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During the 1910s, brides were typically covered from the neck down. High necks, long sleeves, and ruffles were the ultimate elements of bridal style.
Queen Elizabeth married Prince Philip after the war was over. Her dress was of ivory silk with a pearl embroidered scoop neck. It was an appropriately glamorous dress, considering that England was in ration.
During the mid '70s, people began experimenting with non-traditional outfits for their big day, like this couple who chose matching white suits for their nuptials.
In the 1930s, most brides were wearing silk or satin dresses, typically opting for long sleeve styles with a small train and minimal ornamental designs. Here, Ingrid Bergman is a 1930s bride at her wedding to her first husband, Aron Lindström.
Elizabeth Taylor's colorful wedding dress, in canary yellow chiffon, for her first wedding to Richard Burton started to popularize non-white bridal looks. Her elaborate floral hairpiece was also very on trend thanks to the decade's flower child movement.
It was also common to see more simple gowns during this period (helped in part by World War I), without any extra ruffles or frills. But layers were still strongly in style.
As dresses became shorter during the Roaring Twenties, brides became more adventurous with their wedding day fashions, even opting for knee-length dresses. Elaborate headpieces began appearing as well, from diamond tiaras to floral pieces worn with a veil.
Simple, non-embellished gowns were popular around the mid-2000s, as well as straight necklines, like Princess Mary of Denmark wore on her big day.
Two of the major 1970s bridal trends were dresses with high collars and big bell dresses. Some women chose flowing cotton dresses, influenced by the flower child trend.
The 1950s saw a push to more romantic and feminine wedding dresses, like Jacqueline Kennedy's gown for her wedding to John F. Kennedy.
The puffy sleeves and long train on Princess Diana's wedding dress set the tone for the decade's 'more is more' approach to fashion, even with bridal dresses.
Kate Middleton went for a traditional Grace Kelly-inspired gown. Soon after her wedding, brides around the world started to replicate the lace sleeves.
Strapless gowns were the most popular style for wedding dresses during this decade. By the mid-2000s, brides started adding embellishments, like lace details or a crystal sash.
With the Edwardian era came a more relaxed style of clothing, including wedding gowns. Suddenly, loose fits and delicate fabrics like lace were in fashion.
The 1920s saw a big shift in bridal fashion, as women started wearing sleeker, drop waist gowns. Long veils became popular and helped balance out the simple silhouettes.
The late 1800s saw a more conservative bridal style. The Victorian wedding dress had a high neck, full skirt, and would be paired with dainty white gloves.
Hollywood star turned royal, Grace Kelly set a major 1950s bridal trend with her wedding gown. The bodice and sleeves made lace highly popular again.
Brides in the early 1940s were married during the war effort, so their outfits reflected the times, typically being formal pieces that they already owned. When Ava Gardner married her first husband, Mickey Rooney, she wore a gray suit and a black veil.
Thanks to designers like Vera Wang, wedding dresses with strapless and spaghetti strap designs became popular in the 2000s.
Lace trimmings and over-the-top headdresses became huge during the mid '80s. The puffy shoulders on dresses continued through the decade, like this one worn by Brigitte Nielsen on her wedding day to Sylvester Stallone.
Many brides opted to ditch their veils for hair ribbons or flowers instead. It was also more common to see brides wearing pants on the big day.
Queen Victoria is credited for popularizing the white wedding dress after marrying Prince Albert in 1840. She wore an ivory silk gown, which was copied by major dressmakers at the time.
The 1990s bridal trends were all about luxurious gowns and styling, like Celine Dion's wedding dress here. You could not get enough lace, bows, and full skirts.
Another popular 1960s bridal look many women wore was formal coat dresses, like this fur-trimmed jacket. It gave a modern yet classic look.
In the middle of the 1990s, wedding dresses had a cleaner look with less bedazzling. Off-the-shoulder wedding dresses gained popularity as well.
Royal weddings have had a huge influence on bridal trends throughout the decades. After Meghan Markle wore a simple boat-necked gown, brides were looking to wear a dress just like hers.
Sources: (Elle) (Insider)
The middle of the 19th century saw a major boom in white wedding dresses. Embroidered silk, lace, and floral detailing became hugely popular.
During the 17th century, it was popular for the bride to wear her best dress, no matter the color. In this case, the bride is sporting an ornately decorated light blue dress.
As the '60s saw the arrival of miniskirts, some brides raised the hems of their wedding dresses as well. Long-sleeved dresses were also in fashion, especially combined with higher necklines.
From formal gowns to strapless princess dresses, bridal wear has come a long way over the centuries. And as time has passed, so have bridal trends, good and bad.
Click through the following gallery to see the evolution of bridal wear since the 17th century.
The evolution of bridal style
Take a look at what brides have been wearing down the aisle throughout history
FASHION Weddings
From formal gowns to strapless princess dresses, bridal wear has come a long way over the centuries. And as time has passed, so have bridal trends, good and bad.
Click through the following gallery to see the evolution of bridal wear since the 17th century.