Wedding dress trends 2025 that Cape Town loves! As a wedding dress designer based in Cape Town, South Africa, I’ve noticed these patterns emerge from my bridal consultations over the past season. While global runway trends often take time to reach South Africa, we also have our own unique bridal aesthetic here, particularly in Cape Town, where many weddings tend to be more relaxed and informal. With that in mind, here’s my perspective on the wedding dress trends that stood out and captured the hearts of brides in our city this season:
Minimalist Wedding Dresses:
Clean lines, simple silhouettes, and minimalist designs continue to gain popularity among modern brides. These dresses often use sleek, luxurious fabrics like satin, silk, or crepe, emphasizing elegant simplicity rather than elaborate embellishments. I’ve noticed that simple draped wedding dresses are especially popular, with many brides adding subtle statement details—such as oversized bows, structured sleeves, or low backs—to create a unique wow factor. Minimalist gowns are perfect for brides who love understated elegance but still want a memorable and stylish look on their wedding day. For more examples and inspiration, browse our gallery here:
2025 bohemian wedding dress styles:
Flowy, ethereal dresses with lace details, soft tulle skirts, and floral embroideries were favored by brides looking for a romantic and relaxed vibe. These dresses often include off-the-shoulder or illusion necklines. The boho or rustic style wedding is very popular in Cape Town as we have such beautiful nature. This style is also perfectly in line with brides who get married at one of our many beach wedding venues.
Browse our bohemian wedding dresses:
Wedding dresses with statement sleeves:
Dramatic sleeves, such as bishop sleeves, bell sleeves, or puffed sleeves, made a comeback, adding a touch of vintage or bohemian flair to wedding dresses.
Mix-and-Match Bridal Separates:
Brides were opting for separates like skirts and tops or even pantsuits, allowing for a more personalized and unique bridal look. This trend offered versatility and the ability to mix different fabrics and textures.
Browse our reversible bridal separates:
Colored Wedding Dresses:
While white and ivory remained classic choices, some brides were embracing colored wedding dresses, including soft pastels like blush, champagne, or light blue, as well as bolder hues like red or black for more unconventional weddings. At Molteno Couture, we specialize in unusual wedding dresses. For years we have been playing with colours and we love to push the boundaries of tradition. This is perfect for the Cape Town bride who wants a less traditional look.
Browse our colourful wedding dresses:
Detachable wedding dress details:
Dresses with detachable overskirts, capes, or trains were popular, giving brides the option to change their look from ceremony to reception without needing a separate dress.
Browse our bridal separates:
Vintage-Inspired wedding dresses:
Vintage elements such as lace overlays, intricate beading, and retro silhouettes (like tea-length dresses) continued to be sought after by Cape Town brides looking for a nostalgic touch.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Bridal Gowns:
With a growing focus on sustainability, some brides were choosing eco-friendly wedding dresses made from organic or recycled materials, or opting for pre-loved or vintage gowns. Below is a dress we made using the bride’s mother’s wedding gown. We took it apart and then used the lace to make a new wedding dress.
To inquire about having a bridal gown custom made, inquire here:
These trends provide a snapshot of what was popular in wedding fashion. However, fashion is constantly evolving, so it’s advisable to check with local bridal boutiques or designers for the most current trends in South Africa. Additionally, personal style and individual preferences should always be the guiding factors when choosing a wedding dress.