Trend Inspiration
•04 min read
The 79th Tony Awards rolled out last night at Radio City Music Hall, and Broadway's biggest night delivered exactly what we wanted: theatrical-meets-bridal red carpet energy, multiple corset moments, and one specific gown that stopped us in our scrolling-tracks—because it's a Marchesa we actually carry at David's. Let's get into it.
The Quick Recap: What Hit the 2026 Tony Awards Red Carpet
The 2026 Tony Awards red carpet leaned theatrical-meets-bridal, with the standout moment coming from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star and Tony performer Whitney Leavitt in a sculptural Marchesa corset and tulle skirt—a gown carried at David's Bridal. Marchesa founder Georgina Chapman also attended (with Adrien Brody). Beyond Whitney, the night's biggest bridal-coded trends were sculptural corset bodices, drop-waist silhouettes, bold jewel tones, off-the-shoulder necklines, and a steady current of minimalist sparkle. Each one is wearable, shoppable, and headed straight for 2026 weddings.
Whitney Leavitt in Marchesa—Yes, You Can Shop This at David's
Here's the moment we're spending the most time on: Whitney Leavitt made her Tony Awards debut in a sculptural Marchesa gown featuring a structured corset bodice and a dreamy tulle skirt, finished with Fred Leighton jewelry. She walked the carpet alongside her husband Conner before taking the stage for the Chicago 30th-anniversary performance. The gown? Pure perfection.
And here's the part the internet is going to love: David's Bridal carries this exact Marchesa gown. Same designer, same structural corset, same tulle drama—not a dupe, not a similar style, the actual gown from the Marchesa collection at David's. Available as a custom cut & sew piece. Connect with our Virtual Stylist team to place your order today.
If you've been admiring Whitney's red carpet photo since 10pm last night, your moment is right there. Book a Diamonds & Pearls appointment and try it on alongside the rest of the Marchesa Notte Bridal and Marchesa Couture Bridal collections—your stylist can pull it specifically by name.
One More Marchesa Moment—Georgina Chapman Walked the Carpet Too
Marchesa founder Georgina Chapman attended the Tony Awards with Adrien Brody, in a quietly elegant moment that doubled as a reminder of why the brand's bridal work has stayed iconic for over two decades. Chapman has been quietly designing some of the most photographed bridal moments in fashion since 2004, and David's carries both the Marchesa Notte Bridal and Marchesa Bridal Couture collections—available online and in our Diamonds & Pearls boutiques. Two Marchesa moments on one red carpet is officially a wedding industry sign.
5 More Tony Awards Trends Headed Straight for the Aisle
Below the Whitney moment, here's what else caught our eye on the Tony Awards carpet—and how each trend translates to wedding-day and wedding-guest dressing.
1. Sculptural Corset Bodices
The trend Whitney anchored carried across the carpet. Danielle Brooks brought it forward in a Wiederhoeft corset gown with a low-scooping neckline and miles of shimmer—the kind of structured-bodice-meets-soft-skirt moment that's been climbing the bridal trend chart all year.
For the bride: structured corset bodice paired with tulle, organza, or sleek satin skirts. Browse corset wedding dresses at David's to see the full range.
2. Drop-Waist Drama
Sarah Paulson took the night's most quietly chic moment in a drop-waist Erdem dress—the silhouette we've been calling for 2026 since the Met Gala carpet. Drop-waist gowns flatter every body type, photograph beautifully, and bring vintage-meets-modern energy to a wedding day.
For the bride: drop-waist wedding dresses are absolutely a major 2026 trend. Browse drop-waist gowns at David's.
3. Bold Jewel Tones
Ariana DeBose stole a beat in a streamlined emerald-green Fforme gown—the kind of saturated jewel tone that reads bold without overpowering the wearer. For wedding guests and bridesmaids, jewel-tone gowns photograph beautifully against natural greenery and warm summer light.
For bridesmaids and wedding guests: David's bridesmaid collection runs an extensive jewel-tone palette—emerald, sapphire, garnet, plum. Browse bridesmaid dresses by color here.
4. Off-the-Shoulder Sophistication
Kara Young brought one of the carpet's most photogenic moments in an off-the-shoulder Tory Burch gown—the classic neckline that has never gone out of style and never will. For 2026 brides, the off-the-shoulder neckline is the safest swing you can take: timeless, flattering, photogenic forever.
For the bride: off-the-shoulder is in our top-five most-asked-about necklines at every David's appointment. Browse off-the-shoulder wedding dresses.
5. Minimalist Sparkle
Rachel Zegler, Rose Byrne, and Danielle Brooks all leaned into minimalist black, white, or silver with strategic backstage-sparkle moments—a quieter approach to red carpet glamour that we love for wedding-guest dressing at upscale celebrations. The lesson: you don't need head-to-toe sequins to read polished. One sparkle moment is enough.
For wedding guests: David's wedding guest collection carries the minimalist-with-a-shimmer-detail range beautifully. Browse the full collection online now.
Tony Awards 2026 Red Carpet FAQ
What did Whitney Leavitt wear to the Tony Awards 2026?
Whitney Leavitt wore a sculptural Marchesa gown featuring a structured corset bodice and a tulle skirt, paired with Fred Leighton jewelry. The gown is available at David's Bridal as part of the Marchesa collection.
Can I buy Whitney Leavitt's Marchesa Tony Awards dress?
Yes—David's Bridal carries the exact Marchesa gown Whitney Leavitt wore to the 2026 Tony Awards. Book a Diamonds & Pearls appointment and ask your stylist to pull it from the Marchesa collection.
Does David's Bridal carry Marchesa?
Yes. David's Bridal carries both the Marchesa Notte and Marchesa Notte Bridal collections, alongside the Marchesa Couture and Marchesa Bridal Couture collections, available online and in Diamonds & Pearls boutiques.
Who is Marchesa founder Georgina Chapman?
Georgina Chapman co-founded Marchesa in 2004 alongside Keren Craig. The brand is known for romantic, hand-embellished couture gowns featuring 3D floral appliqué, beading, capelets, and intricate handwork. Chapman attended the 2026 Tony Awards with Adrien Brody.
What wedding trends came out of the 2026 Tony Awards?
The biggest bridal-coded trends from the 2026 Tony Awards red carpet were sculptural corset bodices, drop-waist silhouettes, bold jewel tones, off-the-shoulder necklines, and minimalist sparkle. All five are available across the David's Bridal wedding dress, bridesmaid, and wedding guest collections.
Bring the Tony Awards Carpet Home
Between Whitney's Marchesa moment, Georgina Chapman's appearance, and a red carpet that quietly previewed half of 2026's wedding trends, the Tony Awards delivered. The good news: every one of these looks—including Whitney's actual gown—is shoppable at David's.
Browse the Marchesa Notte collection to find Whitney's gown plus the rest of the line, or book a David's appointment and tell your stylist which Tony Awards moment had you spiraling. She'll pull the gowns that capture the energy.
