The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides

Let's face it, shopping for a traditional best wedding dress can be a difficult process for modern brides - but why not try something different for your big day... a black wedding dress? Hear us out. Between thinking about the budget, practicality and contending with the future mother-in-law's suggestions, you might be struggling with the pressure of finding the one. Something you might not have considered, but probably should, is to eschew tradition and opt for a uniquely coloured wedding dress that is entirely and uniquely yours. Move over LBD, black wedding dresses are having a moment.

Should you be worried that black doesn't seem like a celebratory colour, the key is in the details of your wedding gown. Feathers, pearls, lace and beading, can add that special touch to an otherwise understated dress. Not to mention, black wedding dresses give you plenty of options to explore colourful accessories and party-time pieces.

Not convinced? Take coloured wedding dresses from celebrity style icons like Sarah Jessica Parker and Chloë Sevigny. They both chose unique wedding dresses to walk down the aisle. In 1997, SJP wore a black, off-the-rack Morgane Le Fay gown for her wedding to Matthew Broderick, a far cry from Carrie Bradshaw's Vivienne Westwood bridal look (and no feathered headpiece in sight). And Sevigny's high-necked, figure-hugging midi (above) for her first ceremony was a simple but chic reminder that this is a dress you'll be able to wear time and time again.

The Best Black Wedding Dresses At A Glance

Editor's Choice: Raey, Halter-Neck Draped-Front Wraparound Silk Dress (£425) - Buy now from MATCHES

Best bardot black wedding dress: Coast, Black Sweetheart Bardot Maxi Dress (£87.50) - Buy now from Coast

Best sustainable black wedding dress: Ganni, Long Velvet Dress (£225) - Buy now from GANNI

Then again, just because it's not a white wedding dress doesn't mean you can't dial up the drama. For a lesson in how black wedding dresses can create a real 'moment', look no further than Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn. She wore not one but two black gowns to her wedding in season three of the show. The dresses, designed in collaboration with Galia Lahav, were worth a rumoured $50,000. They were, quite frankly, one of the most unforgettable moments on the show to date. So, if you're thinking about wearing black for your big day, we've rounded up the best black high street wedding dresses for every kind of bride.

SHOP: The Best Black Wedding Dresses For Alternative Brides

What Black Wedding Dress Style Should I Go For?

As more brides say 'no' to the traditional wedding dress, finding exactly what you want for your big day comes down to your own personal style. For Bree Macara, senior fashion editor at The Outnet, the appeal of the black wedding dress was down to its rebel attitude.

'As my entire day was contrary to wedding 'rules', I knew that I was never going to tie the knot in a traditional white or ivory gown. I bounced around between suiting, ruffles and tulle. Eventually, I just thought about the most fabulous, impractical frocks I'd seen and fallen in love with in the past.

'And ta-da, a sequin-embellished, black lace gown came to mind. I had the back of the dress lowered to an elegant scoop. Extended the hem to a train and added giant marabou feather cuffs (well, if I was going there?!). It's one of the best choices I've made in my adult life, and I still adore it.'

Remy Farrell joins the Grazia team as an assistant across both Fashion and Beauty, with nearly half a decade of experience in shooting, copywriting and editorial shopping pages.