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So you've gotten engaged. You're doing it! You're getting married… but wtf are you going to wear? Some of us have dreamed of our evil fairy princess wedding dress for decades, or know exactly which fringed mermaid gown would be perfect. But others of us? Maybe we don't want to wear a wedding dress. If you try googling what can I wear instead of a wedding dress, you find a lot about alternative wedding dresses (And as you can tell from the Offbeat Wed Shop, and we loooooove alt wedding dresses!).
But that's not what we're here to talk about. This is the post for someone who's not looking for alternative wedding dresses, but wedding dress ALTERNATIVES… as in you're thinking: “I don't want to wear a wedding dress.” What are your wedding outfit options if you hate dresses?
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Now, maybe that's a fashion choice, maybe it's a function choice, or maybe it's a gender identity issue. Doesn't matter — if you're wondering what can I wear instead of a wedding dress? WE HAVE ANSWERS. We're breaking our answers into a few different buckets, depending on WHY you don't want to wear a wedding dress.
Kick up some fun in a bridal jumpsuit
If you're ok with having a one-piece, but don't want to be in a dress, a jumpsuit can be a fun option. Going to the bathroom can be tough, but that's just any jumpsuit.
Go short with a romper
Again, this is a one-piece option, but with more kick! A bridal romper is great for a beach wedding, summer city wedding, or if you just want to show off those legs, honey!
Go for bridal separates: wear a skirt with a top
Ok, so maybe your problem with wedding dresses isn't the flowy part — it's the restrictive one-piece aspect. Two-piece wedding outfits are a great solution! You can go for bridal separates with a gorgeous flowy skirt paired with a top.
More inspiration for this look:
Wear a wedding suit
So if you want separates, AND you don't want to be in a flowy bottom, the suit is your perfect solution. Maybe in the past, bridal suits were associated with gorgeous lesbian brides and more androgynous hotties, but that's no longer the case.
If you want a butch suit for your queer wedding, of course that's freaking awesome… and if you want an extremely feminine wedding suit for your totally straight wedding? That's hot AF, too!
More inspiration for this look:
Wear a corset and slacks
This is an amazing look that we've only seen one bride rock, but we think has SO MUCH POTENTIAL. Pair an incredible custom corset from a place like Dark Garden with pair of slacks and you have the ultimate non-wedding-dress look.
Kimberly & David's Bookish gender-avoiding party. Photo by Russ Mathews
This is just one of literally HUNDREDS of looks for brides in pants. Be sure to check our full archive!
Looking for more wedding dress alternatives?
While this post was written with more bridal / femme looks in mind, we've also gots lots of perspectives on the more nonbinary / masculine side of things, too! Be sure to check out our nonbinary archives,
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love it!!!!! I’m loving the creativity and the ways people can express themselves!!!
I recently did a wedding shoot that mixed a white jacket & pants but a crazy ridiculous train…and a derby hat. IT was fabulous.