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

Are you considering wearing a shawl over your dress to keep your shoulders warm on your wedding day? Want to add a stylish touch to your bridal outfit? Wondering how to keep it in place?

I’m here to help you.

At Boho Via, our aim is to help you find the outfit of your dreams, especially for a special occasion.

That's why I've decided to share my fashion expertise with you today and provide my best tips on how to wear a stole for your wedding.

No matter what season your wedding takes place in, a stole is a very practical accessory that will keep you warm in chilly breezes and also looks great in photographs. It suits bohemian and romantic weddings beautifully and adds a touch of elegance to your outfit. You can simply drape it over your shoulders after folding it in half widthwise, knot it at the front, or even secure it with a brooch. By fastening it at the back, you'll have even more freedom of movement!

Want more details? Read this article to find out:

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

Bohemian Wedding Shawl

Why wear a shawl for your wedding or special occasion?

With the rise of the bohemian chic trend in the wedding scene, we've seen many brides in recent years opting for a shawl to complement their wedding dress. What is driving this fascination with such a simple and lightweight accessory?

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

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

🔸 It's generally more affordable than a wedding jacket: however, it can definitely serve this 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 will go beautifully with a long bohemian dress.

🔸 Lastly, it suits all body shapes! Whether you’re tall or have curves, don’t hesitate to opt for a thick shawl that’s proportionate to your figure. It will be perfect for accentuating your assets: your décolletage and shoulders!

bohemian wedding shawl

Which shawl should you choose?

There are several types of bridal stoles available: you can find them either in bridal shops or online. To help you find the perfect one for you, I’ll share my tips in the following lines.

Depending on the Style of Your Wedding Dress

The stole is a complementary accessory for your dress, designed to enhance its beauty: it should match perfectly with it. If your dress is simple, without too many details or lace, you might choose a embroidered or openwork stole, featuring lovely patterns, to complement it and add a bit of dimension to your outfit.

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

If your wedding dress is short, avoid choosing a shawl that hangs lower than it.

wedding dress shawl

What colour scarf should you choose to match your dress?

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

  • Choose a stole in the same colour for a bright, classic look that’s very elegant and perfect for this special occasion,
  • Select a colourful stole to create contrast and give a more bohemian and original touch to your outfit. In this case, try to pick a colour that suits you and contrasts well with your dress: avoid pastel shades and opt for tones like burgundy, ochre, etc. Try to match this shade with another accessory in the same colour: jewellery, flower crown

👗 If your dress is colourful, you might want to opt for a white or cream shawl to nod to the traditional colour of weddings while adding a bit of brightness to your outfit.

winter bride shawl

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 with this, I suggest exploring several techniques: try them out in advance to find the one that suits you best and make it your own for the big day!

Resting on Your Shoulders

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

Knot at the front

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

Here’s the technique in detail:

  • Start by placing it on your shoulders, following the instructions from the previous section.
  • Next, 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.
  • Then, slide the fabric over your shoulders and arms, so that it covers your back and forms a collar shape. You might want to ask for assistance with this step to ensure the fabric is properly positioned on your back.

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

how to keep a shawl on your shoulders

Using a Brooch

You can also use a pin that matches the colour of your dress to secure your shawl: in this case, fold the shawl in half, widthwise, then drape it around your shoulders. After that, fasten it with the pin by crossing the two ends of the shawl over your wedding dress.

In a Bolero

You'll want to bring your chest forward by tying your shoulder behind your back. This technique is very useful, as it stops your shawl from slipping and gives you a lot of style, especially if your hair is tied up in a bun.

Place the folded stole over your shoulders, draping it across your décolletage. Then, take each end and bring it under your arms and tie it at the back with a simple knot. You can ask for help to create a nice knot at the back.

wedding ceremony shawl

Twisted at the Back

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


👉 Don't hesitate to check out this comprehensive video especially for brides that offers tailored solutions for wearing 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 bridal outfit!

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

Looking for the ideal dress for a wedding? We've got you sorted with styles for every occasion. View Wedding Dress Inspiration