Do You Have to Say Yes to the Dress?
We’ve rounded up pieces not specifically intended for weddings that will still look great on your big day.
![](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/01c/49e/f5875af630b5ea3c2f3f3e0b07eadad97d-wedding-alts-lede.2x.rhorizontal.w710.jpg)
In a culture in which even bridesmaids are going into debt for friends’ weddings and there are whole Reddit threads devoted to avoiding the “wedding tax” — the higher costs some vendors charge for goods and services they know will be used for a wedding — it’s clear that the simple act of getting married is no longer so simple. Do we truly have no choice but to spend extra thousands of dollars, especially on a wedding dress?
But who says your wedding dress needs to be a wedding dress?
To be clear, there are some very valid reasons that wedding dresses cost so much — they’re often made with a lot more fabrics as well as a much higher level of craftsmanship. And for many brides, an elaborate wedding dress is a chance to feel like a princess. If and when that time comes for me, you won’t find me at David’s Bridal. Instead, I’ll be looking into options like the dresses and sets below — investment pieces that can be tailored for a perfect fit and worn again and again and, while not the most affordable, come nowhere near the cost of a typical wedding dress.
Who needs a tiered cake? Have a tiered dress.
![Knit Maxi Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/506/1bb/c91993fc66df0d9bbae2fb86af27a6bbf6-1----.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Knit Maxi Dress
This slinky showstopper is comfortable, flattering, and stylish.
Embody a doily without spending thousands
![White Cotton Eyelet Puff Sleeve Midi Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/204/c4e/d60b7e7bd2a326a5bee30a3247810263a3-2----.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
White Cotton Eyelet Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
The cotton eyelet lace will keep you comfortable even through a long ceremony, and the puffy sleeves offer a bit of the princess energy you might be looking for.
For the chillest of chill brides
![’90s Slip Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/a3c/e60/78aab32b8bb30e1a851cca185989270d21-3----.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
’90s Slip Dress
This super-simple dress is also super comfortable, perfect for dancing all night at the reception and ripe for accessorizing. Its unique stitching gives it a little extra oomph.
Make your imminent dive into the ocean stress-free
![Stretch Jersey Bikini](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/02b/8dc/a6aac7c4bfd6b24d1ace769bf32af95f77-23---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Stretch Jersey Bikini
Having a beach wedding? Instead of ruining an insanely expensive dress when you inevitably run into the ocean with your beloved, wear an extremely fancy swimsuit that you’ll treasure forever under a relatively inexpensive dress.
Cow milking at 8 a.m., wedding at 2 p.m.
![Camilla Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/90f/c0b/c695d8d6b7bac271a66e461e470a9fe474-4a---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Camilla Dress
All you cottagecore milkmaids, this frilly number with a powerful asymmetric skirt is for you.
A set you can dance in
Why wear a dress when you can wear a matching two-piece set? This asymmetrical top bares just the right amount of skin, and the skirt’s layered construction swishes delightfully across a dance floor.
![Kimchi Top](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/4be/49e/ffc5815932f79f418368dabe634a621629-5----.2x.rsquare.w215.jpg)
Kimchi Top
![Edamame Skirt](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/b47/f47/0afaff05d75adefd4629cc9ceb46b354d3-6----.2x.rsquare.w215.jpg)
Edamame Skirt
A breezy dress for a breezy bride
![Yoko Halter Maxi Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/067/86f/3fbd36ee696709d6b30ab6ed7b721cd020-7----.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Yoko Halter Maxi Dress
This elegant maxi dress will keep you comfortable all night.
For the artistic bride
![Nasser Midi bicolor Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/c78/3fb/0f74e114d6ea90619cd0caa31fc888c71c-13---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Nasser Midi bicolor Dress
This dress is unique and beautiful, perfect for the artsy bride who sells hand-sculpted pottery on the side.
For the maximalist bride
![All Hearts Multi Tier Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/6ac/5ae/ea0875b50228c8aad0f9c150b95ffdb8e0-14---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
All Hearts Multi Tier Dress
We’re already being nontraditional, why not throw in some color?
This dress will make your wedding feel like a Studio Ghibli film
![Opa Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/18c/5e3/842ae45b7fa8837e2cc1c28855d002e394-15---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Opa Dress
A wedding dress you can wear mary janes with is a slay in my book.
This artisan-crafted dress will make you feel like art
![Nol Collective Aisha Maxi Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/ea2/29c/ab022d648ad57827feb40534a5ddc337dc-16---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Nol Collective Aisha Maxi Dress
Featuring beautiful Palestinian tatreez embroidery and a universally flattering maxi cut that could easily be tailored to your best fit, this dress belongs on an altar.
For the bride who likes to keep it light
![Dena Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/096/8e6/5034641b6386aae601b61541ce3e47d015-8----.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Dena Dress
This lightweight drop-waist style is perfect for a summer wedding.
A dress a Greek statue would wear
![Caravaggio Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/4bc/d54/0a187fddb670431dd542b29183cae2c02f-17---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Caravaggio Dress
This is a cool-girl wedding dress, right down to the off-white color.
A dress that’s silky and voluminous
![Rhiannon Pure White Silk Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/6b9/ce5/dde5baf35551ef562f16398c0f724f3a89-9----.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Rhiannon Pure White Silk Dress
You can’t go wrong with a glamorous silk dress, and this one has a flow-y skirt that’s perfect for walking down the aisle.
This dress looks like how love feels
![Globo Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/cb3/7d0/460b460b8c176cecaa681fc19b4344ba6c-18---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Globo Dress
Like you’re floating on air. The unique skirt adds a twist to an otherwise classic design.
A dress with range for a bride with range
![Metis Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/139/4da/ef23cdae1331ec9ae787b12bc13155bf47-10b--.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Metis Dress
This one even has an adjustable skirt, transforming into a flouncy minidress that’s perfect for dancing.
A wedding is a great opportunity to show off your legs
![Eliana Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/d5e/fea/b331905972f83e6a29bd1b7d83270da721-19---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Eliana Dress
And who says your wedding dress can’t be a minidress? There are no rules here!
For the bride who wears ribbons regularly
![Damson Madder Penelope Apron Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/2f8/981/78468d057e319e0ab5373706a1e4bdcf57-20---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Damson Madder Penelope Apron Dress
And this one has bows!
You won’t need a disco ball in this dress
![3-D Sequins Maxi Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/6f0/434/1141d5008250c8c246d61eabb1e2682eb6-21---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
3-D Sequins Maxi Dress
If you love attention, this is the wedding dress for you.
If you say it’s a dress, it’s a dress
![Silk Jacquard Shirt and Bra Set](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/fc3/771/78e2141ab83032c4820f3cabca37345c1a-22---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Silk Jacquard Shirt and Bra Set
Who says your wedding dress has to be a dress? Pair this investment piece with fun tights or matching pants.
If you love the 1920s but also have a beige couch
![Voluminous Sleeveless Midi Dress](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/b1b/684/26f9f266bdcdaebec3215227b95eb8be55-12---.2x.rsquare.w600.jpg)
Voluminous Sleeveless Midi Dress
The dropped waist and white cotton of this dress give it a minimalistic flapper vibe.