11 Top Wedding Dress Designers If You Want a Show-Stopping Couture Gown
Italian-American Photographer Living in Lake Como SPECIALIZING IN FILM AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY, AS WELL AS SUPER8 🦢
As a fashion photographer turned wedding photographer, my heart still beats for those moments during a wedding day that look as though they came straight from the pages of Vogue.
I will always adore fashion, and I’m so grateful to work with so many brides and couples that love it as much as I do. Especially when they incorporate it into their wedding day plans!
And what better way to add fashion to the wedding than through the biggest statement of them all – your wedding gown! Get ready to feel inspired as I walk you through these top wedding dress designers:
11 Top Wedding Dress Designers You Haven’t Heard of Yet:
There are so many wedding gown designers who are well-known for their magnificent collections. I’m thinking of incredible makers like Galia Lahav, Berta, and Oscar de la Renta. But I wanted to share the space with some amazing designers you may have not heard of yet.
1. Rahul Mishra
First on our list of the top 11 wedding dress designers is Rahul Mishra. He is an Indian couture designer that focuses on creating sustainable gowns with handmade techniques.
He’s the first Indian fashion designer to have a collection at Paris Haute Couture Week, and (surprisingly!) his collections are still not super well known in the wedding fashion industry.
But his dresses and gowns are spectacular. They’re so full of bright colors and most have floral motifs used in the designs. My favorite part has to be that his roots are showcased in all of his designs. He heavily pulls from Indian culture, making his dresses truly one of a kind!
I’m influenced by my own Italian roots and pull from renaissance paintings to frame my photographs. And I love seeing when other artists don’t shy away from where they came from, too!
Perfect For You If…
If you’re a trendsetting bride who doesn’t want the traditional white wedding gown, then a Rahul Mishra design is perfect for you! Whether you want something gold and bold, or you want something a little more subtle, yet still vibrant, his designs incorporate the best of both worlds.
2. Christie Nicole Bridal
Christie Nicole Bridal is an Australian-based luxury gown designer.
With what she describes on her website as “dramatic silhouettes and bold fabric pairings,” she’s standing out from the rest of the classic wedding dress designers.
Not to mention, she also describes her designs as “renaissance-style adornment.” And if you’ve been along with me for any amount of time, then you know just how inspired I am by the renaissance period, too. Needless to say, the Christie Nicole Bridal collection is after my own heart!
Her designs incorporate a wide range of details, including tulle, beading, and even feathers. No matter what the mood or theme of your wedding day is, you’re bound to find something in her bridal collection.
Perfect For You If…
Christie Nicole Bridal’s collection of couture gowns is perfect for you if you’re a modern bride who’s wanting a gown that’s destined to turn heads.
She’s creating designs that truly take your breath away. I’m talking, gasping the moment you first see it! She has gowns that take on a whimsical while still keeping true to the modern look because of the large amounts of tulle in the design. And she has gowns that are intricately detailed with beading and stunning applique. So no matter what your modern style is, there is a design you’ll love.
3. Andrea Sedici Bridal
My list of the top wedding dress designers wouldn’t be complete without an homage to my home country of Italy! And I can’t think of a better bridal gown designer that you probably haven’t heard of yet than Andrea Sedici Bridal.
And once you do see his work, I’m sure you’ll be a raving fan! His designs are truly pieces of art showcased on brides. With the intricate lace detailing, sheer fabrics, and unique dress cuts, there won’t be a dry eye among your guests when you walk down the aisle!
Perfect For You If…
If you’re a romantic bride looking for elegant, luxury wedding dress brands, then this is the one for you. I can just imagine one of his designs at a breathtaking garden wedding or at one of the immaculate wedding villas in Lake Como!
4. Marco y Maria
Marco y Maria are a pair of Spanish wedding dress designers and their gowns have hit everything from the center aisle to the red carpet. So if you consider yourself an “It Girl” who’s on top of the fashion trends, then one of their gowns is going to be incredible for your wedding day.
The designer duo carries a romantic, elegant aesthetic with plenty of unique styles for all of their dresses. From gowns that have large, pink and merlot-colored flower stitchings that make up the sleeves and bodice, to mermaid silhouettes that incorporate intricate beading throughout the bodice and skirt – they’ve created it all!
What I love about their dresses is the experimentation they do with three-dimensional details. Every one of their gowns is just a feast for the eyes!
Perfect For You If…
Marco y Maria offer collections that I can envision in beautiful, romantic garden weddings. The many floral details they use to make their gowns perfect for a spring or summer wedding with a romantic color palette.
If your wedding day aesthetic verges on the ethereal, romantic, elegant side then Marco y Maria is one of the best wedding dress designers to look at!
5. Sara Mrad Couture Bridal
This list of the 11 top wedding dress designers couldn’t be complete without highlighting Sara Mrad Couture Bridal. They are the epitome of show-stopping couture gowns.
Whether you’re looking for the most feminine, intricate beadwork you’ve ever seen, or you’re looking for a luxury designer who knows how to cut fabric in a way to make a masterpiece of a dress – you’ve found the right designer!
What I absolutely adore about Sara Mrad Couture Bridal is the dedication she has to texture and movement in her designs. From the way she seems to fold the fabric over onto itself to create deep, luscious ruffles to the way she layers fabric on top of one another to make the most spectacular voluminous skirts, she has a gift as a luxury wedding dress brand!
Perfect For You If…
If you and your fashion choices are heavily inspired by artistic expression and the many kinds of modern art you find in museums, then Sara Mrad Couture Bridal is such a fabulous option for you!
I can see her bridal gowns in high-end, unconventional places like if you were to get married at the Louvre or on the steps of the Met in New York City! They’re such elaborate works of art that they deserve an epic location.
6. J’Aton Couture Wedding Gowns
J’Aton Couture wedding gowns are where classic wedding dresses and modern designs meet. Just think of a modern-day Princess Diana, and you’ll have a J’Aton Couture gown.
Just as this couture fashion house says about their 2024 collection, their designs are “the architecture of simplicity.” Imagine swooping hems for open-back dresses, form-fitting silhouettes with a dress train that flares for a pinch of drama, or even magnificent tulle-tiered skirts, J’Aton Couture wedding gowns are spectacular.
Perfect For You If…
If you’re wanting a romantic and elegant wedding aesthetic paired with a dramatic, contemporary gown then J’Aton Couture’s collections were made for you.
Imagine running through the gardens at the Palace of Versailles and you’ll have the perfect picture of these wedding gowns.
7. Sandra Mansour Bridal
As they have on their Instagram bio, Sandra Mansour Bridal “represents celestial miracles waiting to happen.” And you can clearly see that’s their muse in their designs!
From gold gowns with sunbursts on the bodice and sparkling details on the sleeves to gowns made with bold cutouts at the waist, these dresses are made for a stunning, outdoor wedding at an epic location.
Personally, I believe her glittering gowns would be a fantastic addition to an evening, summer wedding ceremony at one of Lake Como’s wedding venues. The pairing of the sparkling dress with the sparkling water would be stunning!
Perfect For You If…
A Sandra Mansour Bridal wedding dress would be perfect for you if you find yourself drawn to the sparkly things in life! Or if you’re also inspired by all of the magnificent sky scenarios that Mother Nature gives us – you’ll probably find these dresses exquisite.
8. Yolancris
One of the things I love most about fashion is the different styles that make up couture pieces. You can have a gown that looks like it stepped out of a fashion spread in front of the Eiffel Tower, and you can take a gown that looks like it’d be perfect for a laidback, beachy wedding. And yet, both can be just as high fashion as the other!
That’s what Yolancris’ wedding gowns always remind me of. Bohemian inspiration is one of the core values behind their designs, so they’re always showcasing some of the most unique dresses out there.
And oh my God, there are just so many epic wedding locations where I can envision a Yolancris dress! They’re the most stunning blend of boho-inspired wedding gowns and contemporary brides. So their collections would be the best show-stopping piece in a location that blends the two, as well.
Imagine a wedding at Amangiri while wearing one of their bohemian couture gowns. Or having an intimate elopement in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park in one of their embroidered, tulle folk-skirted wedding gowns. One of these incredible wedding dresses would also be perfect in one of my all-time favorite wedding locations – San Miguel de Allende!
Perfect For You If…
If you’re a fashionable bride who would do anything for a gown that stands out from the crowd, then Yolancris was designed especially for you.
Whether you’re looking for the embroidered, lace look (maybe even one with fringe?) or you’re wanting something that drapes perfectly to give that laidback, boho flair, these bohemian chic gowns are impeccable.
9. Zuhair Murad Bridal
Zuhair Murad wedding dresses radiate classic, elegant, luxury. So many of these bridal gowns include full, ball gown skirts and gorgeous lace detailing. And I absolutely love any dress that uses skirt overlays.
Perfect For You If…
If you want something classic that still brings the drama? Then you can’t go wrong with a Zuhair Murad Bridal design. The full skirts, the tulle, the sweetheart necklines! They’re so perfect for any classic, luxurious wedding.
I, for one, can definitely see a Zuhair Murad wedding dress at several of the Lake Como Villas, like Villa Monastero, Villa Pizzo, Villa Sola Cabiati, or Villa Erba!
10. Leanne Marshall Bridal
As she describes in her Instagram bio, Leanne Marshall Bridal gowns are “made for movement.” And considering I’ve had the pleasure of photographing a few of them, such as in this dreamy sailboat engagement photo session, I can say that that’s exactly how these dresses are designed!
Leanne Marshall Bridal absolutely has to be on my list of the 11 top wedding dress designers because her gowns will leave you feeling flawless on your wedding day. If there ever were gowns that were made with your wedding photographer in mind, these are the ones!
One of the greatest ways to add visual interest and excitement to your photo gallery is to play with movement. So wedding dresses that have beautiful, flowing skirts make for some of the most spectacular photos!
Perfect For You If…
If you’re a bride that wants the ethereal, dreamy dress that blows so elegantly in the wind with the slightest breeze – then a Leanna Marshall Bridal gown is the right choice.
Although many of this wedding dress designer’s gowns come in white, there are several options for adding more color to your day, too.
11. Naeem Khan Bridal
Finally, on our list of the 11 top wedding dress designers, we have the Indian-American designer, Naeem Khan. Any one of these dresses is the epitome of a stunning show stopper. From dresses complete with embroidered lace and fringe, to ones with pleated skirts and ruffled textured bodices, the Naeem Khan Bridal collections are 100% gorgeous.
Perfect For You If…
If you’re wanting a statement piece that’s a combination of sultry and luxurious, then a Naeem Khan wedding dress is the way to go. Not to mention, he has incredible shorter dresses that are amazing for dancing the night away at your wedding reception!
Make a complete fashion show out of your day by having more than one dress, just like this bride did at her Calistoga Vineyard Estate wedding!
Your wedding dress is the biggest fashion statement of your entire day. And with so many top wedding dress designers out there, I wanted to help you broaden your wedding day wardrobe by sharing some of my favorite ones.
The key to finding the right dress for your wedding is to try on many different styles to see which one you feel the most comfortable and confident in. Feeling both is the most important part of having a wedding photo gallery that is epic.
