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.

The 13 Best Lace Wedding Dresses We Love in 2023

<p>bride beach wedding</p> — Photo by Sasithon Photography

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

$1,400 at Net-A-Porter

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

Buy on Oscardelarenta.com

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

$449 at David's Bridal

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

Best Lace Flutter Sleeves: Jenny by Jenny Yoo Lourdes Flutter Sleeves Gown

$1,695 at Anthropologie

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

Most Ethereal: Muse by Berta Flavia Gown

Buy on Berta.com

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

Most Glamorous: Pronovias Hollywood Collection Pickford Wedding Dress Pickford Wedding Dress

lace wedding dress — Courtesy of Pronovias

Buy on Pronovias.com

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

$89 at Lulus

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

Most Body-Skimming: Grace Loves Lace Inca Wedding Dress

$3,400 at Graceloveslace.com

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

Sexiest Back: Lulus Love Everlasting White Floral Lace Mermaid Maxi Dress

$129 at Lulus

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

$1,495 at Anthropologie

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

beaded wedding dress — Courtesy of Lulus

$369 at Lulus

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

Katarina Butterfly-Sleeve Embroidered Wedding Gown

$1,495 at Anthropologie

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

$1,300 at Anthropologie

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.

Why Trust Brides

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.