Wedding dress trends that are taking over the aisles in 2018

These days, everything wedding related is all about tapping into your personal style, and it makes sense that that would carry over into gown selections, too. Shopping for a wedding dress can be incredibly overwhelming, though. There's so many options to sift through that it can be hard to determine which one actually matches your style. And if you can't decide between trendy or timeless, fear not. Editor in Chief of Wedding Bells Magazine, Alison McGill believes that there's room to play with both looks on your wedding day. Thankfully, she stopped by The Goods to break down six of the biggest trends in bridal this season.

Hollywood glam

This dress from designer Naeem Khan is from Kleinfeld and feels incredibly Hollywood glam, and would even be perfect for the red carpet. The beading is exquisite, it's got a gorgeous silhouette and although it's got a lot of stunning elements, it doesn't overwhelm the bride. Alison says a gown like this doesn't need a lot of accessories — a classic red lip and bouquet will help give off a glam-Gatsby vibe without being too over the top.

Destination wedding

Alison believes that if you're going to make a statement with the destination, you should make a statement with your fashion too. This dress is for a wedding that takes place on a beach and is perfect for an intimate gathering and fun in the sun. Nothing is overdone, it's just beachy and gorgeous, not to mention comfortable. It's essentially a bridal caftan with a great feather motif, made by &ForLove. The floral crown trend is here to stay, and this one adds a boho feel to the look. Alison loves that it offers sheerness but coverage at the same time. But make sure to address the undergarments ahead of time — just because you're on the beach, doesn't mean it's acceptable to wear a bikini under your dress. Instead, opt for a nude slip. In fact, she suggests all brides refrain from leaving undergarment shopping to the last minute. It's easiest to shop for these pieces along with your dress because the undergarments can really affect the fit and look.

Break-the-rules bride

Alison says this style is for a break-the-rules bride, the girl who isn't afraid to stand out, to take risks, and to break rules. Designed by LAZARO and available at Kleinfeld, this dress is unique and completely unlike any other gown out there. It's basically 5 trends-in 1! It's not white, but it's not blush or nude either. This in-between shade looks so fresh. It's glittery in all the right ways and has a 3D pattern that gives it dimension. Plus it has good swoosh! Amazing movement and a great train make this dress unforgettable.

Low-key casual

This ensemble is great for a low-key, city hall ceremony, "no-fuss" bride. This is by Canadian line NARCES. You can throw a jacket on top to make it a little more formal, but it's super comfortable no matter what. It's great for someone who wants something a little different. Tons of designers are doing bridal pantsuits, jumpsuits, and cropped pants right now and this look oozes modern sophistication. It's a great fit for a fashion forward bride who's done the big white dress already and wants something understated by chic. Unlike most wedding dresses, this is something you can actually wear again! It would be beautiful at an evening event, on vacation, or with a sweater thrown over it to turn it into a great pair of pants. The jumpsuit is also super trendy for bridesmaids right now and ever since Pippa Middleton took away the stigma of the white bridesmaids dress at her sister's royal wedding, this would be really fabulous for a wedding party clad entirely in white.  

Full-fledged princess

This dress is for a the bride that has been dreaming of a lavish wedding set in a grand hotel ballroom. Seriously breathtaking and certainly a statement, this is fairytale fashion at its finest! Designed Canadian Ines Di Santo, this dress is complete with a gorgeous cape. Capes are very on-trend this year and they offer up all the drama of a veil with a bit of a twist. They're also great for a bride who wants a little arm coverage. But this dress is not for the faint of heart — it's for a woman who is bold and is not afraid to stand out and rock a bridal look that makes a serious (and beautiful) fashion statement. Alison believes that you can't be nervous about the volume of your skirts on your big day, so you'll need a great maid of honour to help you manoeuvre a dress like this.

Modern boho

This look is perfect for an intimate garden wedding and comes from Greek designer Christos Costarellos via White Toronto. This designer is also a favourite of bride-to-be, Meghan Markle. A stunning gown like this is the perfect match for a fun and relaxed bride and the detail on it is absolutely incredible — the sleeves, lace, Swiss dots, and lightness of the sheer fabric make it unforgettable. Its great length also allows the bride to show off a stunning pair of shoes, which you don't often get to do with a wedding dress. Plus the high neckline, the tea length skirt and all the incredible fabric details are so flattering for a number of body types. There is something so organic and flowery about this look, but it all needs to tie together. That's why Alison recommends opting for a bouquet and hairstyle that match the dress, with florals that tie back to the shoe colour, and hair that's easy and breezy. In fact, all of these bouquets from Blush and Bloom were custom created to go with each bridal look and they prove just how well flowers can tie a whole look together.