For ages, the white wedding gown has been the choice for brides in the United States and most western countries. It is a fashion trend that began in the 19th century by Queen Victoria and became popular to communicate statements such as purity, innocence, and in some instances, wealth.
Another reason this garment is so famous is the promotion it has received from media, especially movies and TV, where you see royals and celebrities wearing white.
As classy and timeless as this dress is, it might not fit every bride’s taste, wedding theme, or setting. If you are looking for other outfit options for your wedding, here are five ideas for you to consider.
Flowers on your Dress
If you are a lady who wants a touch of color, but you do not want to stray far from the white dress, try one with flowers. For your next floral dress, choose flowers like roses or peonies in red, pink, or pastel colors, to make it stand out. Avoid flowers like anemones.
Consider brands like Monique Lhuillier or Carolina Herrera.
Floral dress. Photo: CNN/ Monique Lhuillier/Rizzoli
Color for your Life and Wedding
White might be the color of choice for many, but it is not the only one. If tradition is not your thing, try colors like blush, crepe, pastel yellow, amber, or similar.
To meet the increasing demand for colored wedding dresses, fashion designers have become extra creative. Some of these artists include Reem Acra, Badgley Mischka and Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon.
Yellow dress
Tulle Gowns
Traditionally used for ballet costumes and veils, Tulle is a light and translucent fabric made of silk, rayon, or nylon that can be used to make voluminous and timeless wedding gowns. This fabric is ideal to fit multiple personalities due to the many ways it can be used.
For your next tulle gown, try one from any of the following designers: Pamella Roland, Jenny Packham or Mac Duggal.
Little Blue Tulle Gown. Photo: PopSugar/Getty / Mike Coppola
Sequins, Sequins, and more Sequins
Are sequins only good for after-parties and the holiday season? No! They can be used for many other occasions, including weddings, if styled correctly.
Sequins are fun, stylish and show personality. If you are thinking of having the ceremony and reception in the same venue and want to shine, we recommend sequined dresses either in silver, gold, or any shiny color. The ideal silhouettes include column, mermaid and A-line.
Some of the designers we prefer for this look include Erdem, Markarian or Naeem Khan.
Green Sequined dress
Mini Dresses
Mini dresses for a wedding? Why not? For brides who are looking for modern alternatives to the traditional wedding dress while avoiding excess, this dress length is perfect.
Petite ladies can also benefit from a mini dress, especially if they wish to wear a dress train as part of their outfit. If you are petite, you can wear a mini dress to make your legs look longer and a train in the back.
For this outfit, we recommend brands like Cult Gaia, Milly or Oscar de la Renta.
Mini dress for a wedding. Photo: Vogue France/Francois Durand/Getty Images
Suits for the Bride
Finally, there is the suit. Even though suits for women are not new, they are still not as popular as a gown for weddings.
Suits offer confidence, independence, and re-wearability, which is especially important for sustainability. If you choose to go for this outfit, consider one made of silk, but wool can be used too; cotton should only be used if the wedding is at a very warm destination.
Other benefits of wearing suits are that they can be worn in many ways and do not need a lot of accessories, since they are an impactful statement on their own. You can wear 3-piece suits, oversized or tuxedos in colors like pink, light blue, tea green, light peach, yellow; simple prints excluding squares and stripes, metallic touches, or anything similar.
We recommend Giorgio Armani, Gabriela Hearst or Victoria Beckham for your next wedding suit.
Suit for a wedding
Final Touches
None of these five outfits require a lot of accessories. For the final touches, consider drop earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and studs made of diamonds, pearls, or a combination of both; it’s important not to use very small jewelry, since they will not contribute to your outfit.
A few brands include Cartier and Jamie Wolf.
For shoes, thin and 3+ inch heels should be your first choice, specifically pumps, d’orsay and slingback shoes. Brands to consider include Manolo Blahnik and Rene Caovilla.
Be the Bride you Want to Be
No matter your comfort level to move away from the traditional wedding gown, there is an option that represents your style. For brides looking for a slight change, flower prints and tulle gowns are the best options.
Colored and sequined dresses, as well as suits, are for brides who are looking for something completely different. Do not be afraid to experiment with new styles if the traditions do not fit your dream wedding.
