The Best Elopement Wedding Dresses: 36 Styles for Intimate Ceremonies
You might be eloping on a mountaintop, going to a registry office or planning an intimate beach ceremony – whatever your plans, we’ve got the ultimate elopement wedding dress for your big (...small) day
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If you’re planning an elopement, you’re bang on trend according to Pinterest’s 2021 trend prediction report. Whether it’s due to the problematic (to say the least) influence of COVID-19 when organising a wedding or a shift in mindset among modern couples, “minimalist matrimony” is becoming ever more mainstream. According to the report, “no-frills elopements” are especially prevalent, with a 160% year on year increase in searches for ‘small back garden wedding’ and a 55% boost in searches for ‘desert elopements’. While you’re likely not saying ‘I do’ against a desert backdrop in the UK, an elopement provides incredible scope for an adventurous, wild wedding, or simply a low-key ceremony perfectly tailored to the two of you.
One of the joys of eloping is that your wedding can be planned almost at the drop of a hat. With shorter timelines in mind, we’ve included elopement wedding dresses that can be bought and delivered in a flash, returned if they’re not your vibe and styled out to last you well beyond the honeymoon. From speedy wedding dress rentals to wedding dresses that you can hike a hill in, the following elopement wedding dress edit caters to all brides. Speaking of which, an elopement doesn’t necessitate paring back your wedding dress or relinquishing a dream gown – it’s still your big day and and eloping may well free up your wedding budget to invest in a bespoke dress or ‘go big’, even though you’re at home. Feast your eyes on our elopement wedding dress edit for inspo of all kinds.
The Best Elopement Wedding Dresses for 2021
1. Coco Gown – £2,300, Grace Loves Lace
“This is a strong, directional and confident dress that is balanced out with classic and soft details” says Megan Ziems, founder and creative director of Grace Loves Lace. An off-the-shoulder bodice and tiered skirt create a romantic vibe while the unique lacework and fringed trims give this swishy wedding dress an edge. It’s surprisingly lightweight and the elasticated waistband offers welcome comfort. If you’re planning a summer or beach elopement, go for Coco.
2. White Cutout Satin Gown – £1,195, Galvan
A sleek, modern elopement wedding dress, with added diamonds. Or, more accurately, a single diamond cutout at the back that’s striking in its simplicity – wear your hair up to maximise its impact. The fluid satin fabric and slim straps add delicacy.
3. Rosari Dress in Champagne – £1,485, Catherine Deane
A high necked, long sleeved boho style wedding dress that’d suit a woodland, field or hilltop elopement down to the ground. The slim but not clinging skirt moves with you and the 3D lace petals will tie in perfectly with a bucolic setting. There’s no long train to catch on leaves or branches either.
READ MORE: 42 of the Most Beautiful Boho Wedding Dresses
4. Louie Flowy Dress – £POA, Made With Love Bridal
Another 3D lace wedding dress with appliqué, this Australian designed beauty has an airy A-line skirt and all-important pockets to stash your wedding day essentials in (especially handy if you’re eloping without guests or a bridesmaid).
5. Elecia Fringe Wedding Dress – £250, Phase Eight
A vintage look elopement wedding dress made contemporary with a square neckline. The hand beaded tiers start the party, 1920s style, and the column shape is timelessly sophisticated. It’s a high street wedding dress that looks anything but off the peg.
6. Gatsby Dress ES – £495, Reformation
Ideal for a stylish winter elopement, the clean lines of this long sleeved ivory wedding dress allow you to dress it up or down as you please. The ruched bodice and high slit add Hollywood allure – team it with a pair of incredible designer wedding shoes for a true red carpet finish.
READ MORE: 30 Best Long Sleeved Wedding Dresses
7. Selena Bow-Embellished Crepe Mini Dress – £895, Roksanda
A short wedding dress is often a more economical choice but this chic, draped minidress doesn’t forgo a train altogether – it dips at the back for a subtle, modern take on a traditional wedding dress shape. The crepe material hangs beautifully and the bow detail at the shoulder is cutting edge yet feminine.
8. Embroidered Tulle Wedding Dress – £1,825, Max Mara
It’s tulle, but not as you know it. This high necked, flowing tulle gown features hand sewn crystals, fluted cuffs and a maxi bow at the back, yet somehow the clean lines of the silhouette prevent it from becoming too fussy. This would make for a magical winter elopement dress.
9. Mia Square Neck Wedding Dress – £549, Whistles
Whistles has stood the test of time as a go-to high street wedding dress destination and its designs are as covetable as ever. This structured, elegant lace dress has a low back with eyelash detailing, a cinched in waist and a fluted train – it’s just the gown for a modern city elopement.
10. Pearl Rose Cami Bridal Gown – £650, Needle & Thread
Romantic, ethereal and requiring very little in the way of accessorising or embellishment, this pink-dipped cami wedding dress will catch the light beautifully if you’re planning a sunrise or sunset elopement.
11. Sabriel Off-The-Shoulder Dotted Bridal Dress – £1,207, Tadashi Shoji
Also with a fairytale quality, this dotted lace wedding dress will float down the aisle. The sweetheart Bardot neckline prevents it from becoming too whimsical – add a touch of highlighter to your shoulders and décolleté for extra splendour.
12. Valencia Cold-Shoulder Silk-Satin Maxi Dress – £1,275, Galvan
The radiant Valencia is a cold-shoulder dress for a minimalist bride. The twisted sleeves add a high fashion feel while the split and spaghetti straps are undeniably sexy. We can picture this at an urban autumn elopement; just add a wrap for warmth when the sun goes down.
READ MORE: 50 of the Best Simple Wedding Dresses for 2021
13. Eden Mihiri Dress, £POA, Pronovias
If ‘Grecian goddess’ is your bridal vision, meet Mihiri. She’ll catch a sea breeze for stunning elopement photos and the finely layered georgette fabric won’t weigh you down, whether the weather’s warm or you’re running around in the sand.
14. Christie Nicole Rhiannon Mini Dress – rent from £237, Hurr
Rent your elopement wedding dress for eco-points and to wear a unique designer wedding dress for a fraction of the retail price. This puff sleeved floral appliqué mini dress is frothy and fun – pearl beading, voluminous tulle and a silk lining make it opulent and distinctive.
15. Verdelle 2.0 Dress – £1,370, Grace Loves Lace
Fly away and elope in this French lace gown – the sleeves look like delicate wings. Wildly romantic, it’s also unstructured and very free and easy to wear; it won’t crease if you’re planning a destination elopement.
16. Silk Satin Gown – £718, Rasario
The 90s called and it wants its slip back. This ultra cool bias cut wedding dress is made of gleaming silk satin and quite literally slips on like a dream. Roll it up in your suitcase, accessorise with some vibrant flowers and drop earrings and elope in simple, statement style.
17. Bridal Embroidered Lace Maxi Dress – £560, Self Portrait
Sheer panels, a tiered skirt and puffed sleeves made this exclusive to Harrods Self Portrait wedding dress especially celebratory. It’s both prim and playful and would look particularly stylish for a springtime garden elopement.
READ MORE: 69 of the Prettiest Spring Wedding Ideas
18. Kelly Off-The-Shoulder Satin Midi Dress – £1,895, Halfpenny
This has ‘let’s run to the registry office’ written all over it. Team the close fitting midi style wedding dress with killer heels and a cool bridal clutch for a glamorous elopement. This can also be delivered to your door in double quick time if your elopement is especially spontaneous.
19. Tanja Floral Embroidered Bridal Dress in Ivory – £499, Monsoon
Loose, floor-grazing and made with sustainably sourced fabrics, this delicate flower-stitched wedding dress would suit an elopement in nature, whether you’re getting married in a forest, by a lake or in a meadow. The flared skirt adds shape but won’t trip you up and the relaxed fluted sleeves move as you do.
20. Off-The-Shoulder Ombré Glittered Tulle Midi Dress – £2,260, Jenny Packham
An elopement provides the perfect opportunity to part with tradition – swapping a conventional white wedding dress for a glittery pink tulle gown is the kind of sartorial move that’ll delight alternative brides. Keep accessories and other styling on the simple side to up the ante of the dress.
21. Genevieve Ruffle Gown in Ice Blue – £450, Needle & Thread
We’re on a roll with the colourful, maximalist elopement wedding dresses. This ruffled diamond stitched tulle wedding dress counts as your ‘something blue’ if you’re adding an element of tradition to your elopement, but the styling, shade and layering of the skirt and sleeves are anything but conventional.
READ MORE: Colourful Wedding Dresses That Prove You Don’t Have to Wear White
22. Vecchio Dress – £390, Reformation
Affordable frills come courtesy of this feminine, full skirted wedding dress. The smocked bodice and stretchy fabric ensure that it fits like a glove so you won’t have to figure in dress alterations to your budget or timeframe, making it especially elopement friendly.
23. Lucky Star Dress – £POA, Pronovias
If you’ll be pregnant when you elope, this soft tulle wedding dress will accommodate bumps of all sizes. The spangly lace bodice is fitted without being tight and the open back looks elegant and keeps you cool if a hot weather elopement is on the cards.
READ MORE: How to Plan a Wedding When You're Pregnant
24. Jax Belted Lace-Trimmed Crepe Mini Dress – £1,195, Rime Arodaky
If you’re eloping at a starry location, this tux inspired mini dress will suit the luxe surroundings. Jax means business, from the blazer-esque styling to the unusual netted lace trim. This is the perfect elopement dress for the bride who’ll be celebrating on a city rooftop, martini in hand.
25. Christi Dress – £POA, Sarah Seven
A t-shirt dress that’s far from casual. If simple yet striking is your elopement wedding dress mood, this fitted crepe gown is sure to make the cut. Speaking of the cut, the lines of this dress are sharp and the split is sensational.
26. Harmony Dress – £POA, Muse by Berta
What a mermaid would elope in. From the structured, strapless corset bodice to the golden sequins, you’ll shimmy on down the aisle and twinkle into the night in this. The lifted hem makes it a dream to dance in, because how could you not?
27. Rebecca Velvet-Trimmed Sequined Chiffon Dress – £835, Retrofête
More sequins, this time vertically sewn accompanied by a velvet belt on this disco-ready slip dress. It’s fairly loose fitting so you can throw as many shapes as you like and the blend of textures adds extra interest. If you’ve got an evening elopement planned, Rebecca’s a star.
28. Silk Leanna Dress – £825, Rixo
An oversized bow at the front of this sleek silk dress is the only explicit design detail – otherwise it’s a beautiful blank canvas for summer or warm weather elopement abroad. Team it with a pair of coloured heels for wow factor.
29. Ashley Dress – £POA, Halseene
If you’re hankering after a full, fluttery skirt but would rather skip the train, Ashley’s got you. A corseted bodice and tie back adds support while the modern floor length floral lace skirt is cool and free flowing. Brides have been known to team Ashley with trainers for those aforementioned desert elopements, so don’t be afraid to take her off of the beaten track.
30. Taffeta Midi Dress – £330, Self Portrait
Dreaming of eloping to the south of France? This puff sleeves taffeta midi dress has a gorgeous Gallic feel and an easy zip fastening for practical elopement dressing. Concealed pockets mean you can pop by the market after the ceremony.
READ MORE: 19 Wedding Dresses With Pockets
31. 2235 Dress – £POA, Jesus Peiro
Part of Jesus Perio’s 2022 Textures collection, this A-line tunic wedding dress is swingy enough to adapt to all weather and surroundings (it would look very cool with a cropped leather jacket if it’s chilly). The floral pockets combine two things we love the most when it comes to wedding dress design. A modern elopement masterpiece.
32. Naya Dress – £POA, Willow by Watters
A 60s style minidress, made more swinging by the oversized bow at the back. Accessorise with a long veil for contrast or let the little white shift do all the talking. This is another easy wearing option for summer elopements.
33. One Shoulder Satin Wedding Dress – £90, Chi Chi London
This draped Grecian wedding dress is affordable and elegant. It’s ideal if your elopement wedding budget is a little tight but you still crave the drama of a full-length gown – you’d never guess it came in under £100 by looking at it.
34. Iris Gown – £POA, Sassi Holford
Inspired by a wildflower meadow, this bell sleeved tulle wedding dress is made for outdoor elopements. Embroidered with colourful flowers and with a delicate crossover bodice and a low V back, it’s pure romance
35. Arella Cape Stretch-Crêpe Dress – £1,015, Safiyaa
From boho to futuristic, this cutting edge caped wedding dress is all clean lines, sharp tailoring and sass. The cape is detachable so you can mix up your ceremony and mini reception look.
Still not found ‘the one’? Browse our edit of the best wedding dresses for alternative brides more non-traditional wedding outfit inspo.
