Fairy wedding dresses are a fanciful alternative to traditional garden wedding dresses or flowy beach wedding dresses. Whether you are having an outdoor woodland wedding or you just love the feminine, whimsical styles of fairy-inspired gowns, there are lots of styles and details to consider for your important day.
Fabulous Fairy Wedding Gown Styles
While there is no strict definition of what a fairy wedding dress is, there are certain details that are common to this type of gown. These include sweet, feminine styles that may be flowy or evoke nature or a sense of ethereal beauty. Fairy-inspired dresses may be short or long and may be pure white, done in pastel shades or have hints of color. While many brides will want to stick to traditional white, ivory or off-white colored dresses, a fairy style allows for some creativity when it comes to color. Colored wedding dresses for fairies usually include pretty pastel colors like powder blue, pale yellow, lavender and baby pink. Other details that might found in a fairy-type dress include:
- Details like vine embroidery patterns, satin flowers or butterfly accents
- Floral details incorporated throughout the dress
- Lace bodices or accents
- Shimmery, sheer, or layered light fabrics
- Trumpet, bell, or angel sleeves
- Lightweight detachable capes or capelets in lieu of trains
- Corset wedding dresses with lace-up backs
- Full tulle skirts
- Empire-waist or off-the-shoulder designs
- Flowy dress styles
- Casual boho gowns, even maxi dresses
- Ribbon accents
- Embellishments like sequins and rhinestones
- Short, tea-length or asymmetrical
Ethereal Wedding Dress
An ethereal wedding dress may have lots of beautiful light layers and a full skirt. Sheer long sleeves can add to the dreamy fairy appeal, while lacey accents or ruffles on the bodice and near the top of the skirt can add an extra-feminine touch. A dress with a shimmery piece of fabric across the waist will add to the look and pull the waist in, giving the bride a gorgeous hour-glass figure.
Whimsical Dress Style
A whimsical dress can have different elements. Sheer lace sleeves done in a bell style and a lacy high collar give a sweet demure look. A drapey a-line design evokes the freedom of the forest, while a finishing ruffle on the skirt of the dress adds another simple detail that creates a feminine look. A dress like this works well for rectangular figures because it is flowy and reduces sharp angles and curves.The a-line skirt style can also work well for most body types. A simpler fairy-like dress like this is ideal for brides who are having a more casual or outdoor wedding.
Fairy-Inspired Boho Wedding Gown
The boho style is graceful, romantic and has whimsical touches and a feminine look. Softly flowing dress styles and loose-fitting designs that skim the body are often seen, making them ideal for most body types; however, curvy ladies and those with large busts might want more support than these loosely structured gowns provide. The boho-style dress shown here is simple and effortless, but the full skirt and delicate straps are still reminiscent of the fairy look.
Sheer and Delicate
One of the common elements seen in fairy-like wedding dresses are sheer fabrics and delicate accents. A full-length, delicate dress with delicate cut out details and an illusion panel at the bust creates a sweet yet elegant look with a hint of fairy inspiration.
Flowers and Vines
If you prefer a more unique style, consider a dress with a bit of color. A flowy, sheer dress becomes more fairy-like with the addition of colored floral and vine accents. While a dress like this is eye-catching, it's still whimsical and delicate, perfect for a fairy-inspired bridal style with a bit of attitude. Keep accessories minimal when donning a dress with more decorative elements such as this.
Off-the-Shoulder Gown
Fairy wedding dresses are often associated with Renaissance and Medieval gowns, so an off-the-shoulder, Medieval-inspired style like this one would be ideal for a themed wedding. The corset-style bodice, full skirt and puffed sleeves create an alluring look. Since the design exposes the shoulders, it's a great choice for pear-shaped ladies because it makes the top part of the body appear a bit larger, creating balance.
Woodland Fairy Dress
Another option for a themed wedding, especially if you are planning your wedding outdoors in a forested area, is a woodland fairy-inspired dress. This type of dress lends itself well to shorter styles. Details like lots of tiered individual pieces on the skirt, a fitted bodice, lace accents and sheer additions to the sleeves create a look that evokes a sweet forest fairy. Choosing a shade like pale pastel green further reflects the theme of the dress.
One-Shoulder With Full Tulle and Florals
The elegant, one-shoulder wedding dress style is stunning, but with an extra-full tulle skirt and lovely floral accents on the shoulder and throughout the skirt it gets a fairy-inspired twist. Although ball gown style wedding dresses are not usually associated with fairy styles, special elements like floral accents and pastel colors can make it more fairy-like. The florals and floaty tulle reflect the sweet appeal and sense of lightness perfectly suited for a fairy wedding.
Vintage Fairy Dress
This vintage-looking wedding dress features big puffed sleeves, a full skirt with lightweight layers, shimmery fabric and ruffle accents that are reminiscent of a fairy princess. This type of dress designs helps make the waist appear smaller and can work well for pear, rectangular, and hour-glass body types.
Fairy Dresses With Wings
For brides-to-be planning a themed wedding, fairy dresses with wings may be an option to consider. Most likely you will need to find the wings separately at a costume store or theater rental shop and affix them to your dress. Since the wings are such a prominent, eye-catching feature, you may want to keep your dress on the simple side. Colored accents like a small amount of lace or tulle, or a colored or metallic belt or sash are small accents that can add sparkle to your dress without taking it over the top.
Gothic Style Fairy
Not all fairies are wholesome creatures. Give your fairy dress an edge by using colors reminiscent of gothic wedding dresses, like blood red, black or deep purple. This allows you to keep the fairy theme but let your own style and personality shine through. Details like a strapless sweetheart neckline and tiered skirt evoke fairy elements. Even if you don't want your entire gown to be done gown in a dark color, you can accent the dress with them in the crystals, edging, or embroidery. Alternately, accent the wings or capelet in gothic-fairy colors.
Short and Sweet
A short wedding dress is an option for a casual fairy like wedding that is indicative of the sweet and sometimes mischievousness nature of fairies. A full short skirt, illusion sweetheart neckline, lace overlay and ribbon accent could all be seen as fairy-inspired details.
Accessories for Fairy Wedding Dresses
Complete the entire fairy wedding dress look by adding the right accessories.
Headpieces
Few fairies actually wear bridal tiaras or crowns. Unless you are going for a fairy princess style, avoid these headpieces. Instead, consider a wedding hairstyle that has thin headbands accented with flowers or even a floral crown. Hair that is curled and somewhat messy, whether in an updo or styled down, is perfect for the fairy style.
Shoes
For a natural fairy look, consider going barefoot in a garden. Otherwise, look for shoes with lots of ribbons and lace, or a simple slip-on style. Shoes done in a neutral color will keep the focus on the dress. Alternately, you could look for sandals or flats with some rhinestone or other embellishments that complement your dress style.
Makeup
Wedding day makeup should be light and pretty. Pastel colors for the eyes, instead of heavy dark liner, are a must. Wear glossy lipstick for a kissable pout. Blush with a light shimmer is perfect for dusting all over the face. Avoid dark bronzer, as this adds an odd aspect to the otherwise light look of a fairy.
Wedding Bouquet
Consider using wildflowers or forest flowers. Incorporate leaves, vines and other forest-inspired greenery to carry the fairy theme. You could also carry an alternative to a wedding bouquet, such as a small pouch filled with glitter. Sprinkle this as you walk down the aisle, as your fairy "dust." (Check with your ceremony location to be sure this is allowed). Another alternative would be to carry a fairy wand with ribbons hanging down from it.
Whimsical Fairy Wedding Gowns
Fairy wedding dresses are charming choices for brides who want an unusual wedding dress without sacrificing the beautiful style of a traditional gown. Whether you want a hint of fairy appeal to your dress or you want a completely fairy-inspired look for a themed wedding, the right dress will help you feel beautiful on your special day.
