The last few years have seen a significant spike in the number of retailers offering wedding dresses online. While brick-and-mortar salons are still very popular for their appointment-only model, allowing brides-to-be to bring their family and friends with them, there is an increasing number of brides who’re interested in a more modern experience. One where they are not at the hands of the bridal stylist — who often brings gowns to them from the back of the shop based on what they think is their style — and where they can peruse an unlimited selection of brands that are both bridal and not.
With the arrival of wedding lines from the likes of e-commerce retailers and ready-to-wear designers like LaPointe, the selection is as fashion-forward as it’s ever been. Bridal brands like Katharine Polk‘s Houghton, who are disrupting the industry by making it more inclusive and accessible, and bridal launches from affordable brands like Eloquii (pictured here) are also on the rise. In addition to offering stylish wedding wares, many places on the list ahead also offer the convenience of buying your accessories all in the same place, making the experience seamless for brides who are not looking to spend their time going to several stores.
Ahead, the best places to buy wedding dresses in every budget.
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Eloquii
One of the most recent launches on this list, Eloquii’s bridal line is as size-inclusive as it is affordable. What’s more, the collection features over 50 styles that go beyond the traditional white gowns, including wedding suits, jumpsuits, and one stunning black ballgown, a big bridal trend right now.
Houghton
Designer Katharine Polk is back with her impossibly cool wedding label Houghton. With the message “bridal for everybody” at the forefront of the now-L.A.-based label (it was previously based in New York), it offers dress styles in sizes 00 to 30+, with prices ranging from $500 to $12,000.
Reformation
For those looking for a sustainable fashion wedding option, Reformation designs bridal looks. The styles lean more boho, and feature the same low-cut, high-slit styles that we’ve come to expect from the popular brand.
Wiederhoeft
The most avant-garde brand to come out of New York in recent years, Wiederhoeft is the anti-bridal wedding label not for the faint-hearted. With no traditional gown in sight, Thom Browne alum and a 2022 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, designer Jackson Wiederhoeft, is creating uber-cool couture-like creations with details ranging from subversive corseting to puff sleeves and fairytale-inspired tulle.
Sleeper
Fans of the nightgown trend will love this casual selection from the nightwear-as-outwear Ukrainian brand that has made a name for itself on Instagram with its feather-adorned pajamas. Prairie-like and available in linen, these dresses are made for the bride who wants to look authentically herself on her wedding day.
Molly Goddard
One of London Fashion Week‘s most exciting runway brands, Molly Goddard delighted the fashion-forward brides by launching a new wedding collection in May 2022. Expect: dramatic silhouttes, fanciful fabrics like tulle, and colorful details that have made the designer a darling of the fashion world.
LoveShackFancy
After noticing brides wearing dresses from its vintage-esque line for their nuptials, LoveShackFancy released an official bridal line in June 2020. And good thing that they did! Like most of its offerings, the collection features stunning lace and sheer detailing, nightgown dress-like silhouettes, and flowy skirts.
Danielle Frankel
In 2020, one of our favorite Cool Girl wedding labels Danielle Frankel (whose celebrity brides include Julia Garner, Alexandra Daddario, and AnnaSophia Robb) relaunched its website. With that, the 2019 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runner-up Danielle Hirsch’s avant-garde designs — previously available at Net-A-Porter and Moda Operandi, among others e-tailers — can be bought from the site directly.
MatchesFashion
From Erdem, Batsheva, and Rochas to Richard Quinn, the MatchesFashion bridal shop, which launched in early 2020, has styles ranging from saccharine sweet to fashion-forward. The hardest part will be just picking one look from the selection that this popular London-based retailer offers.
ASOS
One of the most popular e-tailers also offers a big bridal selection as part of its Edition (special occasion) collection. As is always the case with ASOS, the styles — ranging from separates to cocktail dresses and gowns — have an affordable starting point.
Christian Siriano
In 2021, celebrity-favorite designer Christian Siriano returned with a bridal line. Styles range from timeless strapless gowns to more avant-garde tuxedo dresses, wedding suits, and an ombre ballgown, and go up to size 28.
RIXO
In 2021, the fashion brand behind some of Instagram’s favorite printed dresses, Rixo, launched a bridal line. Looks range from a Bianca Jagger-esque wedding skirt suits to more traditional slip dresses and lace gowns.
Markarian
Jill Biden’s inauguration brand of choice, as well as the label responsible for Naomi Biden’s wedding after-party dress, Markarian is also behind some of the prettiest wedding looks that you can buy online. Think: ethereal silhouettes, ultra-feminine details, and party looks featuring feathers and sequins.
Dissh
Dissh, the Australian brand behind the viral Mini Back Bow Dress, launched an “Aisle Edit.” In addition to the mini dress — that sold out in three days — the line features perfectly understated and elegant wedding wares that would look just at home at a wedding ceremony as the events leading up to the big day.
Net-a-Porter
For a more classic selection, e-tailer Net-A-Porter carries brands like Jacquemus, Emilia Wickstead, 16Arlington, and Brandon Maxwell. In addition to short dresses and gowns, you can also shop separates perfect for before and after the big day.
Rebecca Vallance
After launching the bridal collection in 2020, Australian brand Rebecca Vallance has become a go-to for fashion-forward brides and bridesmaids alike. Prices range from $600 to $1,700, and styles boast statement details like oversized bows, feathers, and floral-like frills.
BHLDN
The most traditional bridal retailer on the list, Anthropologie’s bridal brand also offers the biggest selection of wedding styles and options for plus-size brides. If you’re on a tight deadline, check out the in-stock and ready-to-ship section of the site which currently features popular brands like Jenny Yoo, Amsale, and Watters.
Galia Lahav
Known for its statement-making and unapologetically sexy couture wedding creations, Galia Lahav now offers a selection of dresses that can be purchased online. Expect the same dramatic lengths, form-fitting silhouettes, and plunging necklines that make the brand a favorite among brides who aren’t afraid of being the center of attention (see: Paris Hilton).
Clover London
This contemporary London-based brand (that ships to the U.S.) makes timeless, made-to-order wedding dresses using 100% silk. If the latter has you seeing $$$, know that all of clover london’s looks are priced under $2000.
Farfetch
For those looking for a dress that only looks bridal, Farfetch has styles from high-end brands like Oscar de la Renta and Giambattista Valli. If bridal is what you’re after, though, the retailer does carry labels like Jenny Packham and Carolina Herrera who are beloved for their wedding styles.
Little White Dress by Amsale
Part of Amsale, the wedding dress brand known for its elegant gowns, the Little White Dress collection features a range of ready-to-ship dresses that are perfect for micro-weddings and events leading up to the wedding. The brand also currently offers virtual try-ons.
Lulus
One of the most affordable brands on the list, Lulus expanded its bridal shop in 2021. Carrying a range of gowns and short dresses, the label makes it easy (on you and your wallet) to have two looks on your wedding day, as well as many more to wear before and after the day.
Moda Operandi
With names ranging from today’s It brands, like Khaite and Brandon Maxwell (pictured here), Moda Operandi’s wedding edit is made for the bride who would prefer to wear something from the runways of New York and Paris Fashion Week runway, rather than those of Bridal Fashion Week.
PatBo
While you may know Patricia Bonaldi’s brand for its impossibly sexy dresses in statement prints and colors, PatBo also carries a selection of wedding pieces that range from dresses and jumpsuits with signature cut-outs to slinky gowns with luxe detailing like crystals and feathers.
Whistles
Ever since Whistles launched wedding wear, brides have flocked to this high-street favorite for an affordable selection of contemporary styles that range from ethereal to minimal.
Revolve
If you’re a frequent shopper on Revolve, you’ll recognize the e-tailer’s penchant for sexy, form-fitting, high-slit styles in its bridal edit. For those looking for something more subtle and timeless, Revolve also carries a good selection of minimal slip dresses.
Fame and Partners
Fame and Partners offers customizations, that range from color and fabric to length, on all its collections, including bridal. With a made-to-order manufacturing process, not only are the designs custom to each bride’s needs but also sustainable. Note that pieces require 8 to 10 weeks to make.
CoEdition
Brides who wear sizes 14 to 32 will love CoEdition’s wedding edit which includes affordable ceremony and reception gowns, as well as fashion and accessories for events leading up to the big day.
Floravere
This direct-to-consumer brand, which also has storefronts in NYC and L.A., offers made-to-order wedding looks at much more affordable prices than traditional wedding retailers. To make things even better, Floravere is currently hosting a sample sale, with prices starting at $300 (down from $1,000).
Hill House Home
If you’ve been wearing Hill House Home’s Nap Dress for the past year, you’ll love the bridal line from the brand. The wedding edit features the signature dress style in short and long hemlines, as well as getting-ready robes and festive accessories for the bride and her bridesmaids.
Sahroo
New York-based designer Sarah Abbasi’s eco-friendly bridal brand features handmade matching sets, made using silk, glass crystals, and feathers by artisans in her native Pakistan. While trousers are Abbasi’s signature, Sahroo also creates stunning caftans, gowns with thigh-high slits, and capes.
LEIN
A wedding label made for the modern woman, LEIN’s founder and designer Meredith Stoecklein is currently offering virtual fittings to brides in response to the pandemic. Styles range from nontraditional gowns (see: this double-breasted gown) and mini dresses to jumpsuits and suits.
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