15 Unique Wedding Dresses for the Maximalist Bride (2024)

Dresses | January 20, 2023

When it comes to unique wedding dresses, a winning look is all about eye-catching, one-of-a-kind silhouettes and embellishments, but also that true-blue, timeless, irresistibly gorgeous styling to make it 100% aisle- and portrait-ready. Big ask? Maybe. But with your grand vision, personalized aesthetic, and these fabulous, flirty, and fun wedding dresses from our latest collections, you’re totally good to go. Keep scrolling!

(FYI, if you haven’t gotten started with our Style Quiz below, we recommend you bookmark it for more choices and inspiration.)

What Are Maximalist and Unique Wedding Dresses?

“Maximalist” can mean many things in the bridalsphere, but typically refers to couture, fashion-forward wedding dresses made with some combination of the following:

• A statement silhouette, typically exaggerated.
• Lush, intricate details in the beading and fabric.
• Allover embellishment, such as sparkle, layers, ruffles, illusion, or lace.
• Unique bodice and sleeve treatments, such as a statement back, plunging neckline, dramatic sleeves, or bow accessories.
• A striking and luxurious fabrication.
• A regal skirt and train treatment.
• Unusual wedding dresses in unique colorways. (You can look at these colored wedding dresses for inspiration)

These unique wedding dresses are also perfect for glamorous accessorizing. You might add detachable sleeves, a bridal cape or jacket, or a romantic bridal veil to make the statement look completely your own.

Unique Wedding Dresses with Color

One of the easiest and chicest ways to upgrade your maximalist bridal look is with color. Choose soft blush, nude, or blue for a chic and ethereal air, or go bold with black, gold, and jewel tones. We’ve compiled a few of our unique wedding dresses with color for inspiration.

First, Watson by Maggie Sottero is a stunning take on the black wedding dress trend. This A-line silhouette is all about the statement lace, frothy tulle layers, and unique details:

• Bold floral lace motifs with sequin embroidery
• A lush skirt with horsehair hem
• A soft ruched bodice with V-neckline and V-back
• Satin spaghetti straps
• A tulle bridal veil with gorgeous matching lace motifs (sold separately)

Next up: Alera by Sottero and Midgley, a statement satin wedding gown in the most irresistible shade of crimson. This minimalist-meets-maximalist design is all about the fabrication, silhouette, statement details, and COLOR!

To personalize this regal style, consider adding a cape or bridal veil, or indulge in the matching Mikado satin bow for the back. (Your wedding portraits will be exceptional.)

Another of our unique wedding dresses with color is Louisa by Maggie Sottero, a soft and whimsical fairy gown with delicately beaded lace. From the 3-D floral and leaf details to the soft shimmery skirt, this gown is everything we love about a summer-inspired bridal look.

To personalize Louisa, consider adding the following:

• Change the sparkle tulle to plain tulle
• Shorten the train or remove the train for a more casual look, through special request
• Add covered buttons down the back for a vintage vibe
• Add the detachable illusion lace long bishop sleeves, sold separately
• Add the tulle veil adorned with lace motifs, sold separately

Wedding Dresses with Unique Beading

Another top trend for unique wedding gowns is beading. Soft shimmer, vintage motifs, and dazzling sparkle add that perfect pop to a romantic bridal gown… We’ve gathered a few of our favorites below!

Harriet by Rebecca Ingram is a beaded style with chic and boho details. A few ways to personalize this style:

• Change the sparkle tulle to plain tulle in the skirt
• Choose a sheer or fully lined bodice
• Extend the train for extra drama
• Add a bridal veil or cape!

(This style is also part of our Rebecca Ingram line, chic and unique bridal gowns at budget-friendly price points.)

PC: Haley Nord Photography

Next, fall in love with Andrew by Sottero and Midgley, a dazzling Art Deco wedding gown accented in beaded fringe and geometric flourishes. If you’re in the market for stylishly fun wedding dresses, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more dazzling style than Andrew.

This 1920s wedding gown is available as both a sleeved and sleeveless silhouette — perfectly versatile for your venue, season, style, and vision.

Another stunning beaded style is Ambreal by Maggie Sottero, a soft and bohemian take on vintage beading. We’re smitten with these dreamy and feminine details:

• Allover beading
• A sexy formfitting silhouette
• A classic V-neckline and V-back
• Long, graceful flourishes
• Ultra-luxe stretch jersey lining

Bridal Gowns with Unique Shapes

The latest bridal runways are all about fun wedding dresses with unique shapes: over-the-top silhouettes, cutouts, 3-D flourishes, long trains, and whimsical sleeves. Here are a few of our top picks from current seasons…

Saratoga by Maggie Sottero is Old Hollywood meets modern muse — a glamorous and feminine one-shoulder style in allover satin. This shape is everything you want in your selection of unique bridal gowns. It’s classic yet edgy, sexy yet sophisticated, and perfectly on trend for the new year.

Another of our more chic and unusual wedding dresses is Holden by Sottero and Midgley. This glamorous fit-and-flare showcases a formfitting bodice, voluminous tulle train, and stunning accessory options. To personalize this style, consider the following:

• Extend the train for extra drama
• Add the beaded belt, sold separately
• Opt for the illusion sleeved bodysuit in shimmery embellishment, sold separately
• Add a bridal veil

Love this decadent ruffle treatment? Enjoy more ruffled wedding dresses in our gallery!

Our next pick for unusual wedding dresses with statement silhouettes is Winnie by Rebecca Ingram. This is another one-shoulder design with a mix of vintage and contemporary vibes. We’re especially smitten with the asymmetrical bodice lace flowing into the one-shoulder sleeve.

To personalize, you can add covered buttons down the back or extend or shorten the train. Gorgeous!

Unique Wedding Dresses with Lace

Lace may be classic and romantic, but it’s still a top choice for modern bridal trends. With these endless combinations of fabric, motif, and embellishment, you’re sure to find your perfect pick from these unique wedding dresses with lace.

One of our most popular lace styles is Laura by Rebecca Ingram, a beachy and bohemian fit-and-flare with a nature-inspired floral motif. If you have an eye for detail and dimension, this wedding gown is irresistible!

Interested in more types of lace for unique wedding dresses? Dive into all the magic to find your favorites.

PC: Jessica Jones Photography

Roxanne by Sottero and Midgley is another statement in lace, featuring allover geometric motifs, a long A-line skirt, and a stunning bodice treatment. These are just a few quotes from real brides who left reviews for Roxanne:

• “My dress had the most beautiful details; every angle revealed another intricate design.” — Ashlyn
• “I absolutely loved the pockets.” — Tatiana
• “I fell in love with the lace design of the dress! it was so unique and different!” — Alexandria

PC: Jessa Marie Clark Photography

Next up: Burke by Maggie Sottero, an ultra-chic lace wedding gown with gorgeous details. This relaxed silhouette is perfect for summery venues, boho aesthetics, and bold wedding visions. You’ll love every inch of this effortlessly glamorous design.

Unique and Maximalist Ball Gowns

As you’re shopping for unique bridal gowns, you’ll come across a variety of unusual fabrics and nontraditional embellishments. One of our favorite ways to showcase the drama? Opt for a lush and over-the-top ball gown — you’ll feel like a million bucks!

First up on our list of ball gowns: consider Richardson by Sottero and Midgley. This one-of-a-kind design is all about the texture and contrast:

• a bold laser-cut lace skirt
• a crepe bodice
• a gorgeous neckline
• a detachable leather belt (included with price)
• option to add the gold metal belt, sold separately

Do you have singular taste and an eye for detail? This style could be for you!

If you’re loving this drama but want something a bit more traditional, get inspired by Zyranda by Maggie Sottero. This regal princess silhouette showcases layers of lace, shimmer, illusion, and tulle — the perfect fusion of romance and luxury.

And last but not least, Norvinia by Sottero and Midgley. This gown is all about grace, all about luxury, and all about the sophisticated details. The unique bodice and neckline are the highlights, but that lavish train is a close second.

Norvinia also has a sister style, Norvinia Lynette. This stunning variation features long illusion sleeves and a statement illusion back. We’re getting major Kate Middleton vibes.

There you have it — unique wedding dresses with irresistible fabrics, silhouettes, details, and accessories! If you’ve got a bold and daring aesthetic and eye for unique flourishes, you’re sure to find your “meant to be” in our latest collections. To keep the inspiration rolling, here are more gorgeous galleries and trend reports:

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And to shop for any of these unique wedding dresses, head to an Authorized Retailer near you — because our greatest pleasure is to see these one-of-a-kind designs come to life! As always, happy shopping and best wishes for your perfect day.