In the 2002 romcom My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Toula claims that the big, bubbly pastry makes her look like a” snow creature” is not the most obvious option for a bride to choose from for her wedding dress. Yet it was the one artistic style maker Sylvia Farago had on her summertime wedding in London. “ I wanted the whole day to be fun and entertaining, ” she says. Additionally, everyone enjoys a large pouffy dress. It’s a bit of a sight, so why not just go for it? ”
Weddings are swapping out serpentine slide clothes and figure-hugging dresses for supersized 1980s-style puff sleeves and tulle whorls, and this is just one of the growing trend. Brides are opting for girlier, more intimate styles that have a revolutionary appeal while also nodding to the service of the situation in line with the hyper-feminine aesthetic that has taken over fashion. “There’s absolutely been a move away from the little Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy-inspired bridal dresses towards bigger, massive shadows, ” says New York- based bridal artist. Five years ago, the majority of brides wanted something traditional. Now they want to enjoy themselves and letting their characters shine through. ”
“ I think the approach to marriage is far healthier and so everything otherwise is more relaxed, ” says make-up performer Celia Burton, who wore a non-traditional usb dress paired with heart-shaped-toe Alaïa sends for her civic service in 2022. “ I mean, it ’s your wedding day, so it ’s got to be fun. ”
Celia Burton
London-based make-up actor, wearing practice tulle Molly Goddard
When I tried on wedding dresses in the traditional boudoir settings, I realized what I wanted was something completely self-contained and did n’t have to wear Spanx with. That’s what Molly’s garments are to me. The overall design is very childlike and lively. It’s never particularly complicated as a dress – it does n’t had any zipper or buttons. It’s very large, so I wore a blue pass underneath – my husband’s a great Man City fan. A picture shows me singing on a microphone to one of my best friends while wearing this large dress without any shoes on. I look like a six-year-old in a dress from her dressing-up box. There was nothing oomph about any of it. It was just fun, innocent, and free.
Tanisha Pina
New York-based writer and special-projects consultant, wearing a custom tulle and ivory silk dress by WED Studio
I was aware that it would be difficult to locate a wedding dress that I could wear in a size 14 that I loved and could feel good in. Before I began the custom process, I had a pretty clear vision.
dress was inspired by my love of Victorian-era dresses, my mom’s very Catholic ’90s wedding dress and Vivienne Westwood’s 1993 Anglomania collection. For volume, we added a fully removable tulle-layered gathered skirt that I ended up taking off for the reception. I loved the volume, the textures, the slight silliness and the way the silhouette flattered the chest and waist, which were parts of my body I really wanted to accentuate. I experienced a sense of unity and beauty the entire day.
Sylvia Farago
London-based producer and founder of Farago Projects, wearing an upcycled 1990s silk dress at her wedding last year
The dress is from a lady in Boston who I found on Stillwhite, a second-hand website. My reference was My Big Fat Greek Wedding/Diana, Princess of Wales, because I think it ’s hilarious to wear a big, fat dress – that ’s the kind of wedding you’ll always remember. My friend tea-stained the dress so that the color would match the rest of the dress, so I added sleeves to make it a little more contemporary.
We also added more crinoline, and I got to embellish the crown and make it more extreme. In my normal day-to-day life I wear a lot of black and I’m quite unassuming. But since it is your special day, why not go all out and make it truly unforgettable?
Lily Standefer
Texas-born, Paris-based footwear-design consultant, wearing a custom silk-taffeta Glenn Martens dress
My close friend, a shoe designer, offered to design my wedding dress with his atelier at. The dress needed to be a bit kitsch but still be classic, and it needed some humor. I looked at Galliano and Dior’s 1920s designs, as well as the Carmela Sutera dress Carmela Seymour wore in the 1992 November Rain music video for Guns N’ Roses.
I married at Cibolo Creek Ranch in far west Texas in August, so I wanted to keep the airy look with the shortened front. I had a pillow-like bustle at the back. It was very Texan meets Marie Antoinette.
Melanie Xu
London-based artist, wearing a silk-taffeta dress by Molly Goddard
For me, it had to be a Molly dress. I’ve been a huge fan since seeing her first collection. I had a really lovely bridal appointment at the studio, and I cheekily inquired if it would be possible to remove a particular dress from the collection that had been on my mind for years. The atelier’s silk taffeta dress was recreated for our wedding in a special way. More practically, there was plenty of room for my baby bump and our reception dinner.
Ruby Redstone
New York-based fashion historian and writer, wearing a Cecilie Bahnsen matelassé floral dress
Before beginning my search, I had a rough idea of what I wanted and what I wanted. I wanted something short with big puff sleeves, a little vintage and a little Victorian. I thought would be perfect, so I went to Dover Street Market, tried on the dress in black and pre-ordered it in white. The volume and way she chooses to reveal skin are so much easier to control. As much as I love clothes, I’m not a very dressy person, so I loved that I did n’t feel stiff or princessy. I could dance all night without changing, just a little bit nicer than usual.
Shanna Tofegh Laustrup
Copenhagen-based project specialist for non-profit Novo Nordisk Foundation, wearing a silk-taffeta gown by Danielle Frankel
I had flown all over the world and tried 25 different dresses before returning to my original, dream dress, the Lennon by. Wearing a traditional white gown just seemed off for me because our wedding was held at our Danish country house, which is surrounded by wild reeds. Although I adore the dramatic shape and architectural silhouette, it still feels delicate and ethereal. It was also very light and comfortable to wear. A Jacquemus linen suit and matching shoes were on my husband’s feet.
Allyson Shiffman
Stockholm-based Vogue Scandinavia print editor, wearing custom Dilara Fındıkoğlu
Before I met my husband, I had a dream about wearing a custom gown. I had only three requests: corset, dramatic skirt, big slit. When Dilara came back with the first sketch, it was absolutely perfect. It is made of duchesse satin and has a lot of tulle to give it that fantastic shape, but the raw hem and black bows give it a punk vibe. In my daily life, I wear a lot of oversized and unorganized clothing. I felt very beautiful and powerful while still being very me when I wore something with such a strong, feminine silhouette.
Rachel Bakewell
London-based stylist, wearing a brocade and tulle dress by Simone Rocha
I knew I did n’t want a traditional dress, I wanted something that was a bit more of a statement. Growing up, I was always inspired by ballet; my mum worked in a ballet school as a teacher and headmistress, and there was something about the shape [of this Simone Rocha dress ] that felt quite ballerina-like. It was the first dress I tried on, and I sent my mother a picture of it, which read, “It’s the perfect dress for you. ” I got it straight away, which is so weird as a stylist. The pouffiness was nice because I do n’t feel like wearing tight clothing and never would wear a long, fitted dress. I wore a pearl headband, some pearl shoes from Jimmy Choo and some Sophie Bille Brahe earrings, so it was very pearly and romantic. And I wanted to feel a bit like a princess for the day because, being a stylist, it ’s never about me. I’m normally behind the scenes, so I felt really special.