Booked your wedding venue? Now find the perfect dress to match…

Well done, finding the perfect wedding venue is hard work. Hopefully you’ve found one that will help you create exactly the right atmosphere for your big day, whether that’s relaxed boho, classic, luxury or totally contemporary.

And, now you’ve ticked that job off the list, you can start on the most important one - finding your dress! What’s more, you can also use your style of venue to point you in the right direction.

How our wed2b experts do it…

Our bridal consultants are expert at picking exactly the right dress from our variety of designers, and they always start by getting a picture of how you see your big day. They’ll ask about your personal style, your venue, the mood you want to create and more. So, we thought we’d ask them for a few of their insider tips on exactly how they do it. Simply find your venue style below and they have a dream dress suggestion to match…

The coastal wedding

The wedding venue: A dreamy coastal venue in the UK or overseas

The vibe: Boho beach chic with a relaxed, rustic seaside feel. Think white canopies, bleached wood, seashells, sea views and more.

Colour scheme: Pretty blues, whites or pastel colours.

The designer: Heidi Hudson

The dress: The perfect choice to complement your venue would be a slim A-line.  Often boho in design, a slim A-line wedding dress will keep you cool and comfortable in your warm, outdoor location due to its lightweight and floaty skirt. Delicate floral embroidery is also a favourite of boho designer Heidi Hudson, and wonderfully reflects an easy-going, nature-loving venue choice. Lastly, a slim A-line is ideal for destination weddings, as it fits in a cabin-sized dress box with ease!

Real life inspo…

Maria chose boho lace and pearls for her wedding at a chic restaurant on Spain’s Costa Brava coast. “My dress perfectly captured the boho chic style I was looking for,” she says. “I felt like a million dollars in it.”

Real bride Kelly chose Heidi Hudson's informal Bohdi dress, a modest sheath with a contemporary low keyhole back. "It was the last dress I tried on," she says. "It was very different from what I had in mind but I had a good feeling about it. The open low back, buttons, and lace were beautiful and subtly sexy."

The couple married at Degreez Beach Club in Panheel. Described as the Ibiza of the Netherlands, the spacious beach club was the ideal setting for their bohemian, Ibiza-style wedding. "It had a beach and waterfront, plus a covered pier with a gazebo for ceremonies," says Kelly. "I bought my dress well in advance and never regretted it. I was very sure of my choice, and on the day itself, it became clear why. The dress was made for me, matching my style, personality and venue perfectly."

The rustic barn

The wedding venue: A charming barn setting with exposed beams and fairy lights, surrounded by fields.

The vibe: Rustic and informal, with simple glass jars holding loosely arranged bunches of flowers, hessian table runners, wooden pallets and flickering tea lights. 

Colour scheme: Natural soft colours, such as whites, creams and sage greens, or a mix of soft pinks, peaches and whites. 

The designer: Viva Bride 

The dress: A floral A-line is a great choice for this venue style. A-line silhouettes have an understated classic feel. However, choosing a design with details such as delicate straps, floral lace or layers of floaty tulle will give it a softer, romantic edge that matches your rustic barn. The skirt and loose straps are also very flattering and easy to wear, so you'll be able to move and dance with ease, feeling as relaxed as your setting.

Real life inspo… 

Grace and Jack chose a stunning farm venue with a rustic barn, which worked perfectly with Grace’s soft tulle A-line with semi-sheer bodice. “I loved the off-the-shoulder straps and I felt incredible,” she says. “It hugged my figure and I got so many compliments.”

The city celebration

The wedding venue: A trendy town hall or smart city centre hotel

The vibe: Confident, elegant and modern, with sleek flowers, stylish on-trend decor and a crisp suit or black tie for the groom.

Colour scheme: Whites and golds or white with accent colours of rich deep red or purple

The designer: Miavalenca

The dress: A fitted crepe sheath is a contemporary style that combines a timeless look with a sexy modern attitude, just like your venue. Crepe is also an amazing fabric that skims curves without clinging, giving a sculpted, on-trend silhouette. Look for features like matt lace, a low back or a semi sheer bodice that are straight from the bridal catwalks. These will give your look a contemporary twist to suit your backdrop. Plus, a small crepe train won't restrict your movement, so it's perfect for strolling city streets looking for that great photo op.

Real life inspo…

Lucy and Robert married in a grand former court building in the centre of Glasgow. “I cannot imagine marrying anywhere else, it was beautiful for us," she says. "From the minute you walk down the street towards the venue you are met with grand pillars covered in fairy lights and flowers, it was just stunning.”

Lucy wore Roscoe, a crepe gown with beautiful lace sleeves. “I hadn’t even considered a sheath dress,” she says. “I only wanted to try on A-lines. However, when I did, I hated the shape on me. So, it’s true what they say, you never pick what you thought you wanted to begin with. The assistant at wed2b really was the expert and chose Roscoe, because she knew lace and sleeves were a must-have. I fell in love with the dress the minute I put it on.” 

The classic manor house

The wedding venue: The quintessential English manor house

The vibe: An elegant setting for a day with plenty of traditional moments, quietly understated decor and softly coloured floral displays.

Colour scheme: Pale pinks, lilacs and creams, with light greenery

The designer: Anna Sorrano

The dress: A classic A-line would work brilliantly here, as this quintessential bridal shape is as timeless as your venue. Alternatively, you could also consider an understated mermaid. It's a more modern silhouette but try it with demure full-length sleeves and detailed lace to give it a sophisticated, old-style elegance. A grand manor house also suits other enduring bridal details, such as a traditional, sweeping train and a dramatic cathedral-length veil.

Real life inspo…

Hannah and Joe married at Hanbury Manor, a Jacobean-style manor house set in 200 acres of countryside in Hertfordshire. “I knew when I was a teenager that I was going to get married at Hanbury Manor, so to be able to book and go ahead was a dream. It’s an old fashioned, Grade 2 listed building but the inside is modern and stunning.”

To complement her classic venue, Hannah chose Alvie by Anna Sorrano, a strapless tulle mermaid with intricate Guipure floral lace. “I loved how it flattered my cleavage, showing a little but not too much. It also wasn’t too ‘out there’ but flowed perfectly down the rest of my body. It really made me feel like a million dollars.”

The luxury venue 

The wedding venue: A grand stately home or luxury hotel

The vibe: No expense spared. You want to treat your guests to a day to remember with an abundance of flowers and stylish decor, like blossom trees and candelabras, for a feeling of real opulence.

Colour scheme: High end luxe, think pure whites and creams with bold splashes of gold.

The designer: Aaliyah Quinn

The dress: Something with wow factor! Your venue is designed to make a statement, so you need a dress to match. Features such as head-to-toe lace, fine shimmering detailing and a modern, deep plunge bodice are guaranteed to make an impact. Alternatively, a sexy fitted sheath with the most magnificent lace-covered train is perfect for this type of venue. Look for on-trend features like an alluring keyhole back, too.

Real life inspo…

For her destination wedding in Poland, Marta wore Beata, a luxurious sparkling ballgown with intricate embellishment. "I loved the elaborate lace embroidery, inspired by butterflies and tiny bees in an English garden, combined with the contemporary details," she says. "It was ideal for the style of wedding I had envisioned. I simply knew it would be a showstopper.”

The couple chose a resort in the centre of a forest near the Liswarta River in Poland and Marta used the design of her dress to inspire her decor. "The setting, surrounded by trees, a lake and a river, was gorgeous. The concept for our day was traditional with an emphasis on wood and forests,” she says. “White, green and gold were the dominant colours. I chose the colours to match my dress because I wanted everything to match the dress’s classic style, nature-inspired details and modern touches."

The modern masterpiece

The wedding venue: An art gallery, white studio space, industrial warehouse or an airy orangery or glasshouse.

The vibe: Simple styling, pared-back colours and not too much decor, so the venue speaks for itself.

Colour scheme: White with either modern greens and lots of foliage or splashes of bold navy.

Designer: Sofia Cruz

The dress: A simple sheath or A-line in luxurious plain Mikado is the one for you. Beautifully cut and crafted, a row of covered buttons or a flattering pleated bodice is all the detailing you need. Much like the pared-back venue, you want something that allows your natural, confident beauty to shine through. So, look for minimal embellishment and a simple but elegant skirt, which will do just that.

Real life inspo…

Nicky chose an elegant square-backed sheath to match her relaxed, low-key celebration. “I loved the simplicity of it,” she says. “The dress wasn’t wearing me, I was wearing the dress. The fit and the style really suited me and it was just such a classic design. I felt amazing in it.”

Emily's elegantly understated Mikado gown was a dream for their simple alfresco wedding.“I loved the very first dress I tried on,” she says. “It was satin, corset style and, best of all, it had pockets!”

The perfect match?

We hope you’ve found your wedding venue style above and also picked up a few ideas on the ideal dress to match. If not, our bridal experts can help. Simply drop into your nearest store and tell them all about your venue and your big day plans. Before you know it you’ll be wearing the dress of your dreams!

Click here to discover our variety of designers and find a dress to match your wedding venue. Then try on your favourites at your nearest wed2b store. Here’s what to expect when you visit, too. Lastly, for more inspiration, read more of our brilliant real bride stories or check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.