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Nontraditional Wedding Dresses

KAREN WILLIS HOLMES has an array of alternative wedding dresses and non traditional wedding dresses to make sure that no matter what style or vibe you’re after for your day there’s something here that perfectly suits your vision.

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Simple (17)
Corset Wedding Dresses (13)
One Shoulder (1)
Short (4)
Trains (5)
Veils (1)
Split Skirt (5)
Structured (11)
Separates/Two Piece (9)
Jumpsuits/Pantsuits (3)
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Fit And Flare (17)
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Phoebe & Mila

$8490 AUD
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Lou-Lou Bralette

$2490 AUD
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Victoria Mini

$5890 AUD
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Evie & Neve Mini

$4490 AUD
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Ines & Avery

$6990 AUD
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Lindy Train

$1100 AUD
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Martha Pants

$1000 AUD
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Bow Jacket & Train

$2000 AUD
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Taryn & Camille

$4490 AUD
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Lou-Lou & Elizabeth

$4490 AUD
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Lou-Lou & Sabrina

$6790 AUD
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Frieda

$3390 AUD
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Lillian

$3390 AUD
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Shelby

$2990 AUD
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Charlotte

$3990 AUD
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Jacqueline & Elizabeth Mini

$1990 AUD
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Jacqueline & Elizabeth

$4490 AUD
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Taryn & Camille Mini

$1990 AUD
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Erin Wrap & Gloves

$190 AUD$380 AUD
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Steph Pearl Hair Bow

$150 AUD
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Athena

$3290 AUD
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Tiffany

$4990 AUD
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Enya

$3490 AUD
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Isadora

$2490 AUD
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Unreal Fur Champagne Wrap in Ivory

$289 AUD
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Charlie Jacket

$1590 AUD
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Danielle Pant

$900 AUD
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Isabelle

$3490 AUD
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Perry

$3790 AUD
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Fontanne

$3690 AUD
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Margareta

$3890 AUD
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Olive

$3790 AUD
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Lea Skirt

$2790 AUD$2990 AUD
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Nikki

$3490 AUD
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Brooklyn & Jayde

$5490 AUD
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Blake Bodice

$2190 AUD

Nontraditional Wedding Dresses


The brides who choose to wear our gowns inspire us every day. Most of them are looking for an alternative wedding dress that reflects their true selves and they find that they’re searching for something timeless and beautiful but just a little (or a lot!) different from what everyone else is wearing.

Our brides want to feel uniquely themselves and display their personality on their wedding day, simply put: they want their wedding dress to feel like them. KAREN WILLIS HOLMES has an array of alternative wedding dresses and non-traditional wedding dresses to make sure that no matter what style or vibe you’re after for your day there’s something here that perfectly suits your vision.

If a gown doesn’t feel like the right move for you, check out our separates, mini dresses, jumpsuits and pantsuits. If you still want that classic feeling a gown gives you but you’re just looking for something different, our hand made, non-traditional Australian wedding dresses range from unique lace patterns to intricate, never-before-seen beaded designs and classic, simple fabrics but with silhouettes and shapes that give off a modern edge.

Don’t be afraid to be yourself on your day, straying away from a traditional look just means you’ll look back in years to come and remember how utterly true to yourself you stayed on your wedding and how you rocked that alternative wedding gown.

Experience the true essence of KAREN WILLIS HOLMES and what makes our modern and timeless wedding dresses so special by booking an appointment with one of our talented bridal stylists. We are here to help you find your dream wedding dress or bridal outfit and style you with the perfect accessories like veils and trains. Our bridal boutiques are located in main cities around Australia – in SydneyMelbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Are you ready to start your unforgettable wedding dress journey with KAREN WILLIS HOLMES?

Shop our gowns depending on your wedding look in styles like Destination/Beach, Boho, Casual, City Hall/ElopementRomantic, Sexy, Traditional, Vintage, Winter, Reception and Simple & Minimalistic.

FAQ’s

About the Brand

Australian wedding dress designer KAREN WILLIS HOLMES has been at the forefront of bridal fashion since being established in 2000, providing beautifully designed and handcrafted wedding gowns for the elegant, modern and timeless bride. Our team is based in Australia and every one of our staff is dedicated to our company’s mission and the brides we have the pleasure of working with. Our goal is to always create a one-of-a-kind, personal and genuine experience for brides when finding their perfect wedding dress.

Read more about KWH here.

How do I Try on a KWH Dress?

You can visit one of our KAREN WILLIS HOLMES boutiques or a stockist who carries KWH gowns.

We have four boutiques across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The details of each boutique are located below:

Sydney BOOK HERE
Sydney Flagship Emporium
9 Doody St Alexandria, NSW
Ph (02) 8338 1078
sydney@karenwillisholmes.com
Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday: 10 am to 5:30 pm (with 7 pm late-night by appointment)
Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Melbourne BOOK HERE
1010 High Street, Armadale, VIC
Ph (03) 9509 0454
melbourne@karenwillisholmes.com
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday: 10 am to 5:30 pm (with 7 pm late-night by appointment)
Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Brisbane BOOK HERE
32 Latrobe Tce, Paddington, QLD
Ph (07) 3368 2216
brisbane@karenwillisholmes.com
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday: 10 am to 5:30 pm (with 7 pm late-night by appointment)
Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Perth BOOK HERE
309 Newcastle St, Northbridge, WA
Ph (08) 9381 5551
perth@karenwillisholmes.com
Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm (with 7 pm late-night by appointment)
Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
Sunday: Closed

We are also stocked across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore.  For a detailed list of stockists, visit Stockist Locations.

What’s the Price Range?

The cost of a KAREN WILLIS HOLMES wedding dress ranges from AUD $2,190 to AUD $13,000. For the average cost of each collection, see below. 

The ELOPE collection ranges in price from $590 to $5,290.

The LUXE collection ranges in price from $2,500 to $3,790.

The WILD HEARTS collection ranges in price from $2,190 to $2,990.

The BESPOKE collection ranges in price from $2,500 to $13,000.

What Size Samples do you Have & What is the Size Range of your Collections?

For the ELOPE collection the size range is AUS/ UK 4 – 20 | US 0 – 16 and we have size AUS/UK 10 | US 6 samples in store for you to try on.

For the LUXE collection the size range is AUS/ UK 4 – 16 | US 0 – 12 and these gowns are sold on a first come first serve basis.

For the WILD HEARTS collection the size range is AUS/ UK 4 – 20 | US 0 – 16 and we have size AUS/UK 10 | US 6 samples in store for you to try on.

For the BESPOKE collection the size range is AUS/ UK 4 – 20 | US 0 – 16 and we have size AUS/UK 10 | US 6 samples in store for you to try on.

I Don't Live Near a KWH Boutique or Stockist, How can I Purchase a KWH Gown or Obtain Expert Advice?

If you don’t live near a KWH boutique, contact our customer service team directly and we will have a solution for you to secure your dream gown. Our team can also offer you styling advice via phone or email. Feel free to contact them on +61 2 9519 3901 or info@karenwillisholmes.com.

What if I Have a Short Timeline?

We do carry stock of some gowns in-house, or we can sometimes make an ELOPE or BESPOKE gown in much shorter timeframes if we have all the fabric and time in our production calendar to fit your order in. As well, our LUXE line is a ready-to-wear line which means we can work with a shorter time frame as long as your desired gown is in stock. While we can work with shorter time frames, we always recommend a longer timeline, as having a shorter one will limit what is available to you.

If you have a short time frame, please contact us on info@karenwillisholmes.com or + 61 2 9519 3901 to discuss your options.

Will I Need Alterations?

Alterations are expected and essential for the finishing touches to any gown and will make the gown truly yours. When purchasing a gown, we take your body measurements to help determine the closest standard size to your body based on our size chart. However, alterations are needed to fine-tune for fit and to your personal preference. Whether that means taking in a gown to make it smaller for your hips, bust, or waist (or maybe everywhere), adding cups, shortening straps, hemming the length, and adding in the bustle for your train, alterations are a standard part of the whole process.

How do I Style a Nontraditional Wedding Dress?

Our nontraditional gowns look stunning when paired with a veil or detachable trains. Adding a veil to your gown will help amp up your style to feel truly bridal for your ceremony. Styling your gown with a train gives you countless options to add volume for part of your day or just make your look uniquely your own.

What is a Nontraditional Wedding Dress?

Our nontraditional gowns each have a distinct flare of modern whimsicality. Coming in all different shapes, fabrics and silhouettes, our nontraditional dresses are perfect for brides looking to showcase their unique personality and be fashion forward and contemporary on their big day. 

Where can I try on KWH Nontraditional Dresses in Person?

Have you fallen in love with one of our handmade wedding dresses? We have boutiques across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth where you can work with our dedicated bridal stylists and try on your KWH favourites. You can also visit one of our many stockists across the globe if our boutiques are not in your area.

What is the Lead Time for a Nontraditional Dress?

Gowns from the ELOPE & BESPOKE collections are made in Australia and are made to order to a standard size- whatever size you measure closest to at the time of your appointment. We recommend a booking lead time of 4 – 6 months, however, because we make these gowns in our own workroom we can sometimes work with shorter time frames.

Gowns from the LUXE collection are sold from stock or available for pre-order. Due to the nature of this collection the gowns are sold on a first come first serve basis.

Gowns from the WILD HEARTS collection are made in Australia and our recommended lead time is 4 months from your wedding date, plus time for alterations.

What do I Wear Under a Nontraditional Dress?

On the hunt for the perfect shape wear for your gown? Have a look at our stylist’s expert advice here. 

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