10 Rustic Wedding Dresses & Inspo for a Whimsical Wedding

Dresses | June 17, 2023
Bride in Rustic Wedding Dresses Called Fontaine By Maggie Sottero

Rustic wedding dresses are an enduring trend in the bridalsphere… As long as brides love moonlight and wildflowers, there will always be soft, romantic, and nature-inspired wedding gowns to match their easy-breezy celebrations! If you’re shopping for romantic fabrics and charming embellishments in an effortless silhouette, scroll on for our latest styles and inspiration… 

Psst… When you’re ready to shop, head to an Authorized Retailer near you by clicking the button below!

What Are Rustic Wedding Dresses?

PC: Megan Taylor

If you’re drawn to rustic aesthetics, you’re likely embracing a softer design aesthetic — less “structured ballgown” and more “nature-inspired romance.” But though these gowns are often feminine, bohemian, and graceful, they’re also a little edgy and playful. Consider the inspiration behind them — rugged vistas, moody backdrops, rolling hillsides, country farms, and cozy cottages. Just like rustic wedding dresses, these backdrops are the perfect balance of natural and romantic aesthetics.  

“Rustic” can also be used to describe farm wedding dresses… In essence, lightweight and dreamy gowns that can be worn for a rural celebration at a farm, ranch, or cottage. Farm wedding dresses are all about comfort, softness, and sweet feminine details.    

Picture a gown with enchanting florals, flowing accents, and intricate bohemian details. Maybe it’s made with breezy fabrics like lace, tulle, chiffon, and organza. Maybe it features delicate lace motifs and a sheer bodice, or even long organic draping and breezy ruching. Whatever the details, rustic wedding dresses are all about celebrating the natural beauty of the bride and her surroundings. They embody a free-spirited and authentic style that is both captivating and timeless.

How to Style a Country Style Wedding Dresses

Styling a country style wedding dress is all about enhancing your natural beauty and embracing your natural surroundings. This obviously means leaning into some (fabulously) practical footwear. Boots make an excellent choice for rustic wedding dresses…. They’re comfortable, sturdy, and perfectly suited for that “home on the range” wedding vibe. 

Another way to style a rustic theme is with earthy hair and makeup. Complement your effortless silhouette with nature-inspired details — think flower crown, loose blooms, textured hair, and sun-kissed cheeks. These evoke a sense of harmony with your surrounding environment while honoring your naturally feminine aesthetic. 

Florals we love for a rustic wedding vibe:

  • Peonies
  • Baby’s breath
  • Sunflowers
  • Ranunculus
  • Delphinium
  • Daisies
  • Poppies
  • Lush greenery

PC: Over the Top Events | PC: Hayley Moore Photography

If you love the Western rustic trend, accessorize your country style wedding dress with the classics: natural stones like turquoise and carmine, heirloom jewelry, and leather and denim embellishments. These are all about contrast, e.g., muted hues against pops of color, delicate textures paired with tough layers… what we like to call “softness with an edge.” Whether you love farm wedding dresses, vintage classic, or rustic boho charm, look to create a unique fusion that captures the essence of a personalized, free-spirited country wedding. 

And of course, a vintage veil adds the perfect finishing touch to rustic wedding dresses. Simple tulle, vintage motifs, or delicate beading are a stunning addition to any easy-breezy silhouette. (And we have plenty to choose from!) 

3D Floral A-Line: Minerva by Rebecca Ingram

PC: Sarah McPherson Photo

First up, we have Minerva: a lovely and versatile A-line decked out in shimmery florals and frothy layers of tulle. This wedding dress is perfect for outdoor dancing under fairy lights and colored glass candles, and the soft beading helps it to glow at golden hour!  

If you’re planning to wear a floral wedding dress for a spring or summer wedding, dive into our gallery of style and accessory inspo for nature-inspired gowns. Minerva is just one of our most popular floral-themed wedding gowns for a variety of rustic, boho, and vintage aesthetics.

Ruffled Ballgown: Indiana by Maggie Sottero

“Rustic” may evoke effortless style, but that doesn’t exclude you from wearing a lush ballgown. This comfortable, lightweight silhouette features a lace bodice, tiered skirt, and long, romantic train. It’s perfect for a rustic celebration with a touch of regal elegance. 

Here’s how to personalize:

  • Remove the train for a more casual look through special request
  • Add covered buttons down the back for a vintage vibe
  • Detachable off-the-shoulder sequin lace cap-sleeves sold separately
  • Extra lace motif included for minor neckline alterations

Love the ruffle and flourish in this princess style? Explore these 10 ruffled wedding dresses from our latest collections. 

Colorful Floral Gown: Nerida by Sottero and Midgley

Cottagecore is making a gorgeous statement for rustic weddings this season… If you haven’t heard of the trend, it’s all about whimsical fabrics, soft and feminine embellishments, vintage silhouettes, and naturally gorgeous fabrics and patterns. We adore Nerida for an elegant yet nontraditional take on the “country style wedding dress.”

Personalize Nerida like so:

  • Remove the train for a more casual look through special request
  • Add covered buttons down the back for a vintage vibe
  • Go nontraditional with the pops of color, or stick to ivory for a sleek and classic vibe
  • Add a long tulle or lace veil

Tulle and Lace Wedding Dress: Emily Lynette by Rebecca Ingram

Soft sheer lace makes an irresistible statement in rustic wedding dresses. It lends a look of airy, vintage romance to a variety of classic bridal styles. Emily Lynette is all about the simple silhouette adorned with embroidered lace. The illusion back and delicate bodice shimmer add romantic embellishments without looking too over-the-top. 

Here are a few ways to make country style wedding dress Emily Lynette your own:

  • Add covered buttons down the back for a vintage vibe
  • Extra lace motif included for minor neckline alterations
  • Add a bridal veil or talk to your retailer about overskirt and train options

Long Sleeve Bridal Gown: Zander by Sottero and Midgley

Shopping for something truly exceptional? Zander is one of our most popular and raved-about wedding gowns. Here are a few reviews from our real brides:

  • “The detail is just sensational. Each area was made with quality, care and love and every time I put the dress on I noticed some other glimpse of something different.” — Laura
  • “I felt beautiful. Zander is a beautiful and extremely flattering dress and I felt confident, beautiful and sexy all in one!” — Izzy
  • “I felt like a princess! The long train brought the drama, along with the dress being in black. When it was bustled, I felt like I was in a Victorian-esque dress which was so fun. Everyone loved it, even the guys were fawning over it! I couldn’t have found a more perfect dress for myself.” — McKenzie
  • “I felt beautiful and powerful. I really dislike shopping because I’m extremely self critical and it was the last dress I tried on on the first day of trying on dresses. My mom and sisters reaction when I walked out was magic. And everyone was so complimentary on the wedding day. The phrase ‘that dress is just you’ was said multiple times. It was perfect.” — Kaitlin

To personalize Zander, you have options — 

  • Change the Chantilly lace to texture tulle
  • Add covered buttons down the back for a vintage vibe
  • Available without sleeves with illusion lace tank straps
  • Tulle veil accented with lace sold separately
  • Detachable long fitted lace sleeves sold separately

Romantic Rustic Wedding Dress: Dolly by Rebecca Ingram

Going chic and beachy for your rustic wedding? Fall in love with the lightweight lace and breezy layers in Dolly. This style is effortless to wear, perfect to accessorize, and (maybe best of all) affordable! Our Rebecca Ingram line features budget-friendly classics to help bring your rustic wedding vision to life. 

Personalizations for Dolly:

  • Add covered buttons down the back for a vintage vibe
  • Available with a fully lined bodice with inner elastic closure
  • Add a veil, cape, or overskirt for extra drama

Simple Off-The-Shoulder Gown: Ekaterina by Maggie Sottero

For an elegant yet surprising take on the rustic trend, look to a sophisticated satin style like Ekaterina. This silhouette is a little Grecian, a little Old Hollywood, and a little modern minimalism… It’s a chic and versatile choice for woodsy backdrops, garden meadows, and vintage venues. 

A few ways to style this captivating gown:

  • Add covered buttons down the back for a vintage vibe
  • Also available with no slit
  • Add dreamy accessories like a veil, cape, and delicate jewelry

Dive into more simple satin wedding dresses in our inspo gallery. 

Sexy Lace Gown: Tuscany Royale by Maggie Sottero

PC: Wild Tamed Photo

Our Tuscany sister styles are one of our most popular gown capsules…. Each has a sexy, feminine vibe and gorgeous ways to personalize. Here are some of the ways to make Tuscany Royale your perfect pick:

  • Change the sequined Chantilly lace to sparkle tulle
  • Change the sequined Chantilly lace to classic Chantilly lace
  • Add covered buttons down the back for a vintage vibe
  • Add the attached illusion lace long sleeves
  • Also available with a plunging illusion lace back
  • Detachable scalloped tulle train with scattered lace motifs finished with lace along the hem sold separately
  • Detachable illusion lace scallop train sold separately

Explore all our Tuscany sister styles and ordering options in our collection guide. 

Rustic-Boho Wedding Dress: Janine by Rebecca Ingram

Love vintage motifs? Embrace the head-to-toe trend in this allover lace fit-and-flare lined with luxe stretch jersey. This ultra-comfy boho style manages to be both effortless and captivating all at once. 

Looking to accessorize? This rustic gown would also look stunning with a simple or embellished lace bridal veil. 

Floral Mermaid Gown: Elka by Sottero and Midgley

And finally, a flirty and romantic floral lace wedding dress with exceptional fit and tailoring. We’re smitten with the curve-hugging silhouette and divine flourishes in this chic and comfortable gown. 

A few ways to make Elka your own:

  • Remove the train for a more casual look through special request
  • Add covered buttons down the back for a vintage vibe
  • Also available with beaded lace motifs on the entire gown
  • Pairs beautifully with a fingertip veil in beading or pearls

Love our latest collections and rustic trends? Dive into more inspo in our gallery of Real Brides and their love stories. (You can also submit your own wedding photos!)

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Best wishes for your chic, effortless, and ultra-romantic rustic wedding! 

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