Not every bride wants a ball gown or a cathedral train, and a dress doesn't have to look like everyone else's to feel like a wedding dress. This edit is for the bride who wants her gown to read a little different: a convertible silhouette, a two piece set, a mini dress, or a cut with no boning or crinoline anywhere in it. Here are six pieces from our gown room built for exactly that bride.
What makes a wedding dress non-traditional
Non-traditional usually means the dress breaks one of the unwritten bridal rules: it isn't full length, it isn't one piece, it isn't built around a corset or a tulle skirt, or it's designed to be worn two ways over the course of the day. None of that makes it less bridal. It just means the shape of the dress comes from the bride's own taste rather than from a template. A non-traditional gown still gets made with the same care and the same fabrics as a classic ball gown, the difference is in the cut, not the quality.
Six wedding gowns for the non-traditional bride
Nova Skirt, Claire La Faye
Cut from silk organza with a sweeping train, the Nova Skirt is designed to pair with Claire La Faye's Tempest Bodice for a two piece bridal look that swaps a single gown for separates you can rework after the ceremony. It is made to order by Claire La Faye, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Nova Skirt, $1,975.
Le Marais, Théoro
A silk chiffon outer dress with a high draped neckline and long sleeves opens over a silk satin inner slip, so the two piece look can be worn full or pared back for dancing. It is made to order by Théoro, available at Mae Bridal. Shop Le Marais, $4,150.
Naiara Gown, Théoro
A convertible wedding dress with a lace corset bodice and a silk wool skirt that can be restyled over the course of the day, built for a bride who wants one dress to do the work of two. It is made to order by Théoro, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Naiara Gown, $6,900.
Isabel Gown, Alejandra Oria
A sleeveless organza wedding dress with a ruffled skirt over a silk dupioni slip, in a soft champagne tone rather than a stark white. It is made to order by Alejandra Oria, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Isabel Gown, $6,200.
Moss Mini Dress, Théoro
French lace with hand beadwork, cut as a mini dress for a bride who wants a dramatically shorter hemline at the altar or the reception rather than a floor length skirt. It is made to order by Théoro, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Moss Mini Dress, $3,700.
Sculptural Gown, Monetre
A fit-and-flare silhouette in matte crepe with a corset bodice and a high slit, a minimalist option for a bride skipping tulle and lace altogether. It is made to order by Monetre, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Sculptural Gown, starting at $2,000.
How to style a non-traditional gown
A dress that already breaks convention doesn't need much help standing out, so keep the rest of the look considered rather than loud. A two piece set like the Nova Skirt and Tempest Bodice can be dressed up with a veil for the ceremony and separated for dancing later in the night. A mini dress like the Moss reads better with a low, soft updo than anything structured, since there's no train to balance against. A convertible piece such as the Naiara is worth trying on in both versions, since the fabric sits differently once it's restyled for the reception. Whatever the silhouette, keep the jewelry and the veil simple so the cut of the dress stays the focus rather than competing with it.
Shop the full collection
Browse the rest of our bridal wedding gowns collection for more non-traditional options, or go straight to our Théoro collection, since three of the six pieces above come from the same atelier.
Non-traditional wedding dresses, answered
What makes a wedding dress non-traditional?
It usually means a silhouette, length or construction that departs from the classic ball gown or A-line: a mini hem, a two piece set, a convertible design, or a cut with no built-in structure at all. It's a matter of shape and construction, not a lesser version of a traditional gown.
Can I wear a mini dress or a two piece set down the aisle?
Yes. More brides are choosing a shorter hemline or a separates look for the ceremony itself, not just the reception. A mini dress or a bodice and skirt set photographs just as well as a full length gown, and it's easier to move in for a civil ceremony, a courthouse wedding, or a smaller venue.
How do I style a non-traditional gown so it still feels bridal?
Lean on one or two traditional elements, a veil, a longer train, or simple bridal jewelry, so the dress's unconventional cut still reads as a wedding look rather than evening wear. The dress can do the talking on shape, while the accessories keep the moment unmistakably bridal.
Is a convertible wedding dress a good option for both the ceremony and the reception?
It can be, if you try on both versions before you order. A convertible piece like the Naiara is built to be restyled over the course of the day, from a fuller ceremony silhouette to something easier to dance in, so ask to see the piece restyled in the fitting rather than assuming how it will look once it's altered.
Ready to see them in person? Book an in-person fitting at our Santa Monica showroom, or book a live virtual shopping session from wherever you are.
Book your appointment
Searching for wedding dresses near you? Come find us in Santa Monica. Our showroom is minutes from LA but a world away from the typical bridal salon, come see why Mae Bridal is where modern, non-traditional brides find their dress in Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Book appointment