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Odylyne the Ceremony
It's no secret that shopping for a wedding dress can be a stressful process. After all, there are seemingly endless styles and silhouettes to choose from. But if you can't help but picture yourself walking down the aisle in a gown that's soft, ethereal, and feminine, then a romantic wedding dress is the perfect style for you. So, what makes a romantic wedding dress, well, romantic? We asked the experts.
“A romantic dress will always have details that evoke lightness or fluidity such as a lace edge, delicate fabric-covered buttons down the back, and floral embroidered tulle," says Valentine Avoh, the designer behind her eponymous label. According to Yemi Osunkoya, founder and designer of Kosibah, romantic wedding dresses usually have a soft fullness in the skirt often achieved by layers of transparent or opaque fabrics. However, Osunkoya notes that one of the most striking details of a romantic dress is the train. "Romantic dresses usually have a train of some sort from puddle and chapel lengths to dramatic cathedral lengths,” he tells Brides.
While still dreamy and feminine, many of today's romantic wedding gowns have evolved to appeal to all bridal styles from laidback to modern. “Romantic silhouettes have become more unique and playful. In the past, romantic silhouettes were often considered to be bohemian, however, the trend has now gained respect by the industry, with designers finding different ways to express romanticism,” Stephanie White, founder and creative director of Odylyne The Ceremony tells Brides. “I have always considered my designs to embody romanticism but have been typecast as either not modern or fashion-forward enough, and that is changing as the years progress!” she adds.
If you’re dreaming of walking down the aisle in a romantic wedding dress, read on for the best romantic wedding dresses.
Best Back
Mywony Bridal Whitney Dress
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Courtesy of Etsy
The Whitney dress is handmade with a unique color mix. The dress has draped silk and a buttoned lace back detailing. The back and the font both contain a plunging V neck that creates more draping along with the dress's silhouette.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 2-12 | Materials: Silk and lace | Shades: Vintage ivory/beige/stormy grey/blush
Price at time of publish: $1,685
Best Sheer Bodice
Mywony Bridal Ivory Mesh Wedding Dress
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Courtesy of Etsy
The Ivory mesh wedding dress has multiple layers of fabric that provide plenty of movement. The bodice contains handcrafted embroidered florals.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 2-12 | Materials: Hand-beaded french lace and soft mesh | Shades: Ivory
Price at time of publish: $1,140
Best Floral Lace
Watters Kalie Gown
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Courtesy of Antropologie
The 'Kalie' gown by Willowby by Watters is a stunning feminine dress. The floral lace covers the bodice and the tulle skirt. The back is exposed, which creates a subtle neckline.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 0-15, plus available | Materials: Polyester | Shades: Ivory/blush
Price at time of publish: $1,495
Best Separates
The Lotus Bloom Co. Ivory Maxi Tulle Skirt
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This handcrafted romantic skirt contains a satin waistband and floor-length tulle. The dress is simplistic yet stunning when you walk in it.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 0-16 | Materials: Tulle and satin | Shades: Multiple
Price at time of publish: $208+
Best Lace Details
Valentine Avoh Jackie Dress
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Courtesy of Valentine Avoh
This utterly romantic dress is for the bride who appreciates subtle details like lace-cap sleeves, a décolletage-baring neckline, and a gentle train.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: Upon request | Materials: N/A | Shades: White
Price at time of publish: Upon request
Best Corset Bodice
Kosibah Ophelia Dress
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Courtesy of Kosibah
Perhaps the epitome of what a romantic wedding dress should look like, this gown by Kosibah gives you a romantic look. It has an organza overlay and a corset with lace appliqué touches.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: Upon request | Materials: N/A | Shades: White
Price at time of publish: Upon request
Most Unique
Valentine Avoh Grace Dress
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Courtesy of Valentine Avoh
Avoh says don’t get too stuck on the exact fit of a romantic dress. Although the fit is typically focused on the gown’s fullness, it does not always have to stay within those classifications. The fit “doesn’t really matter as long as it moves with the body. A tight bias cut dress can be as romantic as a flowy silk tulle skirt,” Avoh says.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: Upon request | Materials: N/A | Shades: White
Price at time of publish: Upon request
Best Train
Kosibah Melpomene Dress
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Courtesy of Kosibah
Osunkoya’s design process? “I create a design that aligns with all the elements above that have all or most of the features that I think to encapsulate the ideal romantic gown,” he says. This dress is a manifestation of the design vision. It has cap sleeves and a tulle, full skirt that gives the dress a full romantic look. The dress also has a cathedral train for added drama.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: Upon request | Materials: N/A | Shades: White
Price at time of publish: Upon request
Most Regal
Martina Liana Luxe High-Neck Ball Gown
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Courtesy of Martina Liana
This gown has a high neck and is full of lace detailing. On the back, you will find keyhole details for a modern romantic take. The long sleeves are carefully crafted, and the bodice remains sheer but with coverage over your chest. The train is the real statement piece and also has lace motifs throughout the entire length.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: Upon request | Materials: Lace, tulle, and royal organza | Shades: Ivory/white
Price at time of publish: Upon request
Best Long Sleeves
Galina Signature Illusion Sleeve Plunging Ball Gown
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Courtesy of David's Bridal
This romantic dress offers a plunging neckline that transitions into a pink-tinted underskirt. At the waist, there are crystal details that give the dress an added touch.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 0-14, plus and petite available | Materials: Polyester | Shades: Ivory, ivory/cashmere, white
Price at time of publish: $1,499
Best Off-the-Shoulder
Martina Liana Luxe Sheer Voluminous Sleeves Gown
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Courtesy of Essense Designs
This dress wraps all of the romantic wedding dress elements into one. The bodice is a strapless, sweetheart necklace that melts into a dramatic off-the-shoulder look. The sleeves are voluminous with French tulle, and the entire gown consists of lace and light beading details.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: Upon request | Materials: Lace, tulle, and royal organza | Shades: White
Price at time of publish: Upon request
Best Ballgown
Emilia Wickstead Diamond Duchesse Satin Gown
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NET-A-PORTER
This dress is very Bridgerton- reminiscent and contains duchess-satin through the entire gown. The bodice had a sweetheart neckline that adds a feminine silhouette. The skirt has pleats which keep the skirt full and voluminous even when it falls to the floor once you put it on.
Fit: True to size, size up if in-between sizes | Sizing: UK 6-16 | Materials: Polyester | Shades: White
Price at time of publish: $5,775
Most Dramatic
Odylyne the Ceremony Casden Gown
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Odylyne the Ceremony
“A romantic dress should embody personal details that the bride loves and finds endearing. It should provide elements of something that makes them feel the exact emotions they have always dreamed about,” White notes.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 2-20, petite, tall, and sizing above 20 available upon request | Materials: Silk organza | Shades: White
Price at time of publish: $3,750
Best Budget
Azazie Stevie Wedding Dress
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Corseting details on the back and sleeves make this off-the-shoulder gown prime for those who long for a storybook romance. Featuring chapel train and lace detailing every subtle detail of this wallet-friendly gown is on point, including the stellar reviews!
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 0-30, custom available | Materials: N/A | Shades: White, blue, white/champagne, white/nude, platinum
Price at time of publish: $409
Best Plus-Size
Bridal by ELOQUII Sequin Gown With Detachable Skirt
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Eloquii
Bring on the sparkle! From the spaghetti straps to the square-neck bodice, it seems every detail on this gown is filled with sequins and/or embellishments that bring out the lace design. Our favorite feature of the dress is the detachable skirt, which attaches at the waist with a hidden hook, drawing the eyes in to the form-fitting style of the dress.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 14-28 | Materials: Nylon | Shades: Off-white
Price at time of publish: $599
Best Strapless
Reformation Lorrane Dress
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Courtesy of Reformation
Simple but timeless, this Reformation strapless dress is perfect for the bride that prefers less details. It is maxi-length and has a straight neckline that folds beautiful above the bust. We adore the mermaid-like style the dress has so it fits you in all the right places.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 0-12 | Materials: Deadstock polyester fabric | Shades: Ivory
Price at time of publish: $398
Best Sleeveless
Maggie Sottero Albany
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Maggie Sottero
This Maggie Sottero dress is inspired by nature, as seen through the floral lace scattered across the dress up to the square neck-line and straps. The dress is pretty much customizable, and can be purchased with a detachable skirt or can be requested with a different type of tulle to layer underneath.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 0-28 | Materials: N/A | Shades: Ivory/blush, ivory/ivory, ivory/mocha, ivory/pearl
Price at time of publish: Upon request
Most Modest
Melissa Sweet Embroidered Illusion Mock Neck Wedding Dress
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Courtesy of David's Bridal
A dress that is both sexy and modest? Sign us up. This dress is vintage in all aspects, especially the lace details and floral applique along the neckline and shoulders, but has touches of modern. It is finished with a chapel train, a-line skirt, scalloped ends, and glowing sequins.
Fit: True to size | Sizing: 0-14, plus and petite available | Materials: Polyester and nylon | Shades: Ivory
Price at time of publish: $1,299
Meet the Expert
- Stephanie White, founder and creative director of Odylyne the Ceremony.
- Yemi Osunkoya, founder and designer of Kosibah.
- Valentine Avoh, designer of Valentine Avoh.
What to Look For in a Romantic Wedding Dress
It's all in the details when it comes to romantic wedding dresses. Special touches like intricate lace, full skirts, ruffled necklines, and poet sleeves instantly transform a simple, classic silhouette into a romantic one. When shopping for your wedding dress, if you are unsure about where to start, keep this in mind: “I suggest looking for something with delicate lace detail, like a see-through lace back, lace cap sleeves, or a lace edge highlighting your décolleté. If you are not a fan of lace, I suggest going for silk mousseline or silk tulle,” adds Avoh.
Why Trust Brides
Taylor Lane loves all things beauty and began her career in the editorial industry as a fashion assistant at Glamour. From 2018 to 2019, Taylor was a beauty writer at The Zoe Report. During that time, she was also contributing beauty and fashion stories to a variety of publications including W, Women’s Health, Aedit, The Zoe Report, The Sunday Edit, and Self. In June 2021, she became an e-commerce writer at Instyle and Shape.
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