Currently planning your second wedding or getting married later in life? Rock My Wedding is here to help with our beautiful collection of wedding dresses for older brides. Read on to uncover your dream wedding dress to help you tie the knot on your special day.

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What do older brides wear for their wedding?

If you’re getting married as a mature bride, it can feel impossible to find something to wear that you’d feel comfortable in. A lot of the time, all the gorgeous wedding dresses you see online are adorned by 20-something women, and to confidently say “yes to the dress”, it’s a must to visualise yourself as the bride, wearing and loving the gown you pick out. 

With that being said, what do older brides wear for their weddings? In short, there are no hard and fast rules on what an older bride should wear on their wedding day. The best news is that you have more experience shopping for special occasions over the years, giving you a good idea of what styles complement your body type, what colours lift your complexion, and so on. If you want to jump on current trends and wear a short wedding dress - go for it! Or, if you want to move away from traditions for your second wedding with a coloured wedding dress - why not?

What colour do older brides wear?

While it’s often thrown around that older brides or those getting married for a second time shouldn't wear white, gone are the days that you should follow any out-of-date ‘rules’ telling you what to wear. White wedding dresses are a beautiful option for an older bride who wants to embrace traditions or simply enjoy the elegance and stand-out effect attached to a white gown. 

However, don’t discount some colour - especially if you feel you’ve been there and done that with a classic white dress for your first wedding. Exploring some colourful wedding dress options is a great way to make the down your own and put your unique stamp on an outfit to remember forever. Whether you feel like exploring some trending colours of the year to incorporate into your wedding theme, or you opt to match the colour of your wedding dress to the season - the choice is yours! Think gorgeous warm tones, burnt oranges and autumnal hues or maybe some cheerful pastels and a touch of dainty florals for spring - we never say no to a pop of colour.

If going bold with colour doesn’t tickle your fancy, you could always explore some popular off-white tones for your big day. While ivory is a timeless choice, champagne-coloured, cream, blush or even silver dresses continue to be a hit amongst older brides. 

The best wedding dresses for older brides

Remember, there are no set rules on what you should or can wear as a mature. To help you make the all-important decision, we’ve collated our favourite wedding dresses for older brides to suit all budgets from high street to high end. 

Check out our edit to find your perfect wedding dress, regardless of age! 

Classy second-time-around wedding dresses for older brides

As we mentioned, brides getting married for the second time often feel restricted by archaic rules attached to bridal wear for older women, but we’re here to let you know that’s nonsense. If you opted for the classic puffy princess dress the first time, you might be hunting for something classy and refined when headed for the altar the second time around. However, that isn’t to say that older brides can’t enjoy the magic attached to a princess-style gown. 

These Phase Eight and Monsoon wedding dresses provide stunning intricate and delicate designs, such as hand-beaded beautiful embellishments or embroidery, sure to draw everyone’s eyes on the big day. 

Tea-length wedding dresses for older brides

Tea-length dresses typically sit somewhere between the knee and the ankle, making this length a popular choice for brides who plan to spend their evening dancing away! Offering the traditional and elegant elements of a full-length wedding dress, coupled with the modern and practical pros of a shorter gown - a tea-length dress might be the perfect fit for you to ensure you avoid any unfortunate tripping accidents while walking down the aisle. 

We love the gorgeous plunge neckline and floral applique from this pick at Phase Eight, or if you gravitate towards sparkles like a magpie to shiny things, this beautiful high-shine sequin from Needle & Thread will look stunning on a bride of any age! 

Casual & informal wedding dresses for older brides

If your first wedding had a lengthy guest list, you might fancy something smaller and more intimate, joined only by your nearest and dearest to commemorate your union.

Satin is an ideal fabric to elevate an otherwise simple dress for an extra-special occasion - like your wedding day! This swing midi dress from Ghost will gorgeously flow with you for the entirety of the day, and if paired with chic gold jewellery, this makes for a beautiful option for a laid-back ceremony. 

If you’re planning a winter wedding, we adore this knitted dress from LilySilk. The off-the-shoulder design and pleated rib-knit skirt offer a timeless silhouette to stun on your big day. While ribbed material is regularly considered a more casual choice, the beautiful cut and fluidity make this dress perfect for an informal wedding.

Casual wedding dresses for older brides with sleeves

Whether you’re getting married while the weather’s still chilly or you simply feel more comfortable and confident with your arms covered, a wedding dress with sleeves is a stylish pick. 

This Galvan London bridal dress is everything you want and more - if tasteful simplicity is your style, that is. The high neck and flared fringed sleeves provide some character to differentiate this dress from the rest. In the theme of satin and beautifully flared sleeves, this frock from Rewritten is a gorgeous alternative for older brides who prefer a plunge over a high neckline. 

Non-white wedding dresses for older brides

Although, as we’ve already discussed, white wedding dresses for older brides are definitely an option - they’re also not the only option. Whether you’re feeling bold enough to explore vibrant colours or prefer to stick within the range of common bridal colour alternatives, such as blush, champagne, ivory and cream - you might surprise yourself with how much you enjoy the idea of a non-white gown. 

The champagne maxi dress from Club L London is a beautiful option for an older bride. While simple in its design, the chiffon cape adds a level of sophistication and elegance, making this the perfect dress for those not looking for a traditional gown. Our pick from Six Stories is labelled a bridesmaid dress, but don’t let you hold that back. This one-shoulder ruched satin dress in “oyster” is a beautiful tone guaranteed to make you glow on your big day. 

Short wedding dresses for older brides

Don’t let being an older bride put you off the prospect of wearing a short wedding dress. Mini frocks are more popular than ever right now, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t jump on this trend! 

This Nadine Merabi short wedding dress is beautifully structured and crafted. After all, even the shortest wedding dresses can look classy and elegant when tailored and styled to perfection. For something more whimsical, we’re big fans of the tiered sequin mini dress from Needle & Thread. But if you’re still uncomfortable with the idea of a short wedding dress, you can also bag this Needle & Thread option in an ankle gown version. Best of both worlds!

Bohemian wedding dresses for older brides

Bohemian wedding dresses often symbolise a free-spirited and romantic bride, making this the ideal style for an easy-breezy, nature-infused day. Boho dresses are often recognised for their use of loose silhouettes, lace, fringe, tassels or anything related. 

We love this super-affordable boho-style wedding dress from Asos, which would look incredible on an older bride (or bride of any age, really). With delicate floral embroidery and a graceful tie-back, this is an alluring pick for the most romantic brides. For another affordable option celebrating the classic free-flowing boho form, the Plenty Of Love Maxi from Free People is an effortless yet ethereal choice. 

Knee-length wedding dresses for older brides

Don’t want the faff of a floor-length gown, but you’re yet to find a short wedding dress that feels age-appropriate? Knee-length wedding dresses are the ideal solution for older brides on the hunt for their dream dress. 

This lace dress from Alie Street, available at John Lewis, promises to ensure you feel confident and comfortable on the big day. With elbow-length sleeves for extra arm coverage, a full skirt and plenty of stretch - we think older brides will love this dress. Better yet, comfort isn’t the only thing this dress offers, thanks to the crossover V-shaped back for some added drama. This mesh sleeve dress from Goelia is another stylish alternative, featuring high-quality delicate mesh arm coverage and a graceful neckline - creating ideal space for some accessories. 

Simple wedding dresses for older brides

Whoever said simplicity was out for wedding dresses? While your wedding gown is, without a doubt, a dress you’ll remember wearing for a lifetime, this doesn’t mean it has to be something dramatic, extravagant or out there. In recent trends, both stripped-back fashion and beauty looks are climbing the ranks amongst trendsetters chasing the “no makeup, makeup”, “less is more”, and “clean girl” aesthetics. 

This premium jersey maxi dress, while simple in its form, still commands attention with the addition of the cape sleeves - making for the ultimate bridal look. TH & TH’s ivory satin dress is everything you’d want from a simple yet stunning wedding gown. It boasts a twisted knot detail for a flattering fit and complementary sleeves - ensuring brides of all ages feel confident wearing this number. 

Casual beach wedding dresses for older brides

If you’ve always fantasised about a beach wedding, now is the time to find the perfect dress to combat a more tropical climate. If you’re jetting off abroad to say “I do!” your wedding dress criteria will hold different requirements, which are essential to uphold if you want to look and feel amazing for the entire day. 

We adore this floral sheer maxi dress from For Love & Lemons for any upcoming beachy brides. While we know that sheer is a bold statement in a wedding dress and older brides, in particular, might be sceptical about showing some extra skin on their big day - you’ll be grateful for a more lightweight frock on the sunny coast!  It’s lined with a nude bodysuit for added security, too. If mesh feels a bit risque, have a look at our selected Monsoon maxi dress, ideal for a beach wedding. The silver hue promises a gorgeous glow in the beach sunshine, while the flowy skirt and sleeve-less style will keep you cool all day long. 

Coloured wedding dresses for older brides

Whether this is your second wedding or you’re simply choosing to tie the knot later in life, you might be in the mood to try something new and fresh! Coloured wedding dresses or alternative bridal outfits, in general, are a great way to make a statement on your big day, even if you are still a fan of classic or traditional silhouettes.  

The red ruffle gown from Needle & Thread - with a combination of frothy tolle and a bold shade - is every bride’s dream for a wedding full of glamour. Sticking with Needle & Thread here - a brand that clearly knows how to do colour right - we’re also obsessed with their shimmery ankle gown in buttercup yellow as another option for a coloured wedding dress for older brides. With a softer palette, romantic silhouette and sequin appliques, this dress is your ideal gateway to becoming more confident in exploring new colours. 

Getting married as an older bride

While wedding dresses for older brides are a regularly discussed topic of conversation, there should never be any rules on what older brides can or can’t wear. From white dresses (100% an option for older brides) to off-white or champagne and coloured wedding dresses in all different styles, including wedding dresses with sleeves or short wedding dresses - the choice is yours, and yours entirely! What’s important is that you feel comfortable and confident on your special day. 

We hope our roundup of our current favourite wedding dresses for older brides has helped you find your dream dress!