Many women will have grown up dreaming about their ultimate wedding dress and although your younger self may have envisioned you walking down the aisle in a dramatic princess dress on your big day, in reality as an adult, that may not be your style.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be an understated bride and it certainly doesn’t mean your dress is boring. Simple wedding gowns are elegant, sophisticated and equally as eye-catching as bolder dresses, just in a different way and thanks to our vast selection of dresses in store, wanting a subtle wedding gown won’t limit your choices.
We’re going to be sharing with you our favourite simple wedding dresses we currently have in-store to provide some inspiration to understated brides looking for their dream dress.
Pronovias
If you’re a bride who likes clean lines, minimalistic details and generally elegant yet no-fuss designs, Pronovias is a designer that will suit your tastes.
As a whole, Pronovias gowns are understated. A lot of their designs are classy, sophisticated and stunningly simple, often letting the wow-factor come from the unique shapes or eye-catching finer details, meaning they’ve got plenty of dresses to choose from if you want something subtle.
Some of our top picks from our current Pronovias collection in-store include the Eol gown, which is new for 2019. A simple fit and flare shape with a completely plain front and high round neck but for a little added wow, what looks like an understated mermaid dress is finished with a sheer and sparkling cowl back to create a classy, feminine silhouette and touch of detail from behind.
Another Pronovias gown that will appeal to every minimalistic bride is the Elenco dress. An entirely different shape to the Eol gown, this dress perfectly shows how a ballgown shaped dress can still suit the more understated bride. A plain satin princess dress with voluminous skirt and high round neckline, this boldly shaped dress keeps its simplicity by having minimal additional details apart from a subtle and perfectly created lace back panel that also covers the sides of the torso.
The definition of stunningly simple, the Pronovias Drabea dress is elegant and understated, ideal for the bride who wants no fuss. A sexy fit and flare shape made from a soft and flattering crepe and tulle mix, this high neck, sleeveless gown’s only small details are diamantes around the neck and straps that lead into a clean v-shaped back.
Rebecca Ingram
The Rebecca Ingram motto is to create affordable gowns to suit all brides which is why it’s no surprise that they have a range of dresses that appeal to even the most minimalistic ladies.
Showcasing low-key shapes and subtle details, the understated dresses from Rebecca Ingram are still highly intricate but in a simple, no-frills way, making them an ideal choice for the bride who wants a pared-back look on her big day.
The Juniper dress from Rebecca Ingram is an ideal choice for the bride who isn’t afraid of a little detail but wants a comfortable, simple shape to the gown. The Juniper dress is a simple straight skirt with a crochet-style lace bodice with v-shaped neckline and thin shoulder straps, all of which creates a soft and feminine shape, an ultimate choice for the relaxed boho bride.
There’s no fuss or frills when it comes to the Rebecca Ingram Ingrid dress, just clean lines and a smooth, elegant shape, perfectly demonstrating how classy simplicity can be. A structured fit and flare dress with an illusion sweetheart neckline covered with a sheer panel that creates a high round neck, wide shoulder straps and exposed back. Allowing your own skin to be the detail of the dress is a clever option for the bride who wants little to no detailing on her dress.
Another gown that allows you to have volume in the shape without feeling over the top is the Rebecca Ingram Isolde dress. A perfect example of an understated ballgown, this princess shaped dress classically cinches in at the waist before flaring into a voluminous floor-length skirt and train but the smooth fabric and minimalistic bodice keeps the dress simple. The v-shaped neckline with thin shoulder straps and low cut back allows your feminine figure to steal the show, an ideal option for the lady who likes to let her own looks do the talking.
Maggie Sottero
The Maggie Sottero brand truly has something to offer every bride, no matter what your style, meaning there are plenty of gowns from this designer to cater to brides who want something a little simpler.
From more understated shapes to dresses with less detailing, there’s plenty to choose from for ladies with an understated style.
An extremely elegant dress with no fuss or frills is the Maggie Sottero Evangeline dress; a stunning fit and flare gown made from a flattering and flowing Aldora satin fabric which emphasises your natural shape, letting that be the centre of all the detail. The high neckline and thin shoulder straps lead into a low scooping back, once again letting your body become the star of the show. The small finishing touch of a sheer embellished panel at the bottom of the scooping back adds a little sparkle.
The Melanie dress by Maggie Sottero is highly sophisticated and has a little more detail than other simple gowns but the subtle, clean shape keeps things minimalistic. A smooth and elegant fit and flare shape with a low cut, feminine v-shaped neckline and sheer lace shoulder straps, this extremely well cut shape flatters the female frame. This lace-covered gown is soft but adds a little bit of wow, while still keeping things classic.
Mori Lee
Madeline Gardiner, the designer behind the Mori Lee brand, clearly aims to please every lady with her range of dresses that work for every bride. From heavily detailed to eye-catchingly understated, there’s a dress to suit even the simplest of styles in this range.
The Meera 6867 dress from Mori Lee is an ideal choice for the bride who wants her hourglass figure to shine through and steal the show. The contrast in fabric between the lace covered bodice and plain skirt creates a feminine silhouette without too much detail. This minimal gown has a v-shaped neckline and applique shoulder straps, all in one colour to create a seamless, effortless look but the crossover detail at the back adds a touch of wow as you walk down the aisle.
If you loved the simplicity of Meghan Markle’s wedding dress then you’ll fall in love with the understated beauty of the Mori Lee Marquesa dress. An off the shoulder neckline, fitted bodice, cinched waist and structured A-line skirt, this smooth satin gown is all about the shape and keeps detailing to a minimum. If you want to add a little sparkle to this otherwise completely sleek and plain dress, a beaded belt can be bought separately.
We hope this has proved that simple dresses don’t all look the same and that picking an understated gown does not mean you’re going to look boring. There’s something truly magical about a minimalistic gown and we love seeing brides’ natural beauty shine through in a pared-back dress.
To explore all these low key wedding dresses and more, come and visit the Maria Modes showroom and discover our vast collection of designer wedding dresses.