Dare to Be Different

GWM Wedding opened in 2017 and has always believed that a bride’s gown should not only reflect the bride’s style and personality but also make a lasting statement on her special day. Having collaborated with many international designers over her many years in the wedding industry, Tran is well versed in everything bridal fashion. “A wedding dress speaks to the dreams of all brides since they were little,” Tran explains. “It is a time when they can express themselves in their own way and become their own dream.” GWM Wedding offers both ready-to-wear bridal fashion and a custom-made service for those who want a personal, bespoke creation that may or may not push the boundaries of conventional. 

I Want To Break Free

Brides, forget your traditional dresses for a moment. Forget the ballgowns and A-line silhouettes and whether to go for white or ivory. What if your wedding dress could be so much more?

There is a plethora of options when it comes to picking a non-traditional wedding outfit. Tran notes that “more and more brides are wearing something different than before: pants, crops, two pieces, jumpsuits or short mini dresses.” In 2023, GWM Wedding saw a trend in “bridal suits, bridal pants with corsets and short mini dresses.” But it’s not only a unique silhouette that can make wedding attire unconventional. Colours and patterns are growing in popularity, and alternative fabrics such as velvet or linen can create a unique textural image. Another way to make your wedding attire non-traditional is by including unique embellishments. Whether it’s feathers, coloured lace or embroidery that your heart desires, there are many possibilities of what you could do. Whatever you decide on, both brides and Tran can agree that “the quality of the dress still has to be at the highest standard whether it is traditional or non-traditional.”

The beauty of an unconventional dress is that you can diversify it as much or as little as you wish – you could walk down the aisle in a bold red velvet mini dress that’s embellished with sequins, or wear a white, traditional gown, with little blue flowers sewn into the fabric. It is your special day; you get to decide what traditional norms to adhere to or not. As Tran so expertly says, “On this day, clothing is not limited”.

This is Me

One of the main drawcards for wearing non-traditional wedding attire is that it embraces creativity and uniqueness and reflects your personality without losing the ‘wow’ factor. Tran explains that unconventional wedding outfits are “for someone who isn’t afraid to express their personality.” Additionally, Tran also encourages readers to “think about the themes, the venue, and especially how you want to enjoy your wedding day, like dancing and other activities.” One of GWM Wedding’s clients, Sharon, was “bubbly, friendly, and unafraid to wear what she wanted,” which was reflected in her custom-made, non-traditional dress that was inspired by the 60s. As Tran describes, her dress was “short, puffy, and a lot of fun so she can dance all night with her kids and grandkids.”

Tran notes that it is “the younger generation who have grown up exploring the world in different ways through travel and the internet” who will try something different. It has never been easier to view images and create ideas with the use of social media and the internet, and an increasing number of celebrities are choosing non-traditional wedding attire, sharing it for the world to see. So, it is unsurprising that unconventional wedding attire is increasing in popularity, especially with the younger generation.

True Colours Shining Through

The tradition of wearing a white dress began in 1499 and in many societies is considered a representation of the bride’s purity and virtue. Now in the modern age, the colour of a wedding dress can represent whatever the bride wishes, from something
meaningful to something as simple as incorporating her favourite colour on her wedding day. In 2023, the most popular coloured wedding gown that GWM Wedding made was “blush pink with glittery Chantilly lace and a butterfly wing.” Tran suggests that “silver sparkle might be something different this year.”