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Courtesy of Cult Gaia
Wedding dresses with feathers are perfect for brides who’ve dreamed of a fanciful gown on their big day. And lately, bridal designers are delivering in spades, from Monique Lhuillier’s A-line gown with hot-pink plumes to Oscar de la Renta’s strapless silk organza dress with a full-feathered skirt (which features 81 yards of ostrich feather trim!). But not all feathered wedding dresses have to be over the top or bold. Many iterations come with delicate feathered details, incorporated as playful accents to minimal and classic designs.
“One of my favorite details right now would have to be the feather accent,” says Pia Panaligan, director of styling and visual design at David’s Bridal. “It’s very sleek and modern, especially as a trim around the neckline or hem!” The bridal expert also suggests feathers for a party dress, be it a second look at the reception or an after-party. “It gives off a fun, flirty look,” she says.
While a wedding dress with feathers can work in any year or season, BHLDN's senior brand stylist, Lindsey Love, says they’re an excellent option for 2021 brides whose weddings were postponed or those who are having a bigger celebration after intimate nuptials. “In 2021, anything goes,” she tells Brides. “The 2021 bride is excited to celebrate, and she’s letting her personality shine.” Adding, “These optimistic touches bring a sense of whimsy and fun—and who couldn’t use more of that!?”
Meet the Expert
- Pia Panaligan is the director of styling and visual design at David’s Bridal and is based in Philadelphia, PA. With a thorough knowledge of bridal fashion, current trends, and an acute eye for fit and detail, she articulates the brand's voice each season by styling their digital and print fashion editorials and brand visuals.
- Lindsey Love is a senior brand stylist at BHLDN. With a deep understanding of the BHLDN bride and product, she styles brides head to toe and provides thoughtful insight to internal teams, in order to ensure the customer’s voice is heard. Her favorite perk of the job: trying on every single gown!
No matter your style, be it feminine, boho, glamorous, or refined, there’s undoubtedly a feathered wedding dress for you. Ahead, discover 30 dresses we love for every budget.
Best Beaded & Feathered: Valentine Avoh Bridal Ginger Dress
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Courtesy of Moda Operandi
This strapless dress by Valentine Avoh is the ultimate party look, featuring beautiful beadwork and embroidered ostrich feathers throughout the skirt. If you’re all about a festive design (or getting married around the holidays), it’s gorgeous for that type of ceremony, too!
Best One-Shoulder: Taller Marmo Ubud One-Shoulder Feather-Trimmed Crepe Dress
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Courtesy of MATCHESFASHION
Embrace 70s-era glamour in this one-shoulder gown by Taller Marmo. The feather trim and fluid silhouette will sway beautifully with every step down the aisle and on the dance floor.
Best High-Low Hem: Cult Gaia Emi Dress
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Courtesy of Cult Gaia
You’ll strike a chord in this show-stopping number by Cult Gaia. The high-low hem is captivating on its own and even better with all-over wispy feathers.
Best Black Dress: Huishan Zhang Astra Feather And Crystal-Trimmed Satin Midi Dress
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Courtesy of Moda Operandi
Not every bride wants to wear white. Huishan Zhang’s crystal-trimmed black dress, with two-tone black and white feathers, is a total showstopper if this is you.
Best Plunge Neckline: ASOS EDITION Afira Plunge Wedding Dress With Feather Effect Skirt
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Courtesy of ASOS
Featuring feathers on the bottom and a sleek plunge neckline on top, this wedding dress is every bit the modern fantasy. Even better, it’s under $400, proving you can achieve high-impact style on a budget.
Most Dramatic: Oscar de la Renta Bridal Hand Embroidered Silk Organza Feather Gown
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Courtesy of Moda Operandi
It doesn’t get dreamier than an Oscar de la Renta gown, featuring a sleek strapless bodice and voluminous skirt. For the bride coveting drama with her wedding day, the dress is the one.
Best Budget: Lulus Opulent Evenings White Lace Feather Mini Dress
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Courtesy of Lulus
A feather-trimmed dress for less than $100 sounds too good to be true, but Lulus always delivers on a budget-friendly buy. This party-perfect mini is spot on for an after-party or a bachelorette celebration.
Best Vintage-Inspired: Rixo Jazi Satin Wedding Dress With Feathers
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Courtesy of Rixo
Rixo’s satin gown, with feather trim, is sure to strike a chord with vintage-loving brides. Play up the glamour by accessorizing the look with glittering jewelry and heels.
For Maximalists: Esé Azénabor Wedding Dress Style
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Courtesy of Esé Azénabor
If you subscribe to a more-is-more aesthetic, you’ll adore this extravagant design by Esé Azénabor. The bedecked design features long feathered sleeves, a high neckline, and an up-to-there slit with cascading ruffles.
Best Strapless Mini: David’s Bridal Strapless Crepe Feather Trim Mini Dress
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Courtesy of David’s Bridal
Even those with pared-back taste can still appreciate a fanciful feather trim on occasion. Case in point: This sleek mini for less than $200!
Best Splash of Color: Monique Lhuillier Happy Feather Wedding Dress
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Courtesy of Monique Lhuillier
Leave it Monique Lhuillier to perfectly fuse sophistication and spirit into one elegant gown. For the bride craving a pop of color, it doesn’t get better than this.
Most Embellished: Justin Alexander Signature Lenox Off The Shoulder Beaded Gown With Marabou Feathers
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Courtesy of Justin Alexander
Lean into a glamorous vibe on your wedding day in this fully beaded gown, with maribou feather sleeves. The detachable straps offer you the option to start sans feathers, then add them on once the celebration kicks into gear at the reception.
Best Bustier Bodice: Elie Saab Feather-Trimmed Crêpe Gown
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Courtesy of Mytheresa
What better way to accentuate your waist on your wedding day, than with a feather-adorned bustier bodice? The otherwise sleek crepe design balances out the whimsy for a fresh and modern effect.
Best Robe Silhouette: Bronx and Banco Feather Long Robe
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Courtesy of Revolve
With an alluring boudoir tone, this satin robe-style dress is effortlessly elegant. Keep the feather trim in focus by finishing your look with minimal accessories.
For the Romantic Bride: Odylyne The Ceremony Ione Slip and Harlow Feather Cape
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Courtesy of Odylyne The Ceremony
Torn between sleek minimalism and showy feathers? This is how to have the best of both worlds. With a simple slip dress as your base, a fully-feathered cape is perfectly playful for moments throughout your day.
Best Blue: Emilio Pucci Feather Embroidery Midi Dress
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Courtesy of Farfetch
Go bold with your something blue by opting for a colorful dress. This feather-embroidered mini is refreshingly unexpected for unconventional brides.
Best Puffy-Sleeve: Ganni Floral-Brocade Puff-Sleeve Feathered-Skirt Dress
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Courtesy of MATCHESFASHION
Lean into the puffy-sleeve trend with this feather-adorned dress by Ganni. The swirling floral brocade gives it an extra feminine touch, but with modernity achieved through the square neckline.
Most Dazzling: Naeem Khan Lafayette Wedding Dress
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Courtesy of Naeem Khan
Beads! Sequins! Feathers! This dress has it all. With a plunging neckline to boot, you’re guaranteed to dazzle in this gown on your wedding day.
Best Tea-Length: Richard Quinn Feather-Bodice Duchess-Satin Dress
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Courtesy of MATCHESFASHION
For brides after a tea-length silhouette, this feather-trimmed gown is both playful and refined. To dial-up the glamour, style in glimmering accessories like rhinestone earrings or metallic heels.
Best Wrap Silhouette: Markarian Artemis White Silk Dress with Feather Detailing
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Courtesy of Markarian
Though this wrap dress is structured, the feather trim and pretty puff sleeves are plenty whimsical. We love this for City Hall brides or those planning an intimate ceremony.
Best Two-Piece Set: Lela Rose Mini Embroidered Feather Skirt with Crepe Backed Satin Tank
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Courtesy of Lela Rose
For an after-party look made up of two pieces, it doesn’t get more elegant than this Lea Rose set. The crepe-backed satin tank is a sleek contrast to the playfulness of the embroidered feather mini skirt.
Best Lace: Christopher Kane Feather-Trimmed Chantilly-Lace Gown
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Courtesy of MATCHESFASHION
Though this lace gown’s silhouette is simple, the feather cuffs and high neckline bring the d-r-a-m-a. We love this as a joyous second-wedding look for 2021 brides.
Best LBD: Cinq á Sept Catherine Dress
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Courtesy of Revolve
Some brides need an LBD to feel like themselves on their wedding day. This Cinq á Sept number is an utterly classic option to fit the bill. Though not without a skosh of whimsy.
Best Feathered Sleeves: Pronovias Short Wedding Dress With V-Neck and Beading
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Courtesy of Pronovias
With an art deco feel, this beaded mini dress is destined for a lavish affair. The feathered sleeves are a whimsical touch we love for glamour-loving brides.
Best Pink Dress: The Attico Feather-Trimmed Satin Tie-Neck Maxi Dress
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Courtesy of Moda Operandi
Color-loving brides needn’t feel restained on their wedding day. This pink gown is a sophisticated way to side-step tradition when saying “I do.”
Best Cape: Berta Wedding Dress
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Courtesy of Berta
Capes are continuing to trend in the bridal space. So, why not go big with a feather-adorned style?
Most Luxurious: Valentino Feather-Trimmed Beaded Wool-Blend Gown
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Courtesy of MATCHESFASHION
Luxury-loving brides, look no further than this feathered Valentino gown for your big day. Intricate beading and crystal accents amplify the whisper-weight ostrich feathers for a truly magical moment.
Best Midi: Yves Salomon Feather Trimmed Midi Dress
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Courtesy of Farfetch
Brides with classic taste will love this feather-trimmed midi dress for their wedding day, be it for the reception, ceremony, or after-party. The timeless silhouette is nothing short of sophisticated, and can be worn repeatedly after your “I do’s.”
Best Mermaid Gown: Galia Lahav Wedding Dress
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Courtesy of Galia Lahav
Feather-embroidered netting and 3D petals make this mermaid dress distinctive as ever. It’s versatile, too—the dress includes a hand-beaded top intended to be worn under the fanciful feathers.
For the Fashion Forward Bride: Saint Laurent Feather-Trimmed Satin-Crepe Mini Dress
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Courtesy of Net-A-Porter
There’s no better party dress for the designer-loving bride than this mini by Saint Laurent. Inspired by the 60s and 70s, it features an off-the-shoulder neckline with light boning for support.