The Ultimate Bridal Edit: Renowned Stylist Beth Chapman on Crafting the Perfect Wedding Look
Written By Yaara Better Pocker
March 7th, 2025
The Ultimate Bridal Edit: Renowned Stylist Beth Chapman on Crafting the Perfect Wedding Look
A gown is more than a dress—it’s a reflection of a bride’s personality, love story, and unforgettable moment. But true bridal styling goes beyond the gown, blending details for a confident, cohesive look. In this exclusive interview, luxury bridal stylist Beth Chapman shares her expertise on personalization, overlooked elements, and red carpet-inspired trends to help every bride craft a look that feels effortlessly her own.
Q: Bridal styling is more than just choosing a gown. What are the most overlooked elements brides should consider when putting together their full wedding look?
A: When choosing fashion for your wedding, it is not just about the gown. It is important to think about all of the elements that complete your look: the veil, your jewelry, the shoes, your bag (should you choose to carry one). It is important to think of how each element works together to create the perfect look.
You also want to think about your entire wedding wardrobe and how you can tell a story through each of the pieces.
Q: Every great stylist has a signature approach—what’s yours, and how do you ensure each bride's look feels personal and unique to them?
A: My signature approach is listening and interpreting. The first step in my client’s journey is chatting with me. I ask the client to tell me about their personal style, how they want to look and feel on their wedding day, and to provide anything that has inspired them. I also love to connect with the wedding planner to understand the design of the wedding and the key elements that will make the wedding special.
After taking it all in, I set out to find or create fashion that can carry through the “story” of the wedding and that also reflects the client’s style preferences. I strive to incorporate personal elements within the fashion, so that the fashion can truly feel special.
Q: You’ve worked with luxury bridal for years—how do you see red carpet trends influencing modern bridal fashion, and how can brides incorporate those elements?
A: Because of social media, brides are bombarded with red carpet fashion after each awards show. Brides are gathering inspiration from what they see and translating it from the red carpet to the white aisle! We have also seen a lot of white and bridal inspired looks grace the red carpet recently, so I think there is a lot of cross-inspiration!
Every bride wants to feel unique and not look like any other bride, so the red carpet can provide some fresh inspiration for today’s brides. Silhouette, neckline and fabric inspiration can all come from the red carpet- as can beauty and jewelry trends!
Q: Customization is becoming a huge part of the bridal experience, and Galia Lahav has been a leader in creating truly one-of-a-kind gowns. From a stylist’s perspective, how does personalization enhance a bride’s confidence & overall experience? In your opinion, what is the real added value of customization for brides—both emotionally and practically—when choosing their dream dress?
A: Customization is all about personalization and making the gown truly the bride's own. A wedding gown is such a special, meaningful garment. However, if you can customize it to make silhouette changes to flatter the bride or to add personal elements that tie back to the wedding design or the family’s heritage, it makes it that much more special.
Q: What are three common mistakes brides make when choosing their wedding day look, and how can they avoid them?
A: First, Selecting their gown prior to choosing their date and venue. It is important that you be able to visualize where you are getting married in order to choose your gown. You will also need to know the climate and average temperature on your wedding day in order to select the right fabric and silhouette.
- Letting outside opinions influence your decision. When choosing your wedding day look, YOUR opinion is the only one that matters. Try not to be swayed by family who are at the appointment or by friends who you may have texted photos to (bad idea!) Always come back to your gut and how you feel in the gown..and you can’t go wrong!
- Not trusting your stylist. If you hired a stylist to assist you with your wedding day fashion, you have to put your trust in them and remember that they are an expert in what they do.
Of course, it is fun to shop and browse the internet, but try to refrain! Trust that your stylist has your best interest at heart and will create a look that is perfect for you and beautifully reflects your vision.
Q: Wedding photography is forever—what are your tips for ensuring a bride’s gown, accessories, and styling look flawless on camera?
A: Hire a bridal dresser. A wedding day/weekend dresser will ensure that your gown is perfectly steamed and that all of your accessories are perfectly placed during photos.
Allow time for a touch up. If you are having a first look, block out time in your timeline for a beauty and gown touch up before you walk down the aisle.
Don’t have your final gown fitting more than 2 weeks before the wedding. Things get busy as you approach the wedding, but be sure to make your gown fittings a priority. The way the gown fits will have a direct impact on how it photographs.
Also, do not allow the seamstress to book your final fitting and gown pick up for more than 2 weeks before the wedding. A Lot can change in 2 weeks!
If any additional work has to be done to your gown at your final fitting, ALWAYS try it back on before you take it home.
Q: From the minimalist to the maximalist, the traditionalist to the trendsetter—how do you decode a bride’s style and translate it into the perfect look?
A: Identifying your wedding day style can be challenging. Even the most fashionable brides can have a hard time selecting their wedding day attire.
I like to look at my bride’s social media and see how they dress on a day to day basis and what they choose to wear when they dress up. I also ask what celebrity’s fashion they admire most and where they like to shop for everyday clothes. I ask my clients to show me the necklines and silhouettes in their closet that they feel are most flattering and that they love the most. That helps me to interpret what gown silhouettes they may like.
Knowing where brides shop can help me to understand their personal style and also the type of bridal shopping environment they will feel most comfortable in.
Q: If a bride has a simple gown but wants a statement look, what are your go-to accessories that instantly elevate and transform the outfit?
A: Right now I am obsessed with dramatic necklaces/chokers. Other statement pieces can be: a veil, earrings, or a cocktail ring worn on the opposite hand of your engagement ring.
Q: In the world of luxury bridal styling, where should brides splurge vs. save when it comes to their overall wedding fashion?
A: The splurge should be on the gown! All of the attention will be there, so it makes sense to make that your largest investment.
If you are looking to save on some aspect of your wedding fashion, ask and see if there are any family heirloom veils or jewelry that can be your “something borrowed”.
Incorporating heirloom pieces helps to personalize your look and the story of your wedding and it allows you not to have to spend money on that element.
Q: Brides often have an emotional reaction when they find "the one"—how do you help guide that moment without overwhelming them with too many options?
A: You should not try to anticipate the emotion that you will have when you find “the one”. Some brides cry and others do not (even if they are a cryer!)
The way that you know that you have found “the dress” is when you can envision yourself on your wedding day in that gown, if you don’t want to take it off, and if you can’t wait to wear it!
You may have FOMO and worry about what else might be out there that you may have missed. But, remember there will always be “other fish in the sea”. What matters is that you have found a gown that flatters you and that you feel beautiful, comfortable and special in. The more you shop, the more you will become confused. Just like when you decided to commit to your fiancé, you stopped dating…you should do the same with your gown.
Q: How do you see the role of a bridal stylist evolving in the next five years? Are there any trends, technology, or changes in the industry you’re excited about?
A: In the next 5 years I think we will see more and more stylists working directly with designers to create wedding fashion for their clients or to customize gowns to make them unique to their clients. Brides today are desiring to personalize their look. That individualized fashion approach will continue to evolve over the next several years, and I am excited for it!
Because of technology, it is no longer necessary for a stylist and a bride to be in the same city. It is possible to work together remotely and create a beautiful result!
I can’t wait to see how AI evolves for fashion. So many brides no longer want to use Pinterest for fashion inspiration, as those looks have already been done. AI will help us to create unique and inspirational looks for our clients.
See Beth’s work on instagram @bethchapmanstyling
The Ultimate Bridal Edit: Renowned Stylist Beth Chapman on Crafting the Perfect Wedding Look
Written By Yaara Better Pocker
March 7th, 2025
The Ultimate Bridal Edit: Renowned Stylist Beth Chapman on Crafting the Perfect Wedding Look
A gown is more than a dress—it’s a reflection of a bride’s personality, love story, and unforgettable moment. But true bridal styling goes beyond the gown, blending details for a confident, cohesive look. In this exclusive interview, luxury bridal stylist Beth Chapman shares her expertise on personalization, overlooked elements, and red carpet-inspired trends to help every bride craft a look that feels effortlessly her own.
Q: Bridal styling is more than just choosing a gown. What are the most overlooked elements brides should consider when putting together their full wedding look?
A: When choosing fashion for your wedding, it is not just about the gown. It is important to think about all of the elements that complete your look: the veil, your jewelry, the shoes, your bag (should you choose to carry one). It is important to think of how each element works together to create the perfect look.
You also want to think about your entire wedding wardrobe and how you can tell a story through each of the pieces.
Q: Every great stylist has a signature approach—what’s yours, and how do you ensure each bride's look feels personal and unique to them?
A: My signature approach is listening and interpreting. The first step in my client’s journey is chatting with me. I ask the client to tell me about their personal style, how they want to look and feel on their wedding day, and to provide anything that has inspired them. I also love to connect with the wedding planner to understand the design of the wedding and the key elements that will make the wedding special.
After taking it all in, I set out to find or create fashion that can carry through the “story” of the wedding and that also reflects the client’s style preferences. I strive to incorporate personal elements within the fashion, so that the fashion can truly feel special.
Q: You’ve worked with luxury bridal for years—how do you see red carpet trends influencing modern bridal fashion, and how can brides incorporate those elements?
A: Because of social media, brides are bombarded with red carpet fashion after each awards show. Brides are gathering inspiration from what they see and translating it from the red carpet to the white aisle! We have also seen a lot of white and bridal inspired looks grace the red carpet recently, so I think there is a lot of cross-inspiration!
Every bride wants to feel unique and not look like any other bride, so the red carpet can provide some fresh inspiration for today’s brides. Silhouette, neckline and fabric inspiration can all come from the red carpet- as can beauty and jewelry trends!
Q: Customization is becoming a huge part of the bridal experience, and Galia Lahav has been a leader in creating truly one-of-a-kind gowns. From a stylist’s perspective, how does personalization enhance a bride’s confidence & overall experience? In your opinion, what is the real added value of customization for brides—both emotionally and practically—when choosing their dream dress?
A: Customization is all about personalization and making the gown truly the bride's own. A wedding gown is such a special, meaningful garment. However, if you can customize it to make silhouette changes to flatter the bride or to add personal elements that tie back to the wedding design or the family’s heritage, it makes it that much more special.
Q: What are three common mistakes brides make when choosing their wedding day look, and how can they avoid them?
A: First, Selecting their gown prior to choosing their date and venue. It is important that you be able to visualize where you are getting married in order to choose your gown. You will also need to know the climate and average temperature on your wedding day in order to select the right fabric and silhouette.
- Letting outside opinions influence your decision. When choosing your wedding day look, YOUR opinion is the only one that matters. Try not to be swayed by family who are at the appointment or by friends who you may have texted photos to (bad idea!) Always come back to your gut and how you feel in the gown..and you can’t go wrong!
- Not trusting your stylist. If you hired a stylist to assist you with your wedding day fashion, you have to put your trust in them and remember that they are an expert in what they do.
Of course, it is fun to shop and browse the internet, but try to refrain! Trust that your stylist has your best interest at heart and will create a look that is perfect for you and beautifully reflects your vision.
Q: Wedding photography is forever—what are your tips for ensuring a bride’s gown, accessories, and styling look flawless on camera?
A: Hire a bridal dresser. A wedding day/weekend dresser will ensure that your gown is perfectly steamed and that all of your accessories are perfectly placed during photos.
Allow time for a touch up. If you are having a first look, block out time in your timeline for a beauty and gown touch up before you walk down the aisle.
Don’t have your final gown fitting more than 2 weeks before the wedding. Things get busy as you approach the wedding, but be sure to make your gown fittings a priority. The way the gown fits will have a direct impact on how it photographs.
Also, do not allow the seamstress to book your final fitting and gown pick up for more than 2 weeks before the wedding. A Lot can change in 2 weeks!
If any additional work has to be done to your gown at your final fitting, ALWAYS try it back on before you take it home.
Q: From the minimalist to the maximalist, the traditionalist to the trendsetter—how do you decode a bride’s style and translate it into the perfect look?
A: Identifying your wedding day style can be challenging. Even the most fashionable brides can have a hard time selecting their wedding day attire.
I like to look at my bride’s social media and see how they dress on a day to day basis and what they choose to wear when they dress up. I also ask what celebrity’s fashion they admire most and where they like to shop for everyday clothes. I ask my clients to show me the necklines and silhouettes in their closet that they feel are most flattering and that they love the most. That helps me to interpret what gown silhouettes they may like.
Knowing where brides shop can help me to understand their personal style and also the type of bridal shopping environment they will feel most comfortable in.
Q: If a bride has a simple gown but wants a statement look, what are your go-to accessories that instantly elevate and transform the outfit?
A: Right now I am obsessed with dramatic necklaces/chokers. Other statement pieces can be: a veil, earrings, or a cocktail ring worn on the opposite hand of your engagement ring.
Q: In the world of luxury bridal styling, where should brides splurge vs. save when it comes to their overall wedding fashion?
A: The splurge should be on the gown! All of the attention will be there, so it makes sense to make that your largest investment.
If you are looking to save on some aspect of your wedding fashion, ask and see if there are any family heirloom veils or jewelry that can be your “something borrowed”.
Incorporating heirloom pieces helps to personalize your look and the story of your wedding and it allows you not to have to spend money on that element.
Q: Brides often have an emotional reaction when they find "the one"—how do you help guide that moment without overwhelming them with too many options?
A: You should not try to anticipate the emotion that you will have when you find “the one”. Some brides cry and others do not (even if they are a cryer!)
The way that you know that you have found “the dress” is when you can envision yourself on your wedding day in that gown, if you don’t want to take it off, and if you can’t wait to wear it!
You may have FOMO and worry about what else might be out there that you may have missed. But, remember there will always be “other fish in the sea”. What matters is that you have found a gown that flatters you and that you feel beautiful, comfortable and special in. The more you shop, the more you will become confused. Just like when you decided to commit to your fiancé, you stopped dating…you should do the same with your gown.
Q: How do you see the role of a bridal stylist evolving in the next five years? Are there any trends, technology, or changes in the industry you’re excited about?
A: In the next 5 years I think we will see more and more stylists working directly with designers to create wedding fashion for their clients or to customize gowns to make them unique to their clients. Brides today are desiring to personalize their look. That individualized fashion approach will continue to evolve over the next several years, and I am excited for it!
Because of technology, it is no longer necessary for a stylist and a bride to be in the same city. It is possible to work together remotely and create a beautiful result!
I can’t wait to see how AI evolves for fashion. So many brides no longer want to use Pinterest for fashion inspiration, as those looks have already been done. AI will help us to create unique and inspirational looks for our clients.
See Beth’s work on instagram @bethchapmanstyling