When my husband Cayo and I got married in September 2019, we had a big wedding filled with lots of heartfelt stories and meaning. Our wedding was even featured on Bride and Breakfast! To this day, our wedding day remains to be one of my best and favorite days ever. Right next to giving birth to our baby girl Cambria last December 2021.
Sometimes, I would jokingly tell Cayo that I would want to get married to him all over again — just to relive our special day. (Check out our wedding hashtag #CayoNaNiGretch!) We often talk about how things would have been if we got married during the pandemic. We’d probably have a more intimate wedding with just our closest family and friends. And because of this, I got inspired to write about civil wedding dress ideas! These are pretty dresses I either have or would love to wear to any special occasion.Classy Civil Wedding Dress Ideas
1. Laya Dress from Hinhin – P5,800
The Laya Dress from Hinhin is a long, triple-layer dress in a comfortable linen blend fabric. It’s reversible so you can wear the neckline either straight or V. It also has long, adjustable shoulder straps, a single side zipper, and functional pockets on each side to keep your phone and tissues — in case things get emotional! The best part about shopping from Hinhin is that their pieces are limited. So you’re guaranteed to have a unique civil wedding dress.
I wore the Laya Dress on my birthday so I could feel pretty and made up even though I was just at home nursing and taking care of Cambria. Plus, it looked great in photos during Cambria’s half-birthday shoot!
2. Iris Dress from Everyday Casuals – P1,200
I’ve been a fan of Everyday Casuals ever since. I love their chic and timeless pieces because they’re so easy to play up or dress down. Their Iris Dress, in particular, can be a flirty civil wedding dress! The cotton linen blend fabric makes it light and comfy to wear.
3. Bianca Midi Dress from Dear Brie – P1,295
Another brand very dear to my heart is Dear Brie. It’s a coincidence that Brie is actually Cambria’s nickname! Like Hinhin, their pieces are limited. And their Bianca Midi Dress is no exemption. It features a flared silhouette with a V-neckline. Moreover, the beauty of this dress is that it’s both versatile and functional. It has an invisible zipper down the center that makes it nursing-friendly if ever you decide to have a baby and breastfeed someday.
4. Date Dress from Elin – P3,145
When Elin launched their second collection with Tricia Gosingtian entitled Forever, I immediately became obsessed. In fact, their dresses are often what I wear these days. One of my favorites is the Date Dress. Made with acid linen, the design is so feminine and flirty that it makes for a lovely civil wedding dress. It also comes with a detachable linen belt — which again, makes this dress versatile. You can wear it to your wedding, when you get pregnant, or even after — because under the flap is nursing access.
5. Pantsuits from Plains & Prints and RAF Manila
If dresses aren’t your thing and you want something a little bit different, you can wear a pantsuit or jumpsuit! The photo above features a sold-out pantsuit from Plains & Prints’ Pamana Collection. However, their sister brand RAF Manila has an equally stylish design in the Cash Sleeveless Pantsuit.
6. Zoak Sleeveless Dress from RAF Manila – P2,698
The thrill is definitely in the frill with RAF Manila’s Zoak Dress and you’ll feel ultimately feminine while wearing it! This smorgasbord of a dress has draped details at the bodice and is elevated with a flared skirt. I actually have the same dress but in a different color.
7. Marbella Wedding Party Dress from ZOO Label – P4,990
ZOO has one of the prettiest selections of dresses and their Marbella Dress makes daytime glam effortless. This silk gazar ensemble features a sweetheart neckline and peplum detail.
8. Carolina Wedding Dress from Apartment 8 – P4,480
Brides looking for an elegant long-sleeved civil wedding dress will find it in the Carolina Dress from Apartment 8. This tuxedo puff-sleeved dress will look absolutely stunning with stilettos and a clean chignon hairstyle.
9. Aleksia Tiered Broderie Anglaise Midi Dress from Love Bonito – P2,485
Love Bonito has an extensive selection of white dresses but I fell in love with the details of their Aleksia Tiered Broderie Anglaise Midi Dress. I can imagine wearing it with pearls and perhaps a peach makeup look!
10. Draped Wrapped Maxi Dress from ZALORA Occasion – P609
Last but not least is this Grecian-like dress from ZALORA Occasion. Though the length is longer than the others, I think this still makes a beautiful civil wedding dress.
These civil wedding dresses can be worn on other occasions!
What I love about all ten designs is that they’re flexible enough that you can wear them over and over. It’s not just something you’ll wear once (like my wedding gown from Rosenthal Tee). You can wear these to events that require all-white dress codes, dinner dates, brunches with friends, and a variety of special occasions. Which of these civil wedding dress designs do you like the most? Comment below!
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