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After I got engaged last fall, one of the first things I did was whip out my laptop and start searching for bridal outfits. I was so excited about using this life event as an excuse to invest in sentimental pieces and curate my dream lineup of white dresses. I quickly realized that modern and effortlessly cool bridal looks are few and far between. From frilly bridal-shower frocks to sequin-covered bachelorette-party dresses, most bridal collections feature conventional designs that are way overdone. So I knew it would be a challenge to source interesting and unique pieces that reflect my personal style yet still felt somewhat “bridal.”
Luckily, I’ve spent countless hours over the last seven months doing exactly that so you don’t have to. And here, I rounded up all the bridal clothes, shoes, and accessories that made the cut. These are the pieces I tried, loved, and actually wore throughout my engagement — and will continue to wear after my wedding. Plus, I’ve included some of the best bridal shopping tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way.
Check back throughout the year for updates as I find outfits for my bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, welcome party, and wedding ceremony and reception.
So, you’re also on the hunt for nontraditional bridal looks?
➼ Engagement photo-shoot outfits
➼ Bachelorette-trip outfits
➼ Bridal shower outfits
➼ Courthouse wedding outfits
➼ Wedding getting-ready outfits
➼ Wedding weekend outfits
➼ Wedding weekend accessories
➼ FAQs
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What to wear for your engagement photos
Before choosing outfits for my engagement photo shoot, I researched different styles of photography and made a rough shot list on Pinterest. I kept both of those elements in mind, along with the photo-shoot locations, when shopping for my looks. To match the grand marble staircases and high-vaulted ceilings of our first location, the New York Public Library, my fiancé wore a tuxedo, and I opted for this glitzy metallic slip by COS (shop a similar one from Banana Republic, below, and there’s a Reformation mini that has the same flared effect). It features a flow-y fit, a flared skirt with side slits, and lustrous satin fabric that catches the light beautifully, so I knew it would be perfect for what I wanted: editorial-style photos with lots of movement (nothing too posed).
Our second location was Central Park. I knew I wanted to wear white, since it’s a classic New York City spot and a more traditional place to shoot engagement photos. But I didn’t want to limit myself to a boring bridal dress, so I chose a coat and trousers instead. The long length, padded shoulders, and crisp white color of this Loulou Studio design was striking in photos. (It’s no longer available, but these coats from Naked Wardrobe and Avec Les Filles will create the same effect.) I added black sunglasses to make the look feel a bit more edgy.
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What to wear on your bachelorette trip
This is where your bridal wardrobe can quickly go south. Bachelorette trips are notoriously difficult, from planning, hosting, and paying for them to searching high and low for white outfits that are somewhat on-theme. Luckily, I spent hours and hours curating my perfect bachelorette-trip wardrobe (seriously, at this point, I’ve wasted weeks of my life planning these outfits) so you don’t have to.
For travel and lounging
No matter where you’re going or what you’ll be doing on your bachelorette trip, I highly recommend investing in a few weather-appropriate white sets. They’re great for traveling, plus you can mix and match them throughout the weekend to maximize your wardrobe. Since I’m going somewhere warm, I opted for this easy-breezy linen set from Dissh. My bachelorette trip also includes a group workout, so I packed my most flattering and confidence-boosting workout set from Lululemon — in white, of course.
For the boat or the beach
If you’re having a beach or boat day during your trip, you don’t have to wear a boring white bikini. Instead, layer and accessorize to create a full, head-to-toe look. I’ll be wearing this iridescent, bright-white bikini from Divino Seas with a low-rise maxi skirt from Reformation and a cowboy hat because I can’t help myself. (If you, too, want to wear a cowboy hat but can’t find one that looks sophisticated — not corny — try Lack of Color.) I’m also packing a one-piece from SAME, the Los Angeles–based brand that has an entire collection of bridal swimsuits, and sheer pants from Jade Swim.
For daytime activities
When it comes time to get dressed for brunch or other daytime activities, you can’t go wrong with a classic A-line dress. Posse has several white linen options under $300, including this one that has a square neckline and side pockets. I’ll also be packing a good white tank because it goes with everything and can easily be dressed up with a maxi skirt or dressed down with a voluminous white skirt. Another essential? Comfortable walking shoes.
For dinner and drinks
Don’t feel confined to a sparkly white dress! I’ll be wearing this minimalist set by St. Agni instead; it’s sleek, polished, and effortlessly cool, which will appeal to anti-brides everywhere. Both pieces have adjustable straps for a customizable fit, and the semi-sheer top has an open back that adds a bit of sexiness. I’ll be pairing the set with matching scrappy sandals.
For going out
Sparkles and feathers and fringe, oh my! It’s certainly not what I would usually go for, but when in Rome, right? I sifted through thousands of pages of party dresses to find the best options that evoke that classic bachelorette style without looking tacky. Retrofête and PatBo both have robust bridal collections with dresses and matching sets that are perfect for a fancy bachelorette party or even your wedding-reception look (Clio Peppiatt and Rabanne are also great options if you have a higher budget.) I’m also packing this unique piece from Aje that features an open back and a raffia tiered hem.
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What to wear to your bridal shower
I had a summer bridal shower that was quite casual and intimate, so an easy-breezy matching set just felt right. I opted for the Ulla Johnson Cressida skirt and matching lace top with Stuart Weitzman sandals and statement-making white earrings. Even though the top I wore is no longer available, the Ulla Johnson Kaia dress is made from the same silk-charmeuse material and also features tulle panels adorned with floral appliqués. The brand’s knit fringe-hem-skirt-and-top set is another elegant option for summer bridal showers.
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What to wear to the courthouse
Whether you’re having an intimate courthouse ceremony or just want to look the part when you go to pick up your marriage certificate, I recommend drawing inspiration from vintage bridal looks because that aesthetic works so well with the classical architecture of most courthouses. Try a vintage suit (or suitlike silhouette) and this bridal hat from Kyha, reminiscent of the one featured in The Parent Trap.
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What to wear on your wedding morning
This was my philosophy when it came to choosing a wedding getting-ready look: Why would I wear pajamas or a robe when I could wear a floor-length white dress instead? You don’t get to wear them often, so you might as well wear as many as you want on your wedding weekend. This simple ivory slip is not only flattering, but it’s also finished with real pearl straps that made me feel soft and feminine and so very bridal. I paired the dress with a sheer silk-chiffon wrap by New York–based designer Nia Thomas and satin mules, which I kept on hand all day in case my feet started hurting, because they’re just as comfortable as they are chic.
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What to wear on your wedding weekend
Now, on to the main event! It’s hard enough to find the perfect dress for your actual wedding ceremony. But when you also have to shop for the rehearsal dinner, welcome party, reception, and all other events that have become the norm, it becomes entirely overwhelming. The best approach? Make a plan (or a vision board) before you start dropping thousands of dollars on dresses and accessories that don’t make sense together.
Whether you want to be a different type of bride for every event or create a wedding wardrobe that feels completely cohesive, almost as if each piece could be part of the same collection, is totally up to you — the important thing is that you start the shopping process having some sense of what you want to convey with each look. I went for soft and whimsical at my rehearsal dinner in a light-blue silk-chiffon dress by Dries Van Noten. (It’s no longer available, but the Kamperett looks below evoke the same look.) Since my ceremony dress was classic and timeless, I chose a welcome-party look that was a bit more fashion-forward: this ’60-inspired Taller Marmo caftan featuring a dramatic slit. For the reception, I opted for this long-sleeved sequined gown by Galvan. It was festive and unlike anything else in my bridal wardrobe without feeling too casual; I still wanted that wow factor even though it was a second look. (Pro tip: Copenhagen-based label Rotate Birger Christensen makes a similar frock if you want a more affordable option or can’t find your size in the Galvan dress.)
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What accessories to wear on your wedding weekend
I probably don’t have to tell you that accessories are an essential part of any wedding-weekend wardrobe. From my Simone Rocha egg-shaped bag and short veil for the after-party to my classic diamond tennis necklace and Brother Vellies mules, the items below made each of my wedding-weekend looks feel so special and true to my personal style.
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FAQs
How can I find nontraditional wedding dresses and bridal looks online?
Shopping for nontraditional bridal looks online is all about SEO and using the right keywords. Drop “bridal” or any wedding-related term from your searches. Instead, search for styles, colors, silhouettes, and fabrics you love. For example, if you don’t want to scroll through the boring looks you’ve seen on Pinterest a million times, search “white strapless minidress with fringe” instead of “bachelorette party dress.” Trust me.
I would also recommend shopping brands and designers that fit your body well and represent your personal style. Don’t feel like you have to buy from classic bridal designers just because you’re engaged. Chances are high that your favorite ready-to-wear designer makes at least one dress that would be appropriate for your wedding or any wedding-related event. Also try looking outside the wedding industry if you’re in a style rut — add runway-show images, cover shoots from fashion magazines, and celebrity red-carpet photos to your Pinterest board for unique bridal-outfit inspiration.
Where should I be shopping?
While there are many different luxury multi-retailer sites to choose from, Moda Operandi and Net-a-Porter have the most robust selection of stylish bridalwear. They also have great search filters that make the shopping process so much easier, several sales throughout the year, and flexible return policies. Ssense also recently launched a bridal collection that’s a dream come true for nontraditional, eccentric, and anti-brides everywhere. The ultracurated capsule includes gowns, minidresses, separates, suits, shoes, and accessories. For designer vintage dresses, check out Tab Vintage, 1stDibs, and Shrimpton Couture. And if you want to buy from a true bridal designer, as opposed to a ready-to-wear label that just so happens to make really good white dresses, I recommend Wed Studio, Blanc Wear, the Own Studio, KYHA Studios, and, of course, Danielle Frankel.
