Practicality isn’t normally the word that comes to mind when you’re thinking of your dream wedding dress. Glamorous, romantic, sexy? Absolutely. Practical? Unless you’re planning on going for a hike on your big day, probably not.
If you’re planning on getting married in the UK in the depths of winter, however, it might be something you want to take into consideration. Yes, your dream wedding dress might be a slinky backless number with a thigh-high slit, but do you really want your overriding memory of the ceremony to be shivering at the front of a draughty church? I don’t know about you, but goosebumps don’t feature too prominently in the best day of my life.
Thank the bridal powers that be, then, for a swathe of savvy dress designers who have created fabulous confections perfect for the cold weather. From voluminous gowns that utilise layers of tulle as insulation to long-sleeved dresses that don’t skimp on the sex appeal, these are the best winter wedding dresses to know about now.
Gala by Galia Lahav Tiana Wedding Dress
Wedding dress designer Galia Lahav is one of the best-known names in couture bridal (Instagram following at time of writing: 2.3 million) and she’s amassed a celebrity clientele to match. Recent clients include Paris Hilton, Beyonce and Lily James, so you know you’re going to be in good company with a GL gown.
Lahav is known for her discreetly sexy detailing – think semi-translucent fabrics, peekaboo cut-outs and flashes of thigh. For winter brides, the Tiana dress promises all the signature Lahav touches complemented by long seasonal sleeves. A 3D floral beaded net overlay is simply the icing on a very glamorous cake.
Gala by Galia Lahav Tiana wedding gown, POA, brownsbride.com
Grace Loves Lace Anu wedding dress
Founded in Australia in 2011, Grace Loves Lace quickly became the cool girl’s go-to for fashion-forward wedding style. In 2017, the brand opened a bridal boutique in Shoreditch, bringing its unique approach to wedding gowns to our fair shores – and attaching some sleeves here and there to accommodate our inclement climate.
Taken from the new Memoirs of Her collection, the Anu gown exudes old-school Hollywood glamour with a modern twist. Crafted from stretch-silk, embellishment is minimal but the cut and tailoring are masterful, with the fabric draping elegantly and asymmetrically around the body for an endlessly flattering fit. An open tie-back also offers a range of versatile styling options.
Anu wedding dress, £2,000, graceloveslace.co.uk
Peter Langner Poppy wedding dress
Milanese bridal designer Peter Langner has been creating some of the world’s most fantastical wedding creations for more than three decades. Having cut his teeth in the ateliers of Christian Dior, Guy Laroche, and Emanuel Ungaro, Langner takes a couture approach to bridal design, employing a team of artisans who have mastered traditional handcrafting techniques.
An ideal choice for the traditional bride, Langner’s 2023 collection riffs on the classics, with extravagant lace, full skirts and timeless necklines throughout. The Poppy, for example, takes a simple A-line ballgown and overlays it with embroidered tulle finished with Bridgerton-worthy ruffles.
Poppy wedding gown, POA, peterlangner.com
Rixo bridal suit
Suits have long been a go-to for alt-brides with a penchant for a bit of Bianca Jagger flair and, while once you would have found yourself on Savile Row in search of perfectly-fitted female tailoring, the girls over at Rixo are bringing down the cost of entry considerably with their vintage-inspired bridal range.
A great choice for brides considering an outfit change, the majority of the Rixo bridal collection is made up of separates so you can mix and match your favourite pieces to create completely new nuptial looks. We recommend pairing the flattering Keeley wide-leg trousers with the Adeline ‘50s-style silk jacket for the ceremony before changing into the shimmering Moss blouse to dance the night away.
Keeley ivory trousers, £375, rixo.com; Adeline silk jacket, £375, rixo.com; Moss ivory blouse, £250, rixo.com
Roksanda Elinia cape dress
Who said you need sparkle, lace or tulle to make a big impact on your big day? Red carpet favourite Roksanda is famed for its sophisticated gowns which eschew embellishment in favour of dramatic silhouettes and masterful craftsmanship – and the Elinia cape dress is a perfect example.
Cut in ivory cady, a simple fitted floor-length gown is given a cathedral-worthy spin courtesy of cape-effect sleeves that drape gently from the shoulder to reveal an open tie-back. The antithesis of the fairytale ballgown, this is about as elegant as wedding gowns come.
Roksanda Elinia cape dress, £2,295, net-a-porter.com
Viktor & Rolf Mariage VRM089 wedding dress
Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren may be best known for their jaw-dropping couture collections and buzzed-about celebrity dressing moments (fans include Lady Gaga, Lizzo and Tilda Swinton) but their eponymous brand also does a fine line in contemporary wedding dressing.
Designed for the thoroughly modern bride, don’t expect to find any beaded belts or sweetheart necklines here. Viktor & Rolf Mariage is all about unexpected cuts, statement detailing and unexpected twists on bridal traditions. Twenty-first century princesses won’t go far wrong with this sun-ray plisse tulle grown, replete with a bouquet of handmade 3D plexiglass and crystal flowers at the waistband.
Viktor & Rolf wedding gown, POA, brownsbride.com
Whistles Frances wedding dress
The high street probably isn’t your first port of call when in pursuit of your dream winter wedding dress but, since launching its bridal collection in 2017, Whistles has become a firm favourite among thrifty brides seeking style that doesn’t break the bank.
Its 2023 wedding collection has just dropped and features five new styles, including jumpsuits and tailoring, designed to cater to every kind of bride. We’re fans of the Frances – a flatteringly fitted lace dress with fluted sleeves and a scalloped hem that falls on the ankle. The even better news? You won’t have to wait months for it to be delivered.
Frances wedding dress, £599, whistles.com
Read more: Short wedding dresses for contemporary brides
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