How to Wear a Shawl with a Dress for a Wedding?

Would you like to wear a shawl over your dress to cover your shoulders on your wedding day? Want to add a stylish touch to your bridal outfit? Are you wondering how to keep it in place?

I'm here to help you.

At Boho Via, we aim to help you find your dream outfit, especially for those special occasions.

That’s why I’ve decided to share my fashion expertise with you today and provide my best tips on wearing a shawl for your wedding.

Regardless of the season your wedding takes place in, a shawl is a very practical accessory that will keep you warm in case of chilly breezes, as well as allow for beautiful photographs. It pairs wonderfully with bohemian and romantic weddings, adding a touch of elegance to your outfit. You can drape it easily over your shoulders after folding it in half widthwise, simply tie it at the front, or fasten it with a brooch. By securing it at your back, you'll have even more freedom of movement!

Want to know more? Read this article to find out:

• If a shawl suits your wedding theme and dress,
• What material to choose based on the style of your dress,
• Which shawl colour will best complement your wedding gown,
• Several detailed techniques for keeping it in place on your shoulders,
• And plenty of inspiring wedding visuals to help you prepare for your Big Day!

Why wear a shawl for your wedding or special occasion?

With the rise of the bohemian chic trend in the wedding world, we've seen a growing number of brides opt for a wrap to complement their wedding dress in recent years. What’s behind this fascination with such a simple and lightweight accessory?

🔸 The wrap is very practical: easy to put on and take off, it’s light and protects you from both the sun and chilly breezes.

🔸 It's an elegant accessory that adds sophistication to your wedding outfit.

🔸 It's usually cheaper than a wedding jacket: however, it can definitely serve that purpose, especially if you're looking for a jacket to wear over a strapless dress.

🔸 Its free and natural vibe perfectly aligns with the boho-chic aesthetic. There are also plenty of woven or embroidered shawls that pair beautifully with a flowing bohemian dress.

🔸 Finally, it suits all body shapes! If you're tall or have curves, don't hesitate to choose a thick shawl that complements your figure. It's perfect for highlighting your assets: your neckline and shoulders!

Which scarf should you choose?

There are several types of bridal wraps available: you can find them in bridal shops or online. To help you find the one that suits you, I’d like to share some tips in the following lines.

Depending on the Style of Your Wedding Dress

The shawl is a complementary accessory for your dress, designed to enhance it: for this reason, it should match perfectly. If your dress is simple, without too many details or lace, you might choose a embroidered or sheer shawl with lovely patterns to complete your look and add a bit of dimension to your outfit.

On the contrary, if your dress already has a lot of embroidery, beads, sequins, or prominent lace details, I would recommend a simple, flowing shawl, which will add a touch of chic simplicity to your entire outfit.

If your wedding dress is short, be sure to avoid choosing a wrap that hangs longer than the dress itself.

What colour shawl should you choose to match your dress?

Is your wedding dress white or ivory? If so, you have two options:

• Opt for a shawl in the same shade for a bright, classic, yet very elegant look that’s perfect for this special occasion.
• Choose a colourful shawl to create contrast and add a more bohemian and unique flair to your outfit. In this case, try to select a colour that complements you and contrasts well with your dress: avoid pastel shades and go for hues like burgundy, ochre, etc. Try to echo this shade with another accessory in the same colour: jewellery, a flower crown…

👗 If your dress is colourful, you might like to choose a white or cream shawl to nod to traditional wedding colours, while adding a touch of brightness to your outfit.

How to Keep a Stole on Your Shoulders?

Once you've found your stole, it's important to know how to drape it over your shoulders on your wedding day. To help you with this, I suggest exploring several techniques: try them out in advance, find the one that suits you best, and adopt it for your big day!

Resting on Your Shoulders

This is the simplest and most classic option. It will enhance most silhouettes while remaining natural and light. To style it this way, fold your stole in half widthwise, then drape it over your shoulders allowing it to fall gently over your arms.

Tied at the Front

Tying a knot with your shawl creates a look that is a bit more polished: it highlights your neckline and adds volume in that area, which is ideal if you want to draw some attention to your bust. This option is perfectly suited to bring a touch of sophistication to a simple long dress.

Here’s the technique in detail:

• Start by draping it over your shoulders, following the instructions from the previous paragraph.
• Then, instead of letting the ends of your wrap hang down, tie them together with a simple knot at the front, in the centre of your chest.
• Next, slide the fabric over your shoulders and arms, so that it covers your back and forms a sort of collar. You might want to ask for help with this step to ensure the fabric is nicely arranged on your back.

👉 If you like, you can also create your knot on the side to add some flair to a simple dress.

With a Brooch

You can also use a brooch that matches the colour of your dress to secure your shawl: in this case, fold it in half, keeping it oriented horizontally, then drape the shawl over your shoulders. Next, fasten it with the brooch by crossing the two ends of the shawl over your wedding dress.

In a Bolero

The goal is to pull the front of your body by tying your shoulder behind your back. This technique is very handy, as it prevents your scarf from slipping and gives you a lot of style, especially if you have your hair up in a bun.

Place the folded scarf across your shoulders, resting it on your décolletage. Then, take each end and wrap it under your arms and tie it at the back with a simple knot. You can ask for assistance to create a neat knot at the back.

Twisted at the Back

If your shawl is sewn closed and doesn’t have any ends, you can drape it around your shoulders by twisting it once at your back. This style works exceptionally well for lightweight wool shawls.

👉 Feel free to check out this complete bride's video that offers tailored solutions for pairing a shawl with a wedding dress:

I hope this guide on shawls has answered your questions and convinced you to add this lovely accessory to your wedding outfit!

Are you still on the hunt for your dream dress? Check out our collection of modern and bohemian wedding dresses right here on our online store dedicated to this style! We offer a wide range of original and trendy wedding dress designs, so you can find an unforgettable dress that suits your taste and body shape!

Bohemian wedding dress