As Married At First Sight Australia 2026 unfolds, we’re not just watching dramatic dinner parties and commitment ceremonies – we’re witnessing some fascinating fashion moments at the altar. From custom-designed gowns to rushed decisions and culturally significant choices, this season’s wedding dresses tell their own story about modern bridal fashion.
The Custom Couture Experience
Rachel Gilmore partnered with Melbourne designer Anna Campbell to create a bespoke gown, actively participating in the design process as they worked from a new line to craft her dress from scratch . This represents a growing trend toward personalisation—brides who want more than an off-the-rack experience, even when time is tight.
The quick turnaround for MAFS weddings meant not all brides were thrilled with their final looks, with Rebecca Zukowski expressing disappointment, saying she wanted something classic and elegant rather than what she ended up with . This highlights the tension between vision and reality when wedding planning is compressed into reality TV timelines.
Breaking from Tradition
The standout unconventional choice came from Gia Fleur, who opted for a white mini dress for her beachside ceremony – a bold departure from traditional wedding gowns . This daring pick reflects a broader shift in bridal fashion where shorter hemlines and less formal silhouettes are gaining acceptance, particularly for beach or destination weddings.
Even more striking was Ankita Karungalekar’s decision to wear a gorgeous gold and green lehenga instead of a traditional white wedding dress —a beautiful celebration of her Indian heritage that brought meaningful cultural representation to the show.
The Fashion Trends We’re Seeing
While specific dress details remain under wraps for several brides (the show is still airing!), the wedding fashion from MAFS 2026 reveals several key trends:
Personalisation Over Perfection: Brides increasingly want input in their dress design, even if it means working within tight constraints.
Cultural Pride: More brides are embracing traditional attire from their heritage rather than conforming to Western wedding dress norms.
Risk-Taking Silhouettes: From mini dresses to non-traditional colors, brides are pushing boundaries on what constitutes wedding attire.
The Reality Check: Not every bride gets her dream dress, and the candid admission about rushed timelines and disappointments offers a refreshing dose of honesty about wedding planning pressure.
What these MAFS brides demonstrate is that modern wedding fashion is less about following rules and more about personal expression – whether that means co-designing a gown, honoring your cultural background, or simply choosing what makes you feel most like yourself, even if it’s a mini dress on a windy beach.
As the season continues, we’ll undoubtedly see more memorable bridal moments. But one thing is already clear: the 2026 brides aren’t afraid to make their own fashion rules.