From fiercely fabulous fedoras to straw headwear like panamas, boaters, large brimmed sun hats, and traditional Provençal-style hats - bridal hats are making a welcome comeback. There’s a good chance you’ve spotted this trend on your Instagram feed, as many of the top bridal designers have been styling them into their wedding dress collection lookbooks lately. Some pretty stylish ladies rocked them on their own big days too - when Emma Leth tied the knot at her official ceremony, she too opted for a stylish, show-stopper bridal hat.

Image by White Cat Studio via One Fab Day

This is a look that's a pretty unconventional and a little more surprising than the typical headpiece or veil, so we're excited to see how real brides adapt the trend and make it their own. To show you just how much love we've got for this accessory, we've rounded up inspirational images, and some tips for rocking your very own bridal hat. A little bit 1970s (think Bianca Jagger), a little bit 1990s, a little bit boho, but a whole lotta chic, this wedding veil alternative is the perfect crowning glory to your bridal look.

Modern Bridal Hats

Want to wear a hat and a veil, you can! We love this contemporary look with a sweet hint of nostalgia from Elie Saab.

Image by Collin Pierson for La Via Visual

Yeehaw! This cowboy hat complete with veil by Hayley Paige is so chic.

Image by Claire Byrne Photography via One Fab Day

We are in awe of One Fab Day bride Adrienne's contemporary chic wedding day look which included a sleek boater with a pearl strap by Christie Millinery and a Rebecca Vallance bow dress.

Image by Emma Wilkinson Photography

A nude bridal fedora and slick wedding suit? We love this seriously cool bridal look with hat designed by Rebecca Anne Designs.

Wow! This ultra-wide brim bridal hat by Gigi Burris with a sweet satin ribbon instantly took our breath away.

This Jenny Yoo bridal look is giving us all The Parent Trap vibes and the hat is the star of the show!

Image by White Cat Studio via One Fab Day

It's safe to say that we're besotted with One Fab Day bride Christine's statement bridal look, which comprises a hand-painted pink wedding dress by US designer Chantel Lauren and an incredibly cool wide-brimmed felt hat.

Image by Sharon Kee Photography via One Fab Day

I don't think we've ever met a bridal suit and hat combo we didn't like!

This bold and contemporary designer boater hat by Emily - London looks gorgeous paired with this boho bridal look, but would look equally as good with a more classic bridal look.

Image by Eden Strader Photography

Beautiful, badass real bride Megan paired a chic fedora with her Rue de Seine wedding gown.

With a romantic tulle trim this By Romance B.B. Boater Hat would look fabulous with any wedding wardrobe look, from bridal shower and engagement party right through to the wedding day and honeymoon.

Image by Asulprusia

Who knew a bridal bucket hat would look so chic?! We're loving Natalie's achingly cool bridal look featuring a veiled bucket hat by Jennifer Behr and an oversized, silk suit from Rat + Boa.

Searching for a stunning summer wedding bridal hat? This parasisal straw boater in an ivory white shade with a whimsical tulle under-chin tie by Awon Golding is breathtaking.

 Image by Purple Tree Photography

A traditional straw sailor hat but with a modern edge the Evelyn hat by The Loved One is the perfect finishing touch to this Galia Lahav gown.

The chicness of this Sol XL Panama Hat by John Darst x LOHO Bride Collaboration is off the charts.

Photography by Katy Thomas

Cottagecore loving-brides this sweet bridal hat look from Grace Lane London is the one for you!

Image by Sir Ivory | Megan Kelly Weddings via Instagram

The Karen Willis Holmes Grace mini dress and a wide brimmed straw hat were the perfect pairing for bride Elle Jade's wedding look.

Photo via Casilda se casa

Stylish bridal babe Natalia let her unique style shine through with her custom-made suit and Nina Ricci hat combo. Swoon!

Image by Hamee Ha

We say, hats off - or in this case, on! - to this prairie-inspired bridal look!

This '70s-inspired Filipa Cardoso hat would look stunning a sleek bridal suit!

Image by Cody & Allison Photography 

Platforms + bell bottoms + a custom Meshika hat = an utterly chic 1970s bridal look. We're digging this bride and groom's style!

This cloud-like hat by Twigs & Honey which is adorned with a softening blusher veil is all about the whimsy!

Image by Jacobo Pachon

We've got massive heart eyes for this long-brimmed hat with fresh pastel blooms from Savrani Creations, worn on a slight angle for an extra dose of chic.

Image by Paco & Aga Wedding Photographers 

Just look at this cutie! Real bride Irene donned a straw hat for her Spanish wedding ceremony and, as the sun began to go down, switched her hat for a floral crown.

Image by Jade Greenbrooke Photography

A simple bridal dress style paired with draped veil wings and a wide brimmed bridal hat - bride Ella is effortlessly chic.

Image by Jazmine Rubio Photography 

This boho babe paired her fringe and lace Tadashi Shoji wedding dress with a fedora adorned with flowers. It doesn't get more boho than that!

Image by Alexandra Vonk

How darling is this elegant Krasnova hat, tied with a blue velvet ribbon styled by Idyll Stories? We're in love.

Image by Memento Photography via One Fab Day

One Fab Day bride Katie blew us away with her bridal hat look - a wide-brim hat decorated with floral embroidery that was a gift from her husband that morning.

Bring your bridal look to new levels of chic with this Chosen by Kyha bridal hat adorned with a statement pearl strap.

The pedal straw boater with a silk dupion rose detail by Lock Hatters is ideal for a bride who wants a statement hat for her destination wedding celebrations.

Image by This Modern Romance via Siren Floral Co

We're loving this oversized white straw hat from San Diego Hat Company, which transforms the bride’s look into an achingly on-trend style.

Annika Maria's "Mira" gown pairs pretty darn perfectly with a bridal hat.

Image by Jordan Voth 

Holy smokes! We’re loving this pairing: a boho lace dress, an epic white hat and pom pom earrings? Too cool!

The Alon Livné Mandy oversized hat crafted from the finest lace is wonderfully dramatic, casting shadows across the face as the sun magically beams through.

Image by Lola Rose Photography

A fedora and blush tassel earrings? We love this look, which sets the tone for a modern-meets-contemporary celebration.

The floral detailing on this removable veil dials up the dreaminess on this bridal fedora by Borisetti even further.

Image by Rebecca Carpenter Photography

This stylish Masario straw sunhat and lace wedding dress pairing is perfect for a dreamy destination wedding.

For something fun and unique, choose this feathered beauty by Gigi Burris.

Image by Lindsey Fronk Photography 

From the sleeved gown to the denim jacket to that hat, this bridal look is giving us all the boho feels.

Holy chic! If you dream of the most rockin' boho bridal look, this is it. The Rue de Seine Adara dress and a fedora is a match made in matrimonial heaven.

Image by Jenna Fahey-White

For her 'chic, classic and understated' wedding look, bride Megan rocked a tailored suit from Karen Willis Holmes and an effortlessly cool wide-brim fedora custom made by Christie Millinery featuring an oversized embroidered bow.

Image by Foto l'Equip

The Spanish wedding of Carmen and Alfonso features two of our favourite trends - bridal seperates, and bridal hats! The bride chose a two-piece off-white guipure suit by Helena Mareque finished with a natural straw hat lined with the same guipure lace and veil.

This Bianca Jagger-inspired milk ivory velour bridal hat by Gigi Burris with pressed soft white silk organza flora inject this felt fedora with a hint of sophisticated bohemian spirit. 

Image by João Almeida Wedding Photography

As if you need any more proof that a bridal hat amps up the style and drama, just look at this gorgeous bridal suit and hat pairing.

The dramatic Eugenia Kim Veruschka bridal hat is a wow-worthy piece for your big day.

Crafted from three different types of lace and featuring an Italian satin bow, this Jane Taylor boater is a stunner.

The Otaduy La Mer Est Calme collection featured two gloriously oversized hats including this epic white beauty. We'd love to see a One Fab Day bride rocking this look!

Image by Jardín del Aylaan

To complete her Bianca Jagger-inspired bridal look, bride Vanessa paired her Joseph two-piece suit with a wide brimmed hat featuring birdcage veiling detail by Budapest studio Vecsei Millinery.

BOATER BRIDAL HAT BY THE NEXT CHAPTER BRIDAL

Don't want to give up on the idea of a veil? No problem! Just attach it to your hat like this gorgeous idea from The Next Chapter Bridal.

Now, this is how you execute a look that's equal parts nontraditional and classic! This slick suit ensemble and straw hat and veil from Loho Bride set the tone for a modern-meets-contemporary celebration.

A woven hat with a tumble of tulle is such a stunning accessory to complement the languid Mavi gown by Grace Loves Lace.

Image by João Almeida Wedding Photography

Destination brides who want to make a high-fashion statement need to make room in their suitcase for the XXXL wide brim hat by Raceu Hats.

Where to Find Bridal Hats

Some of our favourite designers who specialise in bespoke or ready to wear bridal hats include:

• Lori Muldoon
• Emily London
• Philip Treacy 
• Awon Golding
• Eugenia Kim
• Janessa Leone
• Van Palma
• Lack of Color
• Jacquemus
• Stetson
• You can also find great hats at your favourite online and high street stores such as BHLDN, Net-a-Porter, Free People, Mango or ASOS.

Image by Sharon Kee Photography via One Fab Day

How to Rock a Bridal Hat

• Tradition states that, if you’re tall, avoid tall hats and go for wider brims, and, if you’re short, avoid large hats and go for smaller brims. We say, anything goes! Choose a style that ultimately you’re comfortable with and one you’re confident wearing.
• No matter which type of hat you choose, it must fit your head comfortably. It should sit above the ears and frame the face so your eyes are prominent. For some of the more elaborate, Provençal-style hats, you may need to remove for your ceremony or portraits as they can cast shadows on your face.
• If you're having a bespoke hat made just for you, make sure you leave adequate time for consultations and fittings.
• Forget a complicated up style! These statement hats work best with a short bob, a simple updo or a long, sleek style you can tuck behind your ears. When you find a hat you're happy with, take it to your hairstylist for advice.
• Make sure your hat is secured hat correctly! This will leave you free to enjoy your day without worrying about it.
• Consider the setting of your wedding when selecting a statement hat. For instance, a fedora or stetson works well for a wedding in the mountains or countryside; a frayed straw hat is perfect for beach nuptials; and a Provençal-style hat is what garden wedding dreams are made of.
• We recommend having another option to change into for when the sun goes down, like a flower crown or pretty hair clip!

Check out all our other accessory finds in our style section!