Dress Dreams Unveiled: Discovering Your Bridal Style
Your Journey to the Perfect Dress Starts Here
Dear Bride-to-Be,
As you embark on your wedding journey, one of the most exciting and memorable experiences is undoubtedly finding your dream wedding dress. New York City, a fashion mecca, offers a plethora of options and boutiques that cater to every style and budget. Although dress shopping is undeniably fun, it can also be quite challenging and overwhelming, with the multitude of styles and choices to navigate. Personally speaking, I tried on over 20 gowns until finding the dress. In this edition of Bridal Bliss Wardrobe, I’m here to help guide you through the first steps of your dress shopping journey and will also be sharing some of my personal favorite salons in New York.
Step 1: Define Your Style and Budget
Before you dive into the world of wedding dresses, it's essential to have a clear vision of your style and budget. I can’t stress this enough - lean on social media for inspiration! Browse through IG reels & TikTok’s to get an understanding of the style you’re looking for. Are you leaning towards a classic ballgown, an elegant mermaid silhouette, or something more fun and glitzy? Determining your style will help narrow down your choices as well as bridal salons.
A-Line: Timeless and flattering, A-line gowns feature a fitted bodice that gently flares out, resembling the shape of an uppercase "A." This style suits most body types and offers a classic, elegant look.
Ball Gown: For a fairytale-inspired wedding, opt for a ball gown. These gowns feature a fitted bodice and a voluminous, full skirt, creating a dramatic and romantic silhouette.
Mermaid: Embrace your inner mermaid with this form-fitting style. Mermaid gowns hug your curves from the bodice down to your knees and then flare out, creating a sexy and glamorous look.
Sheath: Simple and elegant, sheath gowns drape smoothly from the neckline to the hem, highlighting your natural silhouette. Perfect for an understated, minimalist vibe.
Empire Waist: With a high waistline just below the bust, empire waist gowns offer a flowy and ethereal appearance. Ideal for a boho-chic or beach wedding.
Tea-Length: Short and sweet, tea-length gowns end around the mid-calf, creating a playful and vintage-inspired look. Perfect for a less formal, retro wedding.
Trumpet: Similar to mermaid gowns, trumpet gowns are fitted through the bodice and hips but flare out starting from mid-thigh, offering a balance between sexy and sophisticated.
Now if you’re thinking, “But what if I like multiple styles?! How do I narrow down my favorites?!” then keep reading…
Step 2: Research and Appointments
If you still have no clue what type of style you want after scrolling through social media for inspiration, I highly recommend checking out bridal salons that have a vast selection with many designers & unique looks. These bridal salons don’t limit you on the amount of gowns you try on, so this really gives you the ability to try on several different looks to help you narrow it down. Trust the process! Some great places to do so are as follows:
Wedding Salon of Manhasset: not only do they have a wide variety of gowns & designers, but the staff here help to create an intimate shopping experience that begins with heartfelt hospitality which you will feel throughout your appointment. They hold some of the most sought-after designer lines, including Monique LHuillier, Reem Acra, Vera Wang, Pronovias, Sareh Nouri, Eisen Stein & more.
Mark Ingram Atelier: If you're seeking a personalized experience and expert guidance, Mark Ingram Atelier is known for its exceptional service where the staff selects gowns for you to try based on the vision you describe to them that you’re looking to try. Designer gowns including Elie Saab, Ines Di Santo, Mira Zwillinger, Alon Livne & more have all been hand-picked by Mr. Ingram himself.
Kleinfeld Bridal: Known for its vast selection, this iconic bridal salon has been making dreams come true for decades with so many happy brides that say ‘YES’ to the dress! Located in Manhattan, it's the go-to destination for brides seeking a wide range of designer gowns including Pnina Tornai, Peter Langner, Watters, Enaura Bridal, Maison Signore & more.
Bridal Reflections: With three locations across New York, Bridal Reflections is a trusted name for a wide selection of wedding dresses and exceptional service. Not only do they offer assistance to the bride, but they cover bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and groom, or anyone looking for an evening gown for an upscale event. They hold designers such as Kim Kassas, Adi Shlomo, Milla Nova, Enzoani & more.
Now let’s say you do know what style you’re going for or maybe a big bridal salon feels overwhelming… don’t worry, let’s narrow it down:
Timeless & Elegant Bridal Designers:
Vera Wang: Vera Wang is celebrated for her classic yet contemporary bridal designs. Her gowns often feature intricate lacework, delicate embroidery, and elegant silhouettes.
Oscar de la Renta: Known for his luxurious and sophisticated creations, Oscar de la Renta's wedding gowns are synonymous with timeless elegance, often incorporating luxurious fabrics and intricate details.
Carolina Herrera: Carolina Herrera's bridal collections are characterized by clean lines, timeless silhouettes, and a sense of understated sophistication, making them perfect for brides seeking classic elegance.
Monique Lhuillier: Monique Lhuillier's bridal collections are known for their romantic and feminine designs. Her gowns often showcase intricate lace, delicate embroidery, and dreamy silhouettes.
Anne Barge: Anne Barge is celebrated for her traditional and sophisticated bridal designs, often incorporating classic silhouettes, beautiful lace, and fine tailoring.
Glitzy & Glam Bridal Designers:
Galia Lahav: Galia Lahav is celebrated for her sensual and extravagant bridal designs. Her gowns feature plunging backs, illusion bodices, and lavish embellishments that are perfect for a glitzy and glamorous look.
Berta: Berta's bridal collections are synonymous with sexy, bold, and glamorous designs. Her gowns frequently showcase illusion panels, dramatic silhouettes, and intricate embellishments.
Pronovias Atelier: Pronovias Atelier offers a selection of glamorous wedding gowns with a modern twist. Their designs often feature unique necklines, dramatic trains, and opulent lace and beading.
Mira Zwillinger: Mira Zwillinger's bridal collections are known for their ethereal and glamorous designs. Her gowns often showcase intricate beadwork, sheer fabrics, and a fairy tale-like aura.
Zuhair Murad: Zuhair Murad's bridal creations are synonymous with red-carpet glamour. His gowns often feature daring necklines, sheer fabrics, and intricate embellishments that add a touch of high fashion.
Step 3: The Bridal Appointment
When scheduling appointments, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Plan Ahead: Bridal salons can book up quickly, so plan your appointments several months in advance. Keep in mind that a lot of the salons require a credit card to hold your appointment.
Bring Support: Invite your close friends or family to join you, but keep the entourage manageable to avoid it becoming overwhelming. I’d recommend bringing 2-3 people max in the early phases, and then once you know what it is you’re looking for you can extend the invite later on.
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Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browserWear the Right Undergarments: Consider wearing nude undergarments and shoes similar to what you plan to wear on your wedding day.
Be Open-Minded: While it's great to have a vision, don't be afraid to try on different styles. Sometimes, what you thought you wanted might not be the best fit for you.
Step 4: The Recommendations
Along with the well-known boutiques mentioned earlier, here are some additional vendor recommendations for your dress shopping journey in New York:
Spina: these stylists provide a highly tailored experienced showing an expertly curated selection of exceptional gowns from emerging international designers.
Grace Loves Lace: as a female owned business, each handmade gown is all about the effortless luxury, quality and style. They aim for brides to feel confident and empowered without quality being dictated by a price tag.
Bergdorf Bridal: with an unparalleled selection of exquisite gowns, their staff offers expert recommendations and a comprehensive suite of premiere services.
Step 5: Saying ‘Yes’ to the Dress
With countless boutiques and designers at your fingertips in New York, the wedding gown journey to finding ‘the one’ can be an exhilarating adventure. After taking the time to define your style, research boutiques and explore countless breathtaking gowns, you’ve finally discovered the dress that perfectly encapsulates your visions and dreams. As you say ‘yes’ to the dress, you’re not just choosing a gown; you’re choosing the embodiment of your love story and the beginning of a beautiful journey. May your wedding day be as unforgettable as the moment you said ‘yes’ to the dress of your dreams!
I hope this helps you kickstart your bridal dress shopping journey with all of my insider tips to help make your journey as seamless as possible. Make sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok where I am always sharing vendor recommendations, trunk show dates, and bridal designers.
Feel free to leave a comment below with any questions, comments, or if you just want to chat about your journey!
Remember, finding your dream gown is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so embrace the process,enjoy every moment and HAVE FUN!
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