Summer and early fall are the hottest seasons not only for love but also for weddings.
So, it is no surprise that the organizers of National Bridal Market Chicago chose August to hold their trade show. Visitors to this amazing event will be the first to appreciate the new bridal gown collections for the 2026 wedding season. On the very first day of the exhibition, leading wedding designers from around the world will show their best new bridal dresses at the Runway Show. In a few hours of the show, viewers will see all the significant wedding trends of the new season. Perhaps some brides will even reconsider their decision regarding the wedding dress and opt for a new, hot item from top designers.
Which of the world’s fashion leaders and newcomers to the industry will reveal the secrets of their collections during the Bridal Fashion Show in Chicago? Let’s take a look behind the scenes of the upcoming event and get to know some of them.
Bridal Market Chicago: Where Tradition Meets Experimentation
One of the features of the Chicago trade show is that it presents an incredible variety of wedding styles. If you dream of a luxurious wedding, you’ll find many ideas here, not only for the bride’s dress but also for jewelry, footwear, gifts, and more. If you prefer a stylish but minimalist wedding, you can also get inspired by original solutions from the best couturiers, jewelers, florists, and other wedding professionals.
The same applies to the designers invited to participate in the exhibition and fashion show. Some of them are the world’s leading bridal designers, who have been setting trends in wedding fashion for many years. For example, Marie Adornato has been creating her luxurious wedding dresses for almost 30 years, combining her work as a designer, writer, University professor, and President of the Adornato Couture brand.
The world-famous Ukrainian designer Oksana Mukha created her first dress collections while still at school. Subsequently, her wedding and occasion dresses were chosen by top celebrities, representatives of the royal house of France and the imperial house of Japan, numerous influencers, etc. In her works, Oksana Mukha uses luxurious lace, hand embroidery, Swarovski crystals, English tulle, organza, and other expensive and high-quality materials.
On the contrary, fashion brands like Dress the Population aim to create wedding wear affordable for everyone. That is why the brand’s designers create bridal dresses in midi and mini lengths. Such dresses require less fabric and are less expensive. This year, the brand is participating in Bridal Market Chicago for the first time. Visitors to this bright event will be able to compare this innovative approach with more traditional bridal dresses.
Also, among the notable newcomers to the new tradeshow season, visitors will see a Utah-based brand, Bodo Bridal. Although the brand produces bridal dresses in various styles, the leading tone of its collections is characterized by bohemian and eccentric design solutions. So, if you are planning a wedding in the boho or rustic style, the dresses from the Bodo collection may touch your soul the most.
New Trends in Wedding Fashion
Wedding fashion is generally quite conservative, as most brides opt for a romantic look to complement the magnificent wedding ceremony. That is why many wedding gowns feature floor-length dresses with low-cut corsets, white gloves, veils, and other easily recognizable accessories that are often associated with the bride’s attire.
At the same time, new approaches and accents in the creation of wedding dresses are being established. For example, these are gender-neutral dresses, as well as dresses explicitly created for gay/lesbian and gender-queer couples.=
Oversized bows also possess strong positions in wedding fashion, especially popular among younger brides. They can be used not only to decorate a wedding dress but also as a hair accessory. Such bows add even more romance and tenderness to the bride’s image.
Mini and midi are gaining more space in wedding fashion. The debate about whether mini and midi are suitable for such a solemn occasion as a wedding is a thing of the past. Designers presenting collections with such solutions for bridesmaid dresses convinced others that they can create unrivaled looks for brides in mini dresses. Their main secret is in style and bright accents. For example, a lace mini dress can be paired with a luxurious floor-length veil, long, elegant gloves, and a wide belt, among other accessories.
The Bottom Line
The National Bridal Market Chicago has prepared many more surprises for future newlyweds and colleagues working in the wedding fashion niche. This three-day luxury event will become the center of attraction for everyone who strives to create a really bright show from a wedding, filled with unearthly beauty and unforgettable emotions. So, even if you don’t have the opportunity to visit Chicago these days, consider watching the online presentations of the new collections. They will inspire you with the happiness and beauty that will fill the 2026 wedding season.
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