OK, ladies, it’s time to ditch the idea that wedding dresses need to white and meringue, like seriously who sets these rules anyway. On February 10, 1840, Queen Victoria changed the wedding dress industry for centuries to come when she wore a white gown (instead of a red one, which was a tradition at the time) to her own nuptials. For a while after then, it seemed that white was the default option, even for less traditional brides. In the early 2010s, bridal designers did start to branch out a bit in terms of color (Vera Wang’s Spring 2012 show did not feature a single white dress) but even now, the silhouettes remain largely the same. The biggest trends from Spring 2018 Bridal Fashion Week are stunning,but feature the same cinched waists, lace fabric, and dramatic skirts we’ve been seeing on runways and wedding aisles for decades. While wanting a traditional style is quite understandable (after all, these trends have persisted because they look good) to truly stand out in your wedding photos, it seems shopping outside the bridal section can be a good idea, too.

If you’re in the market for an alternative outfit to wear to your wedding, ahead, you’ll find some inspiration that breaks a lot of the unspoken rules about wedding dresses. Some are bridal specific, some are not, but they’ll all look incredible in your photos. Many women are now opting for beautiful colored gowns so if you’re looking for something a little different on your big day, here’s all the inspiration you need.

With more and more women bucking tradition and going for colored wedding dresses, it looks like the classic white gown might be going out of fashion. What’s great about colored dresses is that it allows you to have more options for your big day and it means you can add your own personality to the wedding day. It also means you can wear the dress again, which is great considering it will cost you an arm and a leg.

Here are some of the best ideas to get you going.

Blush:

Blush, pale pink, is a great color to go for if you don’t want to stir too far from tradition. The color is tasteful, and is a great wedding look, even if you’re not a fan of pink. The softness of the colors gives a dreamy and romantic feel which is just right for weddings.

Red:

Red is the color of love after all, so it makes sense to choose this shade for your big day. It’s a bold color that’s sure to make you stand out from the crowd. The color works best for winter weddings, and if you’re not sure about wearing a full red dress, why not add touches of red on the dress.

Metallics and Sparkle:

The easiest way to stand out on your wedding day is to sparkle, and when we say sparkle, we’re not just talking about your ring, we’re talking sparkle from head-to-toe. Golds and sparkles are commonly worn by royalty but heck it’s your wedding day, we’re sure that gives you princess status.

Black:

Black dresses are the ultimate “up yours” to the white wedding dress tradition. And rather than being a goth statement, black dresses can be very glam and elegant and works perfectly for cocktail weddings.

Prints:

There’s something so stunning and fun about a bride wearing prints on her wedding day. It’s fun, it’s different and it shows the bride’s personality.

Two colors 

If you still like a lighter feel, go for a dress in a super pale shade or one with ombre details. If keeping that “bridal” vibe is important to you, then try sticking with a traditional silhouette — like this dramatic skirt moment — no matter what color you rock.