Wedding Dresses for Older Brides (2024)

What Should an Older Bride Wear to a Wedding?

When it comes to choosing what to wear on your wedding day as an older bride, the most important thing to remember is that there are no strict rules or age-specific guidelines.

Every bride, regardless of her age, should wear something that makes her feel confident and comfortable on her special day. Whether it’s a traditional white wedding dress, a chic trouser suit or a vintage tea-length dress, the key is to choose an outfit that reflects your unique style and personality.

At Joyce Young Collections we understand how important finding the right wedding dress is and therefore strive to create a memorable experience that you will cherish forever. With 30 years of experience in dressing woman of all ages, shapes and sizes, you can trust that you’re in safe hands with Joyce Young OBE’s bridal expertise.

Check out our images of our real-life older brides on their wedding day wearing Joyce Young designs.

Can an Older Bride Wear White to their Wedding?

Older brides can and do wear white on their wedding day if they choose to.

White is a classic and timeless choice for wedding attire that symbolises purity, new beginnings and the celebration of love. It’s a beautiful option for brides of any age who want to embrace tradition or who simply love the elegance of a white gown.

See pictures of our stunning mature brides in a white wedding dresses, bridal skirt outfits and elegant dresses with coats.

What Colour Should an Older Bride Wear?

Older brides have the wonderful opportunity to incorporate colour on their wedding day if they wish to do so.

You could choose colours that resonate with the season in which you are getting married. For example, rich autumnal hues for a fall wedding or pastel shades for a spring ceremony. Alternatively, if your wedding has a theme, you could follow it for a cohesive overall look. We usually advise on matching your outfit with your eye colour for the best results.

See our beautiful older brides on their wedding day in elegant shades of blue and a sophisticated chocolate brown outfit.

What are Older Brides Wearing?

Check out our real-life older bride wedding pictures for your ultimate source of mature bridal inspiration. With each wedding outfit different from the last, Joyce Young Collections specialises in uniquely flattering outfits which are made to measure in the Glasgow production unit.

With great flexibility on fabric and deisgn, we can work with you to create your dream wedding dress without compromising on style or budget. Joyce Young OBE has over 30 years of award-winning experience and has dressed women for the grandest of occasions, from investitures to red carpet events. See below for some older celebrity bride inspiration from Anne Reid, Celia from ‘Last Tango in Halifax’ wearing Joyce Young for her onscreen wedding with Alec, Derek Jacobi.

Older Brides Wedding Dresses with Sleeves

Having dressed many older brides for their wedding day, we find bridal outfits with sleeves to be of preference. Whether the bride chooses delicate lace, intricate beading or classic satin, sleeves are a great way to add a touch of modesty and sophistication to wedding dresses for brides over 50.

Mature brides often appreciate the elegance and comfort that sleeves bring to their wedding dresses. Sleeves can provide added coverage and support, which can be especially flattering and practical for older brides. Whether they opt for short sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, or long sleeves, this style choice can beautifully complement their personal taste and enhance their overall bridal look.

Sleeves can be a versatile element in wedding attire for brides over 60, catering to different seasons and venues. They can keep a bride warm during cooler months or provide protection from the sun for outdoor ceremonies. Regardless of the reason, sleeves have become a popular choice among older brides for their ability to create a timeless and graceful bridal appearance.

Elegant Wedding Dresses for Mature Brides

For older brides with Scottish heritage or those who appreciate a contemporary and stylish wedding look, incorporating tartan into your attire can be a fantastic choice. Tartan, with its rich history and versatility, offers a unique and meaningful way to infuse heritage into a modern wedding ensemble.

Our Tartan Weddings collection allows you to honour your heritage, express your individual style, and create a wedding look that is as timeless as it is personal.

Shop our bridal collections.

Shop a curated collection of wedding dresses and bridal outfits for older brides.

Shop Tartan Weddings

Discover the made-to-measure process.

Click to book an appointment and start your Joyce Young journey today.

Valentina Wedding Dress

Elegant Coat and Dress with Guipure

Larissa Wedding Dress

Shop Older Brides Outfits

FAQs

What dress should an older bride wear? ›

Having dressed many older brides for their wedding day, we find bridal outfits with sleeves to be of preference. Whether the bride chooses delicate lace, intricate beading or classic satin, sleeves are a great way to add a touch of modesty and sophistication to wedding dresses for brides over 50.

Read The Full Story ›

What type of wedding dress should a 50 year old woman wear? ›

Many older brides are looking for something with a little less flair. If this is the case for you, consider a simple, lace dress. Lace will make you look and feel like the bride you've always dreamed of being.

Discover More ›

What can a 50 year old woman wear to a wedding? ›

One of my go-to outfits is a classic midi-length dress made with a soft, flattering fabric in a color that complements my skin tone. Don't forget to pair your ensemble with tasteful accessories such as statement jewelry, a stylish clutch, and comfortable yet chic footwear.

Tell Me More ›

What do brides wear for a second wedding? ›

You might have dressed modestly in traditional white in a church, for example, but be happy in a stunning pink gown in a registry office. To put a twist on tradition, you could also choose to stick with white but wear something ultra-chic like a bridal jumpsuit or wedding trouser suit instead of a dress.

Discover More Details ›

What length dress should an older woman wear? ›

Keep your skirt and dress lengths to the knee or slightly above. Flowy dresses look best if they are mid-calf length. Steer clear of cropped pants — they were an unflattering fashion fad for way too long. Don't show too much skin: too-short skirts and tops that are too low don't flatter anyone.

Discover More ›

What is classed as an old bride? ›

I recently carried out a mini survey on Instagram and established that most people considered 40+ to be the threshold for being an “Older Bride”, though a reasonable number considered it to be 35+ (I'm guessing they were probably votes supplied by my 13 year old daughter and her friends).

Tell Me More ›

Should older brides wear veils? ›

Traditionally, veils were worn by brides to symbolize purity and innocence. However, in recent years veils have evolved to become a fashion statement and an expression of personal style. Many brides over 50 choose to wear a veil as a way to add a touch of elegance and tradition to their bridal look.

Explore More ›

What should a 60 year old woman wear to a wedding? ›

Fit-and-flare Wedding Guest Dresses For Women Over 60

Fit-and-flare dresses whether knee-length or longer are chic and flattering. It has a defined waistline and fits closer to the body but is not too tight which makes it uncomfortable. This forgiving silhouette fits every body type.

Get More Info Here ›

How should you dress when you are over 65? ›

Breathable fabrics? A breath of fresh air. For durability, versatility and pure comfort, it's hard to beat the breezy sophistication of breathable fabrics like cotton, linen and chambray. Lightweight blends are a perfect base for a minimalist wardrobe for a 65-year-old woman.

Is 40 too old to wear a wedding dress? ›

Nope. In fact, the maxim we subscribe to is, no matter your age, it's your day and you deserve to feel beautiful, whether that's in a princessy white ball gown or a hot-pink mini.

What should a woman over 40 wear to a wedding? ›

Formal weddings typically call for dressier attire, such as long gowns or co*cktail dresses, while semi-formal weddings may allow for more flexibility, with options like knee-length dresses or dressy jumpsuits. For beach or outdoor weddings, it's best to choose a lightweight and breathable fabric.

Show Me More ›