The Best Modern Wedding Outfits for Non-Traditional Brides

Words by Eleanor Hibberd



The
wedding maketh not the bride; the bride maketh the wedding. As the leading lady, your look can set the tone for the whole affair – so for anyone looking to cast off traditions to host a more modern ceremony, one look at a bridal shop can be enough to make you want to throw in the towel. Fear not – there’s more than one way to do bridalwear in 2025. From timeless minimalism to fashion-forward silhouettes and smart-casual co-ords, find your look in these five aesthetics.

The Minimalist Bride

If your everyday style favours clean lines and minimal embellishment, there’s no reason why your wedding dress shouldn’t follow suit. Though you may feel pressured to go all out for your special day, a simple look can pack plenty of punch when it’s done right – as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy proved with her iconic slip-style dress in the ’90s. Perfectly draped gown
s from E.Stott, Tove and more are effortless in their elegance.

The Fashion-Forward Bride

If you’re a style maven with your finger on the pulse, let the aisle become your very own runway. The Spring/Summer shows were awash with white dresses, giving 2025 brides plenty to choose from in the ready-to-wear realm. Underfoot, ballet flats and kitten heels are today’s chic shoes of choice, while a trending bag – like Simone Rocha’s pearl Egg clutch or Bottega Veneta’s woven Sardine bag – will cement your status as the fashion-forward bride.

The Party Bride

If your main motive for getting hitched is to throw an elaborate knees-up, this may be the look for you. Steer clear of cumbersome silhouettes and make way for micro hemlines, spangled sequins and frivolous feather trims – all of which were made to shimmy onto the dancefloor. Roland Mouret’s sparkle-trimmed mini, for example, adds a flowing cape to its form-fitting silhouette, perfectly elevating its thigh-skimming length for the occasion. A party look is nothing without its accoutrements, so be sure to amp up the glamour with a fun L’Alingi clutch or Jimmy Choo’s embellished Sacora sandals.

The Casual Bride

There can be few things cooler than playing it casual on your wedding day. Slouchy tailoring and sophisticated midi dresses are the blueprint for registry-office bridal style, exuding the kind of chic nonchalance you can never achieve in a floor-length gown. A menswear-inspired suit subverts tradition but plays with contrasts when layered over a feminine cami, while classic bridal details can be brought in via delicate lace, beaded accessories and ladylike shoes.

The Bride Who Doesn't Wear White

Rejecting bridal white can be an empowering way to buck tradition, and vastly opens up the playing field when it comes to picking an outfit. Anything goes, of course, but this season’s trending colour schemes favour blush pink and butter yellow, both ideal bridal alternatives. Think of the aisle as your red carpet – Jenny Packham’s glamorous sequinned gowns were made for the spotlight. You are the star of the show, after all.

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