36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (2024)

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Long-sleeve wedding dresses have an undeniable elegance that’s perfect for any bride. RememberKate Middleton’s satin Alexander McQueen gown, anchored with lace sleeves? Or how aboutHailey Bieber’s off-the-shoulder design by the late Virgil Abloh of Off-White? So romantic and stunning. Numerous celebrities and modern-day brides recently featured inVogue have chosen the timeless silhouette. When scrolling through our wedding coverage, you’ll see that the recently-wedGéraldine Guyot,Giorgia Gabriele,Paola Eulalia Saracino, and Paola Fendi all sheathed their arms with fitted sleeves.

It’s easy to see why it’s such a popular choice for brides. The additional fabric gives anydress a sophisticated and classic effect—perfect for a demure moment. Plus, the silhouette goes beyond lace; there are voluminous tulle ballgowns and gossamer mesh sleeves in versatile designs befitting every personality andceremony type. So whether you’re planning intimatecourthouse nuptials or a destination wedding at the beach, rest assured that you’ll look polished and glamorous in the long-sleeve wedding dress of your choosing.

Ahead, discover 36 options to wear on your wedding day. Plus, incredibly stylish options for all your wedding events, from your engagement party and bridal shower to the rehearsal dinner,after party, and post-wedding brunch.

Ceremony

The dress for your big day is what many brides center their entire wedding wardrobe around. A high-neck lace-trimmed tulle gown is one of the most timeless and romantic choices, while a satin crepe gown with gathered puff sleeves brings modern drama. If you’re the fuss-free type, an off-the-shoulder mini with draped tulle is stunning, while a bouclé and georgette midi is sophisticated and polished for a civil ceremony.

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (1)

Vivienne Westwood Bridal Astral gown

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (2)

Danielle Frankel Lucy cold-shoulder mini dress

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (3)

Markarian Linnea lace long sleeve overlay gown

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (4)

Erdem Yoanna sequined gown

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (5)

Self-Portrait pleated midi dress

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Carolina Herrera plunging gown

Rehearsal

The rehearsal dinner look is unquestionably the second most important look in your bridal wardrobe. As a dress that sets the stage before your big reveal the following day, there are two options. You can choose a long-sleeve style in the same tone as your wedding dress—perhaps a sequined lace mini or structural satin midi with a corseted waist. Or, take the moment to embrace a design in the opposite direction, like a sharp blazer dress or a fit-and-flare silhouette with crystal embellishments.

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (7)

Carolina Herrera mini dress

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (8)

Galvan Borghese open-back lace gown

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (11)

Alex Perry long-sleeve curved corset midi dress

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (12)

Emilia Wickstead Emmett dress

Bridal Shower

Bridal shower dresses are often sweet, delicate, and romantic. Think of lighter fabrics and silhouettes from midi to mini lengths for this daytime event. For an air of tradition, seek a long-sleeve lace design such as a creamy mini or broderie shirtdress with scalloped edges. Puff sleeves and bow accents whimsical touches for a more feminine look, while a collared silk midi with a buttoned waist boasts old-world elegance—vintage brides, this one’s for you.

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Sea Lysa long sleeve lace dress

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Roksanda Bridal Calmina maxi dress

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Azeeza Cera puff-sleeve midi dress

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Rixo Bridal Jodie midi dress

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Simkhai Eda midi shirtdress

Party

No bridal wardrobe is complete without a party dress. Whether for your bachelorette, reception, or a late-night celebration (a.k.a. the grande finale to your big day), fanciful touches are key. Think crystal embellishments, feathers, sequins, and fringe. Moreover, long sleeves bring elegant balance to mini hemlines and second-skin fits.

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (19)

Stella McCartney crystal-embellished open-back mini dress

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (20)

Taller Marmo Gina Venti feather-trimmed midi dress

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (21)

Christopher John Rogers open-back sequin-embellished midi dress

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Retrofête Camille sequined maxi dress

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Patbo striped tiered maxi dress

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Rotate Birger Christensen embroidered minidress

Engagement

Whether you’re celebrating your engagement with a party or taking photos to commemorate the occasion, you’ll likely want a gorgeous dress to kick off your bridal journey. A long-sleeve silhouette will strike a refined tone for this first act, whether you’re drawn to a sculptural sweetheart-neck column, minimal lace-trimmed shift, figure-skimming crepe maxi, draped silk-satin midi, or flouncy ruffle-hemmed mini.

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (25)

A.L.C. Edie double-breasted blazer dress

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Rosetta Getty sweatheart long-sleeve dress

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Sachin & Babi Cameron minidress

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16Arlington Solaria maxi dress

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Giambattista Valli cutout long sleeve minidress

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Alessandra Rich draped midi dress

Wedding Brunch

One of the final wedding events to follow your “I do’s” is the next-day brunch. With a more relaxed feel, this moment isn’t typically formal, wherein dresses crafted from cotton, linen, and crochet fabrics are perfect. But of course, details remain crucial to feel special—this is still a wedding event, after all. A hand-crocheted midi, floral appliqué cotton mini, or eyelet-detailed maxi are perfectly airy and romantic options. If you’re hosting said brunch at the pool or a beach club, go for a plunging V-neck silhouette with a crochet overlay or a linen mini with long bell sleeves to balance the short shape.

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Ulla Johnson Estrella gathered midi dress

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Dôen Eden dress

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Waimari Villa Alta mini dress

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A.L.C. Mackenna deep-V maxi dress

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Staud Karlee dress

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Patbo deep V-neck beach dress

36 Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses Ideas for All Your Bridal Moments (2024)

FAQs

How many dresses do most brides try on? ›

On average, brides try on about 4–7 dresses, but we recommend no more than 10. The more wedding gowns you try on, the more confusing things may get. When the bridal gown selection is too big, brides tend to get overwhelmed and struggle to remember what the first gown they tried on looked like.

What the older bride should wear? ›

Having dressed many older brides for their wedding day, we find bridal outfits with sleeves to be of preference. Whether the bride chooses delicate lace, intricate beading or classic satin, sleeves are a great way to add a touch of modesty and sophistication to wedding dresses for brides over 50.

How do I look timeless for my wedding? ›

1. Less Is Always More
  1. Think timeless, sophisticated, and refined with your overall wedding look.
  2. Stick to clean lines and a flattering silhouette when choosing your wedding dress.
  3. Compliment your wedding dress with accessories that are simple and lack ornamentation.
  4. Keep your hair and makeup simple.
Sep 22, 2022

Who usually buys the brides dress? ›

While this responsibility can vary from culture to culture, historically the bride's family will pay for her wedding dress and accessories. This includes everything from the dress itself to the veil and shoes.

What size are most brides? ›

Bridal sizing isn't like typical street wear sizing. While you might be a size 4-6 in jeans, you're in fact a bridal size 8-10, and if you're a size 14-16, you're likely a 18-20. Don't worry about it–sizing is just a number! You'll likely see most of our samples in a bridal size 8, 10, 12, 18, 20 or 22 to try on.

What color of wedding dress should an older woman wear? ›

Older brides looking for a non-traditional wedding dress may love a non-white option for their vow exchange. From glamorous champagne shades to bright blue, there are no rules when it comes to wedding day style, so you can decide what color you want to rock as you walk down the aisle.

What should a woman over 40 wear to a wedding? ›

It's best to choose darker or more vibrant hues that complement the wedding theme, and avoid anything that may appear too attention-grabbing or revealing. Don't wear anything too casual, such as jeans or sneakers. Even if the wedding is outdoors or in a more relaxed setting, it's still important to dress up!

What should 60 year old wear to wedding? ›

Pastel colors, floral prints, and weather-ready styles should be taken into consideration when choosing your look. Colors such as pale blue, mauve, gray, lavender, and pink are ideal for the spring wedding season.

Should older brides wear veils? ›

Whether it is incorporating a bit of color so that you don't look so traditionally bridal, choosing a short veil or headpiece that makes you feel beautifully feminine and chic, or going with a nontraditional cape for a bit of shoulder and arm coverage, the options are endless for older brides.

What Colour should the mother of the bride not wear? ›

The mother can best avoid full whites and ivories. She can wear cream as long as the bride is not wearing cream. She can also avoid wearing a color that matches the bridesmaid's dress color. Visit The Dress Outlet to pick the right colors in mother of the bride dresses.

What does a bride wear for a second marriage? ›

Do Wear White (If You Want) For your second wedding, wear whatever you want. This is still your wedding day, and you should wear whatever makes you feel beautiful.

What makes a wedding classy? ›

Every elegant wedding should have a few key things: a cohesive, well-planned color scheme, impeccably styled decor, and polished fashion.

How can I look rich and classy at my wedding? ›

Wear some discreet bling.

A few pieces of stylish jewelry can give your look rich elegance. If you can't afford the real thing, keep it classic. In lieu of a genuine Cartier "Tank" watch, do what lots of the wealthy do and get the cheapest, simplest Timex with a basic black leather band, small and discreet.

How many wedding dresses does a bride try on? ›

Trying on too many dresses leads to comparisons. Plus, when you've tried on your 25th dress, you tend to forget what the 1st one even looked like! Most brides try on about 4-7 dresses, and we really don't recommend trying on more than 10 unless you have truly hated every single one that you've put on!

Do brides wear 2 wedding dresses? ›

While some brides prefer to maintain tradition with a single gown, others embrace the opportunity to showcase multiple styles that cater to different aspects of their big day. One of the main reasons brides opt for two dresses is to have one for the ceremony and another for the reception.

Is $1000 a lot for a wedding dress? ›

One rule of thumb suggests that brides allocate ten percent of their total wedding budget to their wedding dress. So, if you're planning to spend $10,000 or less on your big day, wedding dresses under $1000 fit that budget quite nicely (and maybe even leaves you extra for the honeymoon!).

Do brides wear 2 dresses? ›

Whether it's a second dress for the reception, a more comfortable or practical option, or a chance to express their unique style and personality, the two-dress trend is becoming increasingly popular among modern brides.

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