Nontraditional Wedding Dresses For A Dark Romantic Aesthetic

Looking for something outside of the bridal box? Ready to buck tradition and play with dreamy, couture, and one-of-a-kind designs? You’ve come to the right place… We’re inspired by all things colorful, unique, edgy, and over-the-top, and we have brand-new, non-traditional wedding dresses to prove it. Dive into our latest collections to find your perfect design! 

What is a Nontraditional Wedding Dress?

Nontraditional wedding dresses come in all sorts of different colors and styles… If you’re looking for something that doesn’t scream bridal white, has unique features to match your personality, and distinguishes your overall wedding vibe more than the typical white floor-length gown, you’re definitely in the right place. Here are a few things that could make a wedding dress “nontraditional,” or at the very least, vibrant and unexpected:

• The style is in a color other than white, such as gold, black, red, pink, blue, or silver.
• The fabric you choose is luxe and elevated. Even if it’s a traditional option like lace or satin, it features oversized motifs, dimensional layers, asymmetrical patterns, and perfect shimmer. And for the truly daring, you might fall in love with a modern option like crepe, layered tulle, or jersey. 
• The gown is a two-piece style — perhaps a crop top, a sleeved bodysuit, or a corset bodice with a full ballgown skirt. 
• The gown has colorful or unique embellishments, statement accessories, or exaggerated flourishes and lines. This makes the silhouette whimsical and one-of-a-kind.
• Your head-to-toe styling is all about your theme. You might have a flare for the dramatic or fantastical, you may love a certain novel series or aesthetic, or you envision an extravagant photo op… Your dress choice plays a starring role!

Why Try On Nontraditional Wedding Dresses?

PC: Charlie Octavia

There are so, SO many reasons why brides might want to try on nontraditional wedding dresses. We’ve seen the “dark romantic” aesthetic trending all over social media and brides’ Pinterest boards, so the inspiration is endless… Going with something a little darker and more sultry or opting for a seductive red hue are great ways to embrace this trendy aesthetic if you find yourself drawn to it. 

Whatever the inspo, brides also choose to try on nontraditional wedding dresses to express their personality and vision. If you have a one-of-a-kind aesthetic and love to play with trends, this is your chance to embrace your vibe and choose a gown that matches. Whatever color you love, silhouette you adore, and fairytale you want to tell, there are nontraditional wedding dresses to bring it all together. 

Theme-wise, many brides plan a wedding around a meaningful literary, artistic, or cultural reference, or perhaps a setting, venue, or natural backdrop. For example:

• A bride planning a fairy forest or garden party wedding might consider wearing a gown with some hand-painted flowers on it. It’s not super traditional but it’s absolutely on theme (and so gorgeous!).
• If you and your sweetheart share a love for a literary or movie series, you might choose a gown inspired by that time period, world-building aesthetic, and costume design. There are tons of nontraditional wedding dresses to match the creativity, fantasy, and escapism of these themes. 

Whatever your reason for wearing a nontraditional dress, we’re totally on board. We love seeing our brides fall in love with a style they weren’t expecting, so even if you’re not sold on nontraditional wedding dresses yet, do yourself a favor and try some on at your bridal appointment… Our nontraditional wedding gowns might just change your mind!

Feeling Wicked?

In honor of Wicked coming out next week, we simply have to show off some of our most beloved nontraditional wedding dresses that totally match your fav character’s vibe. For our Elphaba and Glinda lovers, here are some black and pink wedding dresses that we can totally picture for a Wicked-themed wedding.

Black Wedding Dresses

• Persephone by Maggie Sottero is luxe, sexy, and exquisitely detailed. The corset bodice is all about the subtle shift between deep black and lighter black, creating a beautiful dimensional quality.

• Serafina by Maggie Sottero is all about the drama, from the basque waistline to the matching veil, shoulder wrap, and cap sleeves (sold separately). 

• Elizabeth Marie by Rebecca Ingram is the perfect satin showcase, a little vintage and a little modern with a chic and minimalist aesthetic. Consider the sleeve accessories (sold separately) to add coverage and flourish. 

• Derrick Marie by Maggie Sottero is sexy and dramatic, a regal silhouette with stunning brocade patterns and shimmery satin. If you’re feeling extra romantic, add the sleeves!

• Fortune by Maggie Sottero features another regal and over-the-top silhouette that’s stunning in black. It’s bold, romantic, and couture!

• Vivica by Maggie Sottero is all about minimalism in the front and detailed illusion in the back. The black satin makes this a sumptuous and ultra-stylish choice for a nontraditional bridal vibe. 

• Giselle by Sottero and Midgley is an Old Hollywood-inspired silhouette with beautiful options to layer and play with dimension.

• Anniston and Anniston Lane by Maggie Sottero are black wedding dresses with star-like glitter and beautiful texture. The color is a stunning choice for that Wicked aesthetic. 

• Derrick by Maggie Sottero is an ideal balance of classic and sexy, from the exposed boning and deep neckline to the voluminous ballgown skirt. Add the cap sleeves for a subtle touch of regal romance. 

• Aspen by Sottero and Midgley and Aspen Marie by Maggie Sottero are unique wedding dresses with artful texture and dramatic silhouettes. 

• Alexandria by Rebecca Ingram is a dreamy fusion of vintage glamor and modern couture. Play with the accessory options, like a matching veil, to complete the fairytale.

Pink Unique Wedding Dresses

• Faro and Faro Lane by Sottero and Midgley offer up simple, feminine, and high-impact silhouettes that are perfect for a pink hue. 

• Mirabella by Sottero and Midgley is a Grecian-inspired ballgown that looks beautiful in a non-traditional hue like pink or black. 

• Ambrose by Maggie Sottero turns up the charm with a bright, jewel-like magenta satin. 

• Vercille by Sottero and Midgley is utterly chic and romantic in pink. The silhouette is sophisticated, and the overskirt accessory is effortlessly romantic.

• Cressida by Maggie Sottero features luxe, over-the-top beading from head to toe. The pink color makes this an exceptionally romantic choice for a themed wedding. 

• Paris by Maggie Sottero is another crown jewel of a design, with lush layers and a subtle but ultra-romantic shade of light pink. 

• Aberdeen by Sottero and Midgley offers pink and blue colors in a dreamy princess-inspired silhouette, and the cottagecore-inspired lace pattern makes it an irresistible and eye-catching choice for a vintage aesthetic. 

• Vineyard by Sottero and Midgley features dazzling and dimensional lace with hand-painted color. This is an artful and ultra-feminine choice unlike any other!

• Zayn by Sottero and Midgley features florals aplenty in a couture silhouette. The pink adds a touch of soft glamor.

• Bisette by Sottero and Midgley is a unique wedding dress with a soft boho flair. The bodice makes a chic and dreamy statement for a garden-inspired wedding. 

More Nontraditional Wedding Dresses

• Fortune Marie by Maggie Sottero is a regal and sophisticated silhouette that looks straight out of a fairytale series. The armband accessories are the perfect flourish. 

• Zephyrine by Maggie Sottero is a dream in color, dimension, and lace. The head-to-toe effect is pure magic!

• Constance by Sottero and Midgely features vintage-inspired beading and the most divine shimmer. 

• Ross and Ross Marie by Sottero and Midgley are unique wedding dresses with whimsical silhouettes featuring couture details for a flirty and ultra-feminine statement. 

• Miami by Sottero and Midgley makes a sexy and sophisticated statement in sleeves and illusion. 

• Juniper by Sottero and Midgley is dramatic, over-the-top, and irresistibly stylish. We’re smitten with the oversized sleeves and corset-inspired bodice. 

• Teresa by Rebecca Ingram is another of our soft and sweet yet non-traditional wedding dresses for brides who love a unique statement. 

• Scarlet by Maggie Sottero and Scarlet Lane by Maggie Sottero are two colorful wedding dresses that turn up the couture drama. 

• Ethelinda by Rebecca Ingram is playful, flirty, and unexpected, AND you can make it into a two-in-one wedding look by ordering with the removable overskirt. Double win!

• Cyprus by Sottero and Midgley is all about the unique fabric and brocade texture. There’s nothing like it for a regal-themed celebration!

Ready to get shopping for non-traditional wedding dresses? Love these unique silhouettes? Head to an Authorized Retailer to luxuriate in all your fabulous options! Happy shopping for your happily-ever-after!

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