Definitely just buy the dress that makes you feel beautiful... you'll know when you find it... traditional or not!
Also... traditions? Uhm, what good do traditions do you? I think it's even weirder to wear white just because "you're suppose to" instead of doing what you actually want.
Its your day, do what ever you feel like.
When I got married I were wearing black pants, white tank top and a black jacket. Hehe... And I loved it. I actually was planning to buy a black dress, kind of goth like, but decided not too, pants just fine.
Lots of people do alternative weddings, go for it! Ive read about couples getting married on top of a flying plane, bungie jumping (not that unusual anymore) underwater you name it.
I read about a woman who got married earlier this year and decided to do a totally goth wedding, everyone dressed in black and her husband arrived in a coffin!
My first wedding, my gown was rum colored. My second wedding I wanted ivory lace and the dress converted from a dress with a train to a short dress that I could party in.
My friend of mine wore a black and white pattered gown that was stunning.