Wedding outfits can feel so important. People want to feel like themselves on their wedding days, which can be complicated in a cisheteronormative industry like weddings. Tradition suits some people (pun intended), while others want a more personalized twist on their wedding attire. Either way, finding the right wedding outfit can be a satisfying celebration of you and your relationship.
15 Magical Wedding Outfits
From heirloom dresses to modern accessories, these wedding outfits give inspiration for all the ways love looks.
1 Add ALL the glitter.
Nothing makes a wedding feel like a party more than glitter and sequins. Leah added some sparkle to her wedding outfit with rose gold glitter boots. Throughout the day, those boots caught the sunlight just right. The interesting lines and details added layers of texture and interest to her outfit too. The color complemented her white dress without dominating the look, too. It shows that glitter can be the driving force of an aesthetic, but it can also be just one aspect of it.
If you want to take your glitter game to the next level, add a sequin coat! Leah donned a sequin jacket at her reception. It changed the whole vibe of her look from classy with a touch of magic to dazzling sparkle party. She looked glamorous on the back of her spouse’s moped at the end of the night. Direct flash captured the movie star quality of the moment perfectly.
2 Go green.
Suits can be classic choices for wedding outfits. There’s no reason it has to be black or navy if that’s not your style. A colorful suit doesn’t have to feel like a flashback to a 70’s prom (unless that’s on theme). A dark green suit has personality while still feeling elevated. There are endless opportunities for you how you style it too.
Han wore a dark green three-piece suit with white and gold accessories. The lines of the suit, including the vest and crop of the pants, were very fashionable. The white boots and gold watch added strong lines that complimented the clean, modern look that Han’s bride went for. Everything about the look was very cool.
3 Put a bow on it.
Bows are another feminine detail you can have fun with in your wedding attire. It can add interesting structure to a design, especially in fabrics that hold their shape well. This big satin bow creates a beautiful shape at the bottom of the low-cut back. It’s a fun surprise when the bride turns around, but the dress still feels very clean and modern.
4 Get asymmetrical.
Jumpsuits are such a great alternative to a dress or suit. There are so many more available in recent years, so it’s much easier than it used to be to find a fabric and cut that feels good for you. This off-the-shoulder bridal jumpsuit is asymmetrical and unique. It has clean lines and so much movement between the cut of the legs and the fabric at the neckline. Jumpsuits like this can be styled so many ways, making them great foundations for one-of-a-kind wedding outfits.
5. Choose colorful neckwear.
A black suit can have personality, especially if you opt for vibrant neckwear. These marriers chose red and blue bow ties for their wedding wear. This was a great choice for several reasons. Firstly, the colors popped in photos. Secondly, the sheen of the fabric caught the light beautifully. Most importantly, it suited them and fit into the wedding day they wanted.
6. Bring the drama with a big veil.
A big veil can make a bold statement. It also adds gorgeous layers to a wedding outfit and provides opportunities for some artistic photography. I love the way this veil drapes over the bride. The details go together seamlessly with her dress and veil, and it creates a soft, inviting composition in the sunlight. If you go big with a veil you love, your photography should celebrate it!
7. Sharpen your look with contrast.
Black and white is a classic combination for wedding outfits for good reason. When it’s executed well, it’s sophisticated without being boring. I love both of these white jackets with unique spins on dark collars. Emily’s on the left is very sharp with the gold collar pin and cropped pants. Bruce went for a classic black tie look. Both paid attention to the details and shined on their wedding days.
8. Grab attention with a cape.
A cape is another great way to up the wow factor of your wedding clothes. The movement and shapes can be breathtaking. You can even add some color with an unexpected lining. I love this simple white cape that’s just a little sheer. The sunlight streams through it so that the marrier positively glows. In the streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter, it has such a magical quality.
These wedding outfits have a special story behind them. The marriers wanted to coordinate without actually matching, so they asked a designer to make two different outfits out of the same fabric. The styles are so individual, but they look incredible together.
9. Incorporate an heirloom.
There are endless ways to incorporate heirlooms into wedding outfits. Wearing an heirloom dress can create a sense of timelessness and emphasize the presence of loved ones. You could also wear a tie or other accessory from a family member. (My brother-in-law wore a tie his grandfather made when he was in my wife’s wedding party.) If you’ve imagined your wedding since you were a kid, wearing inherited clothes might feel like a dream come true.
For others who don’t necessarily want to commit to wearing an heirloom piece, you can incorporate the old into the new. Some marriers use swatches from heirloom wedding dresses in custom jacket linings. Because the patch is inside the garment, it feels deeply personal and still honors the person who gave it to you.
10. Embrace modern minimalism.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have modern minimalist looks. A modern aesthetic can cut down on the clutter people start to feel on a wedding day. Instead of having all the things, you can pare down your outfit to the pieces that actually matter to you. Alyssa’s dress had straightforward, elegant lines. The clean silhouette kept the focus on her rather than her clothes. It also suited her tastes and the venue well.
11. Add texture with monochromatic patterns.
Another trend I loved in wedding outfits over the last year was monochromatic patterns on fabric. Blue on blue is an especially popular option because it has possibilities for so many aesthetics. These floral brocade shoes are a balance of masculine and feminine.
The jacket this groom is wearing in a different wedding has a luxurious look that is complimented but not overshadowed by his wedding party in blue. The pattern and texture of his jacket photographed well in the venue too.
12. Soften your look with romantic details.
For all the wedding trends that come and go, lace always has a place. It screams “wedding” in a traditional way, but it’s a fabric that can be used in many looks. Alonna’s lace sleeves are delicate and romantic. They’re perfect for her glamorous feminine aesthetic. The way her hair falls over her shoulder in this picture makes her look like a painting.
13. Big sleeves! Need I say more?
Big sleeves are on trend right now, and I’m here for it. Paris wore a dress with big sleeves for this session in the French Quarter. It was feminine but had a strong structure that gave off a sense of power and style. Technically, this was an engagement session, but Paris’s look could easily translate to an elopement. An outfit like this would bring fashion and fun to an elopement.
14. Find your inner cowboy.
Boots and bolo ties? Add a little glitter for disco cowboy vibes. Kate and Danika wanted a disco cowboy wedding reception, and their outfits were on point. Danika’s fringed white jumpsuit was a fun take on bridal attire. Kate wore a warm brown suit and bolo tie. The rhinestones and glitter on her belt and boots brought the disco. (You can see more of Kate, Danika, and their guests’ creative outfits here.)
15. Put a vintage spin on a modern look.
For lovers of all things vintage, a birdcage veil is a classic wedding accessory. Jackie wore hers with a 1920s-inspired satin dress. The fabric draping from her shoulders was just right for her speakeasy wedding at Bar Marilou. Her attire combined a fresh modern feeling with the best parts of 1920s fashion.
Did you find some inspiration for your wedding outfit? I have more planning tips for weddings and elopements. Check them out here!
