If you already know that you want something other than a traditional white gown from a wedding dress store or a black/navy suit from the Men’s Warehouse, then I’ve got you covered in this guide with a variety of nontraditional, unique wedding outfit ideas!
As a wedding photographer, I want you to love your wedding outfit! It’s an important part of your day and a representation of who you are. I’m here to affirm to all of my couples that you don’t have to wear traditional wedding attire if you don’t want to; instead, you can wear whatever feels most meaningful to you.
Keep reading to discover non-traditional wedding outfit ideas that could inspire you!
Nontraditional, Unique Wedding Outfits for LGBTQ+ Couples
Here are some nontraditional wedding outfits you could try:
Nontraditional Outfits
My advice for if you’re looking for something a little extra without straying too far from tradition? Try a burgundy suit! A burgundy suit is sure to turn heads, along with being classy and romantic.
Another way to spice up your outfit is to try adding in a fun jacket, like an all-sequin jacket, a wifey jacket, or a ‘til death jacket. Jackets are eye-catching, and they are the perfect layer to add to any outfit (plus, they’ll keep you warm – an added bonus)!
Many of my couples have also chosen fantasy-inspired wedding outfits, which adds an element of magic and whimsy to their day – whether they choose fantasy-inspired outfits based on The Lord of the Rings, princesses, Renaissance style, or something different!
If you know you want an outfit that doesn’t conform to masculine or feminine norms, you could try wearing a pantsuit or trousers paired with a blouse, button-up, blazer, or vest.
Casual outfits
Looking for something more laidback? Some ideas you could try are matching sweat suit sets, a linen white dress, just married jerseys, a funky print jumpsuit, or a white eyelet shirt. All of these outfits definitely create a more relaxed, comfortable vibe if that style is what speaks to you.
Accessories
I love seeing couples adding in fun, whimsical accessories to their outfits. Accessories always make your outfit feel more personalized and authentic!
Here are some accessory ideas you could try:
- Fun socks/shoes
- Jewelry
- Flower pocket inserts instead of pocket squares
- They/them collar pins
- Colorful accessories to match colorful hair (think pink, purple, green, etc).
- Black nails with red ring fingers
- Capes
- Cloaks
- Funky bowties
- Matching hats
- Statement headpieces like crowns
- Brooches
- Bolo ties
Cultural elements
Another way to create a unique wedding outfit? Add in meaningful elements from your culture. I’ve photographed weddings featuring Chinese and Indian-inspired outfit styles, and I think it’s truly special when your culture is thoughtfully woven into your day.
There are so many different ways to make your culture a part of your celebration, whether it’s your entire outfit or just adding in small, thoughtful accessories and details.
Non-white options
If you like the idea of wearing a dress or suit but don’t want to wear white, try wearing a dress or suit in a different color that you love, whether it’s a bright color, black, or something softer and neutral – remember, white isn’t the only option. And if you don’t want to wear a dress, some other alternatives that I love are jumpsuits or blazers!
Shoes
Your shoes can be a showstopper, or you can opt for shoes that are comfy and casual. I’ve seen so many different, fun shoes from couples I’ve photographed, including Converse with colorful flowers stitched on them, to matching hiking boots. I wore white hi-top vans to my own wedding!
You could also wear shoes that are custom and handmade, rainbow soled shoes, combat boots, etc.
How to Decide What to Wear for Your Wedding
The last thing I want is for you to feel overwhelmed when it comes to deciding what to wear for your celebration. I wanted to share with you a few different tips that you can use that will hopefully make this process a lot easier:
Consider choosing outfits that match your wedding theme
I’ve found that one of the easiest ways to decide what to wear is to match your outfit to your overall theme, whether that’s a fantasy theme with fantasy-inspired outfits, or wearing an outfit that complements your venue if you’re getting married outdoors.
For instance, I photographed a couple for their wedding at Peterson Grove in Sanborn County Park, and one of them chose to wear a stunning burgundy suit that beautifully complemented the surrounding redwood trees. Check out their outfit here!
Wear something that feels like you
The best advice I can give you when it comes to selecting what to wear at your wedding is to choose something that brings you joy and feels like you. Your outfit should make you feel like your absolute best! For your celebration, you have permission to choose an outfit that fully expresses who you are, regardless of what anyone else might have to say on the matter.
If there are multiple outfits you want to wear on your wedding day, go for it! Maybe you want to wear an outfit that represents your culture for your wedding ceremony and then change into a jumpsuit after – you get to make the rules when it comes to your wedding day.
Make sure all the different pieces of your outfit work for the day of your celebration
Think about whether you’re going to be doing anything on the day of your wedding that might affect your outfit. For example, if you’re going to be doing any hiking or walking along the beach (even if it’s short), think about whether the outfit you’re considering will move with you from point A to point B. Heels don’t work well with sand and dirt! Perhaps you’re getting married during a chillier (or rainier) time of the year, and you’ll need to think about adding layers to your outfit to stay warm.
Ready to Choose Your Wedding Outfit?
I hope you found this info on different wedding outfits helpful! When it comes to choosing what to wear for your celebration, choose an outfit that truly feels authentic to you and makes you feel incredible – regardless of whether it’s “traditional” or not. This is your day, and you get to choose how your day looks – that includes choosing how you dress.
And…if you’re in the Bay Area, looking for a photographer who specializes in photos of love, weddings, surprise proposals, and engagements, feel free to reach out here or learn more about my services here. I’ll fully support your nontraditional ideas and celebrate you wholeheartedly! I can’t wait to learn more about your vision and all the ideas you have in mind.
