Your Complete Guide to Bridal Dresses – Styles, Trends and How to Choose the Perfect Gown

Every bride wants to feel beautiful and unique on her wedding day. Choosing the perfect bridal gown is no small task, and for many years the Elite Bridal Salon in Budapest has been dedicated to helping brides find the dress of their dreams. Selecting a wedding dress depends not only on body shape, but also on the wedding venue, guest count and overall style. Today, brides can choose from an exceptionally wide range of bridal gown styles.

Our bridal collection features the finest pieces from several renowned designers. To meet the needs of as many brides as possible, we offer everything from classic princess‑style lace gowns to minimalist designs and even short wedding dresses. The Elite Salon is also proud to carry one of the widest selections of maternity bridal gowns in Hungary.

 
Buying a Bridal Dress
More and more brides are choosing to purchase their wedding dress. Ready‑to‑wear gowns can be bought in the salon using cash or card. For made‑to‑order dresses, we require a 50% deposit, after which we arrange the production of the selected gown. Custom‑ordered dresses typically arrive within 6–12 weeks.

 
Dress Rental at Elite Bridal Salon
If you choose to rent, it is important to reserve your selected gown as soon as possible to ensure availability for your wedding day. More details can be found in our article “How Dress Rental Works at Elite Salon.”

 
Our Collection
The Elite Salon’s collection continues to expand, now featuring new bridal brands from Denmark, Ukraine, Italy and the United States. Highlights include:

Lilly Bridal Dresses – known for their soft lace details and minimalist elegance.
Eva Grandes Haute Couture – luxurious gowns with exceptional craftsmanship and modern design.
Iryna Kotapska Collection – newly added to our salon, offering youthful, sophisticated and modern bridal gowns with a luxurious finish.
 
What Bridal Dress Styles Are Trending?
Today’s brides can choose from countless styles. The most fashionable gowns currently include:

Straps or delicate lace appliqués on nude tulle
Short Japanese sleeves or ¾ sleeves
Dramatic open‑back designs
Semi‑sheer bodices with lace on nude lining
Side‑slit skirts or gowns lined only to mid‑thigh
Color trends have also shifted: beyond white and ivory, shades like powder, cream and nude are increasingly popular. Fabrics include tulle, lace and organza.

The modern‑boho trend has returned as well, featuring vintage‑inspired lace reminiscent of the 1970s — perfect for outdoor, forest or garden weddings.

The once‑popular high‑low gowns have faded, replaced by 1950s‑inspired short dresses and mid‑thigh‑lined modern silhouettes.

 
Traditional Bridal Dresses
In Hungary, traditional bridal gowns were white and richly hand‑embroidered, often accompanied by region‑specific headpieces. These dresses were treasured family heirlooms, sometimes taking years to complete. Their value today is mostly sentimental and historical.

 
Accessories for the Bridal Dress
The right accessories complete the bridal look. At Elite Salon, brides can find:

headpieces
hair accessories
veils
necklaces
decorative belts
Veils are especially popular, including cathedral‑length styles that extend beyond the gown.

Accessories can be viewed in person or on our website.

 
Menyecske Dress (Evening Dress for the Bride)
Traditionally, the menyecske ruha was red, symbolizing the bride’s new marital status. Today, it can be any color and serves as a comfortable outfit change after the first dance.

 
Extra Dresses for Photoshoots or the Big Day
At Elite Salon, brides can rent or purchase dresses for creative photoshoots or grand celebrations. Our collection includes asymmetrical, colorful, bold designs as well as dramatic princess gowns.

 
Choosing Bridesmaid Dresses
Bridesmaid dresses should be selected after the bridal gown, ensuring harmony in color and style. Tips:

Bridesmaids do not need to wear identical dresses.
Slight variations in shade are acceptable.
Avoid drastically different colors.
Young flower girls may wear white or ivory with a sash matching the wedding colors.
Adult bridesmaids should never wear white.
Pastel shades are currently the most popular.

 
Choosing the Groom’s Suit
Once the bride has chosen her dress, selecting the groom’s suit becomes much easier. The couple’s outfits should harmonize, especially in color. The groom’s accessories — tie, waistcoat, cravat — should complement the bride’s gown. More information is available on our website.

 
Maternity Bridal Dresses at Elite Salon
For brides who are expecting, different considerations apply. The Elite Bridal Salon offers a dedicated collection of maternity bridal gowns designed for comfort, elegance and perfect fit.

 
Bridal Dresses for Curvy Brides
The Elite Salon offers beautiful gowns not only for standard sizes but also for curvier brides. Our collection includes many designs specifically tailored for fuller figures, featuring:

V‑necklines
A‑line silhouettes
Draped details
Strapless, sleeveless or short‑sleeved options
We carry sizes up to EU 46 in‑store, and custom orders are available up to size 52 with a 6–12 week delivery time.

 
We Look Forward to Welcoming You
We warmly invite all brides and grooms to visit the Elite Bridal Salon at:

1077 Budapest, Király utca 87.