Why I Wore a Black Wedding Dress - And Would Do It Again In a Heartbeat

I wore a black wedding dress - and here’s the thing - I’d do it again, and again.

I’ve never been someone who follows the rules just because they exist. Even as a kid, traditions didn’t mean much unless they felt right in my bones.

So when it came time to plan my wedding, I had one of those lightning bolt moments:

I realized I didn’t want to wear white.

At first, I thought I’d go with something off-white or champagne, maybe even a floral gown for my wedding. I considered prints, textures, and bohemian wedding dresses. But what ended up feeling most me was something bold, unexpected, and completely empowering: a black mermaid wedding gown.

black mermaid wedding gown hanging from a tree on a coathanger

Black Mermaid Wedding Dress

It was everything I didn’t know I needed - elegant, sculptural, dramatic. And most importantly, it made me feel powerful, grounded, and fully myself.

Breaking Wedding Traditions And Loving Every Second of It

Choosing a non-traditional wedding dress wasn’t just about color. It was about claiming the freedom to design a wedding that felt authentic. No playing by someone else’s rules. No pressure to fit into a mold. Just a personalized wedding from top to bottom.

As a wedding florist in Orange County, CA, I’ve seen firsthand how magical a wedding can be when it reflects the couple—not trends.

So if you’re considering an alternative wedding dress, take this as your sign. The day is yours. Why not wear something that feels like you?

Looking for a Unique Wedding Dress? Here Are Some Ideas

I know how hard it can be to find the one, not the partner (although, cheers to that too), but the wedding gown that actually fits your personality. If you’re a bride who wants to break free from tradition, here are some unconventional wedding dress ideas I love:

  • A black bridal gown dress with lace, tulle, or dramatic structure

  • A colored bridal dress in deep emerald, dusty rose, or even gold

  • A vintage-style wedding gown with bold sleeves or intricate beading

  • A soft, boho-inspired floral gown for your wedding ceremony

  • An elegant bridal dress with clean lines and unexpected detail

  • A unique bridal gown with vibrant colorways or graphic prints

Your wedding dress doesn’t have to be white to be beautiful. It just has to feel like you.

Your Permission to Ditch Wedding Traditions

Here’s the thing: your wedding should reflect who you are, not what Pinterest or tradition tells you it should be. Whether that means wearing a unique wedding gown, skipping certain formalities, or dancing to your own playlist all night long - break wedding traditions that don’t resonate with your story.

bride dancing at orange county wedding venue

And when it comes to flowers? I’ve got you. As a wedding florist in Orange County, CA, I specialize in bold, seasonal, intentional florals that work with your vision, not against it.

Planning a personalized wedding with a bold, stylish edge? Let’s talk florals, color palettes, and all the ways you can make your day your own.

Tell Me - What Wedding Tradition Would You Break?

What tradition are you skipping, flipping, or rewriting? I love hearing how couples are creating truly unique wedding experiences.

And if you’re on the hunt for a unique wedding dress, let this blog be your nudge to go bold. Go black. Go floral. Go whatever lights you up.

You’ve got one day to wear whatever you want. Make it count.

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Fall Florals That Break the Mold (And Skip the Pumpkin Spice)