Before Pinterest boards, bridal influencers, and TikTok wedding inspiration, brides planned their weddings a little differently.
Today's bride can spend months saving gowns on Pinterest, following wedding trends online, and building a vision for her wedding day before she ever steps into a bridal boutique. But while the way brides find inspiration has changed dramatically over the years, some parts of the bridal experience remain exactly the same.
We sat down with Camille's owner, Joanne Miranda, to talk about her experience as a bride in the 1990s, the trends she remembers, and why finding the right dress is a feeling that never goes out of style.
Dreaming Up the Perfect Wedding
A photo of the magazine where Joanne found her dress
Long before social media became part of wedding planning, brides found inspiration in different ways. Bridal magazines, family traditions, friends' weddings, and local bridal shops often helped shape their vision for the big day.
Q: Where did you get your wedding inspiration from?
Joanne's answer: Most of my inspiration came from the weddings I had attended over the years. I would notice the little details I loved and make mental notes of them for my own wedding. I also got some inspiration from those early-'90s romantic comedy movies. There was something about the weddings and romance in those movies that definitely influenced my vision!
Q: Were you saving magazine pages or collecting ideas in another way?
Joanne's answer: Tearing pages out of bridal magazines was my favorite way to plan my wedding. I actually carried around a magazine page of the gown I had purchased. I believe it was from either Modern Bride or The Bridal Guide. The gown was a Demetrios gown that I purchased from Saymel's Bridal Salon in Astoria, Queens, New York.
I loved having that one picture with me—it was my little piece of inspiration and a reminder of exactly what I had chosen.
Q: Did you have an image for what you wanted your wedding to look like when you started planning?
Joanne's answer: I knew I didn't want my wedding to be too fussy or overdone. I wanted it to feel beautiful and elegant, but still relaxed and fun. Good music and a pretty cake were definitely priorities!
Our venue had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River in New York, so the view itself provided so much beauty that we didn't need to do a lot of decorating. We kept the tables simple with white tablecloths and small floral arrangements in shades of pink, dark pink, and wine. Looking back, I think the simplicity really allowed the beauty of the venue and the view to shine.
While the way brides gather inspiration has evolved, the excitement of imagining your wedding day is something every generation shares.
Bridal Trends of the 1990s
Collage of bridal trends from the 1990s
Every generation has bridal trends that define the era. From silhouettes and fabrics to accessories and veils, wedding fashion is always evolving.
Q: What wedding dress trends do you remember being popular?
Joanne’s answer: Puffy sleeves, lots of appliqués with sequins and pearls, and bright white satin gowns were everywhere. Big bows were also still hanging around from the ’80s!
Q: Who designed your wedding gown and are they still designing dresses today?
Joanne’s answer: Yes! Many of the designers who were popular when I got married are still in business today, even if some have changed their names or branding. My gown was by Demetrios, and it was an honor to carry their designs in our store.
Q: Are there any trends from your wedding era that you see coming back today?
Joanne’s answer: Big bows are coming back, and we're starting to see appliqués like the ones that were popular in the ’90s making a comeback, too. When I see a gown with that ’90s feel, I call it “old school”!
Magazine clipping of Joanne's dress
90s-Inspired Wedding Dresses at Camille’s
The best thing about bridal fashion is that the trends we love always seem to find their way back. From dramatic silhouettes and romantic floral details to sculpted bodices and off-the-shoulder necklines, many of the styles that defined the 1990s are inspiring today's bridal collections.
At Camille’s of Wilmington, we carry several designs that capture this nostalgic look with a modern twist.
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Burke Lane by Sottero and Midgley brings the drama with a voluminous satin ballgown silhouette, an asymmetrically draped bodice, and dimensional floral lace details. With its sculpted neckline and statement-making skirt, it’s a beautiful example of how classic bridal glamour can feel fresh again.
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DP563 (Carlotta) by Demetrios Bridal brings timeless romance to life with intricate detailing and refined sparkle that beautifully frames the neckline, completing the gown with an elegant, sophisticated finish.
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63341 by Veni Infantino combines modern elegance with timeless bridal glamour. A structured strapless bodice features a softly draped, asymmetrical cowl neckline, while shimmering lace appliqués trace the dropped waist and cascade onto the voluminous skirt.
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The Dress Moment
photo of the happy bride and groom on their wedding day in 1994
Ask almost any bride what she's hoping to find during her bridal appointment, and the answer usually isn't a specific neckline, silhouette, or designer.
Q: What made you choose your dress?
Joanne’s answer: I loved that it had an overskirt, so I could have two looks without needing a bustle. It also had shoulder pads, which made me feel like a Dynasty star!
Bridal fashion has always been about finding a gown that feels special to you. For Joanne, it was all about the versatility and a little bit of that 1980s glamour. And just like today, she wanted a dress that made her feel amazing on her wedding day.
Q: Did your dress end up being what you originally imagined?
Joanne's answer: Yes! To this day I still love my gown.
Q: What do you remember feeling when you found it?
Joanne’s answer: I was so excited that the shop had the dress and that it looked good on me. It was the first gown I tried on, and I just knew it was the one!
This is where brides across generations are often the most alike.
The trends may have changed. The planning process may have changed. The way brides find inspiration may have changed.
But that feeling of finding the dress? That part remains the same. Sometimes, you just know.
Brides Then and Now
Wedding planning has changed dramatically over the years. Today's brides have more inspiration, more options, and more opportunities to create a wedding that feels uniquely their own.
Q: How do you think brides are different today from brides in the 1990s?
Joanne’s answer: With social media, there's so much pressure to get approval from others and the fear of missing out. I think it can make the whole experience a lot harder for brides today.
Q: What surprises you most about how weddings have changed?
Joanne’s answer: All the extra details that are created to be “content-worthy.” Sometimes it feels like weddings are planned for the content rather than focusing on the special occasion itself, which is what it was more about when I got married.
Today's brides have so much inspiration at their fingertips, but that can also come with added pressure. With so many trends and picture-perfect moments online, it can be easy to lose sight of what matters most: celebrating your love and creating a day that feels meaningful to you.
Q: What do you love about today's brides that you wish was more of a part of being a bride in the 1990s?
Joanne’s answer: I would have loved to have more fun with my bridesmaids while getting ready, like doing our hair and makeup together and wearing cute, matching pajamas!
Today's brides have so many fun ways to make the wedding experience their own, from getting ready together with their bridesmaids to adding personal touches throughout the day. It's a reminder that some of the best memories happen before the ceremony even begins, surrounded by the people who mean the most to you.
What Hasn't Changed
While wedding trends continue to evolve, some things remain timeless.
Q: How are brides today the same as brides when you got married?
Joanne’s answer: No matter the decade, every bride wants to feel like the most beautiful version of herself on her wedding day.
Q: What do you think every bride is looking for when she shops for her gown?
Joanne’s answer: The gown has to have that “wow” factor, be comfortable, and hopefully make her fiancé cry when he sees her!
Whether she's carrying magazine clippings or scrolling through Pinterest boards, every bride is searching for the same thing: a dress that makes her feel beautiful, confident, and completely herself.
Then and Now
Wedding trends come and go. Inspiration changes. Styles evolve.
From magazine clippings to Pinterest boards, the way brides plan their weddings has changed dramatically over the years.
But one thing hasn't changed:
The excitement of becoming a bride.
And when a bride finds the dress that feels like hers, she knows.
