The Non-Bride Bride: What To Wear When You Want To Go Something Non-Traditional

Do you pride yourself on being creative, unpredictable, and unconventional? Do you like breaking fashion rules and traditions for the sake of memorable moments and immediate thrills? We hear you, we see you, and we’ve totally got your back!

July 18, 2024

There’s a reason why white wedding dresses are so timeless. The colour is supposed to symbolize purity and virtue—a belief that dates back to (and actually started with) the Roman Republic. These days we like white because it’s just tradition (and you don’t need to be *completely* virtuous to wear it).


But, as we’re sure you’ve noticed, many cultures don’t follow the white dress ‘rule’. Take Indian brides, for instance, who often dress up in red or gold. Chinese and Vietnamese brides also prefer royal, jewel-toned reds for their gowns. And African brides are known to infuse bright hues like yellow and orange into their garment for their special day.


As modern weddings move from traditional to contemporary, we’ve seen plenty of brides and grooms break the norm. Don’t want to wear white to your wedding? Try these alternative bridal gown options to make your special day extra memorable! 

Golden Glam

Gold has long been associated with wealth and fortune. It’s also a pleasingly metallic variation of muted yellow that looks lovely in practically every form of lighting — from natural light to artificial halos, from muted fluorescent to grandiose yellow chandeliers. If you’d rather not wear eggshell or ivory, why not try a glamorous golden gown? Try something with an alluring silhouette (like our Calliope One Shoulder Maxi Dress) to add some sun-kissed magic to your skin. Or go for a classic silhouette with a sultry, modern twist (like our Esther Iridescent Satin Cowl Maxi Dress).

Pretty In Pink.

How about an asymmetrical, off-shoulder gown in pale pink? Although we’re well past assigning genders to colours, there’s something so innately feminine about these shades that naturally draws people in. Amongst a sea of brides clad in white, cream, and light beige, you’ll stand out like a delicate rose petal —stunning but soft, glamorous but graceful. 


Sure, they’re neither classic nor conventional. But pale pink captures the same fresh, pure, and romantic vibes of any traditional wedding dress. That’s why non-traditional brides are loving our Audrey Off Shoulder Mesh Maxi Dress — it’s feminine but the oversized bow just adds a little extra theatre to make it something special.

Silver and Sweet.

If you’d rather bend traditional wedding fashion rules instead of breaking them completely, a silver wedding gown could be your happy compromise. Silver has an expensive, elevated feel to it — like gold or champagne — but it’s still close enough to the white-slash-light-gray spectrum that it could be considered conventional. It’s a modern take on an otherwise classic look and, with the right silhouette, it can look fantastic! 


Try a sleeveless silver dress with a deep, open back (like our NADIA Maxi Satin Dress with Cowl) or a silver gown adorned with silver crystals for extra wow factor (such as our Arna Off Shoulder Diamante Maxi Dress). It’s all about balancing timeless elements with contemporary vibes. You can keep it muted and monochromatic with silver jewellery or add a bit of textural contrast with white pieces.

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