American brides often don their traditional, long white gowns on their wedding day. This timeless tradition is the subject of little girls’ dreams as they imagine themselves walking down the aisle. As Vera Wang once said, “a wedding gown is the embodiment of a dream.”
As a symbol of purity of girlhood, donning white wedding gowns is a practice that traces back as early as 2000 years ago, when brides in the Roman Republic wore a white tunic. In Roman heritage, the color white represented purity and virtue and marked a woman’s transition into a married matron.
In modern times, white is still the dominant choice for most American brides. Marlise Schoeny, professor at the Columbus College of Art and Design of the Ohio State University, reports that 4 out of 5 women still opt to walk down the aisle in a white gown. But, more women are choosing to forsake this look in favor of attire that reflects the personalities of 21st-century women. Think more eye-catching colors, sleek styles, and dramatic silhouettes that are bold, daring, and unmistakably modern.
Want to ditch the white dress? Here are four unique bridal outfits you can consider for your big day:
Bohemian Wedding Dress
Free-spirited brides can have their aura and attitude embodied by a bohemian wedding dress. The boho style is marked by flowy fabrics, botanical laces, and beaded patterns. This kind of dress is inspired by nature with a mix of eclectic elements such as metals, geometric patterns, and trinkets. This style is easy to customize into a vast range of outfits to match your bridesmaids. This dress is the perfect match for you if you’re having a casual beach wedding or a bohemian ceremony in the desert.
Photo by Samet Kormaz via Pexels
Floral Gowns
Floral prints on your wedding dress are sure to turn heads and provide the classic elegance that reflects your unique personality. In fact, many designers have explored watercolor flower prints and bold floral patterns–from Monique Lhuillier, Hermione de Paula, to Peter Langner. Wearing a floral dress can take you from a casual day out to a garden wedding and highlight your fresh and feminine style.
Photo by Godisable Jacob via Pexels
Black Wedding Gown
Perhaps the most untraditional gown color that a bride can don is black. This sleek and modern bridal look is a favorite among celebrities who want to create a memorable statement. For example, the “Selling Sunset” star Christine Quinn wore a long-sleeve black midi-dress and accessorized it with boots and a small bouquet. Her classic style with a twist piqued the interest of many brides who want to explore minimalist yet daring styles for their big day.
Photo by Nikita Skripnik via Pexels
Trousers and Pantsuits
With the market overflowing with long and flowy bridal dresses, a jumpsuit is a fashion-forward option for brides who love to think outside the box. High-profile brides such as Solange Knowles, Amal Clooney, and Bianca Jagger donned an effortlessly cool look on their wedding days. Brides that want to express their functional yet stylish personalities can take inspiration from them.
Because your wedding day is all about you and the love you share with your partner, delight yourselves and your guests with a unique and non-traditional dress that will forever be etched in your memories in the years to come.
Photo by Sourced Co.
This is a guest post written by Alyssa Princess Clarke.
Risa James Events has no financial relationship with any companies that may be linked within.