The Best Red Wedding Dress for the Bold Bride – Plus Styling Guide

If you are a bold bride, or groom, looking for an alternative wedding dress color then red may just be for you! What a way to stand out on your day!

We love a red wedding dress! A lot of the time the alternative color choice can be more soft or pretty pastels. Which is great for some brides, but red is perfect for the ones that want to be bold and striking on their wedding day.

This blog is the ultimate guide for choosing a red wedding dress, from styling and choosing the right style. We have also found this year’s must-have red wedding dresses for 2023 and beyond!

Not ready for a full-on all red dress check out our red and gold wedding dress blog!

ROCK MY WEDDING

Meaning of a red wedding dress?

The meaning of wearing a red wedding dress varies with cultures and religions.

In a lot of Chinese and Indian cultures, red is a lucky color for weddings.

In western cultures, red represents passion, love, and romance. All perfect for a wedding wouldn’t you say?

We have covered this in-depth in our red wedding dress meaning blog.

Head there to delve a little deeper into the traditions and cultures of red dresses.

RUBY AND JAMES

WhERE TO BUY RED wedding dress?

Your local dress shop

I don’t think you can really beat the experience of wedding boutique shopping. They make it a real event and a lovely memory for you and your party. As looking for a red dress just make sure you have a look around and ask them if they sell colored dresses. Search for alternative bridal dress shops for a better chance. 

Go and try on a white dress in the style you like. This is a great option if you can’t find any stores with red dresses but really want the bridal shop experience. 

Dress designers

The bridal fashion market is huge! You can find well know designers or go for a small boutique wedding dress designer. You have the choice of the peg or bespoke design just for you.

Bespoke is a great choice for a red or any colored dress as you can choose the style and color that you want. 

Online options are now so impressive, here are some of our favorites.

BHLDN

Anthropologie’s wedding brand has some beautiful lace wedding dresses that are perfect for various types of weddings.

ASOS

ASOS has a great selection of lace wedding dresses that are perfect for the more budget-conscious bride.

Etsy

Etsy is a great place to find vintage and handmade lace wedding dresses. There are so many talented designers on Etsy with stunning bridal ranges, you can even have a bespoke dress made.

Reformation

Reformation has some beautiful lace wedding dresses that are perfect for the more eco-conscious and sustainable bride.

Net a porter

Net a porter is a great place to find designer wedding dresses. They have a great selection of lace wedding dresses from top designers.

We are committed to providing unbiased, credible reviews so you can choose with confidence. We may earn commissions on purchases made from visiting our partner stores. Please see our policy here. 

Best online red wedding dresses

1. Needle and thread – red ruffled gown

This stunning gown is inspired by 1930s Hollywood glamour.

Multiple layers of ruffled, frothy tulle are moulded into the garment for added drama. Finished with diamond tulle details and trims.

Make the ultimate wedding style statement!

2. For the fashion-forward – Phuong My

From their Espoir range. This is one for the modern bride looking for a fashion-forward statement wedding dress.

The layering of the tule gives a romantic gown feel.

The sheer areas and a modern sexy silhouette.

We are in love!

3. Stella Mccartney Simple red dress

This Tie-back ruched crepe gown is the perfect wedding dress if looking for a simple but stunning number.

With the back detail, you get that show-stopping back view down the aisle.

We think this is the perfect red wedding dress for an older bride.

4. Winter red wedding dress – Moday Ladens

A red wedding dress is the perfect color for a winter wedding.

This dress offers the princess feel with the full tulle skirt.

While the luxury velvet long sleeve top adds some winter elegance.

5. Best red and gold wedding dress – MARCHESA 

The dress has a classic design with an illusion neckline, cascading silk organza flowers.

3 dimensional stamped flowers that are strategically placed adds texture and romance.

It’s the perfect gown for a modern bride wanting a bold but still romantic wedding dress. 

6. Ombre red Wedding dress – Chrissy Wai Ching

If you are wanting just a bit of red but also want to make a bold statement and red ombre wedding dress is for you!

This stunning dress has a fiery red ombre effect and romantic chiffon sleeves to soften the look.

7. Best red and black wedding dress – Amanda Wackley

Red and black is the perfect stylish combination. This dress is elegant, modern, and full of drama.

The geometric details give a 1920’s feel while the power sleeves make it a modern show stopper.

8. Best white and red wedding dress – Stylish Bride Accs

Okay so this is actually a 2 piece, not a dress, but come on it is stunning right?

A beautiful red tulle skirt that puffs out to give that princess feel. While the modern lace top adds romance.

The perfect match for your wedding day outfit.

9. Detachable sleeve red wedding dress – Hanneke Peters Couture

If you don’t alead know detachable sleeves are a huge trend right now! I just love how it gives you two looks in one. 

This dress goes from a simple stylish party dress to a romantic lace winter wedding dress.  

10. For the fashion forward bride – Millia London 

Here at urban we are huge fans of Millia London! if you are looking for a dress to make a statement then their stunning ruffled dresses are the ones! 

They have lots of color choices from sutle soft colors to big bold like this red wedding dress. 

11. Best with pockets – Maggie Sottero

I am not sure I know of anything else that get brides more excited than pockets in their wedding dress! 

Come on, we all on we all love a pocket right? 

12. Best for a simple look – Sachin & Babi

If you are worried about going for a bold red dress then keeping the design simple like this dress is the way to go. 

Clean cut and simple design in a bold color is just just so stylish.  

13. Great as a recepion dress – Aje

Unless you have been hiding under a bridge you will have seen all the mini wedding dresses popping up everywhere! 

This is the exact same style as these but red! I am in love and think it is the perfect eleopment or reception wedding dress.  

14. Best sequin red wedding dress – The Vampire’s Wife

I can’t decide if I love this dress or the designers name more! 

This dress is perfect for a relaxed but super stylish wedding day. 

15. For the bow lovers – Jenny Packham

I just love the drama the bow and flowing, cape like, draping on this dress. With the rest so simple it is enough to add a wow but still lok super stylish. 

16. Ruffled sleeves red wedding dress – Huishan Zhang

This for the modern fashion forward bride or groom, looking to make a statement on their wedding day.

Shopping guide and FAQ’s

How to style a red wedding dress?

Styling a red dress so you still feel like a bride can challenging.

This is where the accessories come in, carefully selecting your veil, shoes and jewellery can finish off your dress to give that bridal feel.

Red work well with gold tones, so this is a great choice for your jewellery. A nice modern hairpiece can give you a bridal feel or that extra wow.

Going for a long cathedral veil or even better a bridal cape is the best way to elevate that red dress to feel more bridal.

Top tip: let guests know you are wearing red or that you would like them not to if you are worried about guests wearing a red dress.

What red wedding dress styles are there?

Red red red! There are so many red wedding dresses to choose from.

We love the classic red strapless sweetheart gown, the cold shoulder or even a red lace wedding dress will work well.

Red is such an eye-catching color that your guests will just be kept in awe by it all day.

If you are not sure try on any normal wedding dresses and find the fit and style that suits you and you love and then order that in red if possible or then look for a red dress in that style.

KAELYN KALAS

AMY FAITH PHOTO

TRAQUE STUDIO

FAQ

Can I wear a red wedding dress?

Of course, even if it is not traditional in your culture to wear red on your wedding.

Wearing a color and shape wedding dress you feel comfortable in is the most important factor.

Embrace your boldness and wow your guests in red!

What season suits a red dress most?

You can make a red wedding dress work in any season. If we had to pick a season though we would say winter. A deep rich red wedding dress and a winter wedding full of romantic flickering candles really can’t be beaten.

Even better with snow, a red dress will pop against the white for some epic wedding photos!

What COLOR goes best with red?

The beauty of red is many colors go with it. Most metallic colors suit red, gold tones being a great choice. Silvers and copper work just as well. Adding in another color like white or black is a great way to tone down the red and change the feel.

RUSSEL STAFFORD 

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