I loved wedding dress shopping – being generously pampered, reminded finally I'm the bride, seeing the latest in bridal fashion, meeting wedding dress designers, picking my favorite gowns and imagining our wedding day. While ultimately I bought my gown in Seattle (that's where my mom lives, after all) it wasn't without plenty of New York City bridal salon hopping with my girls – and I would argue there's no better city in the world to shop for the occasion.
Thanks to many of the world's best designers being located in New York City, and endless options for salons, you can find just about any designer's wedding gowns within the five boroughs. New Yorker brides (and those traveling to the Big Apple) are spoiled with plenty of shopping experiences – from luxurious department stores, indie bridal salons and visiting designers' own studios there's a shopping style for any kind of bride.
Having done it all, these are the special, the fabulous, the best bridal salons that I would take my own bride best friends to in New York City.
For The Fashion-Forward Bride
Lee Petra Grebenau via Spina Bride
Spina Bride – Let's cut to the chase, Spina Bride is my favorite bridal salon in New York City. Supplying cutting-edge designs from international designers (including cult-favorite Liz Martinez and my own wedding dress designer, A La Robe), Spina Bride's gowns are dazzling, luxurious, fashion-forward and totally cool. The salon is stunning, it's no wonder they offer floral design & event planning services as well. Don't forget to shop from our favorite selection of accessory designers in the city (Luna Bea, LELET NY, Jennifer Behr, oh my!)
West Village, Manhattan, New York City spinanyc.com
Gabriella New York Bridal Salon – Jenny Packham, Reem Acre & Marchesa are just three of the many world-renowned fashion houses selected for this high-end bridal salon. Located in the ornate & fabulous Soho neighborhood of Manhattan, you'll feel like an “it girl” in just about every wedding dress you try on.
Soho, Manhattan, New York City gabriellanewyork.com
The Mews Bridal – There's nothing more “bride a la mode” than Chelsea neighborhood's French bridal salon The Mews. The mother-daughter shop exclusively stocks Parisian designers-of-the-moment Rime Arodaky, Laure de Sagazan, Delphine Manivet, Donatelle Godart, Margaux Tardits and Isabella Boutin, need we say more?
Chelsea, Manhattan, New York City themewsnewyork.com
For The Classic Bride
Oscar de la Renta via Brides
Saks Fifth Avenue – Swanky, luxurious, just like the movies, Saks Fifth Avenue supplies the storied designers of celebrity & royal weddings alike. Bring your entourage and feel like a royal in Oscar de la Renta at their 5th Avenue bridal salon.
Midtown, Manhattan, New York City saksfifthavenue.com
Bergdorf & Goodman – Classic 1920s New York in featured here in Bergdorf Goodman's art deco bridal salon. But fear not, the fashions are fresh off the runway from the likes of Ines Di Santo, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Marchesa, and more.
Midtown, Manhattan, New York City bergdorfgoodman.com
For The Indie Bride
Loulette Bride via Bridal Musings
Loulette Bride – Hop across the Williamsburg Bridge to reach this Insta-worthy Brooklyn loft studio. Have the honor of being dressed by the designer herself in the most wildly fun & totally unique wedding dresses. Gingham organza, flouncy skirts, house-made lingerie, bridal separates, nautical stripes and boho vibes, playing dress up at Loulette Bride is a delight. By the end, you'll likely be asking Marteal (& her pup Mable!) to be in your bride tribe.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York City loulettebride.com
Lovely Bride – Dubbed as the “original indie bridal salon” Lovely Bride supplies many of the hottest, most pin-worthy designers of today. Twirl in bohemian Rue de Seine wonders & try on every single one of Alexandra Grecco's design – the NYC salon is now the exclusive flagship of the trendy Brooklyn designer.
Tribeca, Manhattan, New York City lovelybride.com
Schone Bride – Local, sustainable & independent, Rebecca Schoneveld's salon curates so many whimsical & unique up-and-coming designers. Located in Brooklyn, the shop features colorful gowns, embellished separates, oodles of pretty accessories & plenty of customization thanks to the in-house alterations.
Gowanus, Brooklyn, New York City schonebride.com
For The Budget Bride
Reformation – If you describe yourself as an “LA cool-girl bride” or just would rather splurge on that fabulous honeymoon set your GPS to Reformation's one and only NYC bridal salon. Find all the sexy, trendy & eco-friendly (recycled fabric, so rad!) gowns you already love from Reformation in that iconic bridal white.
Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City thereformation.com
BHLDN – Praise-be to this household favorite for supplying the latest wedding dress trends at affordable prices. Find wedding dresses, bridal separates, lingerie, accessories, shoes and even your crew's entire bridal party ensemble at this trendy and attainable bridal salon – with two locations across the city.
Midtown & the Upper East Side, Manhattan, NYC bhldn.com
For The Vintage Bride
Stella Dallas Living – Technically not a bridal salon, this Williamsburg vintage favorite curates an admirable amount of vintage wedding gowns, bridal-worthy slips, priceless Japanese robes & wedding-ready accessories. Not only are the gowns in seemingly perfect condition, but they're labeled by era so you can brag about your 1930s wedding dress. Best of all, you'll likely walk out with a gown for less than $300 – allowing you some extra cash for that killer vintage pre-ceremony kimono.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City – 281 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Find all the bridal inspiration you need from our wedding dress section & make your shopping experience a flawless one with these essential tips.
