Mother of Pearl, H&M and the new wedding dress brands to know about

H&M launched their debut bridal collection this month [Photo: H&M]
H&M launched their debut bridal collection this month [Photo: H&M]

Brides who have held off marrying until 2018 are lucky: they have more wedding dress choices than ever before.

Bridal-wear has become inescapable for brands, with more than ever adding collections to their roster, thus putting pressure on the brands who are slacking. The result? A generous number of options, for all manner of budgets.

Last year alone, Topshop, & Other Stories and Whistles launched collections, and the flurry of Big Day fashion launches seems to be showing no slowing.

We take a dive into the bridal-wear collections you can guarantee will be all over your Instagram this wedding season…

Mother of Pearl’s debut bridal collection features four key pieces [Photo: Mother of Pearl]
Mother of Pearl’s debut bridal collection features four key pieces [Photo: Mother of Pearl]

Mother of Pearl

I guess the main luxury of being a fashion designer – besides the fancy parties and fashion week fanfare – is being able to fill in the gaps in your own wardrobe, where needed.

Well that’s exactly what Mother of Pearl’s Amy Powney did when she got engaged last year. Upon researching, the creative director of the British brand felt the current options were “very standard and frou-frou,” she told British Vogue.

“You get trussed up in something that you can’t sit down or go to the toilet in because it’s got millions of over-the-top layers.”

She explained: “I’m just not a bride, if you know what I mean – all I wanted was to marry Nick and have all my friends and family there, have a big party. But there was nothing that felt cool or relaxed and comfortable for me to wear.”

And the result? The brand’s debut ‘Pearly Whites’ collection, comprised of two dresses, a pyjama suit and a single pair of bridal shoes. It features chic silhouettes for the anti-bride, and the best part is that the collection carries the brand’s sustainability credentials right through using organic silk.

Anyone else dreaming of a Mother of Pearl wedding?

Made to order at MotherofPearl.com, prices range from £395-£895

H&M’s wedding collection features bridal-wear, wedding guest dresses and more [Photo: H&M]
H&M’s wedding collection features bridal-wear, wedding guest dresses and more [Photo: H&M]

H&M

H&M has been a high street darling for years, but only makes it’s first foray into bridal-wear this spring. Following ASOS and Topshop’s lead, the debut line – titled simply ‘The Wedding Shop’ – features bridal-wear, bridesmaid dress and wedding guest attire.

The collection features six bridal gowns, ranging for short lace shift dresses right through to a long-sleeved lace dress which people are comparing to The Duchess of Cambridge’s Alexander McQueen wedding gown. Not bad, H&M.

The McQueen lookalike is the most expensive on the menu, and at just £149.99, we’re predicting budget-conscious brides will be flocking to this one.

Available at H&M.com, prices range from £2.99 – £149.99

French Connection released their debut collection in February 2018 [Photo: French Connection]
French Connection released their debut collection in February 2018 [Photo: French Connection]

French Connection

But French Connection isn’t letting H&M monopolise the high street bridal sector without some fair competition.

Launching in February, the brand’s debut line is apparently inspired by the weddings of rock’n’roll muses such as Poppy Delevingne, Kate Moss and Bianca Jagger.

The capsule collection includes several looks ranging from floor-skimming, classic silhouettes (one maxi-dress, the Cari Sparkle, features see-through, billowing sleeves and cinched-waist beaded detailing, while another, the Palermo, features a cap sleeve and plunging neckline) to contemporary pieces that give brides a more unique option for their big day.

Count us in.

Available at FrenchConnection.com, prices range from £65 to £250.

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