Finding the perfect dress for your wedding isn’t always easy, especially if you’re not going for a traditional look. I’ll be honest, I found shopping for a wedding dress to be a little overwhelming and frustrating at times. I saw a lot of similar looks, none of which really made my heart sing (until of course, when I found the one!) It occurred to me throughout the process that maybe my dream dress wasn’t a wedding dress…maybe it was a gown that happened to be white or maybe not white at all (I almost bought a black dress!) I’ve heard of a lot of brides going through a similar struggle so I thought I’d compile a little inspiration (some of which were just shown on the runway at NYFW last week) if you’re a bride looking for something more bold for your wedding day look.

Valentino / J. Mendel

You may have seen this first look on red carpets recently, but I think this Valentino dress would be amazing on a wedding day. Ultra chic and modern with the high neck and cape. In a perfect world, the cape would be detachable to seamlessly transition. If you’re not looking to go as dramatic and maybe want to show a little more skin, something like this J. Mendel dress is a gorgeous choice. It has the perfect amount of asymmetry and I love that there is just enough slit (without going too high) to be able to see the shoes.
Georges Hobeika / Ralph & Russo

If you’ve ever considered doing pants on your wedding day, this is a feminine and bold way to do it. I loveee this Georges Hobeika look. The bow, the embellished top, plus the cape like train? Swoon. And I love the high-low skirt on this Ralph and Russo dress. My shoes were just as important to me as my dress was and unfortunately unless you were getting ready with me, you probably didn’t see them. Love that this dress gives your shoes a moment too!Cushnie et Ochs / Naeem Khan

If understated elegance is more your thing, this Cushnie et Ochs dress is just that. I feel like Carrie Bradshaw would’ve worn this on her wedding day. And I love this whole runway look – the red lip, sleek hair, and contrasting shoe. This would be perfect for a small restaurant wedding or elopement. For a more ballgown look, this Naeem Khan dress brings the drama with a full skirt, belt, off the shoulder neckline and pockets!

Badgley Mischka / Lela Rose

These two dresses put a little twist on the traditional white/ivory dress. The intricate beading on this Badgley Mischka dress is insane. The floral motif, as it is so large, is much more abstract than the floral pattern of this Lela Rose dress which has a more sweet and romantic vibe. I love the fuller skirt on this dress and the cut of the top. Perfect for an outdoor summer wedding.
Krikor Jabotian / Sareh Nouri

The drama of the backs of these two dresses make. my. heart. stop. In my opinion, the view from the back of a dress is just as important as the front, as there are moments throughout the wedding day where I’m photographing from either the side or the back. The strong lines and organic folds of this Krikor Jabotian dress make it such a beautiful departure from the traditional wedding dress look. Plus, showing a little skin in areas like the back and shoulders is just the right amount of sexy. And remember when I said I almost bought a black dress? It’s true! I found it just looking through designer gowns at Nordstrom.com (which can seem like more expensive option but in rare cases can be a much less…the dress I considered was only $600!) The low V in the back of the Sareh Nouri dress, the lace sleeves and ruffles in the skirt…oh-so-romantic.

Hope you’re feeling inspired to find the dress that is uniquely you! xo