Mermaid Wedding Dresses That Bring the Drama

By
Sarah Schreiber
Sarah Schreiber, Associate Editorial Director for MarthaStewart.com
Sarah Schreiber
Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning.
Editorial Guidelines
Updated on December 17, 2020
Amsale v-neck satin trumpet wedding dress fall 2021
Photo: Courtesy of Amsale

Trumpet, mermaid, fit-and-flare: However you say it, we've gathered our favorites, all right here.

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long sleeve plunging v-neck romona keveza collection spring 2020
Courtesy of Romona Keveza Collection

If you've ever watched an episode of Say Yes to the Dress, you've probably heard of a mermaid wedding gown. The silhouette is popular on the show—and among the general masses—for its dramatic shape. It's obvious why brides who want to make a statement down the aisle gravitate toward the design. The figure-hugging bodice paired with the flaring skirt are the perfect blend of sleek and sassy.

Mermaid dresses and trumpet gowns both belong to the fit-and-flare category, for obvious reasons. The first is characterized by its sharp skirt angle (typically starting at the knee), while the second has a more gradual widening (typically starting at the thigh). Some brides prefer trumpets for a little extra mobility, but trust us, you can make both work!

Despite their common silhouette, mermaid (or trumpet, or fit-and-flare) wedding dresses are actually quite diverse, too. Designers constantly play with fabrics, proportions, embellishments, and more to keep their garments looking fresh and interesting. Whether you're set on a single type of neckline, material, or even color, there's a mermaid gown out there for you. Need proof? Look no further than these glamorous examples from some of the biggest and best labels in the industry.

We're especially excited about this embellished Romona Keveza number from the brand's Spring 2020 collection, but it's just one of many incredible styles on the market. Click through to see other favorites from the most recent bridal seasons and prepare to turn heads as you float through your big day.

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Savannah Miller

Savannah Miller off-the-shoulder scoop neck fit-and-flare wedding dress fall 2021
Courtesy of Savannah Miller

Wedding dress from Fall 2021

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Amsale

Amsale v-neck satin trumpet wedding dress fall 2021
Courtesy of Amsale

Wedding dress from Fall 2021

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Sareh Nouri

sareh nouri plunging neckline mermaid wedding dress fall 2021
Courtesy of Sareh Nouri

Wedding dress from Fall 2021

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Elie Saab

elie saab sheer long sleeve belted trumpet wedding dress fall 2021
Courtesy of Elie Saab

Wedding dress from Fall 2021

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Anne Barge

Anne Barge off-the-shoulder trumpet wedding dress fall 2021
Chrisean Rose

Wedding dress is from Fall 2021

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Lihi Hod

Lihi Hod straight across off-the-shoulder fit-and-flare wedding dress fall 2021
Courtesy of Lihi Hod

Wedding dress from Fall 2021

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Romona Keveza

Romona Keveza strapless trumpet wedding dress fall 2021
Courtesy of Romona Keveza

Wedding dress from Fall 2021

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Mira Zwillinger

mira zwillinger sweetheart exposed ribbing wedding dress fall 2021
Courtesy of Mira Zwilinger

Wedding dress from Fall 2021

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Ines Di Santo

Ines Di Santo lace plunging v-neck tulle wedding dress fall 2021
Courtesy of Ines Di Santo

Wedding dress from Fall 2021

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Steven Birnbaum

steven birnbaum strapless tulle skirt wedding dress fall 2021
Michael Creagh

Wedding dress from Spring 2021

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Carolina Herrera

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Ines Di Santo

off-the-shoulder tulle exposed boning trumpet wedding dress Ines Di Santo Spring 2020
Courtesy of Ines Di Santo

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Mira Zwillinger

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Mira Zwillinger

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Watters

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Masato Onoda

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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David's Bridal

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of David’s Bridal

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Steven Birnbaum

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Steven Birnbaum

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Wtoo by Watters

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Masato Onoda

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Monique Lhuillier

monique lhuillier fall 2019 strapless trumpet gown with train
David Roemer

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Gala by Galia Lahav

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Galia Lahav

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Watters

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Masato Onoda

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Azul by Liancarlo

azul by liancarlo fall 2019 trumpet halter sleeveless floral applique blush
Courtesy of Liancarlo

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Legends Romona Keveza

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Romona Keveza

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Savannah Miller

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Savannah Miller

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Allison Webb

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Allison Webb

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Mark Zunino

mark zunino fall 2019 trumpet sheer flair bateau short sleeve tulle
Courtesy of Mark Zunino

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Monique Lhuillier

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
David Roemer

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Isabelle Armstrong

isabelle armstrong fall 2019 over the shoulder trumpet wedding dress
Courtesy of Isabelle Armstrong

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Yumi Katsura

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Froylan Flowers

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Ines Di Santo

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Ines Di Santo

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Berta

berta fall 2019 corset mermaid wedding dress
Collin Pierson Photography

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Liancarlo

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Liancarlo

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Steven Birnbaum

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Steven Birnbaum

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Pronovias

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Pronovias

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Amsale

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Amsale

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Watters

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Watters

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Berta

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Berta

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Victoria Kyriakides

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Victoria Kyriakides

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Elie Saab

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Elie Saab

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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THEIA

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Theia

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Galia Lahav Couture

Galia Lahav wedding dress spring 2019 sparkly lace v-neck mermaid
Courtesy of Galia Lahav

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Monique Lhuillier

monique lhuillier wedding dress spring 2019 trumpet illusion lace
Courtesy of Monique Lhuillier

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Ines Di Santo

ines di santo wedding dress spring 2019 trumpet sleeveless sweetheart
Courtesy of Ines Di Santo

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Legends Romona Keveza

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Legends Romona Keveza

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Justin Alexander

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Justin Alexander

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Rebecca Ingram

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy of Rebecca Ingram

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Casablanca

casablanca fall 2018 sweetheart trumpet wedding dress
Courtesy of Casablanca Bridal

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Eve of Milady

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy Eve of Milady

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Isabelle Armstrong

isabelle armstrong wedding dress fall 2018 mermaid tulle sleeveless
Courtesy of Isabelle Armstrong

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Matthew Christopher Couture

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Pnina Tornai

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Azul by Liancarlo

azul by liancarlo 2018 sweetheart ribbon trumpet wedding dress
Courtesy of Azul by Liancarlo

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Sareh Nouri

sareh nouri fall 2018 off shoulder trumpet wedding dress
Mani Zarrin

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Eve of Milady

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
Courtesy Eve of Milady

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Morilee by Madeline Gardner

Oscar de la Renta Mermaid Gown
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Maggie Sottero

maggie sottero wedding dress fall 2018 v neck trumpet lace
Courtesy of Maggie Sottero

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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