Modern Wedding Dresses for the Fashion-forward Bride

DressesTips and Trends | April 26, 2025
Collage of brides in modern wedding dresses

A wedding day is a timeless and beautiful thing… It’s a moment to honor the love, traditions, and family that came before us, but also the excitement of the future to come. What style could you wear to capture so much beauty and possibility? If you have a bold, edgy, and high-fashion aesthetic, this is the perfect opportunity to curate a thoroughly modern wedding look — something that showcases your personal style, makes a gorgeous statement, and stands apart from the trends. If this speaks to your vision, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve curated chic and modern wedding dresses from our most covetable collections… Keep scrolling to find yours!

Why Shop Modern Wedding Dresses?

PC: Love Story Films

When shopping for a dream wedding dress, some brides want something that feels fresh and modern — rather than sticking to traditional styles. You might opt for fashion-forward designs, unique fabrics, and modern silhouettes that flatter your body and highlight your personal style. These types of modern wedding dresses can be timeless yet trendy, combining elegance with a little edge. If your big day is the perfect opportunity to make a statement, you’ll certainly want to choose a dress that truly reflects who you are and how you want to feel walking down the aisle!

We have modern wedding dresses at a range of price points from our latest collections, but if modern wedding dresses sound like just the thing you need when walking down the aisle, be sure to view our Sottero and Midgley label, which includes our most couture styles. Not sure if you’re a Midgley bride? Here’s a little insight:

  • The Sottero and Midgley bride is a glamorous it-girl with a natural taste for high fashion, looking for the ultimate one-of-a-kind statement gown that will rise to meet her fearless essence.
  • The Midgley Bride doesn’t follow trends, she sets them. She is the moment, and she’s ready to turn heads and drop jaws. Midgley brides look for elevated styles that create a luxe red carpet feel with dramatic details and opulent fabrics. They want to incorporate cutting-edge fashion into their wedding day for an impact as unforgettable as they are.
  • The refined luxury of the Sottero and Midgley collections presents the illusion of unattainability, but we can’t bear to deny it-girls of all budgets their right to shine. (Nor can we deny the world the chance to witness your fashion-forward bridal look!) So, in the name of all things glamor and fashion, Sottero and Midgley introduces affordable couture. (Did we mention we also have one-of-a-kind customizations to ensure the style is as unique as the bride who wears it? Explore tons of personalizations and accessory options with your Authorized Boutique!)

PC: Rachel Jean Photo

Modern Construction

With features like figure-flattering corsets, exposed boning, and inner shapewear that creates ultra-structured styles, these gowns are perfect for the modern bride…

  • Zayn by Sottero and Midgley combines classic drama with modern embellishments, featuring a corset-inspired bodice, lush floral skirt, and unique accessory options. These 3-D motifs are so enchanting IRL… they dance and shimmer like butterflies on your one-of-a-kind silhouette.
    • To personalize, add the off-the-shoulder wrap with matching lace motifs, sold separately.
    • Also available with off-the-shoulder cap-sleeves, sold separately. 
    • Option to order with a fully lined bodice.
  • Kailani by Rebecca Ingram combines vintage-inspired glamor with modern minimalism… Think Grecian goddess meets fabulous red-carpet couture. This gorgeous silhouette looks incredible in photos, from the figure-enhancing construction to the sleek and luminous draping. What more could you need for a standout bridal look?
    • To personalize, add the off-the-shoulder long sleeves for demure drama, sold separately.
    • Also available with a lined bodice and no slit in the skirt. 
  • Gabrielle by Maggie Sottero is another Grecian-inspired statement gown with a unique bodice treatment. Exposed boning adds a sexy and unexpected flourish to the illusion, while artful draping adds visual interest to the neckline, back, and skirt. This gown is totally unique!
    • To personalize, add the satin angel sleeves, sold separately.
  • Doritte by Maggie Sottero combines whimsical romance with chic, edgy glamor. This beautifully detailed gown features lovely pearl embellishments, illusion boning, and ethereal layers in the skirt.
    • To personalize, add the illusion cap-sleeves or illusion poet sleeves, sold separately.
    • This gown also looks stunning with a romantic bridal veil. 

PC: Elshbokshy Photography

  • Carter by Sottero and Midgley adds a fresh spin to a dramatic ball gown, featuring a two-piece corset and skirt silhouette and shimmery details in the sweetheart bodice. We adore the sequins paired with the light-catching beads. 
  • Jasper by Sottero and Midgley embodies that unique and classic glamor that always feels fresh and modern, whatever the season. The combo of strapless bodice and mermaid silhouette is the ultimate Old Hollywood vibe, but the corset details and scattered pearls add the perfect dose of couture.
    • Available with a lace-up back corset or a shapewear with inner zipper closure. 
    • Add a bridal veil or cape for extra drama and dimension.   
  • Damiana by Sottero and Midgley channels the elegance and sophistication of minimalism, elevated to stunning perfection with tailored details and a gorgeous fit-and-flare silhouette. This stretch satin is so comfortable — you’ll feel like this dress was made only for you. 

Love these gowns? Check out 25 Corset Wedding Dresses for Trendy Brides to see even more modern wedding dress options!

Modern Wedding Dresses: Fashion-forward Details

Looking for the trendy details of tomorrow? Basque waists, 3-D flowers, and pearls are absolute must-haves!

  • Gretchen by Maggie Sottero shimmers with pearl details on an illusion bodice, a princess-inspired look that feels fresh and modern for your celebration. 
  • Morwenna by Maggie Sottero makes an enchanting statement in simple crepe with delicate floral details. Add the lace-embellished sleeves or matching bridal veil (sold separately) for more dreamy flourishes.
  • Tina by Maggie Sottero is undeniably sensual, featuring a bold beaded bodice with plunging neckline over a lush satin skirt.
    • This style is also available with no plunging neckline.
    • Tina features two sister styles for options in silhouette, fabric, and coverage.
  • Diaz by Sottero and Midgley is an over-the-top princess gown with sleek, luminous satin and pearl detailing. It’s vintage romance meets modern muse!
  • Warner by Sottero and Midgley takes the cake for lace detailing, featuring lush layers of boho-chic motifs from hollow to hem.
    • Add the off-the-shoulder cap-sleeves for a chic flourish, sold separately.
    • Pair with the dramatic bridal veil with a statement hemline for stunning bridal portraits, sold separately.
  • Drew Marie by Maggie Sottero is all about texture and shimmer, featuring delicate pearl embellishments over heavenly layers of glitter tulle.
    • Add the off-the-shoulder tulle jacket for a demure, vintage-inspired vibe.
  • Iravati by Sottero and Midgley features exquisite lace and beading in a curve-enhancing pattern and silhouette. The lines in this unique bridal gown are dazzling!
    • Add the illusion beaded jacket for gorgeous coverage, sold separately.
    • Pair with the matching bridal veil for an elegant flourish, sold separately.

Cutting-edge Couture Styling

Nothing serves couture like oversized bows, drapery, and over-the-top accessories!

  • Valeska by Maggie Sottero is a charming yet ultra-glamorous style… Each side of the flared skirt features an oversized bow detail for a totally unique flourish. We love the fusion of a timeless silhouette with a chic and playful upgrade.
    • Also available without the bow details.
    • Also available with a lined bodice.
  • Ross and Ross Marie by Sottero and Midgley are modern wedding dresses with lush, romantic, and eye-catching layers. The bodices are beautiful and svelte, the 3-D skirt is heavenly, and the overall effect is so enchanting.
  • Nadia by Rebecca Ingram showcases gorgeous draping and unique asymmetrical lines. It’s a statuesque silhouette that looks incredible on the dance floor. 
  • Mitchell by Maggie Sottero plays with volume and drama, with an oversized bow in origami-like structure as the perfect back flourish. Brides love this style for its balance of elegance and sophistication. 

PC: Kevin Zarycki

  • Talitha by Sottero and Midgley is another ultra-feminine piece with lovely bow details. It’s a rustic yet ultra-sophisticated style that looks especially dreamy for summer weddings. 

PC: Michael Gallitelli

PC: Charlotte Palazzo

Futuristic Fabrics

An aspect that is not to be ignored when looking for modern wedding dresses? Futuristic fabrics like jacquard, taffeta, liquid silk, and more!

  • Paris by Maggie Sottero features a silky, luminous, and pearl-like satin in lush layers. It’s sweet, chic, and decadent!
    • To personalize, consider adding the bow arm bands, sold separately.
  • Aberdeen by Sottero and Midgley is another dramatic choice for an alternative bridal look, featuring a gorgeous print in light blue or light pink.
    • Also available with a fully lined bodice.
  • Cyprus by Sottero and Midgley makes a regal statement in textured brocade in a princess-y silhouette.
    • Add the off-the-shoulder puff sleeves for a luxe detail, sold separately.
  • Mirabella by Sottero and Midgley is all about the fabric and layers… This liquid satin is designed to catch the light and glow in your wedding portraits. This gown is available with a slit or no slit in the skirt; it also features a sister style for variations in the ruching. 
  • Star by Sottero and Midgley shimmers with vintage-inspired lace featuring a gorgeous texture. It’s a boho-chic style to complement your romantic and oh-so-impeccable taste!
  • Mercury by Sottero and Midgley delights with glamorous ruching in an over-the-top silhouette. This couture ball gown is perfect for a black-tie occasion.
    • For a fabulous flourish, add the off-the-shoulder balloon sleeves.
  • Positano by Sottero and Midgley dazzles with head-to-toe beading in a sexy fit-and-flare silhouette. You’ll feel like absolute royalty in this exquisite design. 

Feeling the inspiration? Head to an Authorized Boutique to browse modern wedding dresses and curate your perfect bridal look. 

More Blogs Like This:

25 Corset Wedding Dresses for Trendy Brides

Trend Alert: Wedding Bows For Your Chic Bridal Look

Trend Alert! Say Yes to a Drop Waist Wedding Dress

Happy shopping for your happily-ever-after!

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