Summary
- Brides are drawn to many different wedding dress silhouettes
- In 2024, Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo’s most popular wedding dress style was the A-line skirt shape
- Almost one in four brides chose fit and flare styles (21.1%)
- Ball gown dresses jumped in demand in 2024
- The mermaid gown is an excellent choice for hourglass body types
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Everyone loves looking at wedding dresses, especially the trends. In this blog we give you a breakdown of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo’s most popular wedding dresses by silhouette. We have included photos of some of our most loved gowns to show the different embellishments, necklines, fabrics, etc. in each style.
Let’s take a look at our most popular wedding dress styles that our Philadelphia region brides said YES to in 2024!
Most Popular Wedding Dress Silhouette: A-line
This is no surprise as A-line wedding gowns have been a bride favorite for years. A-line dresses are perfect for the bride who loves the volume of the ball gown, but ultimately wants a dress that is a bit softer with less layers and weight.
The construction of an A-line gown has a fitted bodice through the bust and waist, and then they flow outward into a full skirt which creates an “A” shape. These gowns are figure flattering and an ideal choice for all different body types. Brides also love them because not only are they beautiful on any body shape, they also come in a variety of necklines so they are sure to find their perfect dress in an A-line style.
In 2024, 37% of our brides said yes to an A-line silhouette. Our brides were specifically drawn to whimsical Madi Lane A-lines like Jaya with a V-plunge neckline and off the shoulder sleeves, as well as minimalist gowns like Essense of Australia D3794 with a straight across neckline, and Kitty Chen Flora for a modern look.
The A-line dress is an ideal choice for a venue like the Warrington, in Warrington PA!
Fit and Flare / Trumpet Styles
Fit and flare bridal gowns come in a variety of fabrics – from satin to crepe to lace, offering brides endless style options. Because of this, and the fact they look amazing, many brides say YES to the fit and flare silhouette, also known as the trumpet silhouette.
These are form-fitted through the bust, waist, and hips before opening up around the thighs. Fit and flare wedding dresses are not as dramatic as mermaid silhouettes (trumpet shape flares at the thigh, while the mermaid shape flares at or below the knee). They are perfect for brides who want to show off their curves. Many fit and flare gowns use boning in the bodice to help enhance an hourglass figure.
Last year, 21% of our brides said YES to a fit and flare wedding dress! Our brides love trumpet gowns like Sophia Tolli Millie, which has beautiful detail detailing on the bodice paired with a crepe fit and flare skirt. A gown like this is perfect for an intimate venue like Osteria in Philadelphia, PA.
The Princess Ball Gown Bridal Silhouette
In 2024 we saw the biggest increase in the ball gown wedding dress shapes. We went from 14% of our brides in 2023 to 20% of our brides and 2024 purchasing ball gowns. It could be the Bridgerton Effect, the drop waist and basque waist trends! Many brides today want a dramatic ceremony dress with a voluminous skirt to pair with a slinky reception dress.
Constructed similar to the A-line dress, the ball gown also is tightly fitted in the bodice yet the skirt is much fuller than an a line. Layers of stiff crinoline keep the skirt voluminous all night long. The princess ball gown is the perfect dress for twirling. Therefore, this type of gown is ideal for venues like the Elkins Estate in Elkins Park, PA, and the Michener Museum in Doylestown, PA.
Brides who want to change into a short or sexy reception dress are drawn to a ball gown silhouette because of the dramatic contrast. They also know they don’t have to commit to the heavy ball gown for the whole night of on the dance floor!
Our brides said yes to Mikado ballgowns like Stella York 7757 with the on-trend straight neckline and pearl detailing and Essense of Australia, D4110 and the bride favorite basque waist.
Morilee Petal is a great choice for BoHo brides and brides whose personal style includes color in her wedding theme. Petal is perfection at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, PA.
Most Popular Wedding Dress: Sheath & Mermaid
Both the mermaid silhouette and sheath silhouette were a bit less in demand last year, but we still see brides looking for them.
Mermaid dresses are a popular choice for brides, wanting to highlight her natural curves in a dramatic fashion. This fitted look is perfect for the bride looking for a sexy way to show off her hourglass shape. Kitty Chen designed the most stunning mermaid style dresses in our collection like Alessandra, Solana, and Mattea.
These three mermaid wedding gowns are intricate and sparkly and brides love them for the WOW factor. Perfect for a WOW venue like the Grand Belle at the Bellevue on the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA
The sheath silhouette is ideal for brides who want a long and lean look for their wedding day or just love a tailored gown. A sheath gown can have anything from a sweetheart neckline to long sleeves, and still be ‘minimalist‘ because there are no layers of tulle. They have straight lines and are a perfect choice for a modern venue or a smaller intimate event – think the College of Physicians in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, Center City Philadelphia, PA, and the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA.
Sheath wedding dresses like Sophia Tolli Lloyd and Essense of Australia D3823 were the most popular wedding dress choices for our classic and minimalist brides who wanted something gorgeous, classic, and easy to wear.
Bridal Gown Shopping Advice
It is a good idea to understand your body type before you begin to trying on. For instance, if you have a pair shape, you will want a dress that draws attention to your upper body. If you have broad shoulders or a larger bust, you may want something that will balance out your lower body. Keep an open mind however because when you begin trying on, you may find you look amazing in styles and necklines you didn’t expect!
When you go wedding dress shopping for your special day, be sure to try on all different wedding dress styles at your bridal salon. If you are a curvy bride, make sure the bridal store has a nice selection of plus size wedding dresses for you to try. Do not feel that you have to purchase a dress simply because it is one of the most popular wedding dress silhouettes or a dress that is trending heavily while you shop. The silhouette of your wedding dress is one of the first things people notice when you walk down that aisle. Trying on different styles is the best way to help you narrow down the best choice for you!
Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo has hundreds of dresses in our store and we can find any bride the perfect wedding dress that makes her feel confident and look beautiful on her wedding day!
Read more about the finding the best wedding dress aesthetic style, fabrics, and our Wedding Planning Guides. Reach out with questions by texting our store at 215-491-8500 on anything wedding related, we are here to help!
About the author: Wendy Salerno is co-owner and co-founder of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo, now in their 13th year of business. Wendy and her husband, Franco, started their family business in January 2013 after identifying a need for a bridal, tuxedo, and prom store in Warrington, Bucks County. Named after their two daughters, Daria and Deanna, the business immediately gained a following throughout the entire Philadelphia region. In 2015, they relocated to larger store in Warrington with a rebrand that included trademarking the name. Their commitment to excellent customer service and an unforgettable experience has earned a stellar reputation near and far. Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo was celebrated as one of 2024’s Top 100 businesses in America by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC.