Ethical & Eco-Friendly Wedding Dresses You’ll Love Saying Yes To
The wedding industry can make planning your big celebration a high-pressure, costly experience. This is why we encourage values-based wedding planning to not only ease your soon-to-be-married mind, but to make a positive impact on the world and other people.
Planning with sustainability in mind will help you set off on the right foot as you enter this exciting chapter of life.Plus, choosing a made-to-order design with high-quality natural fabrics will only result in a dress you wholeheartedly adore.
When you’re in the market for a sustainable wedding dress, turning to unconventional avenues like secondhand shopping and rental services can often produce your dream look! If you’re more into a casual or simple wedding dress, (or you want to give your guests or bridal party some sustainable recs), try this list of ethical formal dresses.
Whether you’re looking for an alternative wedding dress or a super formal gown, we’ve rounded up some options to find your perfect ethical wedding dress. Say “I do” to these 15 brands with eco-friendly wedding dresses for every style of celebration.
Looking into wedding bands and engagement rings, too? Check out our favorite ethical engagement rings! And even though weddings tend to center all things bride, we didn’t forget about the dudes: browse these sustainable men’s rings, too.
1.Reformation
Based In | Los Angeles, CA
Eco-Friendly | Sustainable production, rescued deadstock, eco-friendly, & vintage fabrics
Availability | Designed for women 5’6”–5’10”, petite, extended, & C-DD cup collections available
Price Range | $78–$698
Reformation has long prioritized eco-friendly & pro-social practices to create stunning, effortless dress silhouettes for all sorts of women.The brand celebrates femininity with dress designs that accentuate one’s natural curves for the most elegant and flattering looks. The team never settles for less than “the perfect fit,” so that you’ll always feel confident and flawless in your dress. We also respect Reformation’s commitment to responsible production practices and green building infrastructure which minimizes waste.Transparently see your sustainability impact for whichever dress you choose!
Shop Reformation Dresses
2. Etsy
Based In | Worldwide
Eco-Friendly | Upcycled, handmade, vintage, carbon-offset shipping
Availability | Varies, made-to-order
Price Range| Varies
Etsy is the perfect website to shop for upcycled, vintage, and handmade wedding dresses, as well as accessories and bridesmaids’ attire. With a variety of styles, sizes, and prices, the online global marketplace is for everyone, whether you’re searching for a custom garment made in Europe or a timeless designer gown from the twentieth century. Some of our sustainable favorites on this certified B Corp platform include vintage dresses from SixpennyBride and affordable organic garments from the UK-based SisterOrganics.
Shop Etsy Dresses
3. Wear Your Love
Based In | Northern CA
Eco-Friendly | Organic cotton & bamboo fabrics, low waste
Availability | Made-to-order
Price Range | $1,020–$1,880
Wear Your Love’s vision is “for every bride to embody effortless beauty and femininity, in a classic and understated way.” This online storefront allows brides the ease of a no-pressure shopping experience without bridal shop markups. Wear Your Love promises to never compromise individual style or comfort in its designs and is dedicated to convenience, uniqueness, quality, and ecological consciousness. The brand will never sell a dress unless you’re completely in love with it—and it’ll fit right every time, thanks to Wear Your Love’s detailed measuring guide.
Shop Wear Your Love Dresses
4. Christy Dawn
Based In | Los Angeles, CA
Eco-Friendly | Handmade from deadstock & organic fabrics
Availability | Sizes XS–XXL, petite & extended sizing available
Price Range | $218–$458
Christy Dawn designs are inspired by the consistent landscape and lifestyle of California (and Mother Earth!). The designer says, “There is something beyond the fabric I hold on to. Something honest about vintage. Something classic. Something timeless, that reminds me of home.” Every piece is handmade by artisans using either organic cotton or deadstock fabric to minimize their environmental footprint. They only ever sew a limited number of pieces, and the designs reflects a feminine, flowy, boho vibe.
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5. Once Wed
Based In | Online
Eco-Friendly | Secondhand dresses
Availability | Sizes up to 36W, varies
Price Range | $400–$2,700
Once Wed is a wonderful online listing service for secondhand wedding dresses. The company says, “We delight in simplicity with a twist of modern innovation, infusing beautiful design with meaning and emotion.” While browsing for a wedding dress, you’ll be able to narrow your search via a dozen filters, including condition, style, and height. This helpful platform allows brides to find clean, like-new dresses that go beyond trend and tradition. There are also many resources linked for newly engaged brides to use as inspiration and tools for planning their dream wedding! What’s not to love?
Shop Once Wed Dresses
6. Rent The Runway
Based In| New York, NY
Eco-Friendly| Rental, eco-friendly garment wrapping, faux fur, toxin-free dry cleaning & cleaning bags
Availability| All sizes, availability varies, membership options available
Price Range| $30–$275
Rent The Runway is changing the way brides say “yes” to the dress, one rental at a time. Named “the Netflix model of haute couture” by The New York Times, RTR is the perfect place to shop for your sustainable wedding gown, as well as eco-conscious bridesmaids’ dresses, family wedding attire, and accessories. With dedicated customer service, a commitment to sending you the perfect fit (rentals include an extra size), and a no-stress return, cleaning, and insurance policy, Rent the Runway is a wonderful option when shopping for your wedding gown. We also love that, at the end of each season, the company donates well-loved dresses to organizations like Operation Prom.
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7. Leila Hafzi
Based In| Kathmandu, Nepal & Stavanger, Norway
Eco-Friendly| Sustainable production
Availability| Sold at retailers in Europe
Price Range| Varies,inquire for quotes
Leila Hafzi, a luxurious line of wedding gowns founded in 1997, has received praise as the first high-end ethical and sustainable fashion brand to also empower women and artisans living in recovering nations. With romantic dresses best described as bohemian elegance, Leila Hafzi’s designs are often seen on the red carpet or the big screen, and the designer has won numerous awards. She is especially celebrated for her commitment to eco-conscious fashion and female empowerment.
Shop Leila Hafzi Dresses
8. Rita Colson
Based In | West London, UK
Eco-Friendly | Vintage lace & silk, sustainably & ethically sourced materials
Availability | At select boutiques, bespoke made-to-order dresses available
Price Range | £1,500–£3,000+
A Ghanaian-British designer, Rita Colson launched her bridal-wear brand in West London in the late 2010s. Ever since, she’s been a go-to for wedding dresses that are simultaneously stylish, modern, and oh-so-dreamy. Colson uses only responsibly sourced fabrics for all garments, even including 3D-printed flowers, wedding dresses from the 1980s, and deadstock fabrics from major fashion houses. Available at select boutiques, the brand also accepts clients for bespoke services for your dream dress. We absolutely adore her innovative takes on tulle and even a three-piece suit.
Shop Rita Colson
9. Indiebride
Based In | South London, UK
Eco-Friendly | Eco-friendly silk & lace, deadstock fabrics, zero-waste cutting techniques
Availability | Made-to-order
Price Range | £650–£1,800
Indiebride dresses are simply exquisite. The London-based team creates handmade heirloom quality gowns with individuality as a priority. At Indiebride, bridal trends take a backseat so that each dress can reflect the unique personal stamp of its bride, with timeless elegance and classic silhouettes. The brand promises to help every bride find her dream dress, without the stress of an excessively high price tag. (And along the way, you’ll know exactly who made your dress and where the fabric came from!)
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10. Borrowing Magnolia
Based In | Chicago, IL
Eco-Friendly | Secondhand dresses
Availability | Varies, sizes from 0–18+
Price Range| $100–$5,000+
Borrowing Magnolia is a dream for brides who know what they want but don’t want to pay retail price! Here you’ll find every kind of popular designer including Mori Lee, Vera Wang, and Sottero & Midgley at up to 80 percent off the original price. With thousands of dresses available, you can narrow down your search by using filters like fabric, train, size, sleeve, silhouette and more. We love the idea of seeing our dream dress at a fraction of the cost, while also knowing it’s the most sustainable option!
Shop Borrowing Magnolia Dresses
11. The Cotton Bride
Based In | Long Island City, NY
Eco-Friendly | 100 percent natural fabrics
Availability | Made-to-order
Price Range | $2,160–$2,775
The Cotton Bride showcases wedding dresses that are both whimsical and classic. Made from luxurious, all-natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk, these dresses are designed with comfort and beauty in mind for your big day (aka ones you’ll love dancing in!). We love the airy designs and the versatility of The Cotton Bride’s Vintage Chic Destinations Collection. Their dresses go up to a size 30 and can also be made to order, so you’ll get your perfect dress in the perfect fit!
Shop The Cotton Bride Dresses
12. Leanne Marshall
Based In | New York, NY
Eco-Friendly | Handmade in or local to NYC, sustainable practices & materials, responsibly recycled recycled scraps
Availability | Made-to-order, ready-to-wear up to size 20
Price Range | $120–$2,690
Leanne Marshall‘s wedding dress designs have a “unique ethereal” appeal with light, flowing lines, timelessness, and stunning feminine detailing. Her pieces showcase bridal beauty without ever overshadowing the bride, including billowing skirts and ombre dyes. The designer was a beloved contestant on Season 5 of “Project Runway,” and her designs have been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, US Weekly, TV Guide, The New York Times, People, Elle, LIFE, National Geographic, Lucky—just to name a few.
Shop Leanne Marshall Dresses
13. Katherine Feiel
Based In | Canada
Eco-Friendly | Made from vintage, fair trade & deadstock fabrics
Availability | Made-to-order, choose from her designs or commission your own
Price Range | Varies, inquire for quotes
Katherine Feieldresses are each sewn by hand as a true labor of love. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, designed and created to reflect the bride’s unique identity with a blend of new and vintage fabrics. Feiel advocates the slow fashion movement, taking an ethical approach to her business model. She believes a healthy mind and body are what reflect true beauty, and makes each of her dresses to perfectly fit the bride just as she is.
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14. Pure Magnolia
Based In | North Vancouver, Canada
Eco-Friendly | Sustainable fabrics, locally made, responsibly recycled scraps
Availability | Made-to-order
Price Range | $450–$3,300 CAD
Pure Magnolia dresses defy bridal “rules” by playfully incorporating European laces, Indian silks, colorful patterns, organic cotton, and vintage and recycled fabrics into classic designs. Each dress is tailor-made to fit the bride’s style, body, and wedding. Pure Magnolia is especially committed to make something that perfectly fits the bride’s vision and priorities with a stunning eco-friendly dress. If you don’t live in the Vancouver area, they’re happy to work with you remotely to get you the dress you’ve been dreaming about!
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15. Tara Lynn Bridal
Based In | Vermont
Eco-Friendly | Natural, organic, & repurposed fibers
Availability | Made-to-order, ready-to-wear
Price Range | Varies, starts at $1,000+ & custom dresses start at $6,000+
Tara Lynn is known for her highly unique, one-of-a-kind wedding gowns and suits which utilize colorful vintage fabrics, lace, beads, buttons, and trim. Many dress styles are bespoke, sewn specifically for the bride in mind, and the designer works with the bride to make personal modifications and unique embellishments. Tara Lynn’s inspiration comes from a love of nature and her research in flora and fauna. Brides from all over travel to her solar-powered studio for eco-couture, custom dresses.
Shop Tara Lynn Dresses
Featured image is from Wear Your Love
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