Being the North's largest bridal magazine we're often tearing up the cobbles in fashion capitals all over the world. This month we're heading to London for London Bridal Week - a supershow bought to you by London Bridal Show and White Gallery - which is the first major event on the international calendar and is a serious trend-setter for the industry with some of the best bridal designers showcasing their latest collections.
We'll be sharing catwalk shows live to our readers via our Instagram (so get following - @bellebridalmagazine), but until then we have been lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the fabrics, silhouettes and styles from the show that are set to be big for 2018 and 2019 brides.
Gill Harvey - designer of Eliza Jane Howell explains how they will be embracing the latest trends in their timeless collection:
“For trends it is always difficult as Eliza Jane Howell takes inspiration from old Hollywood glamour and vintage fashion. It is our unique blend of ancient techniques and new ideas which make the perfect Eliza Jane Howell gown. We are known for our hand beaded tassels and for 2019 there will be even more tassels and they will be even more sparkly! We also love an over skirt when worn with our beaded dresses and for 2019 these will have much more sparkle and shine. These over skirts can also be worn as a cape. And for the first time we will be showing some off the shoulder dresses which will exude romance with hand beaded embellishments.”

Bohemian Wedding Dress Style
Bohemian wedding dress style has had a modern makeover with light, airy fabrics and ethereal styles taking centre stage. Many collections are taking inspiration from Australian designers such as Karen Willis Holmes - whose 2018 Wild Hearts collection is just filled with pretty lace detailing and flowing designs to the Berlin label Bianco Evento who’s new collection is a reflection of femininity and gracefulness using fabrics such as Crêpe, French lace, premium satin and light tulle in ivory and soft pink.
Summer brides can beautifully team their relaxed and laid back gowns with flowing lace like the Savannah gown from Charlotte Balbier or off the shoulder detail like Kelsey Rose’s boho lace gown. While winter brides can toughen up the look with an uber-cool leather jacket or add a touch of luxe with some faux fur.

Hollywood Glam Wedding Dresses
2018 is set to be a big year for Royal weddings and Meghan Markle is sure to add a touch of Hollywood glam to one of the biggest weddings of the year. Think silky yet sophisticated silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and stylish sleeve detail and your Hollywood wedding style will start to emerge.
The Valencia gown from Karen Willis Holmes offers style and sophistication with a crossover v-neckline and delicate sleeves, all cinched in with a simple belt. For brides who want to forgo the sleeves and opt for a slinkier style, the Verity gown from Rosa Couture offers a satin off-the-shoulder silhouette that is so glam and perfectly finished with a glittering belt. Or go for all out sparkle with the Warwick dress from Nicola Anne with its glittering bodice.

Modern Alternative
Who even says a wedding dress needs to be a dress? Brides are shunning tradition and turning to tailoring with white wedding suits, jumpsuits and chic trousers. Theia Bridal explain how their 2018 wedding collection is reflecting the modern bride ‘Looking into 2018, the key trends include pants and jumpsuits with minimalist styling and sensuous looks’. If you are getting married in 2018 and adore the idea for a bridal gown alternative then their satin jumpsuit needs some serious consideration. If added glitter is more your style then the Reno jumpsuit from Eliza Jane Howell offers a glamorous option for stylish brides.

Break the Rules
Rules were made to be broken, right? 2018 sees brides rebel against traditional style and re-write the bridal rule book by adding a pop of colour, a high hemline or some bold embroidery.
Rita Mae by offers a selection of bold, rule breaking designs for 2018. Including shorter styles, bold blue tones and vibrant red polka dots, all perfect for the rebellious bride. If you want to break the rules but still feel suitably bridal then the Candice dress from Veritas by Alan Hannah offers a traditional silhouette with bold floral detailing.

Princess Capes
Whether it’s a sheer cape worn down the aisle in place of a traditional veil or a permanent part of the gown, wedding dresses with capes make a serious style statement and will be a key trend in 2018 weddings. London-based designer Rasha shows exactly how a cape should be worn on your wedding day with - as a simple style statement that truly enhances your bridal gown.

Sheer Wedding Dresses
2018’s sheer wedding dress trend isn’t as scary as it sounds! Sheer trumpet skirts and sheer overlays add a pretty and whimsical style to a traditional wedding dress and can transform the look and feel of a dress. Dutch bridal designer Modeca showcase the most beautiful bridal gowns with sheer skirt detail as part of their Papillon 2019 preview. For a more subtle sheer layer Aubrey from the latest Karen Willis Holmes collection is simply stunning or go for all out glam with KJL International’s bold sheer bridal gown.

Wedding Dresses with Sleeves
Whether it’s delicate cap sleeves or bold bell sleeves, wedding dresses with sleeves are proving to be a huge hit with 2018 brides. The MiaMia 2018 Love Letters collection shows perfectly how statement sleeves are making their mark. Or for a delicate elegant sleeve, the Nikki dress from Karen Willis Holmes is perfect.
True Bride designer Lydia Sayles explains how she’s loving the 2018 sleeve trend “Sleeves, sleeves, sleeves! From traditional cap sleeve to classic long sleeve, to trendy off-the shoulder sleeve, they are set to take the shows by storm! We’re loving the boho floaty cold
shoulder look, and cape like sleeves which create an ethereal feel and float beautifully down the aisle. We’ve worked this look into our bridal and bridesmaid collections and adorned gowns with sparkly embellishments for a heavy dose of glam.”
Catherine Jia, designer of Catherine Jia says; “I also think sleeves will be the biggest focal point heading into 2019. We’ve watched and loved bell sleeves make a come back onto the runway this year so it’s only a matter of time before brides get the confidence to rock a statement sleeve on their big day too.”

Mix It Up
2019 will see a real diverse range of bridal fashion for brdies giving them lots of options and variety. Stephanie Allin, designer of Stephanie Allin Couture predicts “'I am expecting 2019 to be full of contrasts. A collection made up of embellished detail, tassels and feathers perfectly complimented by completely plain dresses in sumptuous silks and luxury crepes."

Ball gowns Are On The Come Back
British designer, Caroline Castigliano predicts big statement ball gowns will be a big trend in 2018 and 2019.
“Think duchess satin clean uncluttered gowns that make a statement, bringing back the essence of 50’s glamour. Day to Night gowns will be on trend with fishtail dresses and large full detachable trains (or skirts) so the look is entirely different at night. Detachable shrugs and jackets will be in abundance to also create this same effect. Colours will be soft; ivory, blush, mocha, beautiful water colour softness."