The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (2024)

Sarah Jessica Parker wore one in 1997...

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (1)

1Raey, Halter-Neck Draped-Front Wraparound Silk Dress
2Coast, Black Sweetheart Bardot Maxi Dress
3Ganni, Long Velvet Dress
4Ro and Zo, Black Jacquard Ruffle Shoulder Midi Dress
5Sister Jane, Ghospell Kiska Fray Midi Dress
6Solace London, Calluna Maxi Dress
7Galvan, Satin Sienna Dress
8Anthropologie, Maeve Ruffled-Neckline Pleated Dress
9Usisi Sister, Mary Dress
10Amy Lynn, Alexa Black Puffball Dress

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.

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (12)

© chloessevigny on Instagram

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

Editor's Choice

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (13)matches fashion

Description

Sleek, chic and draped, this Halter-Neck Draped-Front Wraparound Silk Dress from Raey is simply

Best bardot black wedding dress

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (15)coast

Price:

£87.50 (was £125)

www.coastfashion.com

Description

Even Coast has a bridal collection to swoon over - and this Black Sweetheart Bardot Maxi Dress

Best sustainable black wedding dress

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (17)ganni

Description

Ganni's Long Velvet Dress, made from a blend of recycled polyester, is a[sustainable wedding

Best ruffle black wedding dress

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (19)ro&zo

Price:

£79 (was £109)

roandzo.com

Description

With a jacquard polka dot print, this Black Jacquard Ruffle Shoulder Midi Dress from our

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (20)

Price:

£79 (was £109)

roandzo.com

Best halter-neck black wedding dress

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (21)sister jane

Description

A halter-neck look goes far without doing too much. With the applique and fray edges peeking out

Best Hollywood black wedding dress

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (23)solace london

Description

There may be nothing else simply show-stopping than the Calluna Maxi Dress from Solace. Giving the

Best satin black wedding dress

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (25)galvan

Description

Keep it effortless with the Galvan Sienna Dress. If you're looking for the ideal satin wedding

Best floral black wedding dress

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (27)anthropologie

Description

For a floral wedding dress that doesn't necessarily use a floral pattern, the Maeve

Best cut-out black wedding dress

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (29)usisi sister

Price:

£157.50 (was £315)

www.usisi-sister.com

Description

With a cut-out front and maxi-long-sleeve silhouette, the Mary Dress from Usisi Sister is for

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (30)

Price:

£157.50 (was £315)

www.usisi-sister.com

Best short black wedding dress

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (31)amy lynn

Description

Don't ignore short wedding dresses like this Alexa Black Dress with puffball skirt. Feel like a

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.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us

The Most Show-Stopping Black Wedding Dresses For Alt Brides (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean when a bride wears a black wedding dress? ›

The black gown symbolized ensured her loyalty to the bride's devotion to her husband until death. Nowadays, black wedding gowns are the first choice for women who want to wear an unusual yet intense look. They are seen as fashionable and symbolize elegance, power, sensuality, mysteriousness, and Intellect.

Are black wedding dresses hard to find? ›

While it's hard for many brides to find their perfect black wedding dress, more brands and boutiques are slowly incorporating the color into their collections.

Is it okay to get married in a black wedding dress? ›

It's totally fine to wear a black gown to your wedding. But… it does depend somewhat on your situation. For example, if your wedding is traditional and if your guests are conservative or religious in their outlook, a black wedding dress may not be the right choice. Unless you want to make a serious impression that is!

What cultures wear black wedding dresses? ›

In the West, black lace wedding dresses were the traditional choice of Roman Catholic brides in Spain. And both Scottish and Finnish cultures had black wedding gowns as part of their bridal traditions.

What does a red wedding dress mean? ›

The colour of love, the bride who wears red is bold, passionate and full of desire. Not for the fainthearted this is a bold statement to make on your wedding day.

What is the superstition about wearing black to a wedding? ›

Traditionally speaking, wearing black to a wedding is considered taboo. Whether it's a sign of mourning, a symbol of evil, or a sign of bad luck for the marriage, our parents and grandparents likely wouldn't have even had to consider whether black at a wedding was appropriate.

How do you make a black dress look good for a wedding? ›

Pair it with heels or flats, and add a pop of color with a jacket, handbag, or statement necklace. For example, pair a black slip dress with pink peep-toe heels and a printed clutch.

What does white wedding dress mean? ›

As reported by The Washington Post, in 1849, Godey's Lady's Book (reportedly "the Vogue of the Victorian world") decreed "that white is the most fitting hue" for brides to wear. It noted that it is an "emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one."

How to accessorize a black wedding dress? ›

Consider a dramatic veil or a chic headpiece to complete the ensemble. If you want to add a pop of color, consider incorporating your wedding theme colors into your accessories. For example, if your wedding colors are blush pink and gold, choose accessories in these shades to complement your black gown.

What does a green wedding dress mean? ›

Green represents nature. The pigment is also symbolically linked with well-being, tranquility, and peace. A bride who chooses to wear a green wedding dress also comes off as an eloquent and well-educated person, according to certain cultures.

How popular are black wedding dresses? ›

Bold, rebellious, and undeniably unique…just a few words to describe the burgeoning black wedding dress trend. Black wedding dresses have been on the rise for a little while now, but 2023 is shaping up to be a huge year for the strikingly chic alternative to classic white or ivory.

Can you wear a black wedding dress in a church? ›

Yes, you can wear a black dress. Churches are not recorded in the Bible to have a dress code.

How common are black wedding dresses? ›

Black wedding dresses are totally trending, and we're here for it! A bold choice, today's brides are all about making a statement, and there's no better way to bring the drama than with a black wedding dress.

When were black wedding dresses popular? ›

White wedding dresses are now the mainstream, but before the Victorian era in 1840, most women in Western Europe wore dresses other than white, especially black wedding dresses, for their weddings.

Is it common to wear black to a wedding? ›

"It is perfectly acceptable and chic to wear black to evening, black tie, and winter weddings."

Do people still wear black to weddings? ›

While black attire was traditionally associated with mourning and funerals, times are changing — and so are fashion rules! These days, black can make a chic and elegant statement for many different types of weddings.

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