Shopping for a wedding dress is no easy task; it can be a long and drawn-out process that involves months of planning, dozens of bridal boutique appointments, and hours of fitting room small-talk.
So how do you find the right wedding dress?
There’s a lot to consider when searching for your wedding dress, but certainly a few key factors should be determined first. Most importantly, establish your budget and the type of wedding you’re planning.
Fittings, alterations and extra trimmings will add up, so be sure to set a realistic price ceiling before falling in love with the wrong dress. Likewise, if you impulse buy a long-sleeved gown, only to decide to get married on a beach in the height of summer, you might find yourself regretting your haste. It’s important to settle on your wedding’s location, look and feel before making any decisions regarding the dress.
Lastly, narrow down the wedding dress silhouettes and styles you feel most comfortable in, and that suit your shape. Do you often reach for shorter styles to show off your legs? Do you prefer lacy confections over more casual pieces? Are you set on white, or could you see yourself floating down the aisle in a pink gown? The options are endless, but by asking yourself these important questions early on, you’ll make your search less daunting.
Here, British Vogue breaks down 10 popular wedding dress styles, silhouettes and price points, to help you on your way to discovering your dream gown.
Wedding dress silhouettes for brides to consider:
Opting to say “I do” in summer, or going for a sweet and simple registry office wedding? Then turn your attention to fuss-free short wedding dress styles. Both Audrey Hepburn and Mia Farrow opted for shorter lengths on their big days – with memorable results. A cropped hemline might not bring the same drama as a floor-sweeping gown, but it can certainly make an impact, especially when paired with the right accessories. Rime Arodaky, Miu Miu and Self-Portrait all offer chic and modern options.
If traditional silhouettes and colours aren’t your thing, why not consider a boho wedding dress? Hallmarks include fluted sleeves, off-the-shoulder silhouettes and layers of lace, as well as creamy off-white shades that are decidedly softer than pristine white.
A boho wedding gown will feel right in more relaxed settings, too. If you’re planning seaside nuptials, or a garden or backyard wedding, a bohemian-style wedding dress will certainly suit the surroundings. Temperley London, Spell & The Gypsy Collective and Lola Varma are good starting points for your boho search.
Beachside nuptials throw up some specific requirements where the wedding dress is concerned. It’s safe to assume that you’re planning for warm weather, if not hot, so look for a gown that’s breeze and heat-friendly. Consider diaphanous fabrics, relaxed silhouettes, off-the-shoulder styles, or even a backless moment when hunting for something to suit the sandy setting. Don’t forget that detachable trains, sleeves or skirt overlays could be worked in to amp up the drama and suit the temperature, too. Grace Loves Lace, Dana Harel and Greta Kate are our go-to designers for beach wedding dresses.
Brides who want to eschew traditional white but still look romantic on their big day should reach for a pink wedding dress. Look to soft shades of rose, blush or blossom when shopping, and consider designers like Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier and Hermione de Paula, all of whom offer up ingenious takes on the colourful wedding gown season after season. If all-out pink doesn’t feel quite right, but a hint of colour still appeals, embroidery or variegated layers could be a subtle way to incorporate your favourite hue.
A winter wedding presents an opportunity to invest in a gown or ensemble that won’t be forgotten in a hurry. There are some obvious hallmarks to take advantage of: long sleeves, full skirts, a high neckline, or a statement train for starters. And as far as trimmings go, the world is your oyster. Lace, floral appliqué, fringing, frills, tulle and intricate beadwork are all worth considering, as extravagant silhouettes offer more room to play with.
More alternative silhouettes work for winter wedding dresses too, with suiting a chic option when the temperatures drop. Designers to keep in mind when shopping for a winter wedding? Try Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab or Badgley Mischka.
If you’re after something classic and minimal, there’s no reason it has to mean casual. A dramatic column or A-line silhouette can still deliver theatrics, while remaining pared-back and elegant. Opt out of lace and adornment and focus instead on a great fit and unique finishing touches. A flattering neckline or backless style will add something special, without the need to go overboard on design elements. Halfpenny London, Danielle Frankel and Alex Perry are the designers to scope out first if you’re after a simple wedding dress.
If you’re searching for a wedding dress at a budget-friendly price point – perhaps something you could even wear again – the high street could hold the answer. Reformation, Ghost and ASOS all serve up romantic and affordable options for brides and bridesmaids. But no matter where you pick up your high street wedding dress, it’s crucial to allow enough time for alterations, as even a more affordable dress may need to be taken in, let out or hemmed in order to be perfect for your walk down the aisle.
A lace wedding dress, regardless of silhouette, spells romance. If opting for head-to-toe lace, or simply embracing a hint in a fluted sleeve, the fabric can add a feminine and sensual touch to modern or tailored pieces. Form-fitting lace that reveals just a hint of skin, or a thoughtfully-placed cutout are both options for the bride who is inclined towards lace. Alternatively, consider a subtle ruffle at the hemline, waist or sleeves. Of course, no one does a lace gown quite like Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera or Marchesa – the hard part will be picking just one.
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If you’re planning to sparkle all the way down the aisle then a bedazzled sequin wedding dress could be the one for you. Those who want embrace a little glitter while steering clear of anything too over the top should look to a smattering of light-reflecting appliqué and sequins that blends seamlessly with the hue of the gown. On the flip-side, brides who want unabashed shine could select contrasting colours – think gold and white – for a more striking sequined look. If a subtle scattering isn’t quite enough, trial head-to-toe sequins for a gown that truly glows. Wedding dress designers well-versed in sparkles and sequins include Inbal Dror, Jenny Packham and Galia Lahav.
If you’re planning understated nuptials, a casual wedding dress could tick all the right boxes. Linen, unadorned silk, cotton poplin or gauzy chiffon are fabrics that feel decidedly more casual, but remain chic and timeless nonetheless. Opting for a casual wedding dress over mountains of tulle or masses of lace also leaves you the option of wearing it again in the future – earning you crucial sustainability points. While there aren’t necessarily specific hallmarks of a casual wedding gown to look for (the rule here is that there really aren’t any rules), you may find yourself leaning towards more simple silhouettes (A-line for example), and fewer finishing touches (farewell, embroidery and appliqué).
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