13 Floral Wedding Dresses That Are Anything But Traditional White

On a rare occasion, a designer marries our first love, flowers, with our second love, bridal attire. To see a floral wedding dress emerge on the runway, or even better, the ceremony aisle way commands attention from fashion critics and guests alike. While traditional white will always be a mainstay, there is something refreshing, romantic, and playful about a blossoming big day look. Just because you are drawn to a classic style doesn’t mean flowers are off the table. From understated organic patterns to feminine pastels: refined floral brocade and embroidery to modern watercolor prints, there are options for every bridal aesthetic. Read on to see our selection of favorite floral wedding dresses from designers such as Monique Lhuillier, Marchesa, Lela Rose, Oscar de la Renta, and more.

Marchesa is known for elaborate wedding dresses that unfold in airy, sumptuous fabrics and exquisite details. It’s no wonder the luxury design label has chosen statement florals as a continuous theme throughout its bridal collections. Vibrant, feminine, and unique, this gown was made for the risk-taking bride who is drawn to high-impact ornamentation and alternative colors such as ivory, soft grey, and champagne.

Florist Recommendation: This bride nailed it accentuating her look with an organic bouquet of lush blossoms in shades of coral, pink, and tangerine complemented by cascading ribbons.

You can tell tell Monique Lhuillier loves designing for brides. Romantic, beautiful, modern, her dresses represent how a woman wants to look and feel on the most important day of her life. The esteemed designer has incorporated floral prints and accents into her fashion DNA over the years. With its distinctive silhouette, diaphanous layering of fabric, and dainty floral pattern, this dress feels whimsical and fresh, yet sophisticated all at once.

Florist Recommendation: Draw from the dress’ natural pattern with a simple arrangement of long stemmed lavender-blue delphiniums tied together with a trailing white chiffon ribbon.

Actor and advocate Sophia Bush handpicked Monique Lhuillier to design her unforgettable wedding ensemble. Together, they dreamed up a personalized version of a dress already in the designer’s oeuvre. The custom gown featured a meaningful botanical theme of peach Oklahoma tea roses, deep orange California poppies, warm green and deep inky Italian olives, and butterfly ranunculus – images of Sophia and Grant’s bees were scanned into the print and could be seen buzzing amongst the blooms. The bride accessorized with a striking bouquet by Bows and Arrows Flowers that matched her dress beautifully.

This tea-length dress from London designer Needle & Thread was made for the bride who dreams of a secret garden wedding. Featuring a delicate bodice with sheer sleeves and ankle-grazing tulle skirt, the beautiful design is embroidered with graceful white and pink blossoms that cascade from top to bottom. It’s so airy and romantic – we wouldn’t blame you for stopping to take a twirl half way down the aisle.

Florist Recommendation: An unstructured nosegay bouquet composed of a few blush garden roses, white delphiniums (cut short) and touches of greenery.

To say this bridal look from Halfpenny London is showstopper would be an understatement. Its striking silhouette features a clean bodice paired with a voluminous silk organza skirt and bell sleeves decorated with watercolor orchids. This gown speaks to the bride with a fashion-forward sensibility.

Florist Recommendation: Because this dress is a work of modern art, flowers should be kept minimal – we would love to see it paired with just a few stems of slightly cascading lavender Phalaenopsis orchids.

Luxury designer Reem Acra reimagines the fairytale princess ballgown with this pretty petal creation. What makes this bridal look so exciting is how it reinvigorates the classic silhouette using a shimmery champagne fabric decorated with an artful display of pale pink and blue blossoms.

Florist Recommendation: Contrast the gown’s formal design with a loosely rounded arrangement of blush peonies and white ranunculuses complemented by a few stems of pale pink cherry blossoms.

Reformation makes dresses for the cool bride. The modern fashion label is known for designs that are ultra fashionable yet effortless, letting a woman’s original style and personality shine through. Featuring the organic Bella print, this maxi silk dress with a halter neckline is a great choice for the bride who wants to feel confident, sexy, and comfortable on her wedding day.

Florist Recommendation: Underscore the dress’ natural print with a textured arrangement comprised of  garden and spray roses, and lisianthus in muted earth tones complemented by yellow oncidium orchids (for a pop of color), and rich greenery.

The Romina dress from Ines Di Santo takes the idea of ‘something blue’ in bridal attire to epic new heights. This scene stealing gown matches a sleeveless v-neck top with a pleated ball gown overskirt hand painted with gorgeous white flowers. Dramatic, elegant, original, the design strikes a perfect balance between tradition and innovation.

Florist Recommendation: Accentuate the gown’s hand painted blossoms with a simple arrangement of crisp white gardenias and light touches of greenery.

Aptly named the Raven Gown, this look from Claire Pettibone takes inspiration from Dutch floral masterpieces of the 17th century. Exuding mysterious romanticism in every detail, it features a delicate sequin lace top and black tulle skirt embroidered with painterly pink and red roses. This dress is an ideal choice if you want a black look that feels elegant and ethereal rather than goth.

Florist Recommendation: Play up the dramatic look with a rapturous bouquet of peonies and garden and spray roses in rich jewel tones of garnet, ruby, and pink tourmaline with notes of greenery.

We can picture this oh-so-lovely gown from Mac Duggal taking center stage at an outdoor Spring wedding when the flower gardens are at peak bloom. The ultra-romantic look features a classic A-line silhouette made of floral brocade decorated with an array of pastel blossoms and greenery. We love how this dress puts an unexpected and colorful twist on formal bridal attire.

Florist Recommendation: Celebrate the season by carrying a gardensque arrangement of soft peach Juliet roses, pale pink ranunculuses, white lisianthus, and yellow aster with touches of greenery.

Now we know that Oscar de la Renta is known for timeless luxury wedding attire, but let us take a moment for this short number featuring a botanical inspired print. Modifying the designer’s iconic draped ball gown silhouette, the dress pairs a strapless neckline with a dropped waist and hemmed balloon skirt. It’s the perfect fit for a casual beach wedding or island elopement.

Florist Recommendation: A petite, unstructured bouquet composed of a single pink anthurium surrounded by white and yellow roses complemented by exotic ferns.

Because not every bride’s floral dreams are in color. Marrying modern and vintage elements, this short and chic off-the-shoulder silk and wool frock by Lela Rose sparkles with heirloom inspired flower brooches. We could see this dress being worn to a city hall wedding or the after-party.

Florist Recommendation: Something simple and that can be easily held in one hand such as a small arrangement of pure white ranunculus and garden roses. A bodega bouquet of pink sweetheart roses that you pink up on the way to the courthouse would also look pretty.

Since getting back into the wedding swing this past year, we are seeing more and more brides opting to change into a second dress for the reception. Shedding the formality and expectations that are required ceremony attire, second numbers tend to sexier, shorter, and fun. Needless to say, we are obsessed with this ultimate-party dress from Milly featuring a halter neckline and nude overlay fabric embellished with embroidered flowers.

Florist Recommendation: You tossed your bouquet hours ago. The only accessory this dress needs in an ever-present class of champagne.

Romantic, elegant, whimsical, unexpected, and fun are just some the words that come to mind as we reflect on this selection of floral wedding dresses. These blooming gowns make a lasting impression that will have people talking long after the bride walks down the aisle. If anything, we hope their unique beauty inspires you to think beyond traditional white.