Choosing the perfect wedding dress is one of the most important decisions for any bride. But while the process can be a lot of fun, it can also be tricky to know where to start. Which is why we’ve created this go-to list of the finest bridal designers, from classic couture to boho, frothy tulle and slinky silk. All you have to do is say “I do”.
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Phillipa Lepley
When it comes to couture wedding dresses, Phillipa Lepley is the undisputed grande dame of the London scene. Best known for her corsets and detailing — think lace and hand embroidery — she has dressed Alice Naylor-Leyland and Lady Emily Compton. The Princess of Wales is a fan of her elegant eveningwear too.
Every couture creation is designed from scratch, so you can expect to have as many as eight fittings in the Chelsea store’s light-filled conservatory. The level of detail is extraordinary, from miniature paper figures that show exactly where each pearl should be placed to bespoke embroidery that can feature everything from your family’s coat of arms to your pet’s paw prints.
POA, phillipalepley.com
Browns Bride
Opened in 2004 by Caroline Burstein, whose parents founded the celebrated Browns Boutique in South Molton Street in 1970, the Marylebone outpost stocks sought-after international designers, many of whom are exclusive to Browns. Big couture names such Elie Saab and Galia Lahav can be found alongside the cool New York-based designer Danielle Frankel, who dressed Zoë Kravitz for her 2019 wedding, and the Italian-based Peter Langner, who learnt his trade at Dior and Lacroix.
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A team of stylists is on hand to guide you, and the shop is big enough for you to bring along your entire bridal party.
From £3,100, brownsbride.com
Oscar de la Renta
In the 1960s Oscar de la Renta began dressing the US first lady Jackie Kennedy. Stints at Balmain and Elizabeth Arden followed before he started his eponymous label in 1965, with his bridal range following in 2006. Since then the brand’s wedding dresses have been worn by everyone from Amal Clooney and Naomi Watts to Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinneberg.
De la Renta bridal gowns are known for making a statement, whether that’s with a full A-line skirt, head-to-toe lace, appliqué detailing, over-the-top bows or the addition of fanciful feathers. Get the full experience by booking an appointment at the flagship boutique on Mount Street in Mayfair.
POA, oscardelarenta.com
Suzanne Neville
Neville launched her fashion business more than 30 years ago when she was only 19, after graduating from London College of Fashion. Her first bridal collection was immediately bought by Harrods and since then she has been the go-to British designer for those looking for a red carpet-worthy look (she’s as well known for her glamorous eveningwear as she is for her wedding dresses).
What really sets her dresses apart is the use of clever cuts and skilled corsetry — so good the wearer can drop a dress size. Her clean, modern silhouettes are crafted from the finest fabrics, which are sourced from Italy, France and Switzerland and always cut by hand. Neville still oversees every aspect of the business: book an appointment at her atelier in Knightsbridge and you’ll likely be greeted by Neville herself for your first toile fitting.
From £3,000, suzanneneville.com
Pronovias
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One of the best-known bridal brands in the world, with outposts in New York, LA, Milan and Paris, all well as Bond Street in London, this Spanish label has become a go-to for discerning brides including Pippa Middleton, who chose a Pronovias gown for the reception of her 2017 wedding to James Matthews.
The brand offers a range of collections, from the romantic Pronovias Privée to eco-friendly wedding dresses made from sustainable fabrics. But its most exclusive line is the haute couture Atelier Pronovias, which is handmade in Barcelona. Over the years the brand has collaborated with designers including Vera Wang and Elie Saab and, most recently, Marchesa, the label by the British-born designer Georgina Chapman.
From £2,000, pronovias.com
Sassi Holford
Holford got the royal seal of approval when Autumn Kelly chose one of her bespoke gowns for her Windsor Castle wedding to Peter Phillips in 2008, and since then she has become the designer of choice for brides looking for a classic, quintessentially British look. Self-taught Holford launched her business when she was 18, and four decades later she has a team of almost 50 based in the company’s Somerset atelier.
Having the brand’s pieces made in Britain has always been hugely important to the designer and she follows a “less-is-more” approach to dressmaking, letting clean lines and sumptuous fabrics do the talking. The brand has ateliers in South Kensington and Taunton.
From £2,400, sassiholford.com
Vivienne Westwood
For brides seeking a punk edge, a Vivienne Westwood wedding gown is the obvious choice. The great maverick designer introduced wedding gowns into her collections in 1992, and they quickly became the antithesis to the more twee, buttoned-up bridal look largely available at the time. Celebrated for their deft draping and fine corsetry, Westwood gowns reached peak fame after Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw chose a voluminous Westwood dress for her wedding to Mr Big in the first Sex and the City film.
From £3,100, viviennewestwood.com
Caroline Castigliano
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This British-born designer with more than 30 years’ experience in the business is known for her classic, clean lines. Castigliano’s dresses are meticulously hand-crafted in the UK and she sources the highest quality fabrics available, from silk organza to lace inlaid with intricate beadwork. A visit to her Knightsbridge atelier on Brompton Road is always an occasion. There you’ll be able to pick out your dream made-to-measure gown, with couture-trained fitting managers taking at least 20 measurements to ensure the perfect fit.
From £2,499, carolinecastigliano.com
Emilia Wickstead
As one of the Princess of Wales’s favourite designers, it’s hardly surprising that Emilia Wickstead has carved a niche for herself creating gowns for society brides. The London-based fashion designer started making wedding dresses after designing her own in 2011, officially launching her bridal line in 2017. Since then she has dressed India Hicks and Philippa Cadogan, among others.
The brand’s flagship store on Sloane Street has its own bridal salon, complete with marble floors and silk-lined walls. Every design is produced by hand in London and uses Italian fabrics, including duchess satin, silk zibeline and embroidered lace, to create its couture-like architectural silhouettes.
From £2,995, emiliawickstead.com
Hermione de Paula
The east London-based designer Hermione de Paula studied at Central St Martins, and from 2008 worked at Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior Couture. She launched her wedding range in 2015, describing her creations as “bridal art”. Her whimsically romantic couture gowns come with appliqué layered blooms, crystal butterflies and botanical-themed embroidery. Each of her dresses takes months to paint by hand and often includes specially designed artworks or messages such as memorable dates or pet portraits. The brand’s immersive Astrobotany Atelier in Islington is delightfully wacky, featuring a “moon beach”-themed fitting room with sunset lighting.
From £2,250, hermionedepaula.com
