Our Bridal Buyer advertisers have been at the heart of shaping the bridal industry’s landscape. From innovative campaigns to strategic growth, they’ve shared their key highlights and insights with us, providing a unique look at the trends and successes driving the market forward. In this round-up, we’ll showcase the standout achievements from our advertisers and reveal their predictions for the year ahead.

What has been your 2024 highlight of the year, as a company?

Ellis Bridals: This year, we are honoured to have been named Best Bridal Brand of the Year—a recognition that celebrates the heart of our work and the passion we bring to every gown. This milestone is a testament to our dedication to delivering impeccable designs, creating unforgettable experiences, and fostering strong partnerships with our stores and suppliers. Winning this prestigious award highlights the trust placed in us by both brides and industry professionals, and it inspires us to continue setting new standards in the bridal industry.

Casablanca Bridal: This year, we partnered with influential names to bring our brand closer to brides everywhere. Dancing with the Stars’ Britt Stewart teamed up with Casablanca Bridal for an exclusive three-part video series showcasing her custom Casablanca gown journey. With over 1.8 million combined followers, this collaboration highlighted the craftsmanship and personalized experience we offer. 

Collaborations with bridal influencers Sydney Westra (@SquidWestra) and Lauren Ladouceur (@PlanwithLaur) added depth to our storytelling. Sydney’s behind-the-scenes content for our Spring 2025 photoshoots with Creative Director Crystal Lu offered an insider’s perspective, while Lauren’s video series highlighted our brand’s unparalleled customization options and the transformative power of accessories. 

Maggie Sottero: 2024 has been a big year for Maggie Sottero as we’ve made strides toward a more sustainable future. We’ve been working hard to reduce our footprint and give back to communities worldwide. We’ve planted over 50,000 trees with One Tree Planted, donated more than 1,200 gowns and accessories to community organizations and design schools, and incorporated lower-impact fabrics into more than a third of our recent collections. We’ve also partnered with regional conservation partners like International Bird Rescue and Cirenas Costa Rica for eight volunteer projects. Thanks to our partnerships with SuperCircle and Avena we’ve achieved a 100% diversion rate of excess stock from landfills. Plus, we launched an industry-first initiative with SuperCircle, helping US and Canadian retailers recycle deadstock and shopworn gowns in a sustainable way.

What has been one of your most memorable moments, success stories or company milestones from this year?

Ellis Bridals: While being named Best Bridal Brand was the pinnacle of the year, 2024 was also marked by countless other memorable moments that remind us of why we love what we do. One standout occasion was our studio sessions at Bridal Week Harrogate, where we invited stores to capture exclusive content of the dresses arriving in their boutiques. This interactive experience not only gave stores a head start in showcasing our designs to brides but also strengthened the bonds we share with our incredible retail partners.
Another key milestone was the launch of our Lumiere Collection, our most exciting collection to date. Lumiere brought a fresh wave of timeless yet modern designs, and its debut was supported with bespoke content tailored for our stores, including campaigns and marketing materials to help them connect with brides. To celebrate its launch, we organized a minimoon giveaway to Paris, which helped stores secure valuable appointments while giving brides the ultimate incentive to find their dream dress. A strategic in-store promotion further helped our retailers convert those appointments into “yes” moments, making the collection a phenomenal success and further cementing our strong collaboration with stores.

Casablanca Bridal: We hosted a Formal Fête at the iconic Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood as a glamorous celebration of love and bridal fashion. Celebrity guests and influencers adorned in Casablanca designs, styled by Creative Director Crystal Lu, showcased the elegance that defines our brand. 

In addition, VIP brides like Nicki Andrea and Caitlyn Chase brought our gowns to life in stunning settings. Nicki’s A-line Whitney gown dazzled her audience of 551,000 followers, while Caitlyn’s custom Grace Kelly-inspired design, crafted for her Tuscany wedding, epitomized our commitment to bespoke bridal fashion. 

Maggie Sottero: We were honoured with two Bridal Buyer Awards: Bridalwear Supplier of the Year (International) and the Inclusion and Diversity Award. These awards reflect our ongoing dedication to creating high-quality gowns, offering exceptional service, and making every bride feel beautiful, no matter their size, shape, ethnicity, culture, sexuality, or ability. To top off a successful year, Maggie Sottero had a milestone moment with the launch of two amazing collections: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. Each one brings its unique inspiration and captures the heart of modern bridal design, offering fresh, innovative styles while staying true to that timeless elegance today’s brides love. The Fall 2024 Collection channels chic, 90s-inspired elegance with a touch of regal maximalism and soft femininity. The Spring 2025 Collection embraces romance; designed as heirloom pieces, these gowns radiate sophistication and are meant to be cherished across generations.

In May, we also took part in Otis College’s O-Launch showcase, where junior and senior students displayed upcycled bridal designs in an innovative mentorship program. The theme, "The Art of Duality," celebrated creative reuse in bridal fashion and inspired future designers to think sustainably.

 

What are your predictions for next year - what do you think will be the next big hit with brides?

Ellis Bridals: As we look to 2025, we remain focused on continuing to strengthen our partnerships with stores and retailers. Collaboration has always been at the heart of our success, and we’re committed to offering our partners the tools, support, and standout designs they need to thrive in an ever-changing industry. Working hand-in-hand with our retail partners, we aim to make 2025 another year of growth and shared success.
One gown we know will play a key role for the 2025 season is Matilda, a show-stopping wedding dress crafted from the finest textured floral jacquard or textured Mikado. Her strapless bodice, with its stunning pleated drape, highlights the collarbones and accentuates the waistline, while the drop waist, finishing just above the hip, exudes cool-girl elegance and creates a sleek silhouette. Brides will adore her daring high leg split, revealing a chic mini underskirt that adds a bold, modern edge. Matilda’s A-line silhouette, scoop neckline, and expertly crafted internal corset make her a versatile choice for a wide range of bridal aesthetics. She can be styled with the statement Carter bow for a dramatic finish or the May flower wrap for a softer, romantic touch, making her an undeniable favourite for the 2025 season.

From innovative launches to shared successes, we are ready to continue building on the strong relationships that define our brand. Here’s to another year of unforgettable moments, partnership and creativity and celebrating shared achievements with our stores.

Casablanca Bridal: The recently launched Spring 2025 collections embody the trends brides are loving. Heavenly Temptation combines Victorian-era grandeur with intricate details, while Water’s Edge by Beloved captures the essence of summer romance. The Modern Muse collection offers flirty sophistication with sculpted and draped designs perfect for today’s modern bride. 

Key 2025 trends include corsets, Basque waistlines, and detachable accessories like capes, veils, and gloves. These elements are featured in standout designs like the Chapel gown (Style 2592), a modern take on old-world glamour with its structured bodice and dramatic 70-inch train, and Sawyer (BL472), an ethereal A-line gown with a detachable tulle cape that exudes whimsy. 

For brides seeking contemporary elegance, Bronwyn (LE154) from our Le Blanc line showcases clean lines and a re-wearable two-piece silhouette, making it a timeless yet forward-thinking choice. 

As we move into 2025, Casablanca Bridal continues to inspire with designs that blend tradition and innovation. Stay tuned for more extraordinary collections and collaborations that elevate the bridal experience!

Maggie Sottero: Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to see more brides looking for that perfect mix of elegance and versatility in their gowns— pieces that are timeless yet customizable, with options for different looks throughout the day. We also expect a growing focus on sustainability, with more brides choosing ethically sourced materials as they become more mindful of their environmental impact. As for trends, we think detachable elements like sleeves, skirts, or jackets will still be a hit, giving brides the freedom to switch up their style from ceremony to reception. Intricate lace, textured fabrics, and sleek minimalist designs will continue to shine, while soft metallics and subtle embellishments may take the spotlight. We’re also anticipating more modern, clean lines that feel sophisticated but still comfortable and wearable. Plus, as brides embrace more diversity, we’ll see even more designs that celebrate different body types, sizes, and cultures, while keeping that romantic, elegant vibe at the heart of it all.