Nontraditional Bridal Wear

You can dress for the occasion in a nontradtional way.

The image of the bride, resplendent in her lacy white wedding gown as she proceeds down the aisle, is a cultural icon. But white was not always the last word in bridal attire. As recently as the 19th century, women chose dresses of different colors; the wedding of Queen Victoria in 1840 ushered in the era of white. If you are a bride who feel less bound by tradition, you have other stylish options for the Big Day.

Reasons

Brides may opt for nontraditional bridal wear for many reasons. The wedding may be an informal affair, such as one on a beach or at a resort. A mature bride, a mother or a woman marrying for the second time, may choose not to wear white. For some women, the expense of a formal white wedding gown is one they’d rather not shoulder. Still, other brides like the idea of a dress they can wear again.

Colors

Similar to brides of centuries past, you have a rainbow of bridal-wear choices. Your chosen color can be subtle -- such as adding a blue sash or pink flowers to a white dress -- or lean toward bold hues like all green or even gold and silver. You can tie its colors to the season, with pastels for spring or deep brown for autumn. Or you can opt for the symbolic image by adding just the palest hint of color mixed into the white fabric.

Styles

“We LOVE the fact that many people are choosing to diversify when it comes to wedding dresses,” declares The Budget Fashionista. From beach party to Gothic-themed, a nontraditional wedding often dictates its own fashion choices. If a garden wedding seems a more personal or cost-effective option than a formal ceremony, you can suit the setting with a sundress. A short-skirted party dress adds a sense of fun to a young woman’s nuptials. Slacks provide a comfortable alternative to the traditional dress, with options ranging from silk pantsuit to funky tuxedo-style.

Bridesmaids

As part of the wedding party, the bridesmaids are usually expected to complement the bride’s look. Brides tend to have bridesmaids in the same age range. To that end, a nontraditional cut and color lends itself to future use at parties and other events. Nor are bridesmaids limited to wearing identical dresses; your nontraditional wedding may call for each woman to pick out her own ensemble.

References

• From Times Past: The History of the White Wedding Dress
• Perfect Wedding Dress Finder: Shop of Non-Traditional Wedding Gowns
• I-Wedding Dresses: Not White Wedding Dresses
• The Budget Fashionista: Six Awesome Non-Traditional Wedding Dresses to Scare Your Mom for under $50
• The Dessy Group: The Brides Guide to Bridesmaids
• San Francisco: The Tradition of Non-Traditional Bridal Wear