Designer Christina Kara shows off her modern twists on the traditional gown, offering twenty customizable silhouettes for brides (from $800).
This not-for-profit bridal boutique offers well-kept pre-worn gowns in addition to new dresses donated by Vera Wang, Ulla-Maija, and Elizabeth Fillmore (from $500). By appointment only.
This bustling grand-scale salon offers unhurried personal service, impeccable on-site tailoring, and gowns by a variety of designers, including Romona Keveža and Ines Di Santo (from $3,500). It also carries shoes, accessories, and eveningwear.
Herrera’s bridal salon draws women looking for high-fashion elegance. Her spring 2012 collection features sweetheart bodices, Chantilly lace detail, and an abundance of strapless stunners (from $5,000).
Komm, a Parsons-trained designer and Vera Wang alum, handcrafts each of her couture gowns, from preliminary sketches through final construction. Her dresses have been featured in
. Prices upon request.
This designer’s well-edited showroom is perfect for brides seeking flattering, fastidiously made looks. The princessy A-line Francie dress starts at $1,800.
Founded by three sisters from the south of France, Cymbeline offers an assortment of Parisian-chic gowns made from luxurious Alençon and Chantilly laces (from $2,000). Elegant veils and mantillas (from $150 for short, $450 for long) are crafted from the same fine materials, so brides can purchase one to match on the spot. By appointment only.
The ultimate destination for affordable dresses offers the exclusive spring 2012 White by Vera Wang diffusion line (from $528). There’s also a house collection, plus gowns by Galina and Oleg Cassini. Savvy shoppers should check for oft-featured “99-Dollar Days.” (
This full-service atelier stocks looks by coveted indie bridal designers like Jenny Packham and Jessica Zamir. It also has more conservative dresses for Jewish and Greek Orthodox ceremonies. Custom gowns from $2,500. By appointment only.
With a mid-century-modern sensibility, this made-to-measure line is perfect for fashion-forward brides. Highlights include the Fiona ($1,815), a strapless number with three tiers of ribbon-edged silk organza, and the Dawn ($1,705), a silk-linen column dress with a drawstring neck. By appointment only.
Fancy Wedding Center
1888 Stillwell Ave., nr. Avenue S, Bensonhurst; 718-234-3442;fancyweddingcenter.com
This rental mecca stocks hundreds of gowns by Morilee and Mary’s Bridal. From $199 for three days. By appointment only. (good value)
400 W. 14th St., nr. Ninth Ave., Ste. 2A; 212-206-1915; gabriellanewyork.com
Gabriella Risatti carries exclusive styles from fifteen designers, including Elizabeth Fillmore, Jenny Packham, and Marchesa ($2,000–$12,000).
42 E. 76th St., nr. Madison Ave.; 20 W. 20th St., nr. Fifth Ave., Ste. 600; 212-452-5335; bridalgowns.net
This boutique specializes in elegant custom-made gowns (from $4,000). The Simply Jane line at the downtown location lets brides choose from a series of basic dresses (from $1,000) that can be embellished with couture details.
89 Fifth Ave., nr. 17th St., fourth fl.; 212-727-8700
Dule and her team of designers have 30 years of experience crafting everything from gowns and mother-of-the-bride outfits to intricate veils and accessories. Custom gowns with imported silk lining and hand-embroidered detailing start at $3,000. By appointment only.
224 Fifth Ave., nr. 26th St., second fl.; 212-206-9302; junkoyoshioka.com
All of Yoshioka’s gowns are made in this Flatiron atelier. The spring 2012 collection (from $3,000) features the Azalea, a strapless silk A-line with a tulle skirt, and the Mimosa, a strapless piqué gown with an asymmetrical tulle overlay and fiddlehead-fern beading. By appointment only.
60 Bedford St., nr. Morton St.; 212-242-4128; jussaralee.com
Brides-to-be flock to Lee for her unparalleled fitting abilities. Her understated designs, like plain-silk halter gowns and sophisticated organza strapless dresses (from $3,500), run the gamut. She can also custom-design white tuxedos for both men and women. By appointment only.
108 W. 39th St., nr. Sixth Ave., Ste. 1306; 212-464-7675; kathrynconover.net
This former eveningwear designer and her team of seamsters and beaders will create anything you can dream up (from $1,500). By appointment only.
110 W. 20th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 646-633-4300; kleinfeldbridal.com
This famously plush full-service salon has more designer bridal gowns than any other store in the world. Standouts include such big names as Pnina Tornai, Anne Barge, Rosa Clara, and Angel Rivera. By appointment only.
1822 Ave. U, at E. 19th St., Sheepshead Bay; 718-332-4385; lotusbridal.com
This one-stop shop for brides has elegant designer gowns (from $800) and bridesmaid dresses (from $160), plus beauty services (day-of hair and makeup for the bride is $400). Featured designers include Maggie Sottero and San Patrick. (good value)
313 W. 4th St., nr. 12th St.; 212-924-2050; lovelybride.com
The bridal gowns in this quaint townhouse range from simple silhouettes by up-and-comer Elizabeth Dye to red-carpet-ready designs by Badgley Mischka ($700–$6,000). Hair accessories range from $50 to $350. By appointment only. (good value)
110 E. 55th St., nr. Park Ave., eighth fl.; 212-319-6778; bridalatelier.com
This meticulously curated space offers brides-to-be the opportunity to test-drive some of the biggest names in bridal couture: Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Angel Sanchez, Oscar de la Renta, and more (from $5,000). By appointment only.
415 W. 14th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-255-9881; matthewwilliamson.com
Offering a handful of ready-to-wear gowns, this shop specializes in custom couture pieces with feminine silhouettes, hand-beading, and embroidery. Favorites include an asymmetrical silk-tulle gown embellished with feathers ($8,000) and a hand-beaded shift ($5,995). By appointment only.
396 Atlantic Ave., nr. Bond St., Boerum Hill; 718-643-1680; michellenewyork.com
Michelle Fields’s gown assortment is romantic and chic ($700–$5,000). She offers custom dresses for bridesmaids (from $250) and flower girls (from $175), as well as jewelry ($70 for crystal-encrusted bird earrings by Elizabeth Cole). By appointment only. (good value)
325 W. 38th St., nr. Eighth Ave., Ste. 407; 212-966-7777; mikainatome.com
Inatome has a reputation as a master of slender, custom-made mermaid gowns. Her airy loft is filled with about 300 chic, modern dresses ($1,700–$5,000), and everything is done by hand. By appointment only.
Modern Trousseau
552 Seventh Ave., at 40th St., Ste. 301; 212-278-8030; moderntrousseaunyc.com
This atelier uses fine Italian silks and French lace to craft each custom gown ($2,200–$6,200). One seamstress creates the dress from start to finish, and brides receive a custom label embroidered with her name or wedding date. The brand also offers embroidered belts and sashes, boleros, and veils.
Morgane Le Fay
980 Madison Ave., nr. 64th St.; 212-879-9700; 67 Wooster St., nr. Spring St.; 212-219-7672; morganelefay.com
Designer Liliana Casabal’s bridal collection ($900–$5,000, including alterations) features luxe fabrics like ivory silk, organza, taffeta, duchess satin, and chiffon. Her designs have been worn by Halle Berry and Björk. (good value)
77 Greene St., nr. Spring St.; 212-219-1825; nicolemiller.com
Miller’s understated gowns ($595–$3,000) appeal to the free-spirited bride and often feature impeccable draping, column-style cuts, and sexy open backs. By appointment only. (good value)
552 Seventh Ave., nr. 40th St., Ste. 602; 212-221-5600; paulavarsalona.com
Varsalona’s formal V collection features strapless gowns with sculpted bodices (from $2,000); the Crème collection showcases elaborate beading and thread work (from $3,000).
14 E. 52nd St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-897-6393; pronovias.com
This five-story Spanish boutique features some of the finest fitting rooms in the city. Gowns start at $700 and flaunt lace, bustier-style corsets, cascades of ruffles, floral embroidery, princessy ball gowns, flowing trains, and pleated Paris organza. By appointment only.
730 Fifth Ave., nr. 57th St., Ste. 205; 212-308-8760; reemacra.com
Acra’s high-fashion designs hit the right note between red-carpet glamour and pared-down sophistication. Brides adore both the custom couture (from $35,000) and ready-to-wear gowns (from $3,500).
250 Elizabeth St., nr. Houston St.; 212-226-7570; sajawedding.com
Yoo Lee’s boutique offers a whimsical collection of off-white “nontraditional, ethereal” 100 percent silk gowns. Starting as low as $595 for short and $795 for long, the dresses max out at $1,800. (good value)
The Sample Room NY
40 W. 17th St., nr. Sixth Ave., Ste. 2B; 212-929-8868; thesampleroomny.com
With options from Jenny Packham and Réva Mivasagar, this shop offers a huge selection of designer gowns and accessory samples at up to 80 percent off retail prices. Gowns start at $500. (good value)
Samuelle Couture
347-607-0086; samuellecouture.com
British designer Sam Walls Beasley blends classic English styling with contemporary romanticism in her bespoke gowns, which often incorporate vintage textiles and trims, hand-dyed silks, and semi-sculptural brocades. She also gives each client a custom watercolor painting of her gown. Prices upon request.
71 Franklin St., nr. Broadway; 212-941-9073; seliayang.com
Yang’s dresses can be stunning (the skirt of the strapless Ahna is covered with silk flower accents) or subtle (the fitted silk Chloe has a one-shoulder tulle strap). Made-to-order gowns start at $2,600. Off-the-rack designer ones are sold at up to 60 percent off. By appointment only. (good value)
Shopbop’s wedding boutique features dresses by big names like Halston Heritage, Robert Rodriguez, Temperley London, and Notte by Marchesa, in addition to smaller, local designers. Dresses are $195 to $5,000, accessories $20 to $290, shoes $225 to $1,195, and jewelry $98 to $590.
This flash-sale site curates pieces from exclusive brands and sells them for up to 70 percent off the retail price. Select lines, like Oscar de la Renta accessories and Loeffler Randall shoes, are always available, and brides can feel good knowing that a portion of their purchase goes to a charity of the designer’s choice.
412 Atlantic Ave., nr. Bond St., Boerum Hill; 718-222-1178; vekabridal.com
Proprietors Ksenia Kaliaguina and Jana Vendeland stock their Brooklyn showroom with gowns by American and European designers, including Palazzo, Adele Wechsler, and Suzanne Ermann; the focus is on fresh, playful designs ($1,500–$4,500). Alterations start at $300. By appointment only.
991 Madison Ave., nr. 77th St.; 212-628-3400; verawang.com
The grande dame of bridalwear offers dresses (from $3,000) to suit every taste. Silhouettes include simple A-lines and voluminous, full-skirted showstoppers; and Wang’s most recent bridal collection features dresses in statement-making blacks and nudes. The upscale boutique is also a go-to for footwear and accessories. By appointment only.
103 Fifth Ave, nr. 18th St., second fl.; 646-638-3263; weddingatelier.com
This shop carries popular designers such as Tara Keely and Cymbeline Paris. The staff can ready an off-the-rack dress in ten days or custom-make one in ten weeks, if necessary. Gowns start at $1,500; bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses are in stock, too. By appointment only.
69 Jay St., at Greenwich St., Dumbo; 718-222-4696; thewhitegown.com
This laid-back Brooklyn boutique carries modern, vintage-inspired, and avant-garde gowns ($1,000–$5,000) from Blush by Jim Hjelm, Amsale, Enzoani, Alyne by Rivini, and David Fielden; bridesmaid and cocktail dresses top out at $350. The shop also offers cleaning and preservation services, and in-house seamstresses are on hand.
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