Embarking on the search for a wedding dress can be a daunting prospect. While it's a huge relief that there's now more choice than ever, the wealth of options on offer can feel somewhat overwhelming. You want something that suits your style but feels more special than your average outfit, something that's show-stopping but within budget and, most importantly, something that's just going to make you feel amazing.
Whether you're gearing up for an enormous celebration with every relative you can think of or want something smaller and more casual, you'll be pleased to know that your ideal bridal look is but a click away. Whether you're after a colourful wedding dress, a short wedding dress or a wedding dress with pockets, we've curated a selection for every bride.
Best wedding dresses at a glance:
Best wedding dress with short sleeves: Whistles Silk Dress, £699
Best short wedding dress: Emilia Wickstead Corrie Dress in Ivory, £2,120
Best lace wedding dress: Self Portrait Tiered Lace Dress, £480
Best off-the-shoulder wedding dress: Danielle Frankel Wool and Silk Gown, £5,000
Best wedding jumpsuit: 16Arlington Strapless Feather-Trimmed Jumpsuit, £995
Best colourful wedding dress: Vivienne Westwood Satin Gown, £4,800
Traditional brides, unconventional brides and even those who absolutely don't want to wear a dress – there are options for everyone. Weddings can be stressful enough at the best of times, so don't let what you wear become a nightmare. Instead, find your perfect outfit below...
The Best Wedding Dresses With Sleeves For Cool Brides
If you want to keep your silhouette fairly simple but still crave a stylish flourish, put the emphasis on your sleeves. Puff sleeves, bell sleeves, Juliet sleeves... there are endless options to suit all personal styles, from designer gowns to high-street wedding dresses.
Photo: @iamgdriver / @rosiemaykelly
You could even add embellishment to short sleeves, appliqué details or mix your fabrics. It's a great way to add a bit of drama without feeling OTT.
www.whistles.com
Contemporary, playful and perfect for the modern bride. This dress features a slim silhouette, a flared tier hem as well as magical puff sleeves which are sheer for that extra touch of playfulness.
Material: 100% silk
Sizes: UK4 - UK18
www.needleandthread.com
We adore the tulle ruffled sleeves and intricate floral embroidery with a high shine for extra oomph. Fabulous if you're looking for something slightly more conservative.
Material: Recycled polyester
Sizes: UK6 - UK18
www.johnlewis.com
This dress oozes simplicity and elegance, with a high-neck collar and diamond-shaped cut-out detail at the back. Simplicity is key, has never been more accurate.
Material: Viscose
Sizes: XXS - XL
The Best Short Wedding Dresses For Modern Brides
Ever since Covid, searches for short wedding dresses have been on the rise. Perhaps it's because we're still embracing the good times whenever we can or possibly brides realised that, after lockdown weddings where anything went, there were no rules anymore. Kourtney Kardashian famously wore one during her Italian wedding to Travis Barker, and there's plenty more celebrity wedding dress inspiration where that came from.
Photo: @lorrainepascale
Either way, there are some fabulous mini options available now, whether you're looking for a short dress for your ceremony or as a day-before party look.
emiliawickstead.com
If you're looking for a shorter dress but don't want to sacrifice the drama and elegance of something longer, Emilia Wickstead is the woman for you. Her creations are unfailingly beautiful and this floral cloque dress is no exception.
Material: 61% Polyester, 20% Silk, 19% Polyamide
Sizes: UK6 - UK18
www.farfetch.com
While the main silhouette of this dress is simple, the off-shoulder puff sleeves lend a touch of drama, making this the perfect choice for modern brides looking for a show-stopping short style.
Material: Lining: Cotton 97%, Spandex/Elastane 3% Outer: Polyester 100%
Sizes: UK6 - UK12
rixolondon.com
The ultimate fun, flirty mini wedding dress featuring a feathered Bardot neckline which can be worn on or off the shoulders. The perfect civil ceremony or after-party frock.
Material: 100% silk
Sizes: XXS - 3XL
The Best Lace Wedding Dresses For Traditional Brides
If you're searching for something more traditional which still feels contemporary, a lace wedding dress is an ideal way of combining a vintage aesthetic with a modern ceremony. Daisy Hoppen, founder of DH-PR, was married in a bespoke Simone Rocha dress which perfectly fused all the romance of an antique lace gown with a cool, modern feel. This being a Simone Rocha creation, it was, of course, embellished with pearls and crystals, which Hoppen also wore in her hair.
Photo: @daisy_hoppen / @emiliewhitephotography
Designers have been experimenting with lace for a while now, creating truly beautiful dresses that will undoubtedly become the modern heirlooms of their time. From Christopher Kane's feather-trimmed gown to Simone Rocha's slip, it doesn't matter whether you're a minimalist or a more-is-more bride, there's a lace dress for you.
www.net-a-porter.com
This tiered dress has vintage vibes and is super pretty without feeling saccharine. It's the choice for brides who want a long dress but one that's not too traditional. This will also give you the chance to show off a killer pair of shoes.
Material: 98% polyester, 2% polyamide
Sizes: UK 4-16
www.mytheresa.com
This Christopher Kane dress is delicately composed of French lace and features ornate crystal brooches. It strikes the perfect balance if you want to lean towards a more traditional idea of bridalwear while feeling utterly cool and contemporary at the same time.
Material: Nylon
Sizes: EU38 - EU50
www.net-a-porter.com
If you're planning a wedding in a hot climate or just want something which feels more summery, Alessandra Rich's gown has romantic vibes and could easily be repurposed after the wedding.
Material: 70% cotton, 30% polyamide
Sizes: UK4-14
The Best Off-Shoulder Wedding Dresses For Romantic Brides
Off-the-shoulder wedding dresses are a great way to wear sleeves without losing that easy, romantic feel. Annie Vischer, Grazia's beauty director, opted for pretty sheer sleeves that fell off her shoulders and some bridal designers even offer the option of detachable sleeves if you want to shed them for the evening.
Photo: @annievischer / @vickiphoto / @lewisphoto
You don't have to choose long sleeves, however. Vivienne Westwood's Cocotte dress has impeccable structure without feeling fussy or too formal, while Danielle Frankel's fluid gowns offer both off-the-shoulder and cold-shoulder styles. The best thing? These dresses work for any kind of ceremony and setting.
www.net-a-porter.com
Fluid and structured at the same time, there is boning in the bodice of this gown which doesn't sacrifice the ease and elegance of the whole silhouette. You will need heels with this, as you'll want to make the most of the beautiful pooling train.
Material: 51% wool, 49% silk; lining: 100% polyester
Sizes: UK4-20
www.monsoon.co.uk
You won't believe that this dress is high street – the detail includes intricate beadwork and romantic embroidery, while there's an added bustle loop and buttons so that you can shorten it when the party starts. Having said that, if you don't want such a long train, this one is easy to alter.
Material: Outer: Recycled Polyester 100% Lining: Recycled Polyester 100%
Sizes: 6-22
www.mytheresa.com
Simple, elegant and classic, this dress would work for any kind of ceremony, whether you're marrying in a registry office, church or even having your wedding outdoors. You can afford to add accessories, too, if you want to go all out with your shoes or something in your hair.
Material: 8% silk, 17% polyamide, 73% polyester, 2% elastane
Sizes: UK6-18
The Best Colourful Wedding Dresses For Unconventional Brides
If big white dresses really aren't your thing, consider instead opting for colourful wedding dresses, a wedding dress with pockets, or dresses with different textures and prints.
Photo: @heartzeena / @theshannons.photography
Influencer Zeena Shah is known for her love of bold, bright shades and so turned to sequin aficionado Ashish when choosing a dress for her London wedding. Just think of it as the most important party dress you've ever bought – and, if you're looking to wear it more than once, choosing sustainable wedding dresses that you can wear again and again will be crucial.
www.mytheresa.com
Few brands do bridal like Vivienne Westwood, even when the dress is hot pink. If you want to stay away from traditional shades of white but don't want to sacrifice the structure and elegance of a conventional dress, this is your dream gown.
Material: 57% acetate, 6% elastane, 37% polyamide
Sizes: UK6-14
www.net-a-porter.com
This sweeping column dress has a cape for extra theatricality. Such a show-stopper, you can keep the rest of your look minimal and just let the dress do the talking.
Material: 100% polyester
Sizes: UK6-22
www.mytheresa.com
Susan Fang has a playful spirit similar to Ashish, although her whimsical creations are imbued with more of a sense of romance and whimsicality. This dress is ideal for any unconventional bride who wants colour and fun from their wedding day.
Material: 100% polyester
Sizes: XS- L
The Best Wedding Jumpsuits For City Brides
If you don't feel entirely comfortable in dresses or are just looking for a more modern take on bridalwear, consider the wedding jumpsuit. Comfy, versatile and slightly unexpected, it's a great way to avoid dresses or as an option for more low-key celebrations.
Don't think you have to sacrifice any of the drama, however. Not only are there jumpsuits available, many brands also offer trousers if you're looking for the option of separates. Kate Halfpenny is the designer who's really been a pioneer in this respect, offering beautiful tops, skirts, trousers and capes that ultimately allow every bride to create their own combination.
Photo: @cazzleallen
Choose a striking jumpsuit or wear some trousers under a sheer skirt, which can then be re-fashioned later in the day or even for another ceremony (the three-day wedding is now officially A Thing, after all). Either way, it's possibly the most sustainable bridal look you'll find given how much wear you'll be able to get out of it post-wedding.
www.net-a-porter.com
With its feather trim, 16Arlington's jumpsuit makes for an excellent after-party option or, if you don't want to wear a dress for your ceremony, this all-in-one will make you feel just as special as any gown.
Material: Polyester
Sizes: S - XXXL
www.thereformation.com
The Alfred jumpsuit is a sophisticated choice, with a playful bodice featuring tiny frills and bow straps. Ideal for the bride championing comfort, as well as style.
Material: Viscose
Sizes: UK4 - UK16
www.reiss.com
With a draped silhouette, this jumpsuit will be as comfortable as it is elegant. Team with an oversized ivory jacket for your ceremony and then wear on its own when the music starts later on.
Material: 69% Lyocell, 18% linen, 13% cotton.
Sizes: UK4-16
The Best Detailed Wedding Dresses For Fashion-Forward Brides
If you're looking for a wedding dress that's just a bit different from everything you feel you've seen a thousand times, influencer Thandi Maq will be your bridal inspiration. For her wedding day, she gave a traditional Xhosa gown a brilliant twist with a bold striped hem that was balanced out with delicate lace cap sleeves and a beautiful sheer back with embroidered overlay.
Photo: @thandimaq / @lovemadevisible
It's perhaps impossible to start looking for an unexpected dress, for obvious reasons, but worth considering styles like the below if you want to surprise your guests (and your partner). You could, like Thandi, go for a bespoke creation but if you'd rather buy a finished piece, here are some lovely options. From surprise oversized bows to stunning silhouettes, any of these dresses would make for an inspired choice...
www.theoutnet.com
A more casual option but ideal for a low-key bride, this Simone Rocha dress could easily be dressed up to make for a lovely wedding outfit.
Material: 100% cotton
Size: XS-L
www.theoutnet.com
If you want to keep things simple but you're worried about looking too understated, focus on a key detail like this beautiful appliquéd corsage. You could always even add some colour with your shoes.
The Best Sheer Wedding Dresses For Daring Brides
A somewhat surprising bridal trend that's emerged over the last year or so involves translucent silks, sheer skirts and barely-there beaded gowns. While a sheer wedding dress may not be the most conventional choice, brides like Camille Charriere and Tish Weinstock have made it look effortless.
Photo: @camillecharriere / @morganelay
Charriere, in fact, had two dresses for her wedding. The first, a semi-sheer Celine dress and the second is an exquisite transparent lace creation by Harris Reed, proving that see-through comes in all forms.
If you're drawn to these sorts of fabrics but don't want to show anything off, look for thicker fabrics or try a short slip underneath. You could opt for sheer panels – on sleeves, for example – and even wear something over the top – a cape, for example, or even tuck a mini dress into a sweeping skirt – and then shed layers for the evening.
rixolondon.com
If you want to embrace this trend without going fully sheer, Rixo's sequin dress has a semi-sheer skirt which will sparkle when it catches the light. It will look beautiful at any ceremony but, come time for dancing, it will really steal the show.
Material: 100% Viscose
Sizes: UK6-16
www.mytheresa.com
For sheer bridal gowns, Nensi Dojaka is your girl. She's amassed a loyal following of cool girls with her sensual designs and, since she launched bridal last year, her transparent take on wedding outfits have consistently sold out. This one would be especially lovely for a beach wedding.
How much should a dress for a wedding cost?
Short answer - it depends. According to hitched.co.uk's 2023 wedding survey, the average amount spent on a wedding dress in the UK was £1,300. Having said that, your wedding dress could be more or less expensive, depending on what you're looking for.
Brands like ASOS, Reformation and Revolve offer affordable high-street wedding dresses for as little as £300. However, if you're looking for a bespoke dress from a designer, £2,000 may be more realistic.
How many months before the wedding should you buy the dress?
When shopping for a wedding dress, you need to strike a balance between not shopping too far in advance, but also not leaving it too last minute. Shopping too far in advance could mean a change in trends as well as personal preference while leaving it for a few weeks before can lead to unnecessary stress. The sweet spot? Around eight to 12 months before your wedding day. This will give you time for multiple fittings, as well as alterations, which typically take around three months.
Where can I sell my wedding dress?
Selling your wedding dress is a great idea for a few reasons. Firstly, you'll be extending the lifecycle of the garment by passing it on to another bride, and you'll also be making some extra cash for the honeymoon. A few of our favourite second-hand retailers to sell pre-loved clothes are Vestiaire Collective and Vinted.
How much are wedding dress alterations?
Depending on how minor or major the tweaks are, your alterations could cost anywhere from £80 to £400.