Looking for the best wedding dress designers? The options can be overwhelming—take Kleinfeld, the iconic bridal boutique from Say Yes to the Dress, which stocks over 70 brands and 1,500 dresses. With so many choices, narrowing down the designers that truly reflect your style can be a challenge.
At Vogue, we’re here to help. Our editors review countless weddings daily, featuring couples from around the world, all vying for a spot on our site. The weddings we publish showcase an incredible range of fashion—from custom Schiaparelli gowns to thrifted finds for $200. But we’ve noticed certain bridal designers consistently standing out. Some are timeless (you can never go wrong with Oscar de la Renta), while others redefine bridal style (we can’t get enough of Wiederhoeft). So, why not share our favorites with you?
This isn’t a definitive list—your wedding look should be deeply personal, and you should wear whatever makes you feel your best, regardless of labels. But if you’re looking for a stylish starting point, you’ve come to the right place. Below, the designers we keep seeing on real Vogue brides.
### Oscar de la Renta
For classic bridal elegance, Oscar de la Renta is unmatched. Think full tulle skirts, dramatic trains, and intricate floral appliqués—perfect for the bride dreaming of a princess moment. Amal Clooney’s ivory beaded-tulle gown and Allie Michler’s Nantucket wedding dress (by current creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia) are just two stunning examples.
### Elie Saab
Lebanese designer Elie Saab creates effortlessly romantic gowns with lace, mousseline, and delicate beadwork. His signature cinched waists and voluminous skirts make for unforgettable silhouettes. One of our favorite 2024 weddings featured Anna Pops in a breathtaking semi-custom Elie Saab gown at Drayton House.
### Vera Wang
Since launching her bridal salon in 1990, Vera Wang has redefined wedding fashion with daring hemlines, modern shapes, and even bold colors. Her designs are anything but traditional—like the sleek lace gown (with matching gloves) that Quinn Jackson wore in Southampton.
### Danielle Frankel
The current bridal designer to watch is Danielle Frankel, a Vera Wang alum who started her own label in 2018. Her pieces blur the line between bridal and high fashion—equally at home on the red carpet or the aisle. As Vogue’s Laia Garcia-Furtado put it, Frankel’s brand is “a fashion label whose medium is bridal,” and her fall 2024 collection proves just that.
Whether you’re drawn to timeless elegance or cutting-edge style, these designers offer something extraordinary for every bride.Kel is celebrated for her deeply emotional designs—lately, she’s been hand-painting some of her dresses with an Impressionist-inspired touch—along with her signature intricate pleating and draping. We’ve featured countless brides in Frankel gowns, from Alex Cooper and Gabby Novogratz to Brooke Sansone and AnnaSophia Robb.
Emilia Wickstead
Vogue editor and bride Willow Lindley chose Emilia Wickstead for her Brooklyn waterfront wedding.
Photo: Hunter Abrams
Like her ready-to-wear line, Emilia Wickstead’s bridal designs are defined by minimalist shapes and flawless tailoring. “Her work embodies a quiet romance, trading sequins and tulle for delicate laces and Italian jacquards. The silhouettes—think square necklines, structured trains, and sleek bodices—have an almost architectural elegance, as if they belong in a grand Georgian home,” Vogue noted in our 2024 feature on her debut bridal collection. A Wickstead gown ensures the bride wears the dress, not the other way around.
Vivienne Westwood
Model and Vogue bride Barbara Palvin in Vivienne Westwood.
Photo: Gábor Eszterle
A Vivienne Westwood wedding dress typically combines two elements: exquisite draping and a corset. Equal parts punk and romantic, it’s ideal for brides who want an edgy yet timeless look. “It was delicate and just felt right,” interior designer Christie Ward told Vogue about her Westwood gown for her Ischia elopement. New York bride Katherine Mendenhall echoed the sentiment, saying, “The moment I tried it on, I knew—it was perfect.”
Hermione de Paula
Vogue bride Alexandria van Starrenburg in Hermione de Paula.
Photo: Corbin Gurkin
Since 2018, stylish British brides have turned to London-based custom designer Hermione de Paula for one-of-a-kind creations. “Each dress is crafted around the bride, ensuring it’s a piece she’ll cherish forever,” de Paula told Vogue. Brides start by selecting a silhouette from her collection, then personalize it with custom embroidery, embellishments, or illustrations. Her work has also gained traction in the U.S., with brides like Alexandria van Starrenburg seeking her unique touch: “After trying on nearly every dress in New York, I reached out to Hermione—her embroidery and use of color captivated me.”
Paula Nadal
Vogue bride Zoé Chrissos in Paula Nadal.
Photo: AJ Tamari
Paula Nadal’s designs are for the unconventional bride—those with bold, historically inspired visions that break from tradition. Zoé Chrissos wore a corset gown embroidered with pearls, drawing from her grandfather’s Art Nouveau Cartier watch designs. Another bride, Shawn Lakin, took cues from 18th-century costumes in The Great, pairing her dress with a patchwork veil by Nadal. If you want a gown that feels authentically vintage, Paula Nadal delivers.
Tanner Fletcher
Vogue groom Theo Soulages in a Tanner Fletcher shirt.
Photo: Robert Marcillas
Designers Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell admit their bridal offerings are “unconventional.” Their vintage-inspired pieces, like a 1930s-style dress from their latest collection, redefine bridal wear with a nostalgic twist.Richie found the gown in a Midwest thrift shop, but the appeal goes beyond its vintage charm. The collection embraces gender-neutral styles—while there are white dresses, you’ll also find baby blue velvet blazers, dramatic feather robes, and pussy-bow blouses that could suit brides, grooms, or anyone who doesn’t want to define themselves with traditional labels. “We’re aiming for the customer who wants something a little unconventional—but still feels like it’s made for their wedding,” Richie has said.
Wiederhoeft
Jackson Wiederhoeft’s bridal designs have earned a cult following for their theatrical corsetry and metallic details. One Vogue bride wore a transformative three-in-one dress that evolved from ceremony to reception to after-party. His latest collection pushes boundaries with avant-garde bubble hems—wearing Wiederhoeft means staying ahead of the curve.
One/Of
Patricia Voto’s label, One/Of, creates custom, made-to-measure pieces from deadstock fabric, making it a sustainable choice. Though not exclusively bridal, her designs have become a favorite for wedding-related events—like Laura Jackson’s gingham set for her Maine welcome party. But increasingly, brides are choosing One/Of for the big day itself, as seen at a Santa Barbara Historical Museum wedding and Alexandre and Solange Assouline’s Paris nuptials.
Simone Rocha
Simone Rocha is primarily a fashion designer, but her romantic, ultra-feminine dresses have won over many Vogue brides—especially after her bridal capsule for Ssense. Her designs are for those who want something dreamy and dramatic. “I always wear dresses, so I wanted something even more special,” says bride Rachel Bakewell, who chose Rocha for her Tuscan wedding. “I love ballet and romance, and this dress felt like a fresh take on that aesthetic.”