A lace wedding dress is one of the most traditional styles out there, and for many, the delicate and feminine fabric is synonymous with bridal gowns. To some, a lace dress may feel too formal and stuffy for a modern wedding day look, while others crave the intricacies of chantilly, guipure, broderie Anglaise, and Alencon lace. 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 Subtle Sparkle
Nouvelle Amsale Julie Gown
This short-sleeve wedding dress may seem simple, but sequin embellished lace gives the fit-to-flare silhouette a quietly dazzling feel. Flutter sleeves make it even sweeter for your wedding day.
Price at time of publish: $4,250
Best Guipure Lace
Michael Lo Sordo Alexandra Silk Guipure Lace Gown
We’re picturing this minimal lace wedding gown on a beach bride. The plunging neckline and pin-thin crisscross straps come with a nostalgic feel we love with toes in the sand.
Price at time of publish: $1,400
Best Illusion Style
Oscar de la Renta Fall 2020 Look 6
This illusion-style lace wedding dress feels fresh yet classic for the bride craving tradition with a twist. The cap sleeves and plunging back work harmoniously together for a sophisticated look.
Price at time of publish: Price upon request
Best High Neck
Lela Rose The Highclere
The high neckline on this all-over lace wedding dress is absolutely stunning and gives the dress a romantic feel. It’s our pick for the classic bride craving a traditional and modest look.
Price at time of publish: Price upon request
Best Low Back
Galina Low-Back Soft Lace Wedding Dress
We can picture this lace wedding dress on a beach bride with a tropical flower in her hair and bare feet in the sand. The low scoop back is perfect for showing off sun-kissed skin.
Price at time of publish: $449
Most Daring
Love by Pnina Tornai Illusion Allover Lace Puff Long Sleeve A-Line Wedding Dress
Daring and seductive, this A-line design is sure to leave a lasting impression. With a plunging back and neckline to define the silhouette, this gown is entirely showstopping and unique.
Price at time of publish: $5,800
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. Though it features all-over lace appliques, the plunging illusion neckline creates a modern look. What’s more, the sleeves are removable for versatile style.
Price at time of publish: $1,695
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: $5,710
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
Most EtherealMuse by Berta Flavia Gown
With an ethereal feel, this sheer lace wedding dress is utterly sweet. If the fabric feels too daring, you can easily have this lined for more coverage.
Price at time of publish: Price upon request
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: Price upon request
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
Most Body-Skimming
Grace Loves Lace Inca Wedding Dress
A combination of French and Japanese lace gives this long-sleeve lace wedding gown a 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: $3,200
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: $1,950Most Budget-FriendlyASOS EDITION Madeline Cap Sleeve Lace Wedding Dress
For the bride on a budget, this lace wedding gown is utterly breathtaking. With an illusion design, open back, and plunging neckline, it feels fresh as ever, yet timeless thanks to the cap sleeves and elegant silhouette.
Price at time of publish: $199
Most Sexy Back
Lulus Love Everlasting White Floral Lace Mermaid Maxi Dress
This lace wedding dress is demure from the front, featuring a high neckline. But once you get a view of the back, however, the open-back and waist-skimming plunge gives off a hint of sexiness.
Price at time of publish: $119
Best Floral Detail
Willowby by Watters Lilia Gown
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 as much as we do a rustic summer wedding at sunset.
Best Corset Design
Alexander McQueen Sarabande Lace-Tulle Corset Gown
This Alexander McQueen gown is utterly exquisite, featuring a sheer lace corset and a gorgeous off-the-shoulder neckline. The diaphanous floral-lace tulle puts a romantic spin on this timeless design.
Price at time of publish: $8,990
What to Look for in a Lace Wedding Dress
From vintage-inspired to pared-back and modern there are seemingly endless styles of lace wedding dresses to choose from. In order 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. For a subtle look, wedding dresses 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.
Are there different types of lace?
There are many different types of lace that run the gamut from light and delicate to thick and graphic. Like any other fabric, lace ranges in quality and price.
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.
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 will always drive up 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.