Are there different types of lace?

There are many different types of lace that run the gamut from light and delicate to thick and graphic. Like any other fabric, lace ranges in quality and price.

Can I wear a lace wedding dress for a beach wedding?

Absolutely! If you're having a beach or destination wedding, it's best to pick a wedding dress that's crafted from lightweight fabrics and delicate or sheer lace.

Are lace wedding dresses more expensive?

Lace wedding dresses can sometimes be more expensive because of the labor cost involved in making them. Handmade lace will always drive up the price of a wedding dress.

The 18 Best Lace Wedding Dresses We Love in 2023

<p>bride beach wedding</p> — Photo by Sasithon Photography

A lace wedding dress is one of the most traditional styles out there, and for many, the delicate and feminine fabric is synonymous with bridal gowns. To some, a lace dress may feel too formal and stuffy for a modern wedding day look, while others crave the intricacies of chantilly, guipure, broderie Anglaise, and Alencon lace. What’s more, not all lace wedding dresses are created equal. Some gowns feature an all-over lace design while others are simply accented or trimmed with the delicate material.

So, whether you’re set on a lace wedding dress or need a little more convincing, we’ve rounded up scores of beautiful lace wedding dresses to inspire your bridal style. Of course, we’ve taken various venues, silhouette preferences, aesthetics, and price points into account. Options range from timeless shapes like a sheath to A-line and mermaid silhouettes; sleeves and necklines vary from long to off-the-shoulder and strapless; and styles included bohemian details, traditional cuts, and modern designs.

Read on for the best lace wedding dresses, for every bridal style and budget.

Our Top Picks

Best Subtle Sparkle:

Nouvelle Amsale Julie Gown at Amsale.com

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Best Guipure Lace:

Michael Lo Sordo Alexandra Silk Guipure Lace Gown at Net-a-Porter

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Best Illusion Style:

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2020 Look 6 at Oscardelarenta.com

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Best High Neck:

Lela Rose The Highclere at Lelarose.com

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Best Low Back:

Galina Low-Back Soft Lace Wedding Dress at David's Bridal

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Most Daring:

Love by Pnina Tornai Lace A-Line Wedding Dress at Kleinfeldbridal.com

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Best Lace Flutter Sleeves:

Jenny by Jenny Yoo Lourdes Gown at Bhldn

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Best Mermaid Silhouette:

Anne Barge Raven Wedding Dress at Annebarge.com

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Best Cap Sleeves:

Wtoo by Watters Philomene Gown at Bhldn

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Most Ethereal:

Muse by Berta Flavia Gown at Berta.com

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Courtesy of Amsale

View On Amsale.com

This short-sleeve wedding dress may seem simple, but sequin embellished lace gives the fit-to-flare silhouette a quietly dazzling feel. Flutter sleeves make it even sweeter for your wedding day.

Price at time of publish: $4,250

Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter

We're picturing this minimal lace wedding gown on a beach bride. The plunging neckline and pin-thin crisscross straps come with a nostalgic feel we love with toes in the sand.

Price at time of publish: $1,400

Courtesy of Oscar de la Renta

View On Oscardelarenta.com

This illusion-style lace wedding dress feels fresh yet classic for the bride craving tradition with a twist. The cap sleeves and plunging back work harmoniously together for a sophisticated look.

Price at time of publish: Price upon request

Courtesy of Lela Rose

View On Lelarose.com

The high neckline on this all-over lace wedding dress is absolutely stunning and gives the dress a romantic feel. It's our pick for the classic bride craving a traditional and modest look.

Price at time of publish: Price upon request

Courtesy of David's Bridal

View On David's Bridal

We can picture this lace wedding dress on a beach bride with a tropical flower in her hair and bare feet in the sand. The low scoop back is perfect for showing off sun-kissed skin.

Price at time of publish: $449

Courtesy of Kleinfeld Bridal

View On Kleinfeldbridal.com

Daring and seductive, this A-line design is sure to leave a lasting impression. With a plunging back and neckline to define the silhouette, this gown is entirely showstopping and unique.

Price at time of publish: $5,800

Jenny by Jenny Yoo Lourdes Flutter Sleeves Gown

Anthropologie

View On Bhldn

We envision this fit-and-flare lace wedding dress on a bohemian or vintage-inspired bride with whimsical taste. Though it features all-over lace appliques, the plunging illusion neckline creates a modern look. What's more, the sleeves are removable for versatile style.

Price at time of publish: $1,695

Courtesy of Anne Barge

View On Annebarge.com

We can't get over the delicate tulle off-the-shoulder straps on this lace gown, which come together to tie in the back and delicately extend into a train. They're an elegant offset to the intricate beading and embroidery on this mermaid silhouette.

Price at time of publish: $5,710

Courtesy of BHLDN

View On Bhldn

Cap sleeves and a scalloped neckline give this lace wedding dress a classic look with edge. Worth obsessing over: the tiny pearl buttons that line the back.

Price at time of publish: $1,400

Courtesy of Berta

View On Berta.com

With an ethereal feel, this sheer lace wedding dress is utterly sweet. If the fabric feels too daring, you can easily have this lined for more coverage.

Price at time of publish: Price upon request

Courtesy of Pronovias

View On Pronovias.com

This évassée style wedding gown takes inspiration from the 1920s and features handmade lace and a dramatic tulle chapel train. It's made for the glamorous bride craving a bit of glitz.

Price at time of publish: Price upon request

View On Lulus

We love the juxtaposition of intricate lace detailing and a simple skirt silhouette. We envision this gorgeous gown on a modern bohemian bride in the spring or summer.

Price at time of publish: $89

Courtesy of Grace Loves Lace

View On Graceloveslace.com

A combination of French and Japanese lace gives this long-sleeve lace wedding gown a one-of-a-kind look. A high neckline in the front perfectly balances out the low-cut back and body-skimming fit.

Price at time of publish: $3,200

Anthropologia

View On Bhldn

Voluminous sleeves and geometric lace give this bohemian dress a modern-romantic feel. We can picture it with a delicate hairpiece or a whisper-thin veil.

Price at time of publish: $1,950

Courtesy of ASOS

View On Asos

For the bride on a budget, this lace wedding gown is utterly breathtaking. With an illusion design, open back, and plunging neckline, it feels fresh as ever, yet timeless thanks to the cap sleeves and elegant silhouette.

Price at time of publish: $199

Lulus

View On Lulus

This lace wedding dress is demure from the front, featuring a high neckline. But once you get a view of the back, however, the open-back and waist-skimming plunge gives off a hint of sexiness.

Price at time of publish: $119

Courtesy of BHLDN

View On Anthropologie

Three-dimensional floral appliques give this puff sleeve lace wedding dress a whimsical look. We love it for a springtime wedding among fresh flowers and trees as much as we do a rustic summer wedding at sunset.

Courtesy of Matchesfashion

View On Matchesfashion.com

This Alexander McQueen gown is utterly exquisite, featuring a sheer lace corset and a gorgeous off-the-shoulder neckline. The diaphanous floral-lace tulle puts a romantic spin on this timeless design.

Price at time of publish: $8,990

What to Look for in a Lace Wedding Dress

From vintage-inspired to pared-back and modern there are seemingly endless styles of lace wedding dresses to choose from. In order to narrow down your options, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with the different types of lace (e.g. Chantilly, Alençon, Guipure, etc.) and to identify what kind of look you’re going for. For example, classic brides may opt for gowns in delicate Chantilly lace for a traditional look while some brides may be drawn to graphic and geometric lace for a more modern aesthetic. For a subtle look, wedding dresses accented with lace in the form of a scalloped hemline or an eyelash lace trim make for the perfect finishing touch to a simple gown.

FAQ

Are there different types of lace?

There are many different types of lace that run the gamut from light and delicate to thick and graphic. Like any other fabric, lace ranges in quality and price.
Can I wear a lace wedding dress for a beach wedding?

Absolutely! If you're having a beach or destination wedding, it's best to pick a wedding dress that's crafted from lightweight fabrics and delicate or sheer lace.
Are lace wedding dresses more expensive?

Lace wedding dresses can sometimes be more expensive because of the labor cost involved in making them. Handmade lace will always drive up the price of a wedding dress.

Why Trust Brides

Laura Lajiness Kaupke is a writer and editor who covers fashion, accessories, beauty, and fine jewelry for Brides. Her work also appears in ELLE, InStyle, Glamour, Refinery29, POPSUGAR, Well+Good, and Barneys New York.