Galia Lahav Couture house's ready-to-wear GALA collection explores femininity and romance with flowy fabrics, delightful ballgowns and an endless parade of embellished dresses. Like its Spanish namesake, the Encanto collection features 13 charming bridal gowns. Head designer Sharon Sever explained that the true muse of this collection is the independent women who lean into their softer, more whimsical sides. Like always, Galia Lahav's dress collections are one of the curators of bridal dress trends, for the bride-to-bes who are looking to explore the Spring 2024 wedding dress trends, here are our favourite features from the Encanto collection. 

Glits and Sparkles

We've officially waved goodbye to the days when couples are restricted to micro weddings or elopement, and large weddings are making a come-back post covid. This season, there is an untameable enthusiasm towards the loud and cheery celebration, and nothing screams "let's celebrate" like sequins and sparkles. Like many bridal designers, the Encanto collection features show-stopping bling pieces this season. Look no further than the Gigi A-line dress if shining through your special day like a princess is what's on order. For brides looking for the perfect marriage between minimalism and shine, then we recommend form-fitting Leonie with her low-V front and back plunge and cheeky, sheer sparkle with pearl long sleeves and side panels.

Sheer Transparency

While sheer wedding dresses were more experimental in the past, they are fast becoming one of the staple trends this season. The degree of see-through will vary depending on how daring a bride wants to be on their big day. For the super daring bride who loves sparkle and pearls with a touch of Kim-K-wearing-the-infamous-wet-look-style dress, look no further than the glamorous Kendal dress with her geometrically embroidered tulle, high-slit and figure-hugging drapes. For brides who want to explore a variety of sheerness and have more than one look on the day, try Hailey dress with its strapless corseted look, a high split and self-fabric shorts. Add the matching Hailey neck caped bolero top for a second look. 

Getting Textured with Feathered Finery

Feathers are making a louder appearance in 2024, with designers choosing to use them to add a more playful look and create a softer texture for interest. In the GALA Encanto collection, the strapless, asymmetrical Nia dress covered in a galaxy of iridescent mirrored sequins and feathers makes for the perfect wedding gown to have fun and party with. 

Exaggerate the florals

Will it even be Spring without some blooms? While florals and laces are a classic in bridal, bridal designers have grown them bigger and reinvented them with more modern and quirky spins. For brides looking to try out more modern-styled florals, the strapless Carrie dress covered in romantic 3D lace and sheer corset and skirt is not to be missed. For something less bold and a little more whimsical, try A-line Reese dress with her low V front and back necklines and dreamy long sleeves with lace cuffs. If whimsical with a touch of Greek goddess is on the cards, try the airy A-line Julie dress and her multi-godet silk tulle and 3D lace-covered draped tulle top. 

Cutouts and Deconstructions

The cutout trend has continued from last season and has grown even more popular. In some cases, designers have gone to explore cutouts further. They are blurring the lines into deconstruction to showcase structural elements that are generally not seen, like boning and under skirts. For brides after a chic minimalist look with cutouts, we recommend trying the form-fitting Eva mermaid dress with her front cutout and bejewelled halterneck strap. Pair it with the Eva matching gloved sleeves to turn up the elegant factor. Brides looking to explore the deconstruction cutout look with a touch of boho chic, the Danny A-line wedding dress with her flowy, irregularly hemmed silk chiffon skirt and sheer corset top draped with silk chiffon is a must-try.

A vintage nod to the 80s and 90s

They say fashion trends have a cycle of 20 years, and it seems to hold for this season with the return of vintage styles and elements that give a more modern nod to the 80s and 90s wedding dresses. The dramatic shoulders, oversized sleeves and higher necklines have returned reinvented with a contemporary touch. Brides who are looking for a statement vintage style lace sleeve will need to try on the trumpet gown Claire with her cutout neckline, voluminous lace lantern sleeves and dramatic silk tulle skirt. Try the sparkling sheer corsetted dress Uma for something in between modern and vintage. Add the matching bolero for a more vintage look. For brides who want an unconventional wedding dress or something fun and short for the dance floor, the chic mini princess gown Lola with her long flared off-the-shoulder sleeves and a playful flowy skirt will be perfect. 

Eternal Bridal is excited to welcome GALA by Galia Lahav's 'Encanto' Ready-to-wear wedding dress collection and Galia Lahav's "Amor" Haute Couture bridal dress collection to our Galia Lahav trunk show in 2023. Be one of the first Australian brides to try on gowns from Galia Lahav's brand new SS24 "Amor" and "Encanto" collections complemented by a selection of spectacular bridal gowns from past collections. To register or for more information, click here.