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10 Vintage Wedding Dresses To Treasure Forever

Think 1930s slip dresses, 1980s romantic wonders and antique lace gowns

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It's a tale as old as time that trends come back around year on year. Be it 1980s meringue dresses or 1970s bell sleeves, fashion is constantly recycling ideas and renewing the most loved (and questioned) styles from the past. And unsurprisingly, it's no different for bridalwear trends, with many vintage wedding dresses coming back into fashion.

While once the thought of wearing your mother or grandmother's wedding dress would have been met with horror, we are now finding ourselves increasingly looking to the past and taking inspiration from vintage styles – without the strenuous hunt through thrift stores. Instead, you can now shop directly from a multitude of vintage brands, be it marketplaces like eBay and Etsy, or boutique sellers like Jane Bourvis and Adored Closet.

So, opt for a dress that will last a lifetime and go full circle. Whether you dream of regal lace, empire-line busts or renaissance puff sleeves – we've got the dress for you.

Shop ELLE UK's pick of the best vintage wedding dresses here:

Etsy 1950's Duchess Satin And Beaded Gown - UK 4

1950's Duchess Satin And Beaded Gown -  UK 4

Etsy 1950's Duchess Satin And Beaded Gown - UK 4

£3,899 at Etsy

John Galliano SS99 Ivory Mini Dress - Size 12

SS99 Ivory Mini Dress - Size 12

John Galliano SS99 Ivory Mini Dress - Size 12

Perfect for a courthouse wedding, this super Nineties mini would work with pared-back sling-backs and simple flowers.

Adored Closet Antique Tiered Wedding Dress - Size 6

Antique Tiered Wedding Dress - Size 6

Adored Closet Antique Tiered Wedding Dress - Size 6

Now 23% Off

To be paired with a slip of left as for the more daring bride, this Edwardian dress' neck ruffle feels very now.

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eBay Late 1950s Wedding Dress - Size 10

Late 1950s Wedding Dress - Size 10

eBay Late 1950s Wedding Dress - Size 10

Coming complete with an image of the original bride in this delightful lace dress, buy a piece of history now.

Atelier Archive 1940s Wedding Dress - Size 10

1940s Wedding Dress - Size 10

Atelier Archive 1940s Wedding Dress - Size 10

Handmade in a crepe di chine fabric, combine minimalism with romanticism with this 1940s gown.

Jane Bourvis Tallulah Gown - Custom

Tallulah Gown - Custom

Jane Bourvis Tallulah Gown - Custom

Modelled on a 1920s dress and crafted from vintage lace, jane Bourvis' recreations are the best of both worlds.

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Vintage Ballerina Length Wedding Dress - Size 10

Ballerina Length Wedding Dress - Size 10

Vintage Ballerina Length Wedding Dress - Size 10

In a delightful off-white raw silk, this dress would look gorgeous with real ballet shoes to complement its ballerina length.

Vintage Handmade Silk Wedding Dress - Size M

Handmade Silk Wedding Dress - Size M

Vintage Handmade Silk Wedding Dress - Size M

Both handmade and silk, this 1980s strapless number could be worn time and time again.

Vintage Edwardian Irish Lace Wedding Dress - Size M/L

Edwardian Irish Lace Wedding Dress - Size M/L

Vintage Edwardian Irish Lace Wedding Dress - Size M/L

Apologies for all the naked wedding dresses, but we simply can't resist the Irish lace on this more casual style.

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Vintage Antique Embroidered Linen Wedding Gown

Antique Embroidered Linen Wedding Gown

Vintage Antique Embroidered Linen Wedding Gown

Made from embroidered linen, this leaf motif antique gown is ideal for a high summer, garden wedding.

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