The white dress is a staple of bridal attire for post- and pre-wedding parties, such as engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners, and welcome receptions. If you're on this search, this shopping guide is meant to help you find the best white dresses for a bride to wear to wedding events.
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Image credits and shopping sources: 1. Porcelain Princess Dress from Fortunate One 2. Indira White Dress with Asymmetric Floral Hemline from Club L London 3. Lupin Pleated Tiered Dress from Astr the Label 4. Alvana White Plisse Mock Neck Ruffled Mini Dress from Lulus
The white dress is also a great look for a reception dress, an after-party dress, a wedding brunch the day after your wedding, and to wear for your honeymoon.
With all those events, it's no wonder the modern bride is often on the search for the perfect little white dress or a whole white wardrobe to wear for the events leading up to and after your wedding day.
Pretty White Dresses for Wedding Events
To help you find the best little white dresses for weddings and brides to wear to rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, bridal showers, and other wedding events, we've created this shoppable guide. Here are some of our favorite white dresses, in a range of styles, ready for any pre- or post-wedding celebration in your honor.
If these aren't quite for you, we've created a collection with some different dress ideas on our ShopMy page.
Etiquette Tips for White Dresses for Bridal Showers, Wedding Rehearsals, and More
Just remember, white dresses are still off-limits for wedding guests, as well as guests of any other wedding events leading up to the special day.
After all, there's something so dazzling about a white dress that it tends to make one the center of attention, so bridal event guests should always try to choose another color other than white when attending any wedding-related event.
Are White Dresses The Only Option for Brides?
We clearly love little white dresses, and think each bride-to-be should consider having at least one, but they are far from the only option!
Some feel that the bride should wear white to all pre-wedding events, including engagement parties, bridal brunches, rehearsal dinners, bachelorette parties, and showers.
If that is your personal style or dream to wear a cute little white dress to each of these-- by all means, go for it. After all, it really is the one time in your life you are given carte blanche to wear white.
That said, our thoughts are that if your guests see you in nothing but long white dresses at every single event in your honor, the big white (or ivory) dress at the wedding may lose a little of its wow factor!
So we suggest mixing up the hemlines by wearing a mini dress or a midi for different events, and playing with textures like fringe, lace, or sequins that differ from your wedding dress. It's your chance to have a little fun with trends, or to wear some kind of detail like sleeves or embellishments that you didn't end up picking for your wedding dress. Jumpsuits and separates are another idea! Even if you stick with mainly white, we think it's a great idea to consider adding a bit of color, a floral pattern, or texture to a few pieces of your wedding wardrobe.
If you don't even like wearing white, then you're under no obligation to do so! We understand! White outfits can be high-maintenance since they stain easily, usually need a little thought put into undergarments, and, from a practical standpoint, it's sometimes hard to find an event other than your honeymoon to wear those white dresses again.
If you really want something different, we love the idea of wearing your signature wedding colors for your pre-wedding outfits. A dress with something blue, a pattern, or a motif that is meaningful to you and your relationship is another great idea.
It's your wedding, so feel free to wear the colors you love or feel best in. There are plenty of gorgeous, colorful dresses out there! Check out our dress-by-color dress ideas for more options!
Where Else to Wear a White Dress
A little white dress is simply a great staple for any closet and a great summer dress for anyone. Short white cotton dresses in a variety of styles and silhouettes can be a great thing to throw on for summer events that aren't wedding-related.
White dresses are also the perfect match for special-occasion looks in summer, including graduations, sorority events, and summer parties.
Even if you are having a winter wedding, a white sweater dress, long-sleeved or made of a warm fabric, is a great idea.
These short white wedding dresses can also make great short wedding dresses or looks for informal or intimate weddings, beach wedding ceremonies, city hall weddings, and second wedding dresses. You might also consider having your bridesmaids all wear white and pick up one of these pretty white dresses.
More Dresses for Rehearsal Dinners and Engagement Parties
While any of the dresses above will do, we have also picked out even more white dresses specifically for all your wedding events. If you're looking for affordable options, here are white dresses for wedding events under $100. If you need something to wear to your eengagement party, check out these dresses.
Check out these shopping guides as well:
Previously Featured Dresses
Here are some of the dresses we featured in past seasons of this post. Some may have gone out of stock, but a few are still available.
Image credits and shopping sources: 1. Bow Front Mini Petal + Pup 2. Glamorous Promise Organza Dress from Lulus 3. White Embellished Mini Marcella by Sachin + Babi 4. Lady Black Tie
Remember to follow us on LTK, ShopMy, and Instagram for the latest ideas!
We're here to help you find a dress for every part of the wedding, from helping you find the perfect wedding dress to keeping you up to date on new collections from top wedding dress designers, as well as bridal accessories.
Originally published April 2016, updated July 10, 2024, and again on June 8, 2026
