Whether it's your first wedding, you're remarrying or you're renewing your vows, finding wedding dresses for older women can be tough. After all, you want a flattering dress that makes you look - and feel - amazing on your special day. But don't worry, Yours is here to help with our pick of wedding dresses for mature brides.
It can be difficult to know where to begin when looking for wedding dresses for older women. While certain wedding dresses might have suited you when you were in your twenties, as a mature bride your requirements have probably changed. Luckily, there are many retailers online that offer dresses for a wedding that are more than suitable for women over 50.
Best wedding dresses for older women at a glance:
• Best budget dress for older women: Women's Double V-Neck Floor Length Dress - view on Ever Pretty
• Best embroidered wedding dress for older women: Embroidered Wedding Dress - view on Phase Eight
• Best floral lace wedding dress for older women: Lila Off-White Lace Wedding Dress – view on LK Bennett
So now you're raring to go, it's time to look at some special occasion dresses that are perfect for a blushing bride to wear on her wedding day! Here we've included dresses to suit every body shape and size as well as designer wedding dresses and dresses from the high street.
Whether you want a lace wedding dress, a simple wedding dress or something different altogether, we've compiled the most gorgeous options that will make you feel like a bride. Take a look at our top picks for the best wedding dresses for older women below.
12 beautiful wedding dresses for older women
Best budget dress for older women
Ever Prettywww.ever-pretty.co.uk
Description
A beautiful choice, this floor-length tulle gown has delicate flutter sleeves, a flattering empire waistline and cross-over bust. It's a sophisticated dress that comes in colour choices, like blush, if you're looking for a wedding dress with a subtle hint of colour. While it's a bridesmaid dress, who says that this can't be reserved for the bride? It's a fabulous option that isn't overly expensive and looks stunning on all body shapes.
Customer review: "Perfect dress, just as picture, fits perfectly."
Pros
- Great budget option
- Quick delivery
- Brilliant quality
Cons
- The reviews mention it's quite long, so it may not be the ideal length for petite brides
Best embroidered wedding dress for older women
Phase Eightwww.phase-eight.com
Description
If you're looking for a slightly more modern option, however, the Poppy dress in a beautiful shade of pearl has short sheer sleeves, a beaded belt and decorative fabric-covered buttons which trail down the back of the dress. This floor-length gown has a slight train that falls gracefully behind you as you walk, and features delicate floral embroidery details that will have your guests in awe.
Customer review: "Stunning dress can’t wait to wear it next year. Love the fit and the detail, especially the back."
Pros
- Has a small train
- Style of the dress is perfect for both small or large ceremonies
Cons
- Some brides might not like the sheer style back
Best floral lace wedding dress for older women
LK Bennettwww.lkbennett.com
Description
If you can't splash out on a special dress for your wedding day, when else can you? The Lila Off-White Lace Wedding Dress has a feminine, fifties feel, crafted from classic floral lace, with a full skirt that falls to just above the ankle. The nipped waist with pretty grosgrain ribbon detail will give you a fantastic silhouette too.
Pros
- Classic floral lace
- Intricate detailing
- Arrives in a garment bag with a white satin hanger to keep it pristine
Cons
- Very modest with high neckline and long sleeves
Best classic wedding dress for older women
Ghostwww.ghost.co.uk
Description
The Olivia gown from Ghost offers a vintage-style dress that'll have you looking and feeling glamorous. Simple and sophisticated at the front, it features a delicate v-neck design with georgette pintucks to the front and back. The sleeves are lovely and floaty and the skirt has fluttering movement too.
Pros
- Vintage-inspired design
- V-neckline
- Georgette detailing
Cons
- Some people may prefer more detailing at the front
Best simplistic wedding dress for older women
Ghostwww.ghost.co.uk
Description
Yet another beautiful design from Ghost, the Grace Satin Midi Dress is crafted in a luxurious satin with a graceful v-neckline, delicate fabric-covered buttons, elegant front split and charming frilled petal sleeves. This dress excludes soft femininity with its beautiful vintage styling and gathered empire waistline.
Pros
- Vintage-inspired
- Delicate detailing
- Gathered empire waistline
Cons
- Some brides may not like the front split
Best flutter sleeve wedding dress for older women
BIba/House oF Fraserwww.houseoffraser.co.uk
Description
From Biba, the Biba Embellished Wedding Dress takes inspiration from 1920s art deco design. An ivory dress with silver sequin details, this dress features a subtle V-neckline and flutter sleeves that are so flattering. The design of the embellishment flows with the natural drape of the material, creating an empire line bust that sits high on the waist while skimming over the rest of the body.
Customer review: "I bought this dress 3 months ago. I decided to try but surprisingly it fits perfectly. Very nice dress, well made. Would definitely recommend. Bought size 12."
Pros
- Stunning sequin details
- Short-sleeve
Cons
- Might be a little on the long side for some brides
Best city wedding dress for older women
Alie Street/John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Description
You'll feel chic and stylish saying 'I Do' while wearing this Alie Street Macie Floral Lace Shift Wedding Dress. It's got 3D lace detailing, a vintage-inspired boat neckline and 3/4 sheer sleeves that make this dress look effortlessly beautiful. Pair with gold or nude court shoes to complete your wedding day look.
Customer review: "This dress is an absolute godsend not wanting all the thrills the feel and quality are second to none fits like a glove and looks a million dollars why spend thousands of pounds when this dress is much better than some I've seen in the top boutiques."
Pros
- All over lace detailing
- Perfect for a smart city wedding
Cons
- Could be slightly longer in length
Best open back wedding dress for older women
Whistleswww.whistles.com
Description
Elevate your wedding look with this chic, lace dress from Whistles. The Frances Lace Wedding Dress has been designed with a simple cami lining covered with lace but has stand-out features like a cutout detail in the back and a leg split on the side.
Pros
- Ivory hue is really complimentary
- Flattering side split
Cons
- Some mature brides may want a dress with less cut out details
Best Bardot wedding dress for older women
Whistleswww.whistles.com
Description
With its on-trend Bardot neckline and raised front hem, this Rose Wedding Dress from Whistles certainly has a modern feel but the A-line silhouette and lace fabric give it a simple, timeless design. You'll certainly have a show-stopping entrance as you walk down the aisle wearing this dress.
Customer review: "Beautiful rose wedding dress, high-quality lace/material"
Pros
- Has a fitted waist
- Flattering Bardot neckline
Cons
- Some reviews mention the zip at the back being quite stiff
Best flattering wedding dress for older women
Alie Street/John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Description
We think you'll look like a Grecian goddess wearing this little number on your big day. The Alie Street Annie Flared Wedding Dress is made from a sheer, smooth jersey so you know it's going to be super comfortable for wearing all day long. This fit-and-flare swing-style dress has three-quarter-length sleeves and sits nicely on the knee for a flattering fit.
Customer review: "Before buying this dress, I tried on about 20 other dresses! This dress fits the bill perfectly. No hard to fasten up zips, no tight fitting around my lumps and bumps. It was so good to put a dress on over my head without the endless effort of trying to zip up yourself without asking for help. It felt comfortable to wear with no itchy lace. Overall I would definitely recommend this dress especially if like me, you get flustered with your curves and you don't like the feel of itchy lacey material. This dress was perfect for me. I would suggest wearing nude coloured underwear with this for that added reassurance but the material is great with a stretch to it, so it can be forgiving on any curves."
Pros
- Fabric is lightweight
- Comfortable to wear all day
Cons
- Belt pictured is sold separately
Best pleated wedding dress for older women
Phase Eightwww.phase-eight.com
Description
Looking for a long-sleeved wedding dress? This Phase Eight number is a great option. The Mariana Pleated Lace Wedding Dress is made in a floaty and flowy maxi style so you'll have lots of movement in it as you take your first dance. It has a sweetheart bodice with a V-neckline and semi-sheer sleeves to give it a romantic feel.
Customer review: "High quality and smart style."
Pros
- Pleated throughout for effortless movement
- Responsibly sourced, made from recycled polyester
Cons
- Might have too much going on for some brides
Best cowl-detail wedding dress for older women
Maids to Measure/John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Description
Champagne-ivory is the colour of this beautiful dress by Maids to Measure. Perfect for brides looking for a dress with no fuss, it is a plain maxi style with an empire waistline to cinch your shape. The back is the showstopping feature of this dress with its gorgeous cowl detailing.
Pros
- Sleek and slinky
- Empire waistline cinches shape
- Elegant silhouette
Cons
- Some brides may prefer if the dress had no detailing at the back too
Wedding dresses for older women FAQs
Where to shop for wedding dresses for older women?
If you’d prefer to search for the perfect dress for your wedding yourself but are not sure where to start, we’re here to help. Here are some of our favourite places you can shop for wedding dresses for older women online:
Phase Eight
With wedding dresses, wedding jumpsuits and contemporary wedding suits, Phase Eight's wedding collection ensures you will look and feel incredible on your big day whatever your style. Sizes 6-20.
Ghost London
Ghost's bridal wear collection offers endless options to take you from the rehearsal dinner to the civil ceremony. They also have some beautiful choices for destination weddings. Sizes 6-20.
John Lewis
Want to shop many different brands of wedding dresses for older women in one place? John Lewis will have you covered. It includes elegant and classy styles from Monsoon, Phase Eight, Whistles, Alie Street and more. Sizes 6-26.
Whistles
Whether you’re planning a traditional soirée or a more intimate gathering for your big day, you’ll find a style to suit every type of wedding in Whistles wedding dresses collection. Sizes 4-20.
LK Bennett
Full of timeless pieces made for saying ‘I Do’ in, you can shop your happily ever after at LK Bennett. Find dresses with a modern, vintage feel, in warm ivory lace and fluid fabrics with a feminine silhouette. Sizes 6-18.
Coast
Be one step closer to finding the dress of your dreams with the Coast bridal collection. Whether you’re after something traditional or after a dress that comes complete with shiny sequin detailing or luscious lace, Coast’s wedding selection is full of figure-loving silhouettes designed to make you feel amazing. Sizes 4-26.
Monsoon
Say yes to the dress with Monsoon's wedding dresses. They’re designed exclusively in London for the brand to be delivered straight to your door with no long lead times. Sizes 6-24.
Tips when searching for wedding dresses for older women
We spoke with Kelly Harvey-Welsh, a bridal stylist for the award-winning personal styling service, Styled By Susie to get her tips for your wedding dress search. As the former owner of an acclaimed bridal boutique, Kelly is an expert in all things wedding and loves to help women feel good in what they wear for their special occasion.
Research the boutiques
"You know what you like by now, so there’s no point trawling all of the boutiques with a scattergun approach, aimlessly hoping to find ‘The One’. Do your research and make sure the boutiques you’re visiting have a vibe you like and sample dresses that are available to try on."
Who will be on 'the panel'?
"I’d urge you to really consider who you plan to take with you on your dress search. While I’m sure you have much more freedom on your choices with wedding planning than younger brides, a multitude of mixed opinions can be overwhelming. Keep the ‘girls party’ for another day and take one person with you that knows you, your style and your wedding vibe well and won’t push their style on your day."
Stay relaxed
"It’s unlikely you or your ‘panel’ will burst into tears immediately when you’ve found your dress so don’t put that pressure on yourself. Did you burst into tears as soon as you met your partner hallelujahing that he’s ‘The One’ and violins started playing out of nowhere?! I thought not."
Enjoy yourself
"You’re getting married and that’s amazing. Searching for your wedding dress, whether it's a brand new or second-hand wedding dress, should be enjoyed so take your time and be confident."
What does a mature bride wear?
You are a woman to be celebrated in the prime of your life - searching for a wedding dress is no exception! Don’t listen to outdated views on what you ‘should’ do, just make sure whatever you choose makes you feel like the best version of yourself on the day.
However, after seeing hundreds of brides in my boutique, there were a few things I found that our more mature brides wanted to consider with their search. They were:
Slinky and slender – It could be that it’s the second time around, or maybe the idea of it simply feels overwhelming. It’s likely you want to steer away from the huge princess skirts and go for something slimline and elegant.
Support for ‘the girls’ – Wearing a bra probably feels important, check what can be done so that you feel comfortable and supported on the day.
Colour options - Hardly any brides wear white anymore as there’s such a wide range of choice available. There are so many stunning colours out there, from ivory to almond or gold. Embrace it and find one that works for you.
Cover up – There are so many options available if you want to keep the tops of your arms covered. A good seamstress can add straps or sleeves to your dress. Or, you can opt for a cute bolero to wear on top
Think outside the box – It may be that a suit or an evening gown would work better for you. Have fun with the choices and don’t pigeonhole yourself into thinking you ‘should’ have something because everyone else does.
What colour should a mature bride wear?
You can wear whatever colour you want! Just because you're a mature bride or it's your second wedding, doesn't mean you can't wear white. So if you find a dress you adore but it happens to be white - go for it!
Should a mature bride wear a veil?
As above, the choice is entirely yours. A woman of any age can wear a veil, and there are so many stunning styles to choose from. Alternatively, you might prefer to go for a fascinator, tiara, headband or something else instead.
Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2016 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.