Country Style Wedding Dresses: Ideas for Your Big Day

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Bridal

Country style weddings are trending. People love a charming wedding in the countryside or with rustic themes, such as having it in a renovated barn. Of course, if you want this wedding theme, having a dress that fits the vibes is the best way to pull it all together. So, what country style wedding dresses will work best for this type of event?

In 2022, there were approximately 2.4 million weddings in the United States. About 20% of those weddings occurred at a farm, barn, or ranch, making those destinations just as popular as banquet halls. In 2016, only 12% of weddings were at farm/barn/ranch venues, and they only made up 2% of weddings in 2009. So, it’s safe to say that country weddings are on the rise and aren’t going away any time soon.

Ideas for Country Style Wedding Dresses

A big part of a country style wedding is finding the perfect dress for the occasion. Every bride has a different vision for a country wedding, so not all country style wedding dresses are the same. Below are a few ideas for the types of wedding gowns that perfectly match a country theme.

Vintage Style Wedding Dress

Some brides want a vintage style for their country wedding. Lace and long sleeves are a popular option for something that looks vintage but still fits in with modern weddings. Many of these dresses are simple and modest, but they could have some frills on the top or a large headpiece to keep it interesting.

This may be a broad category, but anything in a vintage style usually looks great at country wedding venues.

Victorian Style Wedding Dresses

Victorian dresses are typically long and poofy on the bottom, so they’re perfect for brides wanting to make a statement at a country themed wedding. They typically have some type of fancy sleeves, such as long sleeves or short poofy sleeves. Most of them are lacy or silky and come with a long, beautiful veil (and sometimes gloves).

While most people don’t think of Victorian and country together, these dresses are the perfect way to look like a princess while getting married in the countryside.

Retro Wedding Dresses

Retro differs from vintage because vintage is an item that’s at least 20 years old while retro items are modern items that take inspiration from older styles. Taking inspiration from dresses from twenty years or older can create a retro design that may be suitable for a country wedding theme.

Poofy sleeves, silky materials, and long, flowing gowns are all popular features for older wedding dresses. Adding some of those characteristics into a newer dress can give it a retro and rustic vibe, which can match a barnhouse or countryside style well.

Flowy Wedding Dress

Nothing matches a country wedding better than a flowy wedding dress. There’s something magical about having your skirt blow in the wind as you exchange your vows. Flowy country style wedding dresses usually have lacy floral for the skirt, but you can have a simpler fabric pattern if that suits your style better.

Flowing dresses are often long enough to cover your feet, so if you really want to embrace the country style of your wedding, you can have some stylish cowboy boots under your skirt.

Whimsical Wedding Dress

A countryside wedding is the perfect place for a touch of magic. Thus, many brides lean toward whimsical wedding dresses that make them look like they stepped out of a fairy tale. These dresses often have beautiful fabric patterns, such as a floral design. They may also have large skirts and sparkly embellishments.

To make a country wedding more whimsical, don’t forget to go all out with the flower decorations. Choose a variety of beautiful flowers for bouquets and floral arrangements.

Are There Country Dresses for Plus Size Brides?

No matter what type of dress you want for your country wedding, you can find a plus size option to fit into that category. While larger sizes may be harder to find for some dresses, they’ve become more common in recent years.

For many plus size brides, A-line dresses are the most stylish and comfortable. A-line dresses are the ones where the hem of the dress is much wider than the person’s shoulders. So, it’s often fitted at the bust but gradually becomes wider from the waist down.

The best way to ensure a wedding dress fits you, no matter what size you are, is to get alterations. A tailor can adjust your favorite wedding dress to fit you like it was made for you, so that includes plus size dresses.

How to Dress for a Country Wedding

Every wedding is different, so follow the dress code specified by the bride and groom. Some country weddings are more casual while others expect formal attire. The exact venue and the preferences of the bride and groom play a big role.

At most country weddings, guests wear neutral tones or floral patterns (bridesmaids often wear long dresses with those colors/patterns too). They’re often slightly more casual than your typical wedding, especially when it comes to footwear. Wearing a casual wedge or some nice boots might be fitting if they match your dress.

When in doubt, talk to other wedding guests to find out what they plan to wear. Just make sure you wear something nice and don’t wear white.

Get Your Country Style Wedding Dresses Altered Perfectly

There are lots of beautiful country style wedding dresses to choose from, so find one that makes you feel your best on your big day. Once you settle on your dream dress, you’ll likely need alterations to make it fit perfectly. Finding a tailor that specializes in vintage lace wedding dresses can help you feel confident that the dress will fit like it was made for you once it’s altered.

If you live in the Houston area, Montrose Tailors has lots of experience altering country style wedding dresses. We can handle all types of alterations, no matter how complex. Book an appointment today to help your country wedding come to life.

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