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Courtesy of Millia London
We’ve told you once, and we’ll you again, blue wedding dresses were one of the biggest breakout trends spotted at the Spring 2023 New York Bridal Fashion Week collections. Designers have fallen for gowns in soft shades of the cool hue, which can be a romantic and regal choice for your wedding look if you don’t want to wear white.
“A hint of color is always a beautiful and unique choice for a bride who wants to express her individuality,” shares bridal and eveningwear designer, Peter Langner. “If you are searching for a distinct look, color is always a great alternative. Depending on the aesthetic of your wedding, a pop of color will make a statement for a chic and modern look.”
Meet the Expert
Before establishing his own eponymous bridal and eveningwear brand in 1991, Peter Langner worked for iconic design houses including Christian Dior, Emanuel Ungaro, and Christian Lacroix. The Milan-based designer is renowned for his elegant and architectural styles.
When it comes to accessorizing a blue gown, the designer shares that a little extra thought needs to go into a bride’s style choice. “Veils do not always have to match the gown perfectly, and if thoughtfully paired, a mismatch can be beautiful,” he explains. “Similar to veils, shoes and jewelry should not aim to mirror the color of the wedding dress but instead compliment it.”
If you’re on the hunt for a lovely blue-hued gown, or curious to see what’s out there, we’ve shared some of our favorite blue wedding dresses fit to suit any bridal style.
Best Brocade: Amsale Metallic Fil-Coupe Dress
Courtesy of Amsale
Runs: True to Size | Size: 00-28 | Materials: Brocade | Length: Floor
This ice-blue, A-line gown is giving us Elsa from Frozen vibes in the best way possible. It’s a striking and easy silhouette, and we absolutely love the precision pleating at the waistline and the pockets!
Best Sparkle: Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Allure Bridals Cinderella Dress
Courtesy of Allure Bridals
Runs: True to Size | Size: 0-30 | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
This draped ballgown is a Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo-perfect wedding dress. Crafted from the palest blue tulle, it has an incredible sparkle thanks to the sequin and bead clusters that are artfully scattered on the bodice and skirt.
Best Lehnega: Kynhah Blue Tara Lehenga
Courtesy of Kynhah
Runs: True to Size| Size: XS-XL | Materials: Raw Silk | Length: Floor
This three-piece ensemble, which is traditional attire for Indian brides, is crafted of raw silk and is detailed with hand-sewn glass beads that create striking geometrical patterns. One particular standout detail is the net dupatta featuring an elaborately embroidered border.
Best Column: Andrew Kwon Aphrodite V. 2 Dress
Courtesy of Andrew Kwon
Runs: True to Size | Size: Custom | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
This elegant column dress is definitely a red carpet-worthy wedding option. The beautiful blue hue, combined with illusion lace panels, makes it an incredibly glam choice.
Best Ballgown: Nadia Manjarrez Jackie Gown
Courtesy of Nadia Manjarrez Studio
Runs: True to Size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Recycled taffeta | Length: Floor
Perfect for a garden ceremony, or desert wedding, this recycled taffeta gown is super sweet and chic. We love the dusty blue shade and the embroidered bouquet motifs.
Best Ruffled Neckline: BHLDN Tansy Satin Maxi Dress
Courtesy of BHLDN
Runs: True to Size | Size: 0-26W | Materials: Satin | Length: Floor
This breezy wrap dress has one of our all-time favorite details: ruffles. The wrap silhouette is universally figure-flattering, and this gown is one you could wear again to a cocktail or garden party event.
Best Halter: BLDN Ruby Satin Charmeuse Dress
Courtesy of BHLDN
Runs: True to Size | Size: 0-26W | Materials: Satin | Length: Floor
The deep navy shade of this dress is pure elegance and is a perfect choice if you’re having an intimate evening wedding. Bonus points for the stunning halter neckline and beautiful draped-bias cut.
Best Vintage Vibe: Claire Pettibone Vida Dress
Courtesy of Claire Pettibone
Runs: True to Size | Size: XS-XL | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
This delicately embroidered gown has a Bridgeton feel to it, which is a massive trend in bridalwear now. The romantic tulle overlay is exquisite, and we are smitten with the dainty Tiffany blue floral details.
Best Floral Embroidery: Monique Lhuillier Liliana Dress
Courtesy of Monique Lhuillier
Runs: True to Size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
This breathtaking dress from Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2023 collection is truly a showstopper. We love how it delivers a subtle blue message via intricate floral embroideries which cover the entire gown.
Most Electric: RVNG Zaley Dress
Courtesy of RVNG
Runs: True to Size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
If you want a bold blue gown that is completely extra, this is it! Comprised of layer upon layer of frothy blue tulle, we love the high drama factor that is certainly anything but traditional.
Best Ombré: Nicole + Felicia Couture Dress
Courtesy of Nicole + Felicia Couture
Runs: True to Size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
This extraordinary ballgown is a pure delight. The periwinkle blue hue is on point with Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year, and the frothy layers of lemon tulle at the hemline make this wedding dress fabulously fashion-forward.
Best Celestial-Themed: Essence of Australia D3209 Dress
Courtesy of Essense of Australia
Runs: True to Size | Size: XS-XL | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
We know that brides love celestial-themed wedding dresses, and this one is a particular beauty as it combines astrological motifs with the blue trend. The full skirt is made from glitter tulle which gives this gown a whimsical twinkle effect.
Best Tulle: Pronovias Style 158 Dress
Courtesy of Pronovias
Runs: True to Size | Size: 4-30 UK | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
This dress is literally a cloud of tulle that is pure fashion fantasy. It features a plunging V-neckline, trimmed in a statement-making tulle ruffle, and a transparent layered overskirt.
Coolest Tie-Dye: Oscar de la Renta Ombre Chiffon Gown
Courtesy of ODLR
Runs: True to Size | Size: 0-16 | Materials: Silk-Chiffon | Length: Floor
This dip-dyed, ombre sapphire gown is the product of our dreams. We love the blue gradation that fades to white at the hemline, and the plunging sweetheart neckline which imbues the mood of modern elegance.
Best Details: Peter Langner 220027 Dress
Courtesy of Peter Langner
Runs: True to Size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Silk Chiffon | Length: Floor
This whisper-light, baby blue and pink silk chiffon sheath dress belongs oceanside at a breezy destination wedding. The woven chiffon bands at the waist and on the V-shaped backline are simply spectacular.
Best Off-The-Shoulder: David’s Bridal Satin Ball Gown Wedding Dress
Courtesy of David’s Bridal
Runs: True to Size | Size: 0-14 | Materials: Satin | Length: Floor
The minimalistic simplicity of this dusty blue ballgown is what we love the most. Wear it with simple accessories and an airy tulle veil to create a bridal style vibe that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Best Mermaid: David’s Bridal Organza Mermaid Wedding Dress
Courtesy of David’s Bridal
Runs: True to Size | Size: 0-30W | Materials: Organza | Length: Floor
Take one of the most dramatic wedding dress silhouettes, and combine it with layers of frosty blue organza, and you have a bridal style classic. This curve-hugging dress also has a laced corset back which takes the drama factor up a notch.
Most Statement-Making: Ines Di Santo Calypso Wedding Dress
Courtesy of Ines Di Santo
Runs: True to Size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
If you’re looking to make an entrance, then this is the gown for you! This ruffled, scoop neck ombré ballgown has an incredible embellished bodice, detachable arm cuffs, and a cathedral train.
Prettiest Pleating: Katherine Tash Blue Dress
Courtesy of Katherine Tash
Runs: True to Size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
This strapless, tiered accordion-pleated gown is as unique as it gets for a wedding dress. The soft shade and silhouette give it an effortless vibe, and it’s a spectacular fashion choice for a formal winter wedding.
Best Skirting: Milla London Sienna Dress
Courtesy of Millia London
Runs: True to Size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor
A stunning, face-framing high neckline is one of the many things that makes this gown a dream. It also has a dramatic low backline, grosgrain ribbons that tie at the waist and the neck, and of course, a totally epic cascading tulle ruffle skirt.
What to Look for in a Blue Wedding Dress
Opting to wear your gown as your “something blue” provides a variety of blue shades to choose from, which in turn, allows you to uber-personalize your bridal style. Though pastel and icy shades are most popular, we also love tapping into the darker side of things with deep blue and navy tones. However, the key to wearing a colored wedding dress is to ensure that the color doesn’t overpower the overall look and theme of your event.
FAQ
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While you can never go wrong with neutral shades, metallic shoes are currently having a moment! Silver and gold hues look incredible against all shades of blue and are a great complement to this style of dress.
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You can wear whatever you want, when you want to—it’s your day! A white dress to follow up your dramatic blue gown is a fun way to mix up tradition and your personal wedding style.
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Keep the color story for your bridal party neutral. Pale watercolor floral patterns make a great match, as do all-white dresses or barely-there blush tones.
About the Author
Alison McGill is an award-winning editor, writer, creative producer, media personality, and brand strategist. She was the Editor-in-Chief of Weddingbells for two decades, a role which also included being the Editorial Director of Weddingbells’ sister publication Mariage Quebec. Her work has appeared in The Kit, Fashion, Hello! Canada, The Toronto Star, and more.
