Wedding dress ideas, from classic white to bold colour

Few trends move as slowly as the wedding dress. White, floor-length, a few crystals here and there, a bit of tulle… little girls dream of a Cinderella dress, and grown women would not give up the white, princess-style image for anything. Designers keep trying, though: coloured dresses, tempting frills, openwork lace, legs on show… you can feel a fresh breeze wanting to blow through bridal, but the brides themselves have yet to give it their full approval. Here are a few dresses — classic or unexpected, spectacular or beautifully simple — to help you find the trend that suits you…

Rustling fabric, layered petticoats, pleating, lace, old rose and ivory… a romantic Spanish-inspired dress with a structured bodice and a puffed skirt, original and sculptural. The Velasquez dress by Philippe Swann, at Complicite.

Frills are making their way into weddings: a ruffled skirt of white waves contrasted with a clean-lined embroidered bustier, cinched with a bow at the waist. Volume and romance in the Cirus dress by Lise Saint Germain at Complicite.

A wedding dress doesn't have to mean puff and volume: proof from Lise Saint Germain again, whose elegant Elnath offers a subtly retro feel. Crystal-embellished embroidery, a satin belt, a bustier top and a fitted skirt, plus a train that is present but sensible. At Complicite.

A delicate drape, a defined waist and hips highlighted by a flower placed on the left thigh. We love the sunlit shade of this organza dress, which reveals a delicate lace underskirt beneath the lifted skirt… The Romantic dress, which lives up to its name, by Pronuptia.

Fancy colour and glamour for your big day? A powder-pink shade and boudoir styling give this feminine, flirtatious dress its character. The Admiration dress at Pronuptia sets sugared-almond pink against black Chantilly lace, with a puffed taffeta skirt, asymmetric ruffles and a bustier top.

Graphic curves with a clean design: an embroidered bodice with a sweetheart neckline, a skirt that hugs the hips and thighs before flaring out into a proper train. Demetrios dress.

Did someone say frills? There are plenty on this dress, with a skirt that is both airy and voluminous. A bodice sparkling with crystals and a skirt loaded with tulle ruffles, imposing and romantic. Demetrios.

On the other hand, if you don't want frills, lace or convention? Take a look at Cymbeline, which offers atypical designs — but make no mistake, they are still elegant and in good taste for a wedding that feels like yours… Here, a slightly boho dress with a lightly puffed bustier top and a long, delicately embroidered skirt, with pearls for good measure… romantic and simple. The Bloom dress, from the Les Privées line, Cymbeline.

A real jewel of a dress: white satin and shimmering embroidery decorating the bodice, hem and train. A true wonder from the Ilissa collection, Demetrios.

Short rather than long? It's your wedding, so you can do as you please — and showing off your legs instead of having someone carry your train is part of that. Here, the Babette dress by Cymbeline, short and sexy, with white flowers at the hem and a pink belt, good enough to eat.

An empire waist, embroidered bodice and clean skirt, where a flower gathers a lightly pink veil into a soft crumple: this is the Mistral dress by Les Mariées de Provence, showing just enough in all the right places.

Looking for the ultimate princess dress? Then it's worth rummaging through Demetrios's Princess Collection. Trains fit for a queen, a perfect drape, sparkling embroidery… majestic dresses. Here, a sweetheart neckline with straps and white satin embroidered with sparkling threads.

The same goes for this wonder that has everything of a grand gown: a train finely embroidered with crystals and a carefully detailed bodice, perfect for princesses at heart with fairy-tale dreams… Demetrios.

A lace-trimmed bodice that plays between sheer cut-outs and opaque lace, spaghetti straps and an imposing yet light tulle skirt: this is the sparkling, modern Banjo dress, Cymbeline.

Barely pink, with a flower on the strap and, beneath the rustling, luminous fabric, a section of sheer tulle: the Mejean dress is both original and natural. Les Mariées de Provence.

A bold pink for your wedding? Meet the daring Hotensia, in bright, acid pink, full of pep and energy — a dress not everyone will dare to wear… but isn't that the point?

Blue-grey embroidery on white crêpe, with a satin belt under the bust, in this pretty fitted dress with an empire waist, by Pronovias, style Niagara.

A precious, slightly golden colour with white lace and embroidery, a bustier top and a long veil embroidered at the edge: a luxury style by Pronovias.

A final piece of advice: never choose a dress from a photo. The same dress on someone else can look ideal and fall flat on you. Try it in motion — walk, turn, sit down — and that's when you'll know if it's the one.

Budget

Budget is a category of its own when it comes to wedding dresses. In the UK, prices vary widely, but as a rough guide you might pay £300–£800 for a high-street or ready-to-wear dress, £1,000–£2,500 for a mid-range designer style, and £2,500–£6,000 or more for made-to-measure or a major designer. Alterations, which are often unavoidable, usually add £100–£400.

What pushes the price up? Fabric (silk, lace, crêpe), hand embroidery, the train and the number of fittings. The good news is that end-of-season collections, pre-loved dresses and rental can bring the cost down while still getting the dress you want — as long as you allow time for fittings and alterations.