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We’ve reviewed dozens of wedding dresses from sustainable brands — these are our top picks for timeless and ethical dresses to wear on your big day. 

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.

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 eco-friendly wedding dresses for every style of celebration.

Our criteria:

  • ETHICAL PRACTICES | These wedding dresses are made by sustainable brands that adhere to ethical and responsible labor practices, ensuring their employees receive fair wages and have safe working environments. We’ve also included dress brands that give back to their communities and prioritize size inclusivity in their offerings.
  • ECO-FRIENDLY/SUSTAINABLE | Each of these dress collections is made by a brand that practices sustainability throughout their manufacturing process, including using all natural and organic materials, low-impact processes, and recycled/upcycled materials in their dresses where possible.
  • DESIGN | From chic and modern gowns to princess wedding dresses, we’ve compiled a roundup of wedding dress designs for every style and preference.

Looking into wedding bands and engagement rings, too? Check out our favorite ethical engagement rings.


1. Rent The Runway

Budget friendly
Eco friendly packaging
Gives back
Second hand
Subscriptions available

Best For | Wedding dress rentals
Based In | New York, NY
Price Range | $20 – $245; monthly subscriptions available

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.

Customer Review | “Rent the Runway has allowed me to try so many different trends and styles, and express myself through fashion without being bound by a price tag.” – Milan (Read all reviews.)


2. Etsy

B corp
Handcrafted
Made to order
Recycled materials
Small business

Best For | Secondhand & vintage wedding dresses
Based In | Worldwide
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.

Customer Review | “The dress is absolutely gorgeous, the condition is wonderful and measurements were spot on. The shipment came in quickly, and the seller was kind enough to reimburse part of the shipping cost as it came in under expected. I would highly recommend purchasing from SixpennyBride!” – Claire (Read all reviews.)


3. Christy Dawn

American made
Circular fashion
Handcrafted
Natural materials
Second hand

Best For | Boho-inspired wedding dresses
Based In | Los Angeles, CA
Price Range | $238 – $3,000

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. 

Customer Review | “What an absolutely stunning dress! I wore the Fitzgerald for my wedding reception in Washington and will be wearing again when we host our New Jersey reception in July, and I’m so happy I get to wear her twice because I felt like a whimsical princess all day in her! The silk is so soft to the touch and the lace details are as beautiful as pictured! The fit was almost perfect, but there was an odd amount of extra fabric by the chest area on the side without the zipper which was easily altered. Other than that, the dress fit like a glove!” – Katelyn C. (Read all reviews.)


4. Reformation

American made
Circular fashion
Climate neutral
Recycled materials
Woman owned

Best For | Elegant wedding dresses
Based In | Los Angeles, CA
Price Range | $298 – $898

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!


5. Whimsy + Row

American made
Circular fashion
Eco friendly packaging
Gives back
Natural materials
Recycled materials
Woman owned

Best For | Minimalistic wedding dresses
Based In | Los Angeles, CA
Price Range | $218 – $1,500

Lifestyle brand Whimsy + Row not only specializes in high-quality, sustainable everyday clothing – they also fare well in crafting the most perfect, minimalistic dresses! Made using eco-friendly materials like Tencel and Cupro, their selection will appeal to the bride looking to emulate sophistication and sexiness as they walk down the aisle. Whimsy + Row commits to producing their pieces within miles of their LA studio to ensure the ethical treatment of their workers, plus no scrap of fabric goes to waste! Leftover materials are used to make hats, bandanas, scrunchies and more through their partnership with Treet.co.

Customer Review | “I felt like an absolute goddess in this dress on my wedding day. The material is luxurious and heavy, and gives you this fabulous flowy effect when you walk. It held up great (minimal wrinkling) and let me be totally present instead of worrying about boning or straps all day. I wasn’t planning to get all sentimental about the dress after the wedding, but I loved it so much that I can’t help it, and at least had to give it the review it deserves. Thanks for making my day so wonderful!!” – Lela (Read all reviews.)


6. Wear Your Love

American made
Eco friendly packaging
Made to order
Natural materials
Woman owned

Best For | Free-spirited brides
Based In | Northern CA
Price Range | $2,120 – $3,460

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.

Customer Review | “Every moment spent in my dress was perfect. I danced, jumped, hugged, moved, picked up my nieces, played around, drank, ate… everything was so comfortable and I wasn’t distracted once with the dress. Every single guest commented on how beautiful and comfortable my dress looked. It was light and flowy and still very unique. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing.” – Sara (Read all reviews.)


7. Once Wed

Circular fashion
Second hand
Size inclusive

Best For | Preloved wedding dresses
Based In | Online
Price Range | $35 – $30,000

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?

Customer Review | “The seller I bought my dress from was so easy to communicate with. The process was efficient and comfortable for me. I hope every bride-to-be has the blessing of having a pleasant buying experience like I did.” – Jennifer K. (Read all reviews.)


8. Leila Hafzi

Gives back
Woman owned

Best For | Boutique wedding dresses
Based In | Kathmandu, Nepal & Stavanger, Norway
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.


9. Rita Colson

BIPOC Owned
Made in the UK
Made to order
Woman owned

Best For | Contemporary wedding dresses
Based In | West London, UK
Price Range | Varies, inquire for quotes

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.


10. Indiebride

Handcrafted
Made in the UK
Made to order

Best For | Modern Indie wedding dresses
Based In | South London, UK
Price Range | £2,200 – £2,725

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!)

Customer Review | “I knew I wanted a simple, elegant dress which would be comfortable for the whole wedding and I found it in five minutes. Miina was so helpful throughout the whole process and I don’t think it could have made the process of finding a dress easier. All the designs are stunning and the quality of my dress is excellent. The craftsmanship is gorgeous and I felt beautiful in the dress (I chose the Minna design).” – Elise (Read all reviews.)


11. Borrowing Magnolia

American made
Budget friendly
Second hand
Size inclusive

Best For | Preloved designer dresses
Based In | Chicago, IL
Price Range | $100 – $3,800+

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!


12. The Cotton Bride

American made
Handcrafted
Made to order
Natural materials
Plastic/Pfas free
Size inclusive
Vegan

Best For | Natural fabrics
Based In | Long Island City, NY
Price Range | $2,650 – $4,300

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!

Customer Review | “Brides that love natural fabrics will love this place” – Sarah S. (Read all reviews.)


13. Katherine Feiel

Fair trade
Handcrafted
Made in Canada
Made to order
Small business
Woman owned

Best For | Bespoke wedding dresses
Based In | Canada
Price Range | Varies, inquire for quotes

Katherine Feiel dresses 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.


14. Pure Magnolia

Handcrafted
Made in Canada
Made to order
Recycled materials

Best For | Timeless wedding dresses
Based In | North Vancouver, Canada
Price Range | $523 – $3,320 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!


15. Tara Lynn Bridal

American made
Handcrafted
Made to order
Natural materials
Woman owned

Best For | Custom, natural fiber wedding dresses
Based In | Vermont
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.

Customer Review | “OMG this was an incredible find. My dress is impeccable, I have never experienced a better service!” – Manu (Read all reviews.)


Featured image is from Reformation