The 2022 Wedding Shopping Guide: Where to Buy the Coolest Pieces of the Season

After the past two years of postponed weddings, micro weddings, and Zoom weddings due to the pandemic, it’s safe to say that this year marks an exciting wedding renaissance. "Twenty twenty-two is the year of the wedding boom,” explains Alexandra Macon, co-founder of Over the Moon, a stylish destination and e-commerce platform for all things bridal. "As much as we love an intimate ceremony, micro weddings are having somewhat less of a moment right now. That means higher guest counts, larger floral budgets, epic entertainment, and more. People are making up for lost time.”

Christy Baird, owner of cool-girl bridal shop LOHO Bride in Los Angeles, confirms a shift in wedding attitudes this year, especially when it comes to bridal fashion. "After many postponements for brides and more time to ideate inspiration, brides are enjoying a new era of a more open and free environment,” she says. "Weddings are larger, and the locations are all over the world again. With that comes a desire for more dynamic and exuberant gowns. The more special the details of the gown, the more brides are drawn to it, whether it's draping, corsetry, beading, or extended trains. Making a statement and wearing numerous looks has never been stronger. The brides have been ready to make a grand entrance after living in pj’s!”

So with wedding season officially back and bigger than ever, today we’re excited to share our annual bridal report. Whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid, or wedding guest, we’re delving deep into some of this year’s biggest bridal fashion and beauty trends and sharing plenty of fashion advice from our bridal experts when it comes to wedding dresses, honeymoon attire, bridesmaid gifts, and more. And of course, you can shop plenty of gowns, accessories, and beauty picks as we bring you the chicest bridal shopping edit. Read on for plenty of inspiration.

From wedding dresses and "second-look” options to accessories and beauty, we’re highlighting the best of the best for your bridal day from a fashion-editor lens plus all of the buzzy fashion-insider pieces to add to your suitcase for your honeymoon. With experts weighing in about the trends that are unfolding for weddings in 2022 and editors sharing their hand-picked pieces for the bride, you're in good hands for all things wedding-related. Prepare for all of the beautiful bridal things ahead.

When it comes to wedding dresses, what exciting trends and details are we seeing this year and into the next? "Bows are back in a big way and make a statement at every size,” explains Macon. "And little white dresses are no longer reserved for the after-party. The most recent example is Kourtney Kardashian, who wore an LWD for her destination wedding in Italy that was nothing short of chic.”

The 2023 bridal collections were rich with color, embellishments, dramatic capes, and mini hemlines. They also brought us regency romance—with Bridgerton-inspired detailing such as statement sleeves, corset details, and gloves. "Corseting is very desirable right now, and designers are putting a modern twist on this classic technique,” Baird explains. "Danielle Frankel’s unique take on corsetry has really been hitting home for our edgier, fashion brides.” Baird goes on to tell us more standout details sparking interest right now. "U-shaped necklines (or as we jokingly call them ‘smile necklines’) caught our attention this season. The strapless scoop is so flattering and keeps the style feeling fresh and current. Pleating has also continued to advance, which adds texture to clean silhouettes in a creative way.”

And when it comes to brands cool brides gravitate to at LOHO Bride? "Danielle Frankel, Vivienne Westwood, Hermione de Paula, Alex Perry, Katherine Tash, and Cortana, to name a few. We have super-high hopes for Elie Saab and Rosie Assoulin coming in later this season as well.” 

Once you’ve found your dream dress, it’s time to think about accessories. From satin sandals to the perfect pearl earrings, finding the right embellishments that speak to your style aesthetic and complement (but not distract from) your dress will give your bridal look an extra special personal touch. So what exciting and chic accessories are having a moment this season? "We’re seeing bridal gloves a lot right now” explains Alexandra Macon, "they’re perfect with a minimalist dress and often come embellished with pearls, crystals, and more details for a sparkling finish.” The 2023 bridal collections also brought us plenty of belts from plain to embellished, and a variety of capes—adding just the right amount of drama to bridal looks. 

More and more, brides have been changing into a second look at their weddings. The second look tends to be less formal and a bit more fun, so this is a great opportunity for a bride to lean into shorter hemlines or cool, trendier pieces that are primed for a night on the dance floor. This season’s cutout dresses, mini silhouettes, and feather-trimmed pieces are exactly what fashion people will slip into as the wedding night kicks into full swing.

We turned to the experts to weigh in about which beauty looks feel noteworthy for 2022. When it comes to both hair and makeup, it isn’t about trying something brand new. "I think the bridal look has always been about wanting to look like the best version of yourself,” explains Tobi Henney, a makeup artist who celebrities including Ashley Graham and Jessica Alba have on speed dial. "Classic makeup is definitely still a bridal favorite,’” Henney continues, suggesting "clean, flawless skin which is not too heavy, teamed with soft contours.” Katey Denno, makeup artist to celebs including Amanda Seyfried and Alicia Silverstone echoes this, noting that bridal makeup is all about "really fresh skin.”

Another key tip? Don’t forget about touch-ups throughout the day. "On the go, consider packing my Spot Sticks since they’re small and compact and great for small areas on-the-go to touch up skin areas throughout the day,” explains makeup artist Jillian Dempsey, a regular of celebs including Kristen Stewart and Maude Apatow. "Always a face paper to delete unwanted shine (I love the Tatcha face papers) and a small touch-up compact translucent powder of your choice to match your skin tone.”

Curious to know the best products to add to your wedding-day beauty kit, I asked Dempsey, Henney, and Denno to weigh in with the products they would trust for a wedding day.

If you’re planning a honeymoon after your wedding, you’re probably already thinking about all of the fun pieces to pack into your suitcase. We have plenty of recommendations in that department that feel special for a honeymoon and beyond. Bikinis with a coordinating skirt are huge this season and feel primed for a beach getaway, as does Petit Kouraj's shell-adorned bag. For anyone who wants to get their hands on a key fashion insider buy, you won't want to miss the Balenciaga Cagole shoes everyone is talking about to. Another standout buy? Tongoro's voluminous printed playsuit, finished with an abstract print and big statement sleeves. There are many honeymoon-worthy pieces that have our stamp of approval this season and your honeymoon will be primed for some memorable looks with these cool finds.

If you’re attending a wedding—or several—this season, you’ve probably been on the hunt for looks to wear. We have you covered for your packed schedule and all of the cool things to wear for a night of celebrating. With dopamine dressing in full swing, we're already seeing a huge uptick in bold, colorful looks in shades like aquamarine and jade. If you'd prefer to stick with something more neutral, you can achieve the same level of fun in the accessories department by pairing a statement-making bag or shoe with your look.

A wedding guest look is always a great excuse to add a cool dress to your wardrobe. Whether you’re in the market for a timeless piece you’ll have in your closet for the years ahead, or a directional style that taps into the current trends, there are so many forward options on the market. Our eyes are on brands such as Tove, Aje, and Silvia Tcherassi, who are designing elevated takes on the LBD, sculptural silhouettes, and pieces injected with bright colors and prints.

Arguably the most fun part of getting dressed for a wedding are the accessories. Shoes, bags, and jewelry can add a dose of personality to your look, and designers are delivering with their conversation-starting styles this season. Opt for a rhinestone bag from Benedetta Bruzziches that has already risen to cult status this summer, a modern take on Baroque pearls from Sophie Buhai, or colorful heels from Gia Borghini.

Whether you have one bridesmaid or 10, there’s nothing like having the love and support of your best friends surrounding you on your big day. But ask just about any bride, and she'll tell you that bridesmaid shopping—whether it’s for dresses or gifts—is not always an easy feat, and chances are you’re dealing with many different body types, budgets, and style preferences. With our bridesmaid shopping guide below, we hope to make the process a little less stressful and serve up plenty of ideas and inspiration to make bridesmaid shopping enjoyable and easy.

When it comes to choosing bridesmaid dresses, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, focus on styles that complement your own wedding gown as well as your wedding theme. If your wedding is formal, and you’re wearing an elegant ball gown, for example, you may not want to choose dresses that have a bohemian beach-wedding vibe.

Another important thing to consider is budget (don’t forget to factor in alteration costs)—luckily, there are plenty of gorgeous options at a variety of price points, and rental sites are also good to consider if you’re looking for designer options.

Having mismatched bridesmaid dresses continues to be a huge trend and allows for a more personal touch, not to mention it ensures your friends are wearing dresses that make them feel great. Macon is seeing modern takes on the trend this season. "Bridal parties are still wearing mixed prints, but there is a new twist: texture. The result is less bohemian and infinitely more polished, which is a nice change,” she says. If you’re going with different styles, we suggest keeping the color scheme complementary, and the best way to tie the looks together is with identical accessories such as a simple rhinestone necklace or pearl earrings for a more uniform look. Below, we’re highlighting some of our favorite chic bridesmaid dresses we’re loving right now.

It’s always nice to acknowledge your bridesmaids’ contributions (i.e., their time, money, and emotional support) on your big day. While giving gifts isn’t required, it never goes unappreciated. Opt for something thoughtful and personal, perhaps picking something that fits their interests or style or choosing something unique that they’ll use or treasure forever. If you need a helping hand finding unique gifts for your wedding party, take a look at our stylish picks below that feel truly special. And putting in a little extra effort with presentation and thank-you notes is a great way to elevate any present.

Next up: We're Leaking Our Secret Wedding Ideas, and They're Too Good to Miss