These 6 Wedding Trends Won’t Cost You More Than $2K

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Okay, so it’s definitely going to take a while for the Meghan Markle effect to mellow out. Her clean, crisp and majorly-modern wedding looks were pure magic - and we’re pretty sure their debuts made millions of brides rethink their own wedding gowns. Don’t get us wrong, we loveeeeed the Givenchy and Stella double feature, each dress was perfection and history-making in its minimalism, we’ll legit be dreaming of the designs for months to come. But can we be real for just ONE second (it actually makes me cringe to even consider criticizing the new Duchess, because she’s amazing), did anyone think that her looks could have used even the teeniest bits of detail? Some royal-esque beading or embellishments around the bateau neckline of her ceremony dress? Although it probably wouldn’t have met the Queen’s standards, maybe some tasteful cutouts or illusion detailing on the sides or back? Or little licks of lace on either dress, really?

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Forgive us, your Highness, you’re flawless and will forever be our girl crush, but we just wanted to remind brides everywhere that wow factor can also come from details - and lots of them. From dramatic skirts to star-worthy side paneling, extravagantly-embellished bodices to demure-yet-seductive shoulder-baring silhouettes, trends don’t always have to default to minimalism. It worked like a charm for Meghan, but it isn’t for everyone!

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Heavily-Beaded Ball Gown - for $1,858

David's Bridal Oleg Cassini Style CWG780 ^{Dress : Oleg Cassini Exclusively for David’s Bridal Beaded Lace Wedding Dress with Pleated Skirt, $1,858}

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This one is ridiculously royal, right? But what it has, that Meghan’s didn’t (umm and we didn’t mind it), is that quintessential proper princess shape, and a whole lot of built-in adornment. The chapel-length skirt - and basically the whole back of the gown - is absolutely mesmerizing with opulently-beaded and appliquéd tulle that sing together in softly-folded pleats. NBD, but top to bottom, the dress is adorned with 5,000 beads and sequins 😲 and finished with scalloped lace trim around the hemline for just another hue of royal refinement. In love.

Beaded-Illusion Details - for $828

David's Bridal Style SV771 ^{Dress: Galina Signature Exclusively for David’s Bridal Beaded Illusion and Crepe Sheath Wedding Dress, $828}

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If you want modern, this chic crepe sheath is SO GOOD. Similar to Meghan’s reception dress, in the clean lines and simple silhouette kinds of ways. But what we love about this look is how sexy it is, while still being the portrait of a poised and polished bride. The swirling beaded illusion details at the sides, back and along the train give the gown all the glamour, while the pearly covered buttons along the back bring the tradition. It’s so balanced and beyond. Definitely something that we could have seen on Prince Harry’s honey, but can understand the circumstances…. You know, modesty.

Plunging V-Neckline - for $1,058

David's Bridal Style SWG784 ^{Dress: Galina Signature Collection Exclusively for David’s Bridal Sheer Beaded Bodice Organza A-Line Wedding Dress, $1,058}

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If I had a v. 2 version of my wedding gown, it’d be this one. That rose water colorway is romantic AF, and it fits the flourishly-feminine vibe of the dress so well. Like the gown 👆, it also features 5,000 hand-placed crystals, beads and sequins, but it’s all done on the sheer illusion bodice - so it’s a bit more bold and bossy sparkle 🔥🙌 . And the plunging V-neckline is so hot!! The tracing of crystals all around the bodice and the spaghetti straps is gorgeous, something that we could totally see working for a particularly-princessy and hella haute heiress… Don’t ya think?!?!!

High-Fashion Skirt - for $1,498

David's Bridal Style VW351395 ^{Dress: WHITE by Vera Wang Exclusively for David’s Bridal Bias-Tier Trumpet Wedding Dress, $1,498}

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No one does ballsy bridal like Vera, and this dress does it real well. The trumpet silhouette isn’t exactly #somethingnew, but the 70 yards of bias-cut organza tiers and giant 3D rosettes definitely infuse runway-readiness IRL. So, basically it has front, back and side interest, intricately tied up together. And it’s everything we want to see in a dress for a bride who wants to honor tradition, while she simultaneously breaks all the rules. It’s haute couture for a crazy reasonable budget.

Off-the-Shoulder Neckline - for $1,358

David's Bridal Style CWG765 ^{Dress: Oleg Cassini Exclusively for David’s Bridal Off-the-Shoulder Lace A-Line Wedding Dress, $1,358}

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My entire summer wardrobe has been off-the-shoulder, and there’s not too much wrong with that, either. Pretty sure this dress gives off all those same kind of feels. Just in a much bigger way. Elegant and opulent, the lace design of this A-line gown was inspired by ornate motifs found in royal palaces. It’s crafted with three types of lace and 2,000 beads and sequins. If Meghan Markle’s boatneck gown had some lace and bits of sparkle, it might have looked something like this. All types of regal going on here!