It is a fact of life that during your wedding, your guests will spend most of the ceremony staring at your back. That’s why you’ll want to give them something to look at, and these 25 wedding dresses that were shown during Bridal Fashion Week this April fit the bill. From amazing illusion panels that create a floating line of buttons to intricate lace patterns to daringly low cut to 3-D appliques, there’s many ways to make an incredible back—here’s a few we love.
Ready to start shopping for your own gown? Head to these local boutiques to find your dream dress.
1. Amazing floral applique.
Low back fit to flare crepe gown with crystal hand beading on back, “Brody” by Amsale.
Silk crepe dress with illusion back, Marchesa.
Tulle gown with Sabrina neckline of plaid tulle overlaid with architectural beading, “Promenade” by Anne Barge.
4. Swoon-worthy off-the-shoulder straps.
Silk Radzmir off the shoulder seamed trumpet gown with buttons extending down the train, “Laurel” by Austin Scarlett.
5. Embroidered and beaded to perfection.
Embroidered gown with long sleeves, “Lorna” by Badgely Mischka.
6. Lace overlay all the way.
Sleeveless floral lace sheath, “Cheyanne” by Claire Pettibone.
7. The low low-cut.
Mermaid gown with side cutouts layered with lace and tulle, “Jade” by Galia Lahav.
8. Lace-framed illusion.
Sheer back ball gown with floral beaded bodice and layered tulle skirt, “Polina” by Kenneth Pool.
Floral embroidered mermaid gown with ribbon tied waist, Monique Lhuillier.
10. Artistic embroidery.
Sleeveless crepe dress with V-neck and embroidered illusion back, “Giselle” by Theia.
Mermaid gown with illusion back, Romona Keveza.
12. Romantic lace with pearl buttons.
Fit and flare Heritage lace gown with illusion back and pearl buttons, “Ashland” by Watters.
Patterned lace on a portrait illusion front and back neckline mermaid wedding dress, “Cassandra” by Maggie Sottero.
14. Lace-covered shoulders.
Sleeveless floral lace gown with illusion back, “Wyoming” by Claire Pettibone.
Lace and sequin hand embellished bodice with embroidered straps and rich silk chiffon pleated skirt, “Skyler” by Mira Zwillinger.
16. Amazing 3-D applique.
Silk chiffon layered gown with hand beaded crystal back, “Daria” by Amsale.
17. Plunging back with asymmetrical lace pattern.
Guipure lace over silk blush organza with nude illusion sleeve and plunging back neckline, “Sena” by Kelly Faetanini.
18. Clean-cut lace.
Mermaid gown with lace back, Romona Keveza Luxe Bridal.
19. Layers of pearls.
High-low re-embroidered Alençon sleeveless bodice with textured ruffled skirt, “Breeze” by Ines Di Santo.
Off the shoulder, A-line gown with soft net and tulle skirt, “Skye” by Watters.
Mermaid dress with a light sheer top with French lace back and sleeves, “Tiger Lily” by Galia Lahav.
22. Illusion floral lace and straps.
Embroidered tulle on silk faille modified A-line with illusion neckline and back, “Rose” by Liancarlo.
23. Beaded jacket.
Long-sleeve illusion top wedding dress, “Sapphire” by Monique Lhuillier.
A-line wedding dress with open back, “Alessia” by Kelly Faetanini.
25. High-backed lace with sleeves.
Lace illusion back wedding dress with long sleeves, Legends by Romona Keveza.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
