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You can plan out the perfect menu and spend hours curating playlists; but when it comes down to it, there’s really just one item that’s front and center on the big day, and that’s your wedding dress. From picking out the right style to managing alterations to juggling multiple options (do you really want a different dress for the ceremony and the reception? For the after-party? How many gowns does one person need?), it’s a lot—even if you’re planning a courthouse affair. We’re here to streamline the process, with our edit of the best wedding dresses you can buy online.
The Best Wedding Dresses, According to Vogue:
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If you don’t have a dream design in mind and are feeling stuck on where to start, you may want to consider your venue. Are you hosting a beach ceremony? If so, opt for breezy, looser styles in airy fabrics that err on the laid-back side to be in line with the seaside setting. (Think: off-the-shoulder styles with cascading ruffles or a scooped-back sheath delicately adored with strings of pearls.) Are you headed to City Hall? Go sleek, modern, and maybe even short—without the confines of a strict dress code, this is your chance to experiment. If you’re planning a more formal fête, you may want to lean into tradition with a bridal look that stars full-skirted organza and floor-sweeping styles. Not all white dresses are created equal.
It starts with getting a sense of what’s out there; so to help kick off your search, we pulled together a range of wedding dresses that’ll suit every setting, dress code, and personal style.
The A-Line Ball Gowns
Looking to go traditional? There’s no beating a full-on, princess-style dress. These dramatic designs are built to be show-stoppers—even if you pick one with a slightly shorter hemline, like the options below from Markarian and Cecilie Bahnsen.
The Column Dresses
Sleek, minimalist, and effortlessly elegant, a column wedding dress works for an array of dress codes. Square neck versions by Givenchy and Markarian are perfectly polished for traditional venues, while this floor-grazing, cap-sleeve style from Tom Ford seems just right for a city ceremony.
The Strapless Styles
If you’re getting married in a warmer climate, consider something strapless for your ceremony or reception dress to stay cool. Go prim and proper with a column silhouette from Bernadette, or lean into the fairytale feel with a floaty chiffon number from McQueen.
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The Short-Sleeve Frocks
For civil ceremonies and backyard weddings with a more lenient dress code, why not don a short-sleeve style? Rixo, Rodarte, and Valentino all indulge romanticism with lace trimming, bows, and scalloped sleeves; though equally stylish is this sculptural open-back version courtesy of Khaite.
The Statement Necklines
One-shoulder, off-the-shoulder, twisted halter… the more irregular the better with this kind of wedding dress, which places emphasis on the neckline and is great if you’re going with a simple updo for your hair. Naturally, Vivienne Westwood excels at draping; for a touch of drama and movement, go with Taller Marmo.
The Extra Details
If all you want from your wedding dress is a little something special, look to the options that stand out from the crowd with some element of the unconventional. Be it a sharp, pencil-skirt midi draped with a pearl strung bolero by Cult Gaia, embellished crystals and paillettes from Clio Peppiatt, or Pauline Dujancourt’s draped organza dress outfitted with lacey crochet blooms, the appeal of these wedding gowns is all in the details.
The Long Sleeves
Colder climates demand something more covered-up; but no one said a long-sleeve wedding dress had to look frumpy. Take it from Stella McCartney, who embraces a more fitted bodice with her glamorous designs, or from Rixo, who mixes a bateau neckline with a deep open back for a more romantic take. And from editor-favorite Danielle Frankel: a bias cut silk gown offset with removable sheer sleeves is perfectly dramatic (it even has a train).
What should brides look for in a wedding dress?
From ball gown to A-line to mermaid and more, understanding the many (many) styles and silhouettes of wedding dresses is a good starting point when searching for styles. You might find your top choice is influenced heavily by your ceremony setting. From there, look to fabrics. Silk and satin are classics that, depending on the style, can be both structured and soft (though beware wearing them in hotter climates, as they’re more prone to showing stains) while airy materials like chiffon, organza, and tulle offer a delicate look.
It’s also a good idea to have a few wedding dress designer names in your back pocket to reference in your research. Oscar de la Renta, Danielle Frankel, Vivienne Westwood, and more are Vogue favorites—and you can find many of them online at trusted retailers like Net-a-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman, and MyTheresa. One last thing: If you’re shopping online for your special day, don’t forget to double, triple check the shipping and returns policy to avoid surprise fees.
Why order a dress online?
Making such a consequential purchase from the comfort of your couch can feel like a risk—and if you can, it doesn’t hurt to try on your dream style in a store before you buy—but there are benefits to wedding dress shopping online. For one, you’ll have a clearer idea of the cost upfront and can filter by price; it’s also easier to browse by style, material, and even length. If you’re shopping with time constraints, it’s also more convenient to see products that are in-stock and ready to ship to take out the guesswork and minimize delays.
When should brides order wedding dresses (and when should alterations begin)?
While the general rule of thumb is to buy your gown eight to nine months before the wedding day, online shopping offers a little more flexibility when it comes to speedier delivery. Getting the purchase done early also allows more wiggle room for alterations; experts say to book those well ahead of the 10-week pre-wedding mark.
Should brides buy two wedding dresses for the ceremony and reception?
This one’s completely up to you—every bride and every ceremony is different. If you’re on the fence, why not consider a bridal gown rental? The practice is spiking in popularity, and is a smart solution for anyone who wants multiple looks but doesn’t want to be stuck with multiple gowns (or, at the very least, shoulder the cost of multiple gowns).
