While white dresses have become synonymous with most Western brides, the idea is actually still relatively modern. In fact, white wedding dresses didn't become popular until 1840, when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in a white lace gown. And, of course, brides around the world favour different colours for their wedding, like Chinese and Indian brides, who often wear red. But where can you find the best coloured wedding dresses if that's what you want to wear? We've got some answers.
Thankfully, there is more choice than ever when it comes to bridal outfits. Lots of celebrities have chosen to wear colourful wedding dresses, too, which has ultimately influenced brands and designers to create more options other than just white. Mandy Moore, for example, wore pale pink Rodarte when she got married in 2018, while Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn chose a black Galia Lahav gown for her gothic wedding.
Whether you want a simple weddingdress or something to wear for your beach wedding, there are dresses in every colour that would make for a truly spectacular bridal outfit. The likes of Jenny Packham, Rasario, Ashish Emilia Wickstead and Monique Lhuillier all make ready-to-wear gowns that would suit any sort of wedding, while on the high street, it's worth looking to brands like Anthropologie and Free People, both of which stock a great range of smaller, independent designers you won't easily find elsewhere.
From long sleeved wedding dresses to boho wedding dresses and even sustainable bridal gowns, the good news is that being open to different colours gives you infinitely more choice. It also makes your final choice much easier to wear beyond just your wedding day, which is much kinder to the planet – and your purse.
SHOP: The Best Coloured Wedding Dresses 2023
www.needleandthread.com
Needle & Thread has some beautiful options for brides, bridesmaids and wedding guests. It's particularly good if you're on the hunt for a colourful wedding dress – this dreamy ruffled gown is available in seven different colours and is a real show-stopper.
www.freepeople.com
Don't think you have to stick to block colours – this romantic print would make for a beautiful bridal option.
www.mytheresa.com
You may recognise this glorious gown seeing as the Princess of Wales wore the gold version to a James Bond premiere a couple of years ago. The detail is even more incredible close-up – it would be a spectacular choice for a wedding dress.
www.libertylondon.com
Channel old Hollywood vibes with Sleeper's feather-trimmed slip. Accessorise with great heels and your bridal bouquet.
www.net-a-porter.com
Just because your wedding dress isn't white, doesn't mean it needs to be any less bridal. This incredible gown is crafted from guipure lace intricately woven to depict waterlilies and underpinned with structured tulle to hold the A-line shape. The bustier is boned, offering more support, too.
www.anthropologie.com
The train detail lends this mini an extra dose of drama. At less than £200 currently in the sale, it will leave you with more money for other areas of your wedding (or, even better, for your honeymoon).
www.mytheresa.com
The summer sale is a great place to look for your wedding dress. This Emilia Wickstead gown is pure romance, from the colour to the fabric.
www.net-a-porter.com
This is the perfect choice if you'd like something feminine and fairly theatrical but not necessarily bridal. It's the most beautiful colour and a great shape, too.
www.karenmillen.com
For glamorous brides, this embellished hot pink option looks far more expensive than it actually is. Plus, it will double up as a knockout party dress long after your wedding.
www.selfridges.com
If you do want something darker but don't quite want to wear black, this is a good compromise. The jacquard fabric keeps it from being too sombre and the elegant neckline makes it feel even more special.
www.selfridges.com
You can't really go wrong with champagne silk and this dress is particularly perfect. Its simplicity is what makes it so lovely – keep accessories to a minimum and let it speak for itself.
www.luisaviaroma.com
Many brides have recently leaned into the trend for sheer dresses of late. While that can seem like a very daunting prospect, this is a slightly easier way to do it if that's your vibe. The dress has sheer panels rather than being completely transparent, while the flower appliqué lends a romantic touch.
www.net-a-porter.com
This dress is still very bridal without also being white. The lilac shade feels particularly romantic but it also comes in bright red if you want to make a bolder statement. It's a frothy fairytale that will be a joy to wear if you have a proclivity for ruffles.
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