Designer Wedding Dresses

Writer

For the bride with unlimited resources, shopping for designer wedding dresses is a must. The choice of one's wedding dress generally indicates the type of reception one will be throwing in celebration. If you would like a lavish affair, plan to pull out all of the stops with the dress.

Popular Dress Designers

Designer wedding dresses come from some of the top names in fashion and bridal wear. Start your search for a designer dress with a few of the most well-known names in the industry.

Vera Wang

Designer Vera Wang created dresses for celebrities like Mariah Carey, Khloe Kardashian, Ivanka Trump, Jennifer Lopez and Victoria Beckham. Wang's signature style is form-fitting satin designs with fluttering hemlines. You'll also find most of her elegant gowns are strapless and formal in length. This designer likes using snippets of color along the waist and bodice of her gowns. Many bridal companies sell Vera Wang dresses but you can visit her website to see her latest catalog of designer dresses.

Alexander McQueen

Inspired by Kate Middleton's wedding dress? Sarah Burton, designer for Alexander McQueen, was the creator of her classic gown. Before his death, Alexander McQueen was well known for providing "aut coture" gowns for Latoya Jackson, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate Moss. His legacy lives in through the McQueen design team. McQueen's work often has layered skirts made with light, ethereal material like tulle and chiffon. Kate Middleton's gown had classic lines, a bit more restrained than the usual McQueen dresses. Visit the Alexander McQueen website for pictures of their design history.

Sottero and Midgley

The Sottero and Midgley design team make wedding gowns inspired by old Hollywood. You'll find their gowns have tons of satin, ruffles and chiffon. There are a variety of bodices, but Sottero and Midgley love the sweetheart neckline on many of their designs. View Sottero and Midgley's collection to see their latest line of designer wedding gowns. Sottero designs have been featured on the popular television series Say Yes to the Dress and Brides Magazine.

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera has made a name for herself in the fashion industry. Her gowns feature classic silhouettes made modern with sleek lines and attention to detail. Renee Zellweger wore her style when she wed Kenney Chesney, and more recently, Christina Hendricks donned a Herrera gown for her nuptials.

Where to Find Design Deals

Designer wedding gowns are available at upscale boutiques and wedding shops and salons across the country. Call to set up an appointment to view and try on the latest designer trends. Expect to pay double the average dress cost, upwards of thousands of dollars, for a designer frock.

If you're looking for a deal on designer dresses, these bridal stores that specialize in providing their customers with designer reproductions:

Bride Power: At Bride Power, you'll fill in a quick form selecting available designers, preferred silhouette and neckline. In just a few clicks, you'll see a selection of gowns that fit your description at a discounted price! There's even a link that allows you to sell your wedding dress.
Designer Gown Outlet: This online store has dozens of gowns for every occasion, including your wedding. Visit Designer Gown Outlet and save up to 80% on past runway fashions

If you don't mind wearing a gently used gown, websites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com offer plenty of styles for brides who want to save on designer dresses.

Purchase Designer Gowns

Designer wedding dresses typically need to be ordered four to nine months ahead of time, depending on the designer and the season. This is something you'll need to know if you have a short engagement period planned. Some designers do allow rush orders, but they typically cost significantly more. Most designer dresses are made to order, which means you cannot walk out of the store with your gown.

Signing on the Dotted Line

Before you place your final order for your gown, make sure you read all the contract terms and conditions. If the designer is making modifications to the original design, make sure these are explicitly explained in the contract. Double check your measurements and consider ordering one size up to ensure a good fit. Generally, taking in a dress is much easier than letting one out.

Final Fitting

Once your gown arrives and you have your alterations made, it is important to try it on one final time. This way, you can be sure the dress fits perfectly. After all, you did not pay for a designer dress that will cause wardrobe problems on your big day. Remember that once you leave the bridal boutique, the dress is now your responsibility.

Designer Dress Details

A designer wedding gown is truly a spectacular choice for any wedding, regardless of dress style. Choose wedding jewelry and shoes that accentuate your gown's designer details. All brides are beautiful on their wedding day, so wear your designer dress with pride as you make that special walk down the aisle.