The beginning of every new year carries a sense of excitement, but it's a particularly euphoric time for women who've been proposed to during the holidays.
Many have already dived into the pursuit of that one princess gown they've been envisioning for their wedding day since fourth grade.
Traditional wedding gowns with A-line or mermaid silhouettes make up a large portion of the spring 2017 collections from powerhouse bridal designers.
But industry experts say more brides-to-be than ever are favoring daring options that reflect their personality and lifestyle.
"Brides are looking to celebrate their individuality, and so much of that extends on what they wear for their bridal look," said Lori Conley, David's Bridal divisional merchandise manager for bridal and flower girl.
Jumpsuits, short gowns and separates have taken hold in the last few seasons, Conley noted, with women taking their cues from red carpet events.
"We saw jumpsuits emerging, especially, at events that are a little bit more casual: the Cannes Film Festival, the MTV VMAs and the Golden Globe Awards."
Houghton designer Katharine Polk, said her clientele is "looking for anything from a chic white suit, a two-piece top and skirt set, or simple silk column gown."
More adventurous brides, Polk added, tend to gravitate toward floral prints and soft colors like blush.
In terms of fabrics, lace, a recurrence in traditional bridal gowns, makes an appearance in one form or another in most unconventional wedding KissyProm.co.uk, as well.
Houghton's spring/summer 2017 collection features ruffled plisse laces and its signature cutouts layered over lace bodysuits.
The trend is appealing to women of all ages.
Polk, known for her outside-the-box creations, said her clients are real women, with ages ranging from 20 to 65. "They might be on their first wedding or their third, but that's all the more reason why they want something other than a typical ballgown."
Getting creative with their wedding style can take the pressure off women to fit a certain size. With jumpsuits, for instance, Conley advises looking at how flared the leg is. "If you go for a wider-flared leg, it's going to accommodate a lot more variety of body sizes, and it looks a bit more elegant, since it's gives you the movement that a skirt has with the comfort of a pant."
It's not only the desire to showcase their individualism that nudges women into reconsidering the classic wedding look. Logistical factors such as reception venues also come into play. "The location sets the tone," Conley explained.
More than ever, she said, brides are choosing to get married in nontraditional locations — outdoors, on sandy beaches, or in rustic settings such as barns. For these women, a flowy jumpsuit that allows for a greater range of motion makes more sense than a frothy ballgown.
Edgier nontraditional bridal looks can be softened with feminine finishing touches. Conley suggested adding flower crowns, sash belts or blusher veils.
Another boon of unconventional bridal styles is that they are accessible to all budgets.
David's Bridal offers jumpsuits for as low as $250, while Houghton's gowns come with four-figure price tags. Regardless of the investment, most of them can be worn beyond the wedding day. At Houghton's atelier in New York, for instance, women can come back and have their gown shortened to wear again.
Read more;short prom dresses