Older Brides

Tips for a Stylish Wedding at 50+

If you’re getting married later in life, you may think that you must forgo the fanfare and celebration, especially if this is not your first wedding. The good news is that today’s wedding standards have no fast and hard rules on this topic; instead, brides and grooms, no matter what their age, are encouraged to make their wedding day unique and perfect for their own experiences.

That might mean the full-on blowout with dancing and a sit-down meal; a quiet, intimate event focused on family and closest friends; or even a trip to a special destination to exchange your vows. In honor of National Wedding Month this February, here our favorite tips to keep in mind for planning a stylish, fabulous wedding after the age of 50.

Dress Color

Gone are the days of white only representing youthful purity (in any case, blue was reportedly the first color meant to convey chastity). Today’s bride, regardless of age, is free to choose the shade of white that best suits her skin tone and style. For a mature bride, a beautiful color palette can range from white, to eggshell, or even refined silver tones. It may be tempting, but avoid shockingly bright alternative hues like pinks and blues for your wedding dress. Choosing a crisp, clean white or off-white not only helps you look refreshed and svelte, but will remain timeless in your wedding photos for years to come.

Dress Alternatives

Unless you are really, really drawn to playing out the full princess role in tulle, you may feel more comfortable in a streamlined, elegant option, like a classic sheath, a calf-length dress, or even a classy wedding suit. The key is to choose one best feature – like great legs, toned arms, nice shoulders – and really play it up. In addition, Mother of the Bride dresses can be ordered in white or off-white and may deliver styles more age-appropriate without feeling dowdy. Some older brides prefer to wear a shrug, bolero, or even lacy sleeves (easily added to a strapless dress by a seamstress) to add a bit of additional coverage.

Dress Fabric

A good consideration is also dress fabric; wearing a dress that mixes natural fibers (which are more breathable) with a poly blend (helps reduce wrinkles) can be a lifesaver, especially if you are hot-natured. Again, consider your own style and personality, combined with the comfort of the dress, to ensure it is not a distraction on your special day, but an enhancement.

Body and Hair

Other tips include using a nice, subtle self-tanner from head to toe (make sure to practice or schedule a run-through with plenty of lead-time before the wedding!), invest in a good body shaper undergarment, and consider tricks of the trade from mature celebrities, like Toppik Hair Building Fibers that fill in thinning hair, cling until your next shampoo, and are sweat-proof.

The Event Itself

When it comes to planning the ceremony and reception, experts advise you to, “splurge on the honeymoon, not the wedding.” In other words, err on the side of refinement and be sure to consider your fiancé’s personal style and taste. Again, many of the etiquette restrictions of past decades have been discarded, so you are free to make your event as simple or as extravagant as you wish. Keep in mind your ultimate goal of a long life together (as well as your retirement fund!) when budgeting and planning.

Consider hosting an elegant ceremony with short happy hour and hors d’oeuvres afterwards; no need to spend tons of cash on an all-night raging party. Instead, focus on quality over quantity, and pay close attention to blending family members and including your closest friends and loved ones. Destination weddings continue to be an excellent way to combine a family vacation, your special ceremony, and honeymoon into one tidy package. Think outside the box on venue and reception to create a tailored event perfect for you and your fiancé.

Getting married later in life offers so many benefits, including the fact that you most likely know yourself better now than ever before. Create an event that makes you and your fiancé happy, includes all your favorite people, and showcases who you are as a couple. Congratulations on your new adventure together!

Megan Hammons

Megan Hammons lives in the Central Texas countryside just outside of Austin, pursuing her love for copywriting after a career in high-tech marketing. She is part of a large, diverse family and enjoys spending time with the multiple generations living in her community.