A white wedding is a firmly held traditional for many brides and their families, but it wasn't always the case.
In generations gone by, brides simply wore their best dress for the occasion, with fewer spare funds to get elaborate with their choices. That was reserved for the wealthy and the royal, who dazzled in red dresses or gowns with gold and silver thread.
That is, until Queen Victoria, who popularised our current trend for wearing white on your wedding day.
The tide has turned in recent years, however, as more brides look for non-traditional outfits for their big day. Pinterest's 2023 Wedding Report revealed a 490% increase in searches for 'anti-bride wedding'.
Instead of a royal monarch leading the charge, it has been celebrities who broke with tradition and showed us glamorous ways to wear alternative wedding dresses. Here, we've rounded up some of the best alternative celebrity looks, so if you have a big day coming up and white isn't your colour, look no further.
Emily Ratajkowski
I think the way emily ratajkowski got married is pretty cool. no big wedding and even a dress. a concept 🤔 pic.twitter.com/XUMJwBp4cJ
— 👄 (@TheeNayomi) February 25, 2018
The model, author and podcaster eschewed tradition by not only opting for a mustard yellow two-piece suit for her 2018 wedding to (now ex) Sebastian Bear-McClard, but she also went against the pressure to splurge on an expensive wedding look by going to Zara. Their intimate wedding was a decidedly more casual affair, with the model finishing her look with a black fedora with a black mesh veil embellishment.
Gwen Stefani
Ever the pop princess, Stefani married (also now ex) Gavin Rossdale in 2002 wearing a striking and typically unique ombré pink wedding dress by John Galliano. Although classic and white at the top, her taffeta gown bloomed into shades of pink.
Sarah Jessica Parker
a healing image of matthew broderick and sarah jessica parker on their wedding day w/ sarah in her iconic! black! wedding! dress! pic.twitter.com/iRAkpz2iPx
— georgie (@vilehag) May 10, 2018
SJP married Matthew Broderick in an ensemble even her Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw would be impressed by. Parker wore a striking black gown by Morgane Le Fay for their 1997 wedding, complete with a full, gathered skirt and corseted bodice.
Keira Knightley
i fear the indie sleaze scholars have overlooked keira knightley's 2013 wedding: flower crown, wayfarers, ballet flats, and a tulle dress w/ chanel tweed jacket? the indie was sleazing! pic.twitter.com/byYaGtb0Yx
— Melina Glusac (@LeminaGluestick) September 21, 2022
Championing sustainability, actress and bona fide high fashion muse Knightley re-wore a Chanel mini dress for her wedding. The Pirates of the Caribbean star first wore the strapless mink-hued mini dress at the 2008 BAFTAs, and updated it for her 2013 wedding to musician James Righton with a cropped Chanel tweed jacket and flats.
Elizabeth Taylor
Having been married eight times (twice to the same person, Richard Burton) Taylor had a diverse wedding dress collection by the end of her life. For her fourth marriage, to Eddie Fisher, in 1959 the iconic Old Hollywood star chose a deep green silk gown with a sheer hood and sleeves.
Elizabeth Taylor, again
Just five years later Taylor walked down the aisle once again, this time to Burton. For her fifth marriage the star stuck to bright colours, wearing a canary yellow dress by Irene Sharaff, the costume designer for Cleopatra, the film on which Taylor and Burton began their tumultuous affair.
Dita von Teese
The Burlesque star chose a typically dramatic and vampy gown for her 2005 wedding to shock rocker Marilyn Manson, which took place in Castle Gurteen in Tipperary. She wore a custom purple taffeta princess gown by Vivienne Westwood, complete with ashen makeup and a dark lipstick.
Avril Lavigne
can we talk about how iconic was avril lavigne getting married in a black wedding dress pic.twitter.com/3mEHMIYSYx
— sk8er (@headabovewter) January 25, 2021
True to her pop-punk roots, Lavigne's 2013 wedding to Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger was goth-themed with the star walking down the aisle in a black strapless Monique Lhuillier gown.
Mandy Moore
The This is Us star married musician Taylor Goldsmith in 2018 in a romantic and intimate ceremony in the couple's back garden. Sticking to her penchant for feminine looks, the bride wore an ethereal tiered blush pink gown by Rodarte complete with a matching pink veil.
Cynthia Nixon
The Sex and the City star, and politician, married her long-time partner Christine Marinoni in 2012 wearing a stunning lime green Carolina Herrera gown. The elegant design featured thin straps and a ruffled tulle skirt.
Jerry Hall
Seventies "it girl" Jerry Hall proved her style credentials during her 2016 wedding to media magnate Rupert Murdoch. She wore a baby blue corseted gown by Vivienne Westwood, which matched her bridesmaids' dresses. She accessorised with silver Roger Vivier flats and a Chanel bag.
