Your wedding day is one of the most beautiful days of your life — you've dreamed about it countless times — and your dress is the essential accessory. Along with your other half, of course. So here's our pick of wedding dresses to spark a few ideas, and who knows, maybe a full-blown crush... Dream dresses for a perfect day.

The wedding dress by Alexis Mariage is a little girl's dream made real: embroidered with a scattering of pink flowers, fine straps, a full, voluminous skirt — an elegance and poise worthy of Sleeping Beauty.

Less classic, seriously fashion-forward and ultra sexy, the Alondra dress is made for fashionistas who want to marry at the peak of style, in haute couture. No volume here: the body-skimming cut, the generous neckline, the lace and tulle trace the silhouette rather than hide it. An ultra-sexy look, reserved for those who own it. (Glamour collection by Pronovias.)

Bride in a lace and tulle sheath dress on an urban terrace at sunset

This dress is bohemian and chic at once: lace and embroidery, sexy sheer panels, a modern silhouette with a vintage touch... and on top of that, it's by Gianfranco Ferré. So yes, we're smitten with this wardrobe that's all softness, light as a summer afternoon.

Bride in an embroidered bohemian lace dress in a Mediterranean garden courtyard

At Les Mariées de Provence, the mood is rustic and summery: charming dresses, simple and effortlessly classy. The Nine design stands out with its pretty strapless bodice and its ivory floral print — simple, seriously chic, and perfectly in tune with an outdoor wedding.

Bride in a strapless dress with an ivory floral print in a Provençal field

From Marillages, the Kayla dress is all grace, simplicity and refinement. Made from light muslin, it features a heart-shaped neckline and a draped bodice trimmed with a small frieze: the drape of the fabric does all the work, and the result speaks for itself.

Bride in a muslin dress with a draped bodice and heart neckline in front of a mirror

Also from Marillages, but in a very different register, the Sabrina dress: antique lace layered over satin, a strapless bodice, a long cathedral train. A guaranteed theatrical effect the moment you walk.

Bride from behind, long cathedral train in antique lace spread out on a staircase

Finally, for a wedding in colour, the purple dress by Emilie Costa dares to take a stand. Strapless bodice and tulle on the skirt, a shade that's both distinguished and original — we love this idea that steps away from white without tipping into costume territory.

Bride in a purple dress with a strapless bodice and tulle skirt by a large window

Before you fall for one, think about the venue and the season: a light muslin is perfect for a midsummer wedding, while a cathedral train needs space to unfurl. And book a fitting with the shoes and bra you'll wear on the day — that's when you really see whether the dress hangs well.

Budget

On the budget side, expect to pay around £250 to £700 for an off-the-peg wedding dress, £900 to £2,200 for a designer piece, and from £2,600 for made-to-measure or haute couture. What pushes the price up: the fabric (silk, antique lace, embroidered tulle), the number of fittings and alterations, hand-finished details, and the timescale — the later you order, the more the customisation costs. Good news: end-of-season collections, pre-loved and rental can all get you a beautiful dress without blowing the whole budget. Before you sign anything, always ask whether alterations are included in the price.