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Wedding Dresses for Older Brides: Top Tips & 26 of Our Favourites

Our edit of the most beautiful wedding dresses for older brides has everything from sophisticated, contemporary silhouettes to timeless classics, to help you feel your confident best

Model wearing a tailored white wedding dress standing next to a fireplace

It’s hugely exciting to plan a wedding as an older bride - and that's true when it comes to finding your wedding dress. If you're shopping for a wedding dress for an older bride, you're in the right place. 

Whether it’s your second wedding, you’re taking the plunge after many years together, you’ve waited a while to find ‘The One’ or you're having a vow renewal, the point is, you know more about who you are and what you like. That translates to putting together a bridal look to truly reflect you - not wearing something you feel you ought to like.

The only thing that can take the shine off your wedding dress hunt? If you've been unfortunate enough to hear any of that nonsense about 'rules' for older brides: you shouldn’t wear white, you must cover your arms, etc. The truth is, that sort of thinking was already out of date 20 years ago. It’s your day and you just need to find a wedding dress that you feel comfortable and confident in.

We’ve got plenty of advice about what to look for, as well as some of our favourite designs for more mature brides. While many of these are dresses, we've included some cool separates to consider, too.

From bridal designers to high-street stores, your perfect wedding dress is waiting for you, no matter what your age!

Wedding Dresses for Older Brides: Our Top Tips

Tea Length Wedding Dresses for Older Brides

Casual Wedding Dresses for Older Brides

Simple Wedding Dresses for Older Brides

Non White Wedding Dresses for Older Brides

The Best Wedding Dresses for Older Brides

Be inspired by some of our favourite wedding dresses for older brides, plus some ultra-chic jumpsuits and bridal separates.

Tea Length Wedding Dresses for Older Brides

1. Nancy Frill Ballerina Dress – £425, Needle & Thread

Model wearing a ruffle tea length wedding dress

Designed with delicate layers of tulle that are gathered into romantic ruffles, we adore the Nancy Frill ballerina dress from Needle & Thread. It's scattered with silver sequins too which will photograph beautifully. 

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2. Carrie Bow Bridal Dress – £249, Monsoon

Model wearing a white bow bridal dress

Don't be afraid to wear a statement dress - it is your wedding day after all! Monsoon's Carrie dress will certainly impress thanks to the sophisticated silhouette and the gorgeous oversized shoulder bow. 

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3. Embroidered Satin Dress – £179, Coast

Model wearing a lace embroidered wedding dress

This magical midi dress from Coast ticks all our boxes in one - it's trendy, functional and unique. We adore the illusion long sleeves, floral motifs and satin bow belt. 

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4. Pearl Dress – £899, Gill Harvey

Model wearing a pearl embroidered wedding dress with feather trim

Planning a vintage wedding? You'll need a stunning wedding dress to suit and Gill Harvey's pearl gown could be just what you're looking for. The pearl embroidery and feather trim is gorgeous! 

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5. Dora Midi Bridal Dress – £349, Monsoon

Monsoon's Dora is an ageless style that will show off different body types. The lace cape is detachable, so you can change up your look during the wedding if you want to.

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6. Roksandra's Camellia Dress – £1,195, Net-a-Porter

Model wearing a sleek white wedding dress

Roksandra's Camellia dress is pure refinement in a dress. The sculpted silhouette, the flowy, three-quarter sleeves, the crepe fabric - all add up to a very sophisticated look that would particularly suit an older bride.

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7. Caterina Embroidered Flared Wedding Dress – £295, Phase Eight

Model wearing an embroidered flared wedding dress

You can't go wrong with classic styles and this lacy modern confection is a prime example. With a gently flared skirt and vintage touches, it may just be the icing on the cake for your bridal look.

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Casual Wedding Dresses for Older Brides 

8. Phillipa Wedding Dress – £160, ASOS

Model wearing a boho lace wedding dress

Free-spirited brides will adore ASOS's Phillipa dress. Crafted from breathable and light-weight fabric it will keep you cool if you're having a wedding in the warmer months and the dobby mesh ruffles will move beautifully. 

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9. Victoriana Bridal Jumpsuit – £199, Phase Eight

Wedding dresses aren’t for everyone, which is why we love this bestselling Victoriana jumpsuit. Featuring statement frill sleeves and a detachable embellished waistband, it proves a dress isn’t a necessity to feel like a bride. Plus, at £199 it's brilliant for brides on a budget!

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READ MORE: 37 Stylish Wedding Jumpsuits for Brides Who Want Something Different

10. Sarabeth Dress – £285, Reformation

Model wearing a simple white wedding dress

Reformation's Sarabeth Dress is all about grown-up refinement. The understated design gets an extra dose of sophistication with the fringe bottom, giving the dress a boost of memorable personality without being in your face.

Simple Wedding Dresses for Older Brides

11. Ruffle Skirt Cowl Back Dress – £199, Coast

  Model wearing a simple cowl back wedding dress

Coast is a fail-safe option when it comes to their bridal collection - it's affordable and so stylish! Consider this cowl back dress if you're after elegance and sophistication without a huge price tag. 

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12. Brighton Dress – £POA, Justin Alexander

This Justin Alexander dress is a contemporary take on a classic bridal ballgown. There's detailing on the shoulders and back, but other than that, it's all about clean, flowing lines and volume.

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13. Colleen – £POA, Badgley Mischka 

The elegant silhouette of this Badgley Mischka column gown is ideal for older brides who love embellishment. The waist detailing nips in to create curves and the cap sleeves add a little coverage.

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14. Ember Single-Breasted Blazer – £238, Reiss

Single-breasted blazer with brown button details

A trouser suit is such a chic bridal option, especially if you're looking for an outfit for a more mature bride. This Reiss blazer would look effortlessly stylish, and you could accessorise it to really make it your own.

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READ MORE: 33 Chic Wedding Suits for Women to Buy Now

15. Mariana Pleated Lace Wedding Dress – £299, Phase Eight

Phase Eight's bridal collection is so good right now. Among the pieces we've fallen for is this elegant pleated dress, with chic long sleeves and a stunning lace overlay.

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16. Niccola Fitted Belted Midmaxi Dress - £140, Phase Eight

Model wearing a tailored white wedding dress

Think townhouse wedding or small, intimate ceremony at the courthouse. This fitted dress from Phase Eight fits that vision perfectly! It's sophisticated and elegant, perfect for an older bride. 

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17. Katheryn – Pronovias

White long sleeve wedding dress for older brides

A bateau neckline always looks stylish, as this Pronovias gown shows. Paired with a fluid silhouette, it looks sensational, proving you don't need lots of embellishment for a high-impact wedding dress.

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READ MORE: The 47 Best Wedding Dresses on the High Street

18. Daya Dress – £790, Solace London

Solace London is the brand to know for sculptural designs that have a big impact. Just take the regal Daya dress: it's rare we use the words 'sleek' and 'showstopper' to describe the same look, and yet somehow, Solace have combined the two. 

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19. Rebecca Dress – £359, Monsoon

For a fresh take on the lace wedding dress, check out Monsoon's Rebecca gown. The sheer dotted fabric at the neck makes for a gorgeous contrast with the floral lace.

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20. Poppy Embroidered Wedding Dress - £450, Phase Eight 

Phase Eight have another winner on their hands with the Poppy dress that combines all-over lace with satin edging and a semi-sheer back. This is the contemporary way to do pretty.

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READ MORE: The 21 Best High Neck Wedding Dresses

21. Roanne Dress – £POA, Maggie Sottero

Floaty boho ballgown

Bring on the glamour! Roanne combines boho and ballgown to show-stopping effect. It's a dream of a dress, and the illusion mesh at the neckline keeps it chic.

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Non White Wedding Dresses for Older Brides

22. Florence Ruffle Ankle Skirt – £295, Needle & Thread

Powder blue ankle-length skirt with tulle ruffles

The beauty of bridal separates is that you can create your own unique look - and that's something we know many older brides appreciate. Take this Needle & Thread Florence skirt: you can style it, as here, with a pretty cardigan, or a metallic cami for something a little sexier, or a soft cardigan at a winter wedding. It's available in other colours, but we just love the blue.

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23. Sabrine Moss Lace Dress – £280, Gina Bacconi

  Model wearing a tailored dress with black lace trim

This beautiful and unique dress by Gina Bacconi features ruched lace panelling down one side which will flatter all figures. It's also fully lined keeping you comfortable all day. 

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24. Jessica Wedding Dress – £195, ASOS

Model wearing an off the shoulder Champagne ombre wedding dress

A lovely alternative to white, the Jessica wedding dress from ASOS comes in a gorgeous Champagne shade with an ombre effect. The off the shoulder bodice adds a sultry touch without being too much. 

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25. Rosabella Silk Floral Dress – £299, Hobbs

Model wearing a floral pink and white wedding dress

A floral can be such a pretty choice for a laidback wedding dress - like this Rosabella dress, which would be perfect for a country garden party wedding.

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26. Broderie-Anglaise Tea Dress – £360, Self-Portrait at FarFetch

Short-sleeve tea dress with waist belt

This Self-Portrait wedding dress is ideal for the fashion-loving older bride. The soft blush colour and lacy details make it stylish and visually interesting, while the classic silhouette ensures it stands the test of time.

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Wedding Dresses for Older Brides: Our 7 Top Tips 

1. Be Inspired by What You Love

Start by taking a look at your wardrobe and pulling out your favourite pieces - the things that make you feel most confident when you put them on (these don't all have to be dresses.) Note what it is you love about each one, and what they have in common. Maybe it's a certain neckline; perhaps it's a particular type of sleeve; you may feel best in luxe fabrics or prefer a lighter, boho feel. Once you see a pattern emerging, use that to guide your wedding dress search.

For example, if you find your favourite fashion pieces are all about clean, soft lines, look at column, fit & flare gowns and slip dresses. If you realise you prefer outfits with volume, look at contemporary ball gowns.

No style is off-limits to you. 'Dressing your age' is so outdated - choosing your wedding dress is about what makes you, as a unique individual, look and feel amazing.

READ MORE: Rules and Etiquette For Second Marriage Wedding Dresses

2. Choose Flattering over Fashion

A mistake common for younger brides is choosing a wedding dress that is chic in itself but doesn't actually suit them. You know better than that. If a high neck doesn't flatter you, it doesn't matter that it's a hot bridal trend - put it aside.

3. Don't Discount Vintage 

Vintage and vintage-inspired wedding dresses can work well at any age. Just make sure you pick an era that suits your style, whether that's 1970s boho or 1920s glamour. One of the great things about being an older bride is that although you know what suits you, you also have the confidence to experiment.

4. Sleeves or No Sleeves?

You can find plenty of gorgeous wedding dresses with sleeves, but as an older bride, you don’t have to cover up. Sleeveless and cami-style dresses can look very elegant. Cap or flutter-style sleeves will cover your shoulders and upper arms while looking stylish. Or consider lace or illusion sleeves: three-quarter lengths work well as they flatter your hands and wrists.

White and blue Kitri Studio wedding dress with three-quarter flutter sleeves

5. Don't Shy Away from Sexier Styles

If you like to show some skin, there are plenty of wedding dress styles that let you do so. A backless wedding dress could look amazing, or you could make it more subtle with a lace or illusion plunge to the rear of your dress.

6. Embrace Colour

You can 100% wear white, whatever your age, but don't discount colour. For a soft bridal look, try on dresses in nude, blush, grey, ivory, silver and gold tones. Want more drama? Go for brights!

7. Don’t Hide Behind Accessories

If you love bold, attention-grabbing accessories, that’s great – but don’t feel any pressure to add them to your look if you wouldn’t usually wear them. There's nothing wrong with a pared-back bridal look if your personal style is minimalist.

Finish your look with some gorgeous shoes - these are our favourite designer wedding shoes. Yes, they're on the more expensive side, but it's an investment, right?