There’s something undeniably alluring about black wedding dresses. In 1997 Sarah Jessica Parker visited one of her favorite boutiques and chose one right off the rack to wear to her ceremony with Matthew Broderick. “Our logic was we didn’t want to call attention to ourselves that day, because we’re actors and we get attention all day long,” Parker said. “Matthew bought a suit off the rack, and I bought the first dress I looked at.” Though Parker has gone on to say that she might have done things differently, the fact of the matter is that for something that was meant to be an understated fashion choice, the look is still getting attention.
More and more brides are skipping the traditional cream and ivory gowns and saying yes to black wedding dresses. Last spring, during Taylor Simmons and James McFadden’s small outdoor wedding in Massachusetts, Simmons selected an Oscar de la Renta gown that she described as “ultraconservative and traditional in silhouette but unexpected in an upbeat black.” And Lydia Pang wore a dramatic ruffled and sheer inky-colored gown, designed by Katie Roberts-Wood, to her wedding in Wales.
It’s proof that black can very much be a festive color, especially when accompanied by beautiful floral embroidery. Embellishments like romantic lace, delicate beading, and whimsical feathers also make for lovely accents worthy of a walk down the aisle.
If you’re contemplating wearing the unexpected color for your big day, we’ve gathered 19 delightful options below. And if you’re looking for less formal picks, consider the best black wedding LBDs here.
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