2027 Wedding Dress Trends from NYBFW
May 1, 2023
Words by
Photos courtesy of
This season’s New York Bridal Fashion Week (Spring/Summer 27) delivered something more than just fresh bridal looks. It told us that the modern bride knows who she is.
Destination I Do was lucky enough to be present through our partnership with destination wedding planner Deborah Kugler of Casa Officialé, and her partnered photographers Heather Pauline Photography and Kimberly Hidore Photography. We sat down with Deborah to decode what SS27 really means for brides-to-be!
“What excites me most after seeing NYBFW this season is how clear and confident the modern bride has become… She’s no longer trying to choose between something that feels emotional and something that feels well-designed. She expects both, and she’s getting it,” Kugler says.
So what does all of that look like on the runway? Here are the six trends we kept seeing again and again this season. Consider this your SS27 cheat sheet.
’90s Minimalism
Eva Lendel 
Pnina Tornai 
Elizabeth Henry
In accompaniment with the resurgence of Carolyn Bessette’s iconic ’90s wedding day look, thanks to Hulu’s newest biographical drama of her and John F. Kennedy’s love story, we’ve noticed a real shift towards bridal minimalism. And honestly? It makes total sense.
This trend is a perfect fit for designers like Sareh Nouri, known for their expertise in architectural minimalism fused with couture finishes. Andrew Kwon’s collection also delivered sculptural restraint with a fashion-forward point of view. And HONOR leaned into what Kugler calls an “almost anti-bridal minimalism.”
Jimme Huang Bridal 
Mira Zwillinger 
Lee Grebenau
“There’s a quiet confidence in restraint that today’s bride is deeply drawn to,” Kugler says. “Brides are choosing silhouettes that feel relevant beyond the wedding day…”
Mini Bow Details
If there’s one detail that had us doing a double-take on the runway, it was the mini bow. Small, precise, and placed with intention, at the nape of the neck, cinching a draped waist, or finishing off a strap, this little accent managed to feel both playful and polished at the same time.
What makes the mini bow so appealing right now is how effortlessly it bridges the gap between romantic and minimal. It adds a moment of sweetness without tipping into fussy territory. For brides who want a subtle nod to femininity without going full maximalist, this is your detail.
Dropped Waists
The dropped waist was one of the most consistently beautiful things we saw across the runways this season. Whether it was fabric softly gathered at the hip, a cascading sash that pooled into a skirt, or a subtle twist of fabric across the midsection, it all felt deeply elegant and surprisingly flattering on every silhouette.
Trish Peng 
Angelo Estera 
Lee Grebenau
This trend speaks to the bride who wants structure without stiffness. Draping creates shape and movement in a way that feels organic rather than constructed, and it photographs beautifully, especially outdoors or in natural light.
Pnina Tornai 
Jessica Couture
Andrew Kwon
Long-Line & Exposed Corsetry
Corsetry is nothing new in bridal, but the way designers are wearing it on the outside this season feels genuinely fresh. Long-line silhouettes with boning that extends past the natural waist create a sleek, elongating effect that’s both structured and sensual. And when that corsetry is exposed, think visible boning, lace-up backs, or busk closures as a design feature rather than a hidden detail, it becomes something truly striking.
This trend leans into the lingerie-adjacent aesthetic that’s been building across fashion runways for a few seasons now, finally finding its full expression. It’s confident, it’s intentional, and it rewards brides who know exactly what they want. Designers like Lee Petra Grebenau are doing especially exciting work here, channeling sensual romance through precision tailoring.
Peplums
Yes, peplums are back, and before you have any flashbacks, hear us out. The peplum we’re seeing at SS27 is nothing like the boxy styles of seasons past (we’re looking at you, 2016.) These are fluid, architectural, and carefully placed to create movement and dimension at the hip without overwhelming the overall silhouette.
In bridal, the peplum is having a particularly romantic moment. When rendered in silk, organza, or layered tulle, it adds a sculptural quality to otherwise simple gowns that gives brides that something extra without going full ballgown.
It’s also a great option for brides who want to add visual interest at the waist, whether they’re going for a more minimal look up top or want to complement a bold bodice with softer volume below.
Basque Waists
Hikaru Bridal 
Pnina Tornai 
Elissar Bridal
The basque waist, that deep, pointed V-shape at the front of a gown’s bodice, is one of the most classic silhouettes in bridal history, and SS27 reminded us exactly why. It elongates the torso, defines the waist, and creates a naturally hourglass shape that feels both timeless and undeniably romantic.
What’s exciting about the basque waist’s return is how designers are updating it. Paired with clean, minimal skirts, it feels modern and fashion-forward. Dressed up with intricate embroidery or 3D floral appliqué, it goes full fairytale. Either way, it’s a silhouette that photographs beautifully and tends to be universally flattering, which is probably why it keeps coming back season after season.
“The bride is no longer dressing to become a vision; she’s dressing to express hers. That distinction changes everything,” Kugler says.
Photos by (in order of appearance): Heather Pauline Photography (2-11; 13, 15, 19-28, 30, 32-44); Kimberly Hidore Photography (1, 12, 14, 16-18, 29, 31)
