10 Go-To Designers for Backless Wedding Dresses

Brides got back.

The backless wedding dress is a red hot bridal trend that's going nowhere, any time soon. (And that's a fact we couldn't be more chuffed about!)

With ornate embellishments and innovative silhouettes, backless wedding dresses are often among our favourites in every collection we pour over – and you're about to find out why…

Dress by Galia Lahav, Photo by Francesco De Tito via Bridal Musings

From the effortlessly cool and the elegantly bohemian, to the insanely sexy and the impossibly glamorous, a backless wedding dress can make a stylish statement to your wedding day look.

Without flashing cleavage, or revealing too much leg, rocking a backless gown is a classy way of showing some skin on your wedding day, in a way that can be as fun and pretty or flirty and seductive as you like.

Perhaps one of the most versatile, accessible, and chic trends around – we've put together a list of our favourite designers bringing the backless trend into their collections, along with our top tips for how to be a beautiful backless bride.

Dress by Katie May

Tips for Wearing a Backless Wedding Dress

Underwear

The first thing everyone thinks of, when they consider a backless wedding dress, is what kind of underwear will they wear? While sticky bras work for those with a small bust, for brides with larger chests or looking for support-wear for their stomach or waist, they may think a backless dress is a no go.

Talk to your bridal salon or dress designer about building in some added support to your dress (this can be done so much more subtly than you'd think) or look for dedicated backless underwear. Dress designer Sarah Janks has recently launched a new Smooth & Slim shapewear collection, especially for backless dresses.

Dresses by Galia Lahav

Photo Ready

If you're opting for a plain wedding dress, where all the style is at the back, you'll want to make sure you get a few photographs from behind.

Mention to your photographer ahead of your big day that your dress is all about the back so they can plan some poses accordingly.

Dress by Katie May, Photo by What A Day Photography via Bridal Musings

Hair

Upstyles do work best for really showing off a backless wedding dress. If you want to elongate your back, choose a high ballerina bun or updo to accentuate your neck.

Or, if your heart is set on a hair down style, why not go for bombshell waves worn to the side so it doesn't take away from the drama of a bare back.

Back Prep

If you're prone to break-outs or dry skin on your back, work on exfoliating the area a few months ahead of your big day. Make sure you let your make-up artist know you're wearing a backless dress, so she can bring along a product like Mac Face & Body to cover any last minute blemishes.

If you're getting a spray tan, ask your specialist to pay extra attention to your back area.

And finally, if you are considering a pre-wedding fitness routine, (and you absolutely shouldn't feel like you need one!) make the most of your workouts by focusing on the areas on show in your dress. For back and shoulders, check out these great pre-wedding exercises to add to your routine.

Dress by Tom Ford, Photo by Divine Day Photography via Bridal Musings

Accessories

We love the idea of accentuating your backless gown with accessories. There are lots of ways you can do it.

Think of wearing neck jewellery backwards (or getting a back chain necklace), adding an adornment to the back of your dress, or using flash tattoos or stick on gems and pearls to show off your beautiful back. Be creative and play around with your look.

How Low Can You Go

Choosing a backline on your wedding dress, is just as important as choosing a neckline, it will set off the shape of your dress, how it sits and how it flatters your shape. Not all backless wedding dresses are created equally.

If you've got an athletic shape, you can get away with a low dip and wider U in your gown, for those looking to slim their shape, a sharp V shape is more flattering, while petite figures should consider flat applique shoulders or spaghetti straps to avoid anything too voluminous.

As with any kind of wedding dress, try on lots of styles to see what suits, and bring along some trusted advisers to help you decide which dress gives the best back!

Dress by Sophie Sarfati, Photo by Yann Audic, Life Stories Wedding Photography via Bridal Musings

The 10 Best Backless Wedding Dress Designers

So you've decided a backless wedding dress is the one for you, and you've already started exfoliating your shoulder blades and working your backless photo poses in the mirror.

Now you need to find The Dress.

There are so many incredible designers creating the most gorgeous backless gowns, so it's pretty hard to narrow down our favourites.

But, whether you're looking for a daring silhouette, or a feminine frock, a plunging deep V or a barely-there back panel, these are some of our go-to designers for beautiful backless wedding dresses.

1. Katie May

Katie May is a designer who has made the backless look, her signature style.

Sexy gowns that are still truly romantic too, this LA designer should be your first stop on your quest to the backless dress of your dreams.

Prices, $1700, on average (£1121).

2. Inbal Dror

If opulence and drama are what you look for in a wedding dress, then Inbal Dror will take your breath away every single time.

A long-time favourite of ours, think dreamy textures and impossible luxury.

Prices from $9000-$12000 (£6000-8000).

3. Elise Hameau

Elise Hameau creates this most captivating gowns, that are at once ethereal, and utterly chic.

Soft textures, loose fits, big bows and lots of lace touches, a pretty, dainty, feminine way to work your backless look.

Prices, $3800, on average (£2500)

4. Galia Lahav

Seriously sexy and super ornate, Galia Lahav has to be one of the biggest names in backless wedding dresses.

Sumptuous details, and seductive silhouettes, these impossibly glamorous wedding dresses are what this trend was born for.

Prices from $7500-15,000 (£5000-10,000)

5. Grace Loves Lace

We have a serious soft spot for Grace Love Lace. There's just something about these effortlessly cool, captivating, bohemian wedding dresses that makes our heart skip a beat every single time.

For boho/rock chic/indie brides who want a dresses that's sexy without being too showy.

Price from $800-2600, mostly under $1700 (£526-£1700)

6. Sophie Sarfati

Chic, pretty and feminine wedding dresses that only a Parisian designer could create, we've been falling hard for Sophie Sarfati ever since we discovered her beautiful work.

Stunning dresses for someone who wants a fresh, not-so-obvious take on the backless trend.

Prices available on request.

7. Liz Martinez

We've only recently discovered young French-Israeli designer, Liz Martinez, and we can't believe we've been missing out on her jawdropping designs all this time.

Her collection varies wildly with each dress as unique as the last, but one solid streak runs throughout – every single one is achingly gorgeous.

Prices available on request.

8. Rosa Clara

Rosa Clara is a Spanish bridal fashion house that's coveted by brides all over the world.

One of the few designers creating classic wedding dresses in beautiful backless styles, if you want a voluminous, princess-worthy wedding dress, while still baring some back, Rosa Clara is a definite go-to.

Prices from $2200-$5200 (£1450-£3350)

9. Anna Campbell

Backless wedding dresses with intricate details and stylised embellishments, Anna Campbell creates gowns that brides with a penchant for vintage style will adore.

Stunning silk gowns and exquisite beading, find poised, elegant, unadulterated glamour these ornate, sparkling styles.

Prices from $1500-3000 (£1000-£2000).