A Beach Wedding

Its a royal look favored by classic brides like Kate Middleton, whose Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown featured French Chantilly and English Cluny lace, and just about every designer is featuring clever touches of lace in their newest styles. "It was so ethereal and beautiful; they really did just float down the runway," Forden says of the latest lace dresses.

It's exactly that light-as-air feeling that appeals to brides.

"Brides want lighter dresses, they want to be comfortable... they want to dance and move and look great, and not wrinkle," adds Hall, who names laser-cut lace as a modern fresh option for its ability to be made in any pattern. A hot trend for spring is mixing lace, like Chantilly over Alençon lace. At Styletheaisle. brides arc requesting lace overlays — for instance, a Fitted lace bolero to wear over a gown for a more conservative ceremony, which can then be removed for a strapless look at the reception. "In wedding world we've seen a shift back to formality, and the rise of lace overlays embodies that idea perfectly." Larson notes.

The lace look also layers beautifully with other dreamy fabrics like tulle, adorned with hints of sequins, metallic embroidery or small crystals that add an unexpected touch of shine that most might not expect in a wedding gown.