Dresses

Designer Juliette Hogan, who offers a full bridal service through her permanent ‘‘Bride + Bridesmaid’’ collection, says bridal styling is moving into a more modern space, with cleanlined silhouettes, sequins, and modern laces.

‘‘Bridesmaid styling too is becoming much more contemporary – think luxe silk wraps and jumpsuits,’’ says Hogan.

And gone are the days of matchy-matchy, one-style-fits-noone, bridesmaid dresses – Hogan’s brides are relaxing the rules, merely matching a colour or fabric, and letting their bridesmaids choose a design they each feel comfortable in.

Wellington-based bridal designer Sally Eagle agrees that ‘‘everything is becoming more sleek and modern,’’ and that sequins are making a comeback, ‘‘in a soft, delicate way that’s more refined and romantic.’’

‘‘With wedding dress trends I’m also seeing a lot of embroidery and applique, both fine and delicate, as well as bigger, chunky embroidery detailing,’’ says Eagle.

‘‘Lace is still really popular, and I’m finding our brides either want a really soft, fine lace, or they go the complete opposite, for a heavy, embroidered lace – no in between.

‘‘Nude-coloured linings under ivory lace is really on-trend too.

‘‘It allows the pattern of the lace or embroidery to stand out.’’

Eagle says popular design details include low-cut necklines, open backs, long sleeves (particularly in lace), or cropped bodices with separate skirts.

‘‘The mermaid silhouette is still popular, just less exaggerated; rather a soft, sleek gown fitting over the hips and flowing down in a soft fabric.

‘‘And the other silhouette I’m seeing is a structured bodice with floaty skirts,’’ she says.

For bridesmaids, Eagle says pastels are back, but in more moody tones such as dusky blues and greys, and that the styles are less fancy and flouncy, and more wearable.

‘‘I love that bridesmaid dresses can now really be any style, meaning they can both look good at a wedding and be something that gets worn again in general life.

‘‘I’m seeing lots of shift-style dresses in chiffon worn with a slip underneath, and long bridesmaids’ dresses also seem to be gaining more popularity, with a boho vibe.’’ work are now opting for either more formal or relaxed wedding outfits.

‘‘Depending on the wedding venue, they’re opting for dinner suits for a timeless formal approach, or selecting more relaxed-looking suits or jackettrouser combinations,’’ says Dobbs.

With so many New Zealand weddings held outdoors, there has also been a general movement towards softer, light-construction, tailored garments.

‘‘We’ve tailored our suits and jackets with no lining, or as halflined garments, and crafted them with less bulk through the chest and shoulder for a more natural look that enables grooms to keep their cool in the heat at the same time as looking their best.’’

Dobbs says grooms are opting for suit cloth in interesting woven textures over bolder, patterned alternatives, and made with components of linen and mohair or pure fine merino.

Shirts are often open weaves with spread collars and accessories in grenadine weave or heavy knitted silk.

Suzanne Roff, from Rembrandt, says ‘‘broken suits’’ – jackets with separate trousers, rather than a matching suit – are an increasingly popular choice, as it provides couples the freedom to build the perfect match for the theme and style of their big day.

Colour-wise, Roff says blue is still a top choice for wedding suits right now, and they are still seeing the inclusion of plenty of florals, ‘‘both in the form of printed shirts and silk flowers worn on lapels’’.l