Hayley Paige ball gown from the Fall 2020 collection is perfection.
We love how the traditional silhouette comes to life in a sophisticated way. The ivory Joan gown boasts a sparkly bodice full of pearls, crystals and alabaster beading.
The take-notice cascading tulle skirt with horsehair trim is our favorite part.
If you wanted a sexy-princess vibe, we fell for Allison Webb’s Spring 2020 collection.
The collection featured a variety of different silhouettes, fabrics and even a few colored gowns in blush and ivory/cashmere.
A standout for us was the Carina gown. The ivory sequined ball gown has a matching sheer v-neck and v-back for a touch of romance, along with detachable off-the-shoulder straps.
It’s a totally dreamy look for your wedding day.
Heading to the big apple, Reem Acra’s Fall 2020 collection titled “Love from New York” featured a plethora of gowns honoring NYC.
From design elements resembling the Chrysler building to fun and flirty accents a la Carrie Bradshaw, the collection had us falling in love in a New York minute.
The dreamy dress above, named Central Park, is a strapless ball gown featuring embroidered applique on the bodice and a draped, cascading tulle skirt. It’s show-stopping and feminine all in one.
Daring Details
Many gowns boasted daring details in 2020—bold patterns, dramatic necklines, low backs and high slits, some of which we’ve already seen above.
But a few designers took it a step further with super-unique features that you have to see for yourself.
First up, the ever-bold Vera Wang. For her Spring 2020 collection, oversized florals took center stage along with wispy tulle and soft pastels.
All of those elements were used to create the Larkspur gown: a soft white v-neck crepe gown with a hand-draped smoke skirt made of light ivory and nude tulle.
Dreamy additions include a mauve silk-faille rose and white silk organza punch flowers.
For her Fall 2020 collection, designer Ines Di Santo went with a fashion-forward approach that pleased both classic and modern brides alike.
Pops of color were a major play, as well as unique details like ruffles, beading and floral motifs.
The Tempest gown caught our eye—a sleeveless trumpet gown with a plunging neckline and high slit in the skirt.
The all-over beading and 3D flowers were feminine touches. Not shown: the open, square illusion back for a daring finish.
Maggie Sottero always creates romantic and ethereal designs, and her Spring 2020 collection showcased a variety of unique looks for the feminine bride.
We’re talking both black and white lace, sexy silhouettes and elegant embroidery, just to name a few.
The fit-and-flare gown above was just one of many stunning gowns from the collection.
The dress has a classic sweetheart neckline and tulle ankle-length skirt but a surprising twist are the black lace appliques with a leaf-and-flower motif.
A black feather capelet is a bold addition to this beautiful design.
New York-based designer Danielle Frankel went out of the box for her Fall 2020 bridal collection.
The designer said she was inspired by vintage elements this season like fishermen from the 1920s and antique lingerie.
She was also inspired by a family heirloom from the 1930s—a sterling silver belt gifted to her grandmother from Frankel’s great-great-grandfather.
One of our favorites from the collection is this asymmetrical hemline gown with a simple strapless bustier for the bodice.
The unique layering of the skirt is totally eye-catching.
Berta, Berta, Berta
Can you tell we love Berta? Since 2004, the bold designer has flaunted avant-garde designs that push beyond modern fashion.
For her Spring/Summer 2020 Milano collection, the Israeli designer crafted luxe figure-hugging silhouettes full of glitter accents and of course, a few signature sheer gowns like the style above.
This long-sleeve sheath gown boasts a super-sexy plunging neckline and matching v-back.
The gown has Art Deco flair with intricate all-over beading and carefully placed 3D florals. It’s a stunning wedding-day look.
This next style is definitely more modern princess.
The fit-and-flare gown features sensual off-the-shoulder straps and Berta’s signature illusion corset bodice.
The dress is adorned with delicate flowers from the sweetheart neckline down to the sweeping train.
Jumping to the Fall 2020 Napoli collection, the designer continued the sexy silhouettes, plunging v-necklines and v-backs and lots of embellishments.
We really loved this fit-and-flare gown—it provided a slightly more modest option for brides that love Berta as much as we do.
The long-sleeve dress features stunning all-over lace embroidery with a boat/bateau neckline and natural waist.
A deep, bare v-back paired with a royal train gives a sexy-romantic vibe.
Ruffles
Another unique trend we saw in 2020 were gowns that featured a lot of layers and ruffles.
Take this show-stopping gown from Viktor & Rolf’s Mariage collection.
The Spring/Summer collection combined masculine and feminine elements for a curation of dramatic ball gowns, sculptural columns and flirty minis.
The ethereal gown above boasts a sheer ruffle neckline and a crystal-beaded bodice.
The billowy ruffled tulle skirt is the scene-stealer and we’re totally into it.
If we could pick one memorable gown from all of 2020, it’s the Secret Garden gown from Monique Lhuillier.
The designer is known for crafting beautiful colored gowns, but this blush ball gown takes the cake.
Romantic, ethereal and breathtaking are just a few words to describe this amazing wedding dress.
There are so many elements to love: the silk organza fabric, the off-the-shoulder straps, and the dreamy cathedral train are just to die for.
Ruffles also made an appearance in Marchesa’s Spring 2020 collection.
The collection was inspired by the poem Pathways by Rainer Maria Rilke and features pearl and floral motifs including delicate petals and 3D flowers.
The Athena gown caught our eye with the off-the-shoulder straps and large ruffled sleeves.
Intricate embroidery cascades down the gown from the bodice to the relaxed mermaid-esque skirt.
Boho Brides Rejoice
Bohemian bridal designers also had a hot moment in 2020—a theme that continues to flood our Instagram feed.
Designer Rue De Seine came out with a fun collection titled Golden Rhapsody, inspired by the rising sun and a kaleidoscope of hues.
Textures, patterns and removables sleeves are heavily featured in this collection, including the stunning Bishop gown.
The gown combines clean lines with modern boho ease through a high halter neck and elegant open back.
The all-over embroidery, made of raised geometric cotton and rayon, consumes the gown to create a flattering silhouette.
For a more classic wedding-day look, this feminine A-line gown from Lillian West’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection is truly romantic.
Leading with a sweetheart neckline, this soft, blush and nude-toned gown is adorned with 3D flower petals from the strapless bodice down to the chapel train.
We love how the lightweight lace and organza fabric allows the bride to glide and twirl easily while creating an ethereal silhouette.
Another boho wedding-day look, this time from designer Willowby. From the Fall 2020 Lovestruck collection, the Sierra gown is perfect for your beach nuptials.
The strapless neckline features a fitted bodice with detachable armbands for a versatile ceremony-to-reception option. The fit-and-flare skirt gives a gentle mermaid vibe and the eye-catching all-over pattern is totally unique.
Bonus: this gown is curve friendly and available in plus size.
