The Bridal Style Breakdown: PART ONE What It Is, Why You Need One, and How to Find Yours
So you just got engaged. You’ve posted the ring selfie. You’ve cried. You’ve celebrated. And now… your Pinterest board is starting to look like it has 12 personalities.
Satin ball gown? Minimalist rooftop? Disco cowgirl boots? Garden party meets modern glam? Babe… what even is your bridal style?!
Don’t worry—this is where we come in. We’re Gabby & Tori, your favorite photo and video sister duo with over 13 years experience in the wedding industry, (serving weddings all over Central Illinois + destination spots far and wide), and today we’re bringing you the Bridal Style Breakdown—aka: how to figure out your wedding day vibe before the overwhelm sets in.
What Even Is Bridal Style?
Think of your bridal style as your wedding era personality. It’s not just your dress—it’s the feeling, the aesthetic, and the little details that carry you from the engagement party all the way to the altar.
And no, it’s not just about picking a word like “boho” or “classic.” This is about:
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How you want your wedding to feel
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What kind of energy you want people to remember
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And how you want to feel in your dress, your heels (or sneakers), your makeup, and your photos
Why You Need a Bridal Style Before You Start Planning
Here's the inside scoop most wedding sites won't tell you: picking your bridal style first makes everything else easier.
Once you know your vibe, you’ll be able to:
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Pick vendors who match your aesthetic
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Say no to trends that don’t serve your vision
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Choose outfits that feel cohesive (but still FUN) for all your events
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Avoid buying 47 white dresses that don’t go together
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Actually enjoy the process (instead of constantly second-guessing yourself)
This is what we help our clients with all the time behind the scenes—and it’s one of the things that makes your photos and video feel cinematic, editorial, and you.
How to Find Your Bridal Style (Big-Sis Tips Inside 💌)
Let’s make this easy (and dare we say, fun?). Here’s your Hey Sis™ step-by-step to finding your bridal style:
✨ Step 1: Ask Yourself How You Want to Feel
Do you want to feel:
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Glamorous and iconic?
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Romantic and soft?
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Cool, modern, and effortless?
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Whimsical and free-spirited?
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Bold and unconventional?
Don’t think about Pinterest yet. Think about you.
✨ Step 2: Raid Your Own Closet
Look at your favorite outfits—the ones that make you feel confident. What textures, colors, and silhouettes do you gravitate toward? That’s a huge clue.
If you live in vintage Levi’s and oversized button-downs, you probably won’t feel like yourself in a glittery mermaid gown. And that’s okay! Your bridal style should reflect you, not just the trends.
✨ Step 3: Create 3 Mini Moodboards
Yup, we’re still on Pinterest—but make it intentional. We recommend making 3 boards:
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The Big Day Vibe: venue inspo, ceremony looks, décor styles
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Bridal Looks: dresses, hairstyles, makeup, accessories
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Pre-Wedding Events: outfits and themes for engagement party, bachelorette, etc.
Then zoom out and look for overlap. Are you pinning lots of champagne tones? Do you love flowy sleeves and pearls? Or clean lines and slick buns? There’s your starting point!
✨ Step 4: Name It (But Keep It Loose)
You don’t need to be locked into a “theme,” but giving your style a fun name can help guide your decisions. Examples:
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"Romantic Coastal Chic"
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"Timeless Black Tie with a Twist"
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"Garden Party But Make It Rock n’ Roll"
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"Soft Drama Queen Energy"
Make it feel playful, not limiting. Your style isn’t a box—it’s a vibe.
P.S. You Can Mix Vibes—You’re Not a Robot
We love a bride who breaks the rules. Want to be minimalist and dramatic? Do it. Want a Bridgerton-inspired bridal shower but a disco bachelorette? Babe. YES.
Just sprinkle bits of your core bridal vibe throughout all your events, even subtly—so everything feels cohesive without being carbon copies. (We’ll show you how in Blog 2!)
TL;DR? Your Bridal Style Is Already Inside You
You don’t have to scroll for hours to find it. You just have to start with you.
And once you do? Wedding planning will feel way less overwhelming and way more fun.
📷 Photo + video team helping brides capture their full wedding era
💌 More advice? Check the [Hey Sis Hotline]
🤍Want to work with us on your wedding day? [Click here, sis!!]
✨ Coming up next: carrying your bridal style through every event!
Ready to start planning your dream day with vendors who get your vibe? [Let’s chat!]
