Bridal Outfits
Hello, Bride to Be!
Planning your wedding? You’ll likely be in need of a few beautiful outfits for all the festivities and celebrations ahead.
Weddings are rarely just a ceremony and reception these days. It’s common to have a bridal shower, a bachelorette party, and a weekend of wedding events. Every bride is entitled to do as much or as little during the time as she pleases. But I embraced it, excited for the beautiful memories I’d make in the months leading up to our wedding, getting more and more excited for this special time in my life. And to feel surrounded by so much love and support before we exchanged our vows.
Now for my take on white dresses... It’s absolutely not necessary to wear white. I purchased several other dresses for my own bridal events that were not white and I loved them. I typically wear very bright colors, florals, and patterns. So it surprised me that I didn’t end up doing something a little unconventional as a bride but it had a lot to do with the huge offering of stylish options for brides in Spring 2022.
Ultimately, rather than struggle to find good options, I struggled to make a decision between so many choices. This is not a bad problem to have! I felt like there were many more unique and fashionable outfits for brides this year, and though there are so many women getting married at once, I’ve rarely seen girls wearing the same thing.
This is the smart thinking behind designers to cater to the high demand, considering this is the greatest number of people getting married since 1984! I worked in fashion for eight years, brands know to read the room and strategize the trends to capitalize on.
But it was to my own advantage when I was scouring sites like Revolve, Bloomingdale’s, and Neiman Marcus for dresses that “just felt right” for me. There were a lot that did, so I kept adding to my shopping cart. And I’m so happy with what I found.
I love fashion and having an excuse to dress up. So I it’s no surprise that I both leaned into this occasion for buying party outfits and stuck with a theme! Though I purchased lot’s of different options, here are all my final choices and favorite outfits from our wedding events!
The After Party Dress
Some people never want to take their wedding dress off and that’s the best feeling ever. I loved my wedding dress - it was light, comfortable, and I felt beautiful in it. But after wearing her for 9 hours, I was ready to dance!!
If I was going to take my dream gown off and change outfits that day then I wanted to be just as excited to wear the next look. As I was leaning towards staying in the dress all night, up popped the after party dress of dreams!!
This Retrofête Ella Dress was made for the occasion, and I fell in love with it instantly when I saw it. It packs such gorgeous detail up close, with all the sequins shining and reflecting on the dance floor! Even the tips of the velvet belt sparkled! But it also felt sexy and so fun - the one shoulder design shows off the collarbone and this mini dress bares a little leg with its asymmetrical hemline.
It was everything! And even though it’s a splurge, the high quality of the material felt really special - and it’s easily something you could wear to other events again in the future! Hello New Years Eve :)
Rehearsal Dinner Jumpsuit
I find that a lot of people are looking for a romper or jumpsuit to wear the day before the wedding, as a wish to differentiate styles. I felt strongly that this was not the look I’d wear for our wedding ceremony at the church, and luckily I had already found the perfect dress for that.
But one day while checking out some unique styles on Verishop I came across this beautiful Dessy Strapless Jumpsuit. I loved the fit so much because it shows off your curves without feeling tight! Which felt appropriate for a rehearsal dinner when you want to be able to eat a meal without worrying.
If you go with something simple like this you can also dress it up with a crystal belt from Etsy or BHLDN!
Hoping to wear this again!
The Bachelorette Party Dress
Short, sweet - and to the point!
Saw this Sisters The Label Sofia Mini Dress on Instagram and my friends said I needed to have it. It felt unique from anything else I’ve seen, especially the beautiful crystal details down the extra long straps on the back. The material was luxuriously silky, and I loved the feminine bows - it was fun and flirty.
The Honeymoon Dress
I adored this Arlo Mini Dress from Lovers and Friends when I saw it on Revolve. The hip hugging style and tie waist detail was perfect for a nice dinner and a night out on our Honeymoon!
Though the dress is lined, the cotton fabric made it feel more appropriate for a nice dinner than a bridal event, but I definitely recommend it.
The Theme Party!
Our group of friends loves a theme party. My bachelorette party was in Austin, and one night we really leaned into the country cowgirl theme. I’m talking cowboy hats, cowboy boots and fringe.
This Shania Fringe Set was so perfect for the theme! The fringe cropped top with a waist tie back was super flattering and flirty.
The Post Wedding Lunch (Or Brunch)
On the Saturday after our wedding we went to lunch with our immediate families to recap all the excitement from the day before. I found another gem on Verishop from Bellevue The Label called the Neve Halter Dress and knew this was the perfect dress to end the weekend in!
Even though I had already purchased a halter dress for the church, the material and cut felt completely different from one another. I loved the floral detail on this lightweight lace design, and the casual tie on the back of the neck. This is definitely the most flattering style on me, and for so many body types!
The Church Wedding
I was scouring the internet for a dress I would wear to the church for our Wedding. When I found this Penelope High Neck Halter Dress from Milly I wasn’t sure what it would look like on. But when it arrived at my apartment and I tried it on, it felt like “the one”.
The material is so classic and elegant, with a high quality fabric that hugs and highlights your skin in all the right places. I loved that it was so formal in the front with a high neck, and then showed a little more skin with the deep open back design. Though this style is tighter than I normally wear it perfectly complemented the dress I had for the big reception the next day with all our family and friends. Opposites in lots of ways like I had wanted.
I felt so confident and beautiful in this dress on my wedding day. And I think that’s the most you can hope for!
The Island Outfit
This two piece skirt set from Showpo was calling my name - I pictured myself dining on the beach with Ryan in French Polynesia.
It took about 4 weeks to arrive from Australia, but I’m obsessed with the puff sleeves, eyelet fabric design, and ruffled skirt. It reminded me of a flamenco dancer! I couldn’t stop shaking my imaginary maracas.
The Bridal Shower Look
I found this One 33 Social Asymmetrical Fringe Mini Dress at Neiman Marcus at the Garden State Plaza, and then ended up purchasing it from OliveLA.
I loved the unique style elements; The fringe belt! The art deco texture! The contrast of the mini hem and long sleeves!
It was perfect for my boho bridal shower.
A Go-to White Top
For all the upcoming appointments you may have - here is one piece you can always rely on. For the hair trial, makeup trial, wedding dress shopping, whatever it may be. I bought this ruffled sleeve t-shirt from Needle and Thread and definitely got some good use out of it over the last two years.
A Bridal Robe
For the morning of the wedding, I wore my best friends robe - my "Something Borrowed.” This beautiful Maya Lace Robe from Le Rose.
We have always had similar taste and style in fashion and decor, and both had our eye on this style! It meant so much to me that I could wear the same one that she did on her wedding day.
For some people shopping for your wedding can be exciting, but sometimes it can feel daunting. But just breathe - there are more styles out there than ever before and you are bound to find something. If someone else already wore it? Who cares! It’s your day, you can do whatever you want.
You don’t need a million styles - though maybe if you’re like me you find a million you love! Then all you have to worry about is what you decide you’ll return, and put the credit card away when you realize you mayyyy have gone over the budget just a bit.
My only advice is to save yourself the stress of buying something super tight if you feel uncomfortable and plan to use a crash diet just to fit in it. It’s not worth it. Buy what feels comfortable and makes you feel beautiful.
You’ll enjoy your day and the time leading up to your wedding much more..
Xx Gab