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 didn’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 doesn’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 didn’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 didn’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 don’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.