How to Modernize Your Wedding Fashion as the Bride or Groom

Ask any engaged couple what they want their wedding to be like and you’ll hear a common refrain: “We want our day to be unique and different, but still timeless!” Couples are tired of cookie-cutter weddings, and each one wants everything from their décor to their fashion to be as special as their love story. These days, big-day fashion gets a lot of attention, and brides and grooms want their ensembles to feel a bit more modern—not too futuristic, but at the same time, not too traditional. 

So, how do you choose wedding attire that’s contemporary and speaks to your personal sense of style without leaning too modern? Bridal designer Rita Vinieris notes that it’s less about your specific outfit and more about how your entire look comes together. “A modern wedding is stylized, uncluttered, minimalist, current in all aspects and details,” she notes. “Both the bride and the groom are in chic attire looking effortless and relaxed, yet polished. The bride’s skin glows with fresh beautiful clean no-makeup makeup and uncomplicated hair. The groom is in a well tailored suit that expresses his personal style.” 

Michael Cho, head designer at AMSALE, says that finding a modern wedding-day look is all about “striking the balance between contemporary style and authenticity.” “Combining clean, minimalist elements with one bold detail creates a timeless yet fresh bridal aesthetic. The goal is to look effortless while staying true to yourself,” he explains.

Here, we share expert advice on how to make your wedding-day look feel more modern, all from top experts in the bridal fashion industry.

All About Modern Wedding Style

The definition of modern wedding style ultimately varies from person to person since it’s all about individual taste, but to massively summarize, it focuses on simplicity and minimalism. Anna Ramirez, head of design for Pronovias Group Atelier, sums it up perfectly, telling us, “Modern wedding looks typically involve a departure from traditional attire and focus on individuality, sleekness, and innovation while maintaining elegance and sophistication. For both brides and grooms, this means embracing minimalist aesthetics, contemporary fabrics, and unique details that allow for personal expression, all while ensuring the couple looks polished and chic.”

Instead of sticking with the more traditional elements one might expect from a wedding look, a modern couple is all about stepping outside the box. “Modern [wedding] looks emphasize refined simplicity,” says Cho. “This involves choosing sleek silhouettes with timeless aesthetic and designs that focus on quality over quantity.” 

There are quite a few things you won’t see a bride or groom who’s chasing after more modern fashion wear on the big day. Vinieris says, “They do not involve heavy layers, conventional jewelry, or over-complicated design,” and we have to agree. Ramirez adds, “Modern bridal looks don’t involve heavily formal or outdated elements like excessive lace, voluminous ball gowns, traditional tuxedos, or rigid accessories.” Cho shares the same sentiment, telling us that over-the-top embellishments and dramatic accessories hold no place for a modern wedding look.

Wedding Fashion Tips for the Modern Bride

If you’re a woman who’s looking to modernize her big-day look, consider these expert-approved tips. From the best silhouettes and fabrics to consider to insider-approved accessories, here’s what you need to know to make your wedding attire feel fresh and unique.

Silhouettes

The silhouette of a modern bride’s wedding dress can range from A-line to sheath, bias-cut, and so much more—it’s all about how you style it. still, our experts agree that the more clean and elegant the silhouette, the more modern the bride will look. Cho says, “Modern bridal designs are clean and minimalist, emphasizing sleek lines and understated elegance. Styles can range from a structured a-line to a bias-cut slip gown—each silhouette creating a refined, contemporary look that beautifully highlights the natural form.”

Ramirez adds, “Think of dresses that are form-fitting or have an architectural feel, like sleek column or slip dresses. A-line and ballgown styles may be eschewed for more streamlined options.” Think: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and her influential slip dress.

Fabrics

“Clean” was the most commonly used word when we spoke with our experts about modern wedding dress fabrics. After all, a modern bride wouldn’t go for the loudest material; instead, she’d opt for something more classically beautiful and elegant. The fabric you choose will have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of your gown. “From matte to shiny finishes, the fabric can elevate a contemporary aesthetic, complementing the silhouette and emphasizing the sleek design,” says Cho.

Nadia Williamson of NWLA Bridal specifically prefers duchess satin, chiffon, and mikado for a look that reads as contemporary. “There has been a resurgence of Duchess satin for its luxurious feel, along with chiffon, which adds a floaty, romantic touch to gowns,” she explains. “Traditional mikado remains a favorite for its timeless elegance, while silk-draped fabrics are becoming increasingly popular for their sleek, sophisticated look. This blend of textures allows brides to embrace both classic and modern styles.” 

“Fabrics that help make a bride’s look feel more modern are clean,” says Vinieris. “They’re luxurious silks, textural laces with 3D florals, gowns, and hand-painted or printed tulles and organzas.”

Colors and Patterns

Though white is the color most synonymous with women’s wedding fashion, it’s far from your only option. If you’re looking to modernize your wedding look, choosing a classic silhouette in an unexpected color or with a unique pattern is a great way to do just that. “Brides are increasingly choosing wedding gowns in shades other than white, like ivory, blush, or even pastel tones, and sometimes black, creating a unique yet elegant feel,” says Ramirez.

The same can be said of patterns. If you want your wedding dress to have just a little bit of drama, this is a great choice. “For patterns, abstract textures or watercolored prints offer a fresh feel,” Cho notes. “Textures and minimal details can also elevate the look while maintaining the modern aesthetic.” 

Accessories

There are so many accessories to choose from on your wedding day, including footwear, veils, garters, jewelry, and handbags. All that being said, we actually suggest scaling back on accessories to ensure your look feels contemporary. Instead of layering on as many accessories as possible, our editors and experts agree that it’s best to take a minimal and personal approach to these finishing touches. A stunning piece of family jewelry or a shoe in your partner’s favorite color can be all the accessories you need to take your look to the next level.

If you want a more traditional accessory like a veil, Williams suggests going for something simple yet dramatic. “We’re seeing grand cathedral-length veils take center stage, often paired with stunning pearl details,” she notes. “Drop earrings or edgy gold statement earrings are popular choices, adding a modern twist to the look. Pearl chokers are also making a stylish comeback, offering a fresh yet timeless touch.”

Wedding Fashion Tips for the Modern Groom

Sure, menswear has been largely the same for centuries—how much can a suit really evolve?—but there are plenty of ways to bring your big-day look into the 21 century. Here, expert advice you’ll want to heed.

Silhouettes

For the groom, you can truly never go wrong with a classic tuxedo—and if you want to feel modern, Williamson says to find a “fitted tuxedo with clean, sleek lines.” Vinieris agrees, sharing, “Modern silhouettes for the groom feel fresh. They’re stylish, slim-fit suits, such as double-breasted jackets with tapered pants.” You can even go in a completely different direction and choose not to wear a traditional suit jacket. “These subtle changes in the classic suit silhouette feel fresh, introducing a more laid-back or fashion-forward attitude without sacrificing sophistication,” shares Ramirez.

Fabrics

Fabrics tend to get a bit tricky when it comes to the groom because you want to make sure that what you choose complements your partner and the season. For fall and winter, Vinieris likes wool and wool blends. In spring and summer, she suggests choosing linen or a technical fabric.

Ramirez also adds that “velvet or textured fabrics can also add an elevated and modern vibe,” though they’re most appropriate for cool-weather celebrations.

Colors and Patterns

If you’re a modern couple who appreciates monochrome moments or a focal color, Williamson tells us, “For grooms, pocket details are becoming a key trend, often designed to match the bridesmaids or align with the overall wedding aesthetic, creating a cohesive and thoughtful style.”

Accessories

The bride’s wedding accessories often get a lot of attention, but a groom has his fair share of options to pick from, too. From shoes to pocket squares, jewelry to lapel pins, and even socks, there are loads of small details that you can employ to make your wedding look feel more modern. “Adding a unique piece of jewelry, like a stylish lapel pin, cufflinks, or a bracelet, can elevate their outfit and give it a modern edge,” shares Williamson. “Grooms can add meaningful details that reflect their hobbies or passions, such as embroidery on pocket squares, ties, or even socks. These small, personalized elements add character and depth to their look.”