14 Wedding Dresses That Aren’t Actually Wedding Dresses

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If you’re getting married in the coming months, or you’re just one of those organised people who likes to get well ahead of an occasion, then you've probably got a lot on your plate right now. The venue is booked, the band is pencilled in — now for what is arguably the most important aspect of wedding planning: the dress.

If you still haven’t found The One (again, we mean the dress) then we’re here to open your eyes to options you may not have regarded as being very bridal. Before heading for the nearest wedding dress designer to try on every OTT gown in sight, or go full Monica Geller and wrestle your way to a sample sale bargain, consider this: a wedding dress that isn't technically a wedding dress.

Yes, they're a thing. They’re the frocks that aren’t technically bridal; dresses you can pick up from your trustiest affordable brands, which every modern bride can pull off on the big day. Particularly now as more and more brides are opting for smaller-scale weddings, the kind that calls for a more 'undone' bridal look.

But we know it's hard to nail the balance of being understated while also not wanting to look like just another wedding guest. So, to help you out, we've found 14 could-be-bridal outfits that'll nail your Big Day look. Whether you're a retro bride in a lace mini with dried flowers in your hair, a diehard minimalist, prefer a dress you can wear on repeat, or simply want to spend less than the expected amount on a wedding, your perfect dress is just ahead.