in one of our most recent a&bé bridal blogs, we shared simple wedding dresses near raleigh, north carolina. today we’re continuing to share raleigh wedding dresses from styled bridal shoots at the barn of chapel hill wedding venue and the pit durham event venue.

we hope the imagery from these dreamy wedding photoshoots helps inspire your own north carolina wedding as well as answer some questions you have about how to dress up a simple wedding dress.

why are simple wedding dresses better?

we always want our brides to feel like the best version of themselves on their wedding day. while we love sharing our wedding advice with you, always keep in mind that your personal vision, style, and gut feelings can sometimes offer greater insight into your wedding day look than we can.

with that being said, we do want to share why some brides gravitate towards minimal wedding dresses and address the question of if simple wedding dresses are better for your big day.

feeling like a bride with a simple wedding dress

one of the most common reasons brides find themselves falling in love with a simple wedding dress is because the dress doesn’t take attention away from them. with simpler bridal styles, you and your guests aren’t paying attention to intricate details or design elements, the focus is simply on you and how much you’re glowing in your gown.

when a bride tries on a simple wedding dress with sleeves for the first time, we often hear the comment “i feel like a bride”. some of this feeling may be due to mainstream media’s portrayal of ‘classic’ bridal looks, but we also think it has a lot to do with the focus being drawn to you. you’re wearing the dress, the dress isn’t wearing you!

wedding traditions with a simple wedding dress

another reason simple wedding dresses tend to be popular is because they can fit almost any wedding venue or wedding accessory restrictions. finding a simple wedding dress eliminates the frequent question of does your wedding dress have to match your venue.

for some brides wanting to include a family heirloom into their wedding look or thinking about what would be something borrowed for a wedding, they have the ability to style these traditional wedding pieces in whatever way they please. simplistic wedding dresses often mean less styling restrictions, thus stress-free bridal shopping.

how do you style a simple wedding dress?

whether you’re curious about how to fancy up a dress for a wedding or you want to make a plain dress look classy, your ability to style your wedding dress will be key in helping you achieve your final bridal look.

after finding your dress, our expert bridal stylists at a&bé raleigh will also help you figure out your bridal accessories and how to best style them.

below are a few common bridal styles and some recommendations about what you can do to best achieve those wedding looks.

romantic bridal style

if your goal is to achieve a romantic bridal look, you’ll likely want to add elements of whimsy and soft details into your bridal styling. this sort of bridal style is evident in the styling of ‘aveline’ by jenny yoo.

with the sheer gillian printed silk organza fabric delicately draping into a cowl neckline, there are no harsh lines. the delicate styling continues with a gentle tulle veil covering the shoulders and flower crown accenting the model’s effortless bridal updo.

with curled face framing layers hanging out of the bridal hairstyle and various touches of floral details, we know exactly how to create the romantic bridal style with any simple wedding dress.

boho bridal style

another popular bridal style trend is boho bridal fashion. if you’re wondering what is boho wedding style or how boho bridal style is different from a romantic wedding dress style, you’ve come to the right place.

while there are some similarities between romantic brides and boho brides, the biggest difference is the design details within boho wedding dresses. boho wedding gowns often include bold patterns, colorful embroidery, plunging necklines, and billowing bridal sleeves.

when looking at this styled wedding in chapel hill, north carolina, ‘jenna’ by chic nostalgia wedding dress is the perfect example of boho-chic bridal style. with a deep v-neckline and thin straps, this modern silhouette has bold lace details and fun floral embroidery.

we also love how this chic nostalgia wedding dress has a more colorful lining option than other traditional bridal gowns. if you like non-traditional wedding dresses with color or wedding dress colors other than white, chances are your bridal style falls somewhere in the boho bridal aesthetic.

dress designers: chic nostalgia and jenny by jenny yoo / accessory designer: sara gabriel and untamed petals / bridal shop: a&bé raleigh / photography: kaitlyn blake photography / hair and makeup: wedded kiss / florals: wild flora flowers / venue: barn of chapel hill

if you already know your wedding style, that’s awesome! the next step bringing your chosen bridal style to life by adding accessories. since your wedding look is more than just the dress itself, accessories are an important part of elevating your wedding dress.

from carrying top bridal accessory designers like sara gabriel and untamed petals, we’re here to provide statement bridal accessories, glamorous wedding jewelry, and sparkly bridal headpieces that add the finishing touch to your wedding look.

how to glam up a simple wedding dress?

if you are asking yourself what is a glam look, don’t worry, wedding glamour can mean something different to every bride. we typically interpret it as meaning you want a sophisticated wedding look with elegant qualities.

unique wedding shoes

at this styled shoot ‘sorvete’ by willowby was glammed up by a pair of unique wedding shoes. these clear bridal heels had a translucent strap that drew your attention upwards and added subtle shine to the entire look.

sparkly bridal accessories

for brides questioning if they can add crystals to wedding dress, a more dramatic pop of sparkle may be needed. bridal jewelry such as rhinestone earrings, delicate drop necklaces, crystal hair vines, and even pearl headbands can help.

at this styled shoot, the model wore a range of sparkly bridal accessories. the beaded hair vine added texture to the soft bridal updo, while the earrings and necklace created a dazzling statement.

one of our favorite photos is of the model showing off her silver engagement ring and wedding band that matches her metallic wedding accessories seamlessly.

dress designer: willowby / bridal shop: a&bé raleigh / photographer: samantha everette photography / venue: the pit durham / planning: events by emily / videography: mark maya / florals: floral dimensions / rentals: curated events / speciality rentals: greenhouse picker sisters / calligraphy: kayla elaine calligraphy / cake: s. richardson cakes / makeup: makeup by hubby / hair: bri nicole / suit: men’s wearhouse