If you want to make a grand entrance at your modern Chinese-American wedding, tea ceremony, or banquet, look no further than this blog for your wedding dress inspiration. Wearing a cheongsam at your wedding is a great way to celebrate your or your fiance’s Chinese heritage. Traditionally, brides wore red cheongsam or qipao dresses at their wedding for that good luck charm, but nowadays, modern cheongsam or qipao dresses have expanded to a range of colors and styles so you can truly find something to call your own.

Fiery Red Cheongsam Styles

Although red is the traditional choice for a Chinese wedding dress, there are still many ways to customize the style of your cheongsam to modernize it. We love more modern materials such as lace that create a softer, more romantic look or unconventional patterns on brocade fabric. Or go for a more modern silhouette like a short A-line or mermaid cheongsam dress instead of the traditional sheath. And for a grand entrance, you can’t forget about the stunning train. Red symbolizes good fortune, happiness, and celebration so you can’t go wrong with wearing a gorgeous red cheongsam or qipao dress at your wedding celebration. 

Source: Munkeat Photography

 

Source: East Meets Dress

  

Source: OfLeatherAndLace, Photography by E.D. 

 

Source: East Meets Dress

 

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Source: East Meets Dress

 

Source: East Meets Dress

 

Source: Quarter_A Photography

 

Source: East Meets Dress

 

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Source: East Meets Dress

 

Source: Tali Photography

 

Source: East Meets Dress

 

Source: East Meets Dress

 

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Source: East Meets Dress

Elegant Wine Red Cheongsam Dresses

These qipao dresses still give a nod to Chinese cultural traditions, but go a shade darker for that modern cheongsam look. This color photographs beautifully and creates an elegant look for any evening affair. We love the modern cuts on these qipao dresses and only wish we could have several Chinese weddings to wear all of them to!  

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Source: Quarter_A Photography

 

Source: East Meets Dress

 

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Source: East Meets Dress

 

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Source: East Meets Dress

Romantic Pink Cheongsam Dresses

For brides who are looking for a lighter, more airy look for their wedding day, consider going with a romantic pink modern qipao dress. We love these ethereal cheongsam dresses that are perfect for the blushing bride. 

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White Cheongsam Dresses

What’s more modern than a white cheongsam wedding dress? We love the blending of traditions, and these days, many brides are choosing to combine their two cultures into one dress. The mandarin collar is an iconic element of a qipao dress and you can consider adding it to a more Western-style wedding dress to complete your look. Jade is another popular Chinese element that can be added to your modern Chinese wedding dress for a minimalist look. 

Source: Studio June

 

Source: East Meets Dress

 

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Source: East Meets Dress

 

Source: Studio June

 

Source: OfLeatherAndLace

 

Source: East Meets Dress

 

Source: Pixioo Photography

 

Light Gold Dresses

For that regal look, look no further than these inspirational gold qipao dresses. Gold symbolizes wealth and nobility so it is a popular color at Chinese weddings and is often paired with red. We love these modern gold cheongsam dresses for inspiration if you want to make a grand entrance like the queen you are. 

 

Source: Axioo Photography

 

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Source: Leonardi Photography

 

 

Source: East Meets Dress

 

Source: Darren and Jade Photography

 

Source: Martin Aesthetics

We hope you found these qipao dress styles inspirational for your own wedding dress. Whether you go with a traditional qipao style or a modern style, we know you’ll rock your Chinese wedding dress.

 

More to Love

- Need help deciding on a style?  Take our Style Quiz to discover your dream cheongsam.

- For Chinese wedding decoration ideas, you can check out our post on 30 of the Best Ideas for a Modern Asian Wedding.

- Learn about the 5 traditional elements of a qipao.