Lace has long been considered to be a traditional material for wedding dresses. For many, the delicate and feminine fabric is synonymous with bridal gowns. A heavy lace dress may feel too formal and stuffy for a modern wedding day look, but the intricacies of the material—whether it's chantilly, guipure, broderie anglaise, or alencon—are classic and compelling. What’s more, not all lace wedding dresses are created equal. Some gowns feature an all-over lace design, while others are simply accented or trimmed with the delicate material.
So, whether you’re set on a lace wedding dress or need a little more convincing, we’ve rounded up scores of beautiful lace wedding dresses to inspire your bridal style. Of course, we’ve taken various venues, silhouette preferences, aesthetics, and price points into account. Options range from timeless shapes like a sheath to A-line and mermaid silhouettes; sleeves and necklines vary from long to off-the-shoulder and strapless; and styles included bohemian details, traditional cuts, and modern designs.
Read on for the best lace wedding dresses, for every bridal style and budget.
Best Guipure Lace: Michael Lo Sordo Alexandra Silk Guipure Lace Gown
We're picturing this minimalist lace wedding gown on a beach bride. The plunging neckline and pin-thin crisscross straps come with a nostalgic, toes-in-the-sand feel we love.
Price at time of publish: $1,400
Size: UK2–UK14| Material: Silk | Length: Floor
Best Illusion Style: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2020 Bridal Collection Look 6
This illusion-style lace wedding dress has a fresh, yet classic look for the bride who craves tradition with a twist. The cap sleeves and plunging back work harmoniously together to create a sophisticated, aisle-ready look.
Price at time of publish: Available upon request
Size: Custom| Length: Floor
Best Low Back: Galina Low-Back Soft Lace Wedding Dress
We can picture this gorgeous lace dress on a seaside bride with a tropical flower or simple floral crown embellishment in her hair. The low scoop back is perfect for showing off sun-kissed skin.
Price at time of publish: $449
Size: Custom| Material: Polyester | Length: Floor
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Best Lace Flutter Sleeves: Jenny by Jenny Yoo Lourdes Flutter Sleeves Gown
We envision this fit-and-flare lace wedding dress on a bohemian or vintage-inspired bride with whimsical taste. Although it features all-over lace appliques, the plunging illusion neckline creates a modern look. What's more, the sleeves are removable for a more versatile style.
Price at time of publish: $1,695
Size: Custom| Material: Nylon, polyester | Length: Floor
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Best Mermaid Silhouette: Anne Barge Raven Wedding Dress
We can't get over the delicate tulle off-the-shoulder straps on this lace gown, which come together to tie in the back and delicately extend into a train. They're an elegant offset to the intricate beading and embroidery on this mermaid silhouette.
Price at time of publish: Available upon request
Size: Custom| Material: Tulle | Length: Floor
Best Cap Sleeves: Wtoo by Watters Philomene Gown
Cap sleeves and a scalloped neckline give this lace wedding dress a classic look with edge. Worth obsessing over: the tiny pearl buttons that line the back.
Price at time of publish: $1,400
Size: Custom| Material: Cotton, nylon, spandex | Length: Floor
Most Ethereal: Muse by Berta Flavia Gown
With an ethereal feel, this sheer lace wedding dress is utterly sweet and stunning. If the fabric feels too daring, you can easily have this lined for more coverage.
Price at time of publish: Available upon request
Size: Custom| Material: Tulle, lace | Length: Floor
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Most Glamorous: Pronovias Hollywood Collection Pickford Wedding Dress Pickford Wedding Dress
This évassée style wedding gown takes inspiration from the 1920s and features handmade lace and a dramatic tulle chapel train. It's made for the glamorous bride craving a bit of glitz.
Price at time of publish: Available upon request
Size: Custom| Material: Tulle, satin, lace | Length: Floor
Most Boho: Lulus Awaken My Love Long Sleeve Lace Maxi Dress
We love the juxtaposition of intricate lace detailing and a simple skirt silhouette. We envision this gorgeous gown on a modern bohemian bride in the spring or summer.
Price at time of publish: $89
Size: XS–XL| Material: Polyester | Length: Floor
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Most Body-Skimming: Grace Loves Lace Inca Wedding Dress
This long-sleeve lace wedding gown features a combination of French and Japanese lace for an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind look. A high neckline in the front perfectly balances out the low-cut back and body-skimming fit.
Price at time of publish: $3,400
Size: Custom| Material: Nylon, elastane | Length: Floor
Best Geometric Lace: BHLDN Vale Gown
Voluminous sleeves and geometric lace give this bohemian dress a modern-romantic feel. We can picture it with a delicate hairpiece or a whisper-thin veil.
Price at time of publish: $1,950
Size: 0–16| Material: Viscose, polyester | Length: Floor
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Sexiest Back: Lulus Love Everlasting White Floral Lace Mermaid Maxi Dress
With a high neckline, this lace wedding dress appears almost demure from the front. But turn to the back and you'll see a bold open-back and waist-skimming plunge that gives off a hint of sexiness.
Price at time of publish: $129
Size: XS–XL| Material: Cotton, nylon, polyester | Length: Floor
Best Floral Detail: Willowby by Watters Lilia Puff-Sleeve Lace Empire
Three-dimensional floral appliques give this puff sleeve lace wedding dress a whimsical look. We love it for a springtime wedding among fresh flowers and trees or for a rustic summer wedding at sunset.
Price at time of publish: $1,495
Size: 00–15| Material: Lace | Length: Floor
Best Off-the-Shoulder: Lulus Promised Love White Beaded Lace Off-the-Shoulder Maxi Dress
Off-the-shoulder dresses tend to be super flattering for the upper body. We love this one from Lulus, which flaunts a lacy overlay with intricate beading, a sweetheart neckline, a cascading mermaid skirt, and a court-length train.
Price at time of publish: $369
Size: 2–10| Material: Polyester | Length: Floor
Best Victorian-Inspired: BHLDN Katarina Butterfly-Sleeve V-Neck Empire Embroidered Wedding Gown
Taking a cue from early-Victorian bridal gowns, this stunning dress is crafted using techniques and motifs from the historic era. It features layered cotton embroidery over delicate tulle to add rich dimension and subtle texture to the bodice and empire waist.
Price at time of publish: $1,495
Size: 0–26| Material: Polyester tulle, lace, cotton embroidery | Length: Floor
Best With Train: BHLDN Gaspard Straight-Neck Lace Wedding Gown
Looking for something with a romantic, floor-skimming train? The Gaspard Gown might be just the thing. Fit for a fairy tale, this enchanting wedding dress boasts intricate lace detailing all over the bodice and skirt, which sweeps down into a court-length train.
Price at time of publish: $1,300
Size: 0–16| Material: Cotton, polyester | Length: Floor
What to Look For in a Lace Wedding Dress
Dress style
From vintage-inspired gowns to modern mermaid silhouettes like the Anne Barge Raven Wedding Dress, there are seemingly endless styles of lace wedding dresses to choose from. When looking for a wedding dress, think about the theme, the location, and your personal style. It's also important to consider the season and the temperature range at your venue—if it's going to be warm outside, you'll want to go with a lighter weight fabric and potentially a dress with lace elements versus allover detailing.
Type of lace
To narrow down your options, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with the different types of lace (e.g. Chantilly, alençon, guipure, etc.) and to identify what kind of look you’re going for. For example, classic brides may opt for gowns in delicate Chantilly lace for a traditional look while some brides may be drawn to graphic and geometric lace for a more modern aesthetic. Our favorite guipure design is the Michael Lo Sordo Alexandra Silk Guipure Lace Gown.
Allover lace vs. lace details
You can find many allover lace styles like the Jenny by Jenny Yoo Lourdes Flutter Sleeves Gown. Want a more subtle look? Go for a dress that's accented with lace in the form of a scalloped hemline or an eyelash lace trim make for the perfect finishing touch to a simple gown.
FAQ
Are there different types of lace?
There are many different types of lace! They range from light and delicate to thick and graphic. Like any other fabric, lace ranges in quality and price. Some of the most popular options for wedding dresses include chantilly, alençon, and guipure.
Can I wear a lace wedding dress for a beach wedding?
Absolutely! If you're having a beach or destination wedding, it's best to pick a wedding dress that's crafted from lightweight fabrics and delicate or sheer lace to accommodate the setting.
Are lace wedding dresses more expensive?
Lace wedding dresses can sometimes be more expensive because of the labor cost involved in making them. Handmade lace is beautiful, but know that it will dramatically increase the price of a wedding dress.
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Laura Lajiness Kaupke is a writer and editor who covers fashion, accessories, beauty, and fine jewelry for Brides. Her work also appears in ELLE, InStyle, Glamour, Refinery29, POPSUGAR, Well+Good, and Barneys New York.
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