Dresses for older brides

medword1

Can someone please help me?  I am 48.  I am not 5' 8" and 120 pounds.  I don't want a strapless dress, but I also don't want to look frumpy.  I have looked at hundreds of dresses online, and either strapless or frumpy seems to be what is available.  When will they realize that not all brides are 20 years old?  I want to look and feel like a bride.  I don't want to wear the mother of the bride dress.  Does anyone have any ideas? 

SarahPLiz

Sometimes if you search for white or ivory (or whatever color you want) on non-bridal websites, like Macys, etc, you can find good deals on dressed that can give YOU that feel. Its true that most bridal styles are for younger women, and the more modest ones look pretty frumpy (did you see Michelle Duggar at her vow renewal??), but if you exclude the word bridal from your search, you may be able to find some wonderfule dresses. Its just a thought.

SarahPLiz

are you looking for something like this? http://tinyurl.com/ykgxngc

SarahPLiz

or maybe this one, in champagne? http://tinyurl.com/yz8uvfh or this one, which looks bridal to me, if you put the right accessories with it http://tinyurl.com/6hd3p7

hippie4yahweh

A whole 6 posts under this, someone posted a link to really excellent modest dresses. The post is titled "vintage" instead of modest, I couldn't tell you why, but it's there.

arixana

Google "Bonny"- I love her designs, and I've seen some that are not strapless. Her Unforgettable collection is for plus sized, but she has other dresses in regular sizes too.Good luck!

undertheseabride

Check out some of the dresses by Justin Alexander and  Signature by Justin Alexander. They have really pretty dresses with coverage that are more mature, yet classic. My aunt is wearing a Sarah Danielle dress to my wedding. Most of them come in ivory and they are elegant with jackets. It took me a little bit to figure out their website so make sure you click on the "classics" to see more dresses.www.justinalexanderbridal.com

aerinpegadrak

The website that got posted below was: http://tinyurl.com/yfja7fl  I looked through all the dresses there, some of them are quite stunning, modest but not frumpy at all.  A couple of the bridesmaid and prom dresses are actually pretty sexy, while still keeping covered.

danielle16_17

http://www.bridal-expressions.com/

mbcdefg

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3038288/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1This one might look nice: http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=b55ac898-18fa-467f-8f36-1a945e143d20&categoryID=32e5a88c-cbf1-498f-afcf-dbfca138c5d3&pg=0This has a real Grecian look to me: http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=7ae7a259-81ed-4857-877e-185b1470dad2&categoryID=32e5a88c-cbf1-498f-afcf-dbfca138c5d3&pg=0Would you be up for something short? This would look awesome with a birdcage veil or a feather/flower headpiece, very vintage and Hollywood: http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49995498&currentIdx=0&subCategory=-49999486%7c-49995498&catentryId=6129085&sort=I like this dress's neckline: http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?pageSize=100&style=R1051JKMaybe something with a jacket? http://watters.com/wedding.php?weddingid=215#Maybe find something with cute cap sleeves, like Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress (maybe pair it with little gloves if you want for a retro look): http://www.weddingdressesgallery.com/images/weddingdresses-23.jpghttp://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3031677/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1Maybe an evening gown or formal dress in a color other than white? http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3012633/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3055041/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3003703/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3020255/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2977455/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3019548/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3033386/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1You could order a bridesmaid's dress in white (or your desired color). Here's a really nice one: http://watters.com/product.php?coll=watters&showid=606And here's a real bride wearing it: http://watters.com/wedding.php?weddingid=181 (and for what it's worth, I'm 26 and I was considering this for myself because I think it's really sophisticated)

vicymar

CHECK http://tinyurl.com/6yylmo AND http://www.beautifullymodest.com/

joebeth22

I think you could/should wear an exquisite bridal gown! It doesn't have to be a princess or ball gown, or a mermaid.  It can be an a-line, in a silk satin or taffeta.  And.. and here's the better part of my little thought -- it can be a strapless (cause they are the most gorgeous styles out there, you're right), but like someone already suggested here, pair it with a fabulous bolero jacket, have one made of the same fabric or buy one on line in lace.  These jackets can be long sleeves or 3/4, cover your back and can even be high collar, but they can show the gorgeous neckline of the strapless dress and the beautiful bodices of these dresses.  they look like part of the dress but aren't part of a frumpy or matronly dress, you know! I say Go For It! Be a Bride.  I mean, You Are a Bride!

Vikki2pay

Just because you are an older bride, that dosen't mean you can't wear a traditional bridal gown.  There are a lot of dresses that have a great v-neck or something that has cap sleeves that are beautiful.Just wear something that you are comfortable in, and don't worry you will find it, and you'll look beautiful.

jadedecaro

well u can choose a gown with sleeves as well, there's lace sleeves or just regular sleeves and a sheath dress, choose a simple one then it also cost less.

drod58

I'm married only by the judge and I'm getting married by the catholic church in December.  I will have a "real wedding" with wedding party and everything and will celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary.  I'm 51 years old and I am wearing a dress by Private Label by G, it is not puffy and have straps. I feel very comfortable on that dress and I feel like a bride.Private Label by G has dresses that are not puffy and some of them have strapsHere is a picture of me on the dress.http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee353/drod58/Myweddingdress001.jpg

Sheri Ruth

I am a little bit older bride (39). I had good luck looking for ivory, white and silver evening gowns. I found a gorgeous white beaded grecian style evening gown that is both bridal and sophisticated feeling (and NOT strapless). I call it a "grown up" wedding dress. No froof here!

hillaryeggert

I agree with some PP - adding a bolero jacket or cap sleeves may be a good option.  I could envision a simple bolero over a halter-style dress looking really lovely and age appropriate.  I also really love the idea of finding a celebrity's dress you adore and having a seamstress recreate it.  We know not all brides are in their 20's, but I'm sure you recognize the vast majority are in their 20's and 30's, so you can't be upset at the bridal industry for making dresses for their target population.  Yes, it's just going to take a bit more work for you than the bride-to-be who wants a strapless beaded a-line, but I'm sure you'll find something you love.  Just keep looking!

lm0702

I have a couple of suggestions, as a former dressmaker of bridals and formals.  Strapless is the big look in bridal wear, however you could get a strapless dress and order a matching bolero, which is a short jacket  Some bridal shops have seamstresses who can make a matching bolero, or longer jacket if you prefer.  (For example, Kleinfeld in NYC does custom order work, but it is expensive.  I am sure most larger bridal salons can do this also)  Or, look for a good seamstress in your area, she can or just about anything you want. She can also make a matching jacket, bag, etc.  I've done gowns with sleeves, matching handbags, even shoe clips to match. Good luck!

Jane Domian

Great suggestions - wish I'd gotten on these boards more when I was planning. Got married last month, 4 days before my 50th birthday! First time bride - so I wanted to do the whole bride thing - white dress, tiara, etc. But, of course, didn't want to look silly. I *think* I pulled it off. I wore a David's Bridal white chiffon over satin gown with a sweep train, so it felt "bride-y" without being fussy. (Style: 9T9795). A friend made a 3/4 length chiffon bolero jacket to wear with it - and I felt absolutely comfortable and beautiful all day. Good luck!!

ksaunder

I am 41 and I just got married.  We had a very casual wedding (check out Xmas tree wedding pictures).  I found my dress at Talbots on sale for $89.99!  I thought it was perfect for our setting.  It was white, but more of a garden party dress.  I agree with the sentiments of  others who have posted responses - that you can use a non-traditional dress in white (or a similar color) as your wedding dress.  I think it brings back more of the 1930s-40s feeling.  Good food, good wine, good friends, good stories and a good time is what makes the wedding, not the dress.

megcarrharris

check out eden bridals... I fell in love with them when I started the online search, but live in Canada so was SOL - however... they have some amazingly beautiful classic looking stuff that isnt at all mother of the bride!  Good luck and have a great wedding!http://www.edenbridals.com/2249-p-1166.html http://www.edenbridals.com/2316-p-1402.htmlhttp://www.edenbridals.com/2281a-p-1262.htmlhttp://www.edenbridals.com/2173-p-549.htmlhttp://www.edenbridals.com/5106-p-1615.htmlhttp://www.edenbridals.com/5098-p-1474.htmlhttp://www.edenbridals.com/5080-p-1319.html

megcarrharris

oh!  the first link didnt work its my fav, so I am going to try again... http://www.edenbridals.com/2249-p-1166.htmlhttp://www.edenbridals.com/2249-p-1166.html