Civil Wedding Dresses & Gowns: Which Is Right for You?
From Classic Elegance to Modern Sophistication
If you’re just looking into civil ceremonies, you might be wondering: what’s the difference between a civil wedding dress and a traditional bridal gown? Civil bridal dresses are known to stay more on the minimal side and opt for slimmer silhouettes infused with an everyday sensibility. While they tend to remain clean-cut, it doesn’t mean that a classic, white civil wedding dress can’t feel expressive and true to you. Sometimes, it’s the fine finishing touch that turns the most simplistic dress into a personalised masterpiece – whether that detail is a chic side slit, a playful feather trim or ornate beading. As civil ceremonies also have an inherently more intimate and relaxed feel, they lend themselves beautifully to showcasing your true style and allow for more flexibility when it comes to accessorising.
Your Dream Civil Wedding Dress
Short & Sleek
Romantic yet refreshingly modern with sculpted shoulders reminiscent of suiting, the Zoe dress is a firm favourite bridal dress for a civil wedding ceremony.
The Chloe from our Attitude Collection is a feel-good showstopper. Understated enough for civil ceremonies, it features a corseted bodice, falling to a flattering drop waist and a daring bubble hem.
For those who love to blend contemporary with a hint of bold. The Darci pure silk-satin dress is romantic with its flares and florals, as well as confident with its crisp white shade and square bodice.
Full-Length Glamour
Few pieces make for a better civil wedding gown than the iconic, long slip dress. Meet the Freya slit bridal dress, a clean-cut stretch-crepe maxi with a contemporary spirit.
Forgoing a long train and swapping it for a stunning feather trim, the Penelope is a glamorous civil wedding ceremony dress that remains comfortable and practical in registry office settings.
A retro-tinged take on a simple civil wedding gown that’s just too chic to reserve for this occasion. From our London Vibes Collection, the Rain & Ivy Duo is a wonderfully elegant and versatile pairing, and our ode to minimalism.
Bridal Suits & Trousers
Bridal Suits: A Chic Alternative to the Traditional Wedding Dress
The bridal trends defining 2025 are bound to strengthen the fashion community’s love for empowering tailoring. Where to find the perfect wedding suit, and how to style a bridal suit for a civil ceremony? Our Attitude Collection answers the question with the finest of romantic tailoring featuring floral bustiers, sharp bridal trousers and jackets to create flawless suits for your wedding. Far away from the suits of the ‘80s and ‘90s, our take has a polished edge, made feminine by classic bridal elements.
The Essentials for Your Dream Bridal Suit
Especially perfect for winter and fall ceremonies, the Olivia jacket brings warmth alongside flattering sculpting to bridal suits. The iconic white bridal suit, turned even more glamorous by tone-on-tone floral appliques. For added confidence, the Olivia is sculpted by padded shoulders and peak lapels.
The bridal trouser suits just aren’t complete without them. Detailed with strong front pleats and a fitted waistband, they are an endlessly feminine pair, made for smart casual civil ceremonies…
Woven with gold embroidery, the Harper bridal jacket offsets all-white bridal themes with a glistening shine. With its waterfall neckline and veil-like hood, it’ll seamlessly match the mood of even the most modern civil ceremonies.
Our empowering proposition for the Mia La Vida bride, the Harper shorts boast a high-rise silhouette, detailed with golden embroidery. In silk-lined wool, they remain warm enough for autumn and winter weddings when styled over lace tights.
You’ve Asked, We Answer
What is a civil wedding ceremony?
Civil weddings are non-religious marriage ceremonies performed, recorded and recognised by government officials. Often held in townhouses and registry offices, they offer an intimate setting and are growing increasingly popular amongst brides and grooms due to their modern appeal and planning flexibility.
What is the dress code for a civil wedding ceremony?
Just like planning, the dress code is a bit more flexible as well. Somewhere between smart casual and formal, civil weddings call for refined and sophisticated outfits, whether that’s a short civil wedding dress or structured tailoring.
How can I express my individuality with a simple civil wedding dress or a minimal bridal suit?
Civil wedding ceremonies offer brides an incredible opportunity to bring a dash of their elevated everyday style to their wedding day. A crisp white wedding trouser suit, a bubble-hem mini dress, a pleated maxi dress: the only limit is your imagination.
Mia La Vida Bridal: Where Your Civil Wedding Attire Comes to Life
We are passionate about handcrafting of-the-moment designs that resonate with brides and their idea of the dream big day. Showcasing exactly this through a blend of highly ornate gowns, effortless mini dresses and ladies’ bridal suits for weddings, the Attitude Collection is a celebration of confidence, uniqueness and a love for timeless, bold styles – handmade in London, for brides in London and beyond.
Explore More >>
