Over 50? These are the Most Stunning Wedding Dresses to Make You Look Radiant (2024)

Brides at all ages are beautiful, but that doesn’t mean brides in their 50s and above should choose similar styles as brides in their 20s. Just like all the other clothing we wear! Chances are you’re not wearing the same clothes or silhouettes over 50 that you were wearing when you were in your twenties.

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Styling goal

Over the years as we age, we may no longer have the slender waist we had in 20s and we may have certain parts of our body we may not want to feel “exposed” about.

All these should be taken into consideration in order to find the best wedding dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful.

A general rule of thumb for brides over 50 is to keep it classic and minimal. Skip any silhouettes that are overly structured, overly voluminous or overly anything else for that matter.

Now let’s go over the best styles of wedding dresses if you are over 50.

Fit & flare

Simplicity in key.

Fit and flare wedding gowns offer a more classic, simplistic aesthetic are going to give a bride over 50 a modern feel that is in line with your age and still provide a modern appeal.

Column dresses

Column wedding dresses are another great option for over 50 brides because its classic, simplistic silhouettes are universally flattering for women after 50.

When you have a wedding dress silhouette that fits to the body, without too much structure or stiffness, it’s incredibly flattering on every body shape.

The key to maintaining figure flattery with these types of silhouettes is ensuring that the dress(es) show your body shape, but keeping in mind that they don’t have to be SKIN TIGHT.

Empire waist

Over 50? These are the Most Stunning Wedding Dresses to Make You Look Radiant (4)

Empire waist simply means the waistline of the wedding gown sits higher than your natural waist.

This is a universally flattering design for women of any age, especially for brides over 50.

The reason is that they can create an illusion of a smaller waist.

Since most of us tend to gain weight in our midsection as we go through life, empire waist is a fabulous design to flatter your figure.

A line dresses

A line is a classic wedding dress silhouette that flatters brides of any age, so you really can’t go wrong with these.

While a lot of women love the over-the-top princess-style wedding dresses, they’re not the best option for a mature bride – for a few reasons. One of those reasons is simply because that princess-style wedding dress is often too youthful in aesthetic, but not necessarily in a flattering youthful manner for a bride who’s over 50.

Think about it this way: there was probably a trend you were in LOVE with when you were in college. You may have worn it all the time, it looked amazing on you and you felt amazing in it. Now that you’re over 50 wearing that EXACT trend would likely age you because it’s a trend that’s youthful.

Keep that concept in mind as you begin trying on different wedding dresses, it’s a huge factor to consider to find the best wedding dress for a mature bride.

We’ve established the best wedding dress silhouettes and lengths for you to consider as a bride over 50. Now, there’s one more key attribute in a wedding dress that you’ll need to make sure you’re paying attention to: the neckline.

Next, let’s go over what types of necklines are most flattering to you.

Off the shoulder

If you want to encompass a romantic aesthetic with your wedding dress, an off-the-shoulder neckline is a beautiful option that really hones in on that vibe.

On the flip side if you’re more into a chic bridal look you may prefer more of a sweetheart neckline.

V neck

V neck is universally flattering for women of any age, and that’s why you can’t go wrong with this neckline when choosing your wedding dress. Choose how much skin you feel comfortable in showing, and go with an elegant length to counter balance the lower neckline.

Sweetheart neck

Simple but feminine, a sweetheart neck is a perfect neckline for brides of any age, and of course you will look great in them too.

Boat neck

A simple boat neck will make your wedding dress look chic. Go with this neckline if you prefer to have the front of your chest covered.

Before we get into the rest of the wedding dress tips for women over 50 that you should keep in mind along your search, let’s chat really quickly about dress materials for mature brides.

Satin dresses

Honestly, keep it simple here just like with the silhouette.

I suggest staying away from a lot of over-the-top details and fabrics. Instead, stick to classic fabrics like delicate satin or silk.

All Over Lace

These fabrics are stunning on their own and fortunately, look even better when they’re paired with classic dress silhouettes.

Notice a theme here?

At this stage in your life, you ALREADY know what matters to you and what works for you, so the wedding dress for you are one that emphasizes the best assets of your body, without the distraction of other details.

Now that we’ve established the best types of silhouettes you should be considering as a mature bride, let’s get into another incredibly important factor: length!

I’m sure you’re well versed in the fact that wedding dresses come in a WIDE variety of different lengths. Just like silhouettes, not all lengths are going to be flattering for a bride over 50.

There are two wedding dress lengths that are the best options for mature brides to consider.

Floor length gown

Over 50? These are the Most Stunning Wedding Dresses to Make You Look Radiant (12)

The first dress length to consider is floor length. This one is pretty straightforward.

This is a classic, beautiful option for a mature bride for a few reasons.

One of the reasons I suggest this length to brides over 50 is because of the timelessness of a floor-length dress. There’s no denying a floor-length wedding dress is incredibly classic for ANY bride.

And as I mentioned in the silhouette section, classic style is key for mature brides. Another reason I love a floor-length wedding dress is that it’s a great way to create the illusion of an elongated body shape.

Whether you’re petite or not, I think one thing we all strive for is creating the look of a longer, leaner body shape.

Tea length dresses

Over 50? These are the Most Stunning Wedding Dresses to Make You Look Radiant (13)

The second wedding dress length I suggest brides over 50 consider is knee length. Yes, you read that correctly I said KNEE length wedding dress.

This one may have thrown you for a loop, it’s ok, I’ll explain.

Many brides over 50 opt for a less traditional wedding dress, like the ball gown wedding dresses we’ve seen on young brides. If you’re a bride who wants to go the less traditional route, a knee length option may be best for you!

Knee length (or just about the knee, rather) still gives you the look and feel of a classic silhouette, but with a less formal or traditional aesthetic.

The key to making sure a knee-length wedding dress is flattering to your figure is to pay attention to where exactly the dress is laying around the knee area.

Generally speaking, just above the knee is the most flattering length because it adds just an elongated effect to the body – this is essential if you’re a petite bride!

Final Thoughts

As a bride, you’re probably being faced with more decisions than you ever could have imagined. Deciding on your wedding dress is one of the many, but tends to be a decision that provides a lot of stress for brides to be, no matter your age.

Make sure that you’re always keeping YOUR preferences in mind when wedding dress shopping. It’s likely that a lot of your friends and family will be giving their opinions on the matter, and while they’re well intentioned just make sure you’re taking their thoughts with a grain of salt and choosing a wedding dress because it’s what you feel most confident and excited about. It’s your day after all!

Keep these tips and tricks in mind as you begin your searchto find the perfect wedding dress for your special day. With these concepts inmind you’re well on your way to finding an incredibly stunning wedding dressthat will stun your soon-to-be husband!

Over 50? These are the Most Stunning Wedding Dresses to Make You Look Radiant (2024)

FAQs

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.

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.

What does a 50 year old wear to a wedding? ›

A sundress or a dress that you would wear to church would be fine. However, if the wedding is in a fancy hotel or at a swanky country club, a formal or semi-formal dress code would be the safest bet. Look at the invitation to see if a dress code is listed.

What wedding dress shape makes you look taller? ›

A simple sheath dress often creates the illusion you are taller. Look for a sleeveless dress which could be off the shoulder or strapless. Consider a scooped neckline, a V neck, or sweetheart neckline which makes your neck look longer and makes your torso appear longer.

What length dress should a woman over 50 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.

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).

What colour should the mother of the bride not wear? ›

There are certain colours that the mother of the bride should not wear. Unless otherwise instructed, is to never wear white or any colour close to what the bride has chosen to wear. Other standard colours to avoid include ivory, white and champagne. Another colour to avoid is black.

Should older brides wear veils? ›

A veil can add a touch of elegance and tradition to a bridal look, and can also add a youthful and fresh look to the bride's overall appearance. With so many styles to choose from, there's something for every bride, regardless of age.

How can I dress to look younger at 50? ›

Wearing black does the same thing to wrinkles and dark shadows! Rather than black, try earthy neutrals like gray, camel, or olive. Or keep the black but wear a brighter color next to your face. A colorful top or a pretty scarf will not only brighten up your face but make you seem more open and fun.

What color do you wear to a 50th wedding anniversary? ›

50th Anniversary: Gold. 55th Anniversary: Emerald Green. 60th Anniversary: Diamond White. 65th Anniversary: Sky Blue.

What Colour to wear for 50th birthday? ›

Gold is traditionally the color associated with 50th birthdays because 50 is considered the “golden age”.

How can I hide my lower belly fat in my wedding dress? ›

Choose an elastic shapewear that you can wear under your outfit. Elastic shapewear gives an illusion of the belly fat being evenly distributed around your waist and mid-section. If you feel there is still a lot of uncomfortable, wobbly flab around the tummy, you can get elastic belly-bands.

What color dress makes you look taller? ›

Again, because dark colours work best to lengthen the frame, darker shades of green (such as olive or hunter green) will work best. Tan and white or light blue will also elongate the body, and are perfect colours for a summer look.

What kind of wedding dress is slimming? ›

An A-line gown hugs the waist area, creating a slimmer waistline while flattering the bust,” he says. “It can make a petite bride look taller with its overall slimming effect.”

Should a 50 year old bride wear a veil? ›

The decision to wear a veil on your wedding day is a personal one, and there is no hard and fast rule about whether or not a bride over 50 should wear one. Ultimately, the choice should be based on the bride's personal style and preferences. Traditionally, veils were worn by brides to symbolize purity and innocence.

How to dress at 50 without looking frumpy? ›

It's okay to wear fashionably loose bottoms, as long as you have a fitted top or even a smartly-fit blazer. Or you'll look great with a slouchy sweater, as long as you're wearing fitted bottoms, like skinny jeans. What you want to avoid is baggy clothing covering every inch of your body.

What should a woman over 50 wear on a first date? ›

A silk blouse or a V-neck sweater with low heels or pointy flats looks feminine and polished; a simple white T-shirt or crisp white shirt with sleeves turned up and rolled with leather ankle boots looks classy and classic. White jeans with a black blouse or sweater and your black belt are always memorable.

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