These Are the Must-Have Bridal Trends of Spring 2020

For Spring 2020, the cool-kid decade responsible for boho, flower crowns, jumpsuits, and disco is back, baby. Saturday Night Fever vibes were played out by Naeem Khan's homage to the late American designer, Halston, with whom he spent years working with. Khan interpreted the label's signature necklines and silhouettes in various ways—from slinky sheaths to disco-worthy jumpsuits. Viktor & Rolf added to the mix with a blouson one-piece that somehow made parachute pants look sexy.

The decade's favorite finish, fringe, is no longer reserved for the boho bride. Used to funk up a little mini, it's a fashion- forward use of an accent that was once thought to be best left at Woodstock.

Clockwise from left: Oscar de la Renta, Viktor & Rolf, Galvan, and Naeem Khan Spring 2020 Bridal

Sheer tulle in the form of a cape, rather than a veil, is the cool bride's way to greet her groom down the aisle. This traditional layering piece can be worn in a multitude of ways, but we're loving it attached to the watteau and the wrists of a jumpsuit, a la Carolina Herrera's latest lace version.

Mock-necked capes adorned with lace were all over the new collections, especially those that added a subtle layer for more coverage, and made for a striking silhouette that emphasized the gown underneath. Opt for this look if you have a flair for the dramatic, but are looking to highlight the enviable figure you've been hard at work on ever since you got engaged.

Clockwise from left: Carolina Herrera, Anne Barge, Marchesa, and Monique Lhuillier Spring 2020 Bridal

Blush wedding dresses have become a mainstay since they were first introduced by Vera Wang years ago, and ever since, champagne, soft blue, lilac, and hints of black (also started by Wang) have all made their appearance. Now, it's pistachio's time to take a walk down the aisle, with options in more than one shade of green on offer for Spring 2020 brides-to-be.

This shade was shown in droves during the Haute Couture collections in January, most notably by Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino and Elie Saab. Bridal designers echoed the call, with Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier leading the charge. Wang showcased a range of soft colors this season, highlighting a soft green amongst her other macaron shades of pink, purple, nude, and soft grey. Monique Lhuillier highlighted this enviable shade not once, but twice—both in an all-over printed gown and in an embellishment on a high-low tulle look, shown here.

Clockwise from left: Vera Wang Bride Spring 2020, Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2019, Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring 2019, Monique Lhuillier Spring 2020 Bridal

From fully-feathered ballgowns to chic little minis, luxurious yet lightweight feathers add a glamorous and feminine touch to any look for the ceremony, rehearsal dinner, or after-party. How they're employed makes the difference in what type of bride they suit, be it as a dainty trim, glamorous shoulder shrug, or a full head-to-toe look. Some of our favorite designers found new ways to bring these flirty embellishments to the aisle, like Oscar de la Renta, who presented a frothy cocktail one-shouldered dress made entirely of ostrich plumes.

Clockwise from left: Naeem Khan, Mira Zwillinger, Zuhair Murad, and Oscar de la Renta Spring 2020 Bridal

An alternative (yet classic) neckline to the staple strapless, V-neck, one-shoulder, and off-shoulder options out there, halter necklines made more appearances this season than they have in the past. We blame the Duchess of Sussex's reception dress for this trend, along with its ability to show off toned arms and enviable backs. Wear this neckline to suit any style—options abound in fashion-forward, minimal, traditional, and bohemian versions.

Clockwise from left: Costarellos, Galvan, Amsale, and Danielle Frankel Spring 2020 Bridal

A departure from the more widely used Chantilly or Guipure laces, sweet and feminine Swiss dots were shown prominently for Spring 2020, while heftier corded and Alençon laces took a backseat. Inherently boho in feel, this fabrication can go in a few different directions, depending on how it's used and styled. When paired with an almost liquid silk-satin skirt, the look harkens to Katherine Hepburn's effortlessly chic style; when done in tiers and paired with stately mantilla veil, the look is bold and glam. Pleated tiers of point d'esprit are charming and femme, and lace appliqués layered on top of it call to this material's boho roots. The dot motif of this dainty fabric goes mod quickly too, so best to edge it up with a bold lip.

Clockwise from left: Carolina Herrera, Zuhair Murad, Temperley, and Costarellos Spring 2020 Bridal

Volume gets a bad rap when it comes in forms outside of full skirts, often associated with adding heft that can render silhouettes, sleeves, and details quote-unquote "unflattering." This season, designers debunked that myth, proving once and for all that size matters, and big (sometimes) is better. From Vera Wang's ornate floral accents to Danielle Frankel's artfully pleated off-shoulder sleeves that seemed to defy gravity, everything puffed, blouson, and ball-skirted is worth a try. Expert tip: don't assume that when it comes to these fresh riffs on volume, biggest is always best. This trend requires restraint and an eye for walking the fine line between tastefully avant-garde and comically over-the-top.

Clockwise from left: Vera Wang Bride, Viktor & Rolf, Danielle Frankel, and Marchesa Spring 2020 Bridal

This cut came on the scene a few seasons ago via Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, when the designer sent his women down the runway decked in high-low tulle confections with seemingly endless trains. Now a tentpole silhouette in bridal, this season was all about the high-low hem's versatility: Structured, simple, relaxed, traditional, and frothy versions of these skirts all made appearances in the Spring 2020 collections.

Whether you find yourself drawn to the architectural nature of this style or the ballet-inspired versions, remember one thing: This silhouette only works for brides willing to wear a jaw-dropping shoe to style it with.

Clockwise from left: Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier, Danielle Frankel, and Carolina Herrera Spring 2020 Bridal

Suiting has become no stranger to the bridal world, but now these sleek, handsome, and borrowed-from-the-boys options are so ubiquitous in weddings that they've taken on innovative approaches. Sheer capes, sleeveless jackets, and even jackets that double as mini dresses for a rehearsal-dinner-turns-after-party ensemble are all on offer, and each is more chic than the next. Rehearsal dinners are the time to dress for the fashion-forward side of your bridal personality, while after-parties are all about feeling sexy. A perfectly-tailored suit should have you feeling all those things—so much so that the most daring of brides should opt for one for the ceremony, perhaps paired with a veil.

Clockwise from left: Danielle Frankel, Suzanne Neville, Cushnie, and Lela Rose Spring 2020 Bridal

Lace for weddings is far from groundbreaking, but this season bridal's most popular fabric has a second-skin twist. What we're dubbing "tattoo lace," i.e. appliqués on illusion tulle that appear to be artfully embroidered on to the body, appeared across the Spring 2020 collections, on both traditional and sexy silhouettes. From modest renditions to thoughtfully-placed lace on completely sheer gowns, this trend is a riff on tradition that feels aisle-appropriate—and almost edgy.

Clockwise from left: Carolina Herrera, Dana Harel, Zuhair Murad, and Anne Barge Spring 2020 Bridal