New York City Shopping for Brides-to-be

Long admired as one of the foremost shopping destinations in the world, New York City offers variety and selection in everything-even bridal dress stores. Whether you're a local or an out-of-towner, this guide will set you off on the right track.

Designer Houses
For a selection of haute bridal couture, you can shop at a number of stores that carry only the finest designer gowns. Kleinfeld Bridal boasts the largest selection of wedding dresses, but this is a mixed blessing for brides-many report feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices, however helpful their attendant may be. Wedding Atelier, Bridal Reflections, and Bergdorf Goodman also carry designer gowns. For simply sophisticated brides, Vera Wang's Bridal House is a highly popular choice.

Haute looks, more attainable prices
For all its haute couture designers and discount bridal warehouses, New York City is a little thin on the mid-tier wedding gowns. The best option may be Macy's bridal salon at its flagship store in Herald Square. For extra socially responsible brides, The Bridal Garden sells designer and couture wedding gowns at a discount. This nonprofit wedding boutique receives donated gowns from top designers and donates proceeds to further the education of New York City children. Also coming soon to Chelsea is David's Bridal, planned for 735 Sixth Avenue between West 24th and West 25th Streets.

Though this short list covers a sample of places you can start to look, it only mentions a tiny sample of bridal stores in New York City. You can find a more comprehensive list of stores (with short descriptions) at New York Magazine's Bridal Gowns Directory.

Helpful Tips
1. Plan ahead
You cannot plan your gown shopping trip enough. Most salons will require appointments, ranging from 1 to 2 hours long. If you go to a trunk sale or someplace where walk-ins are accepted, budget your time in 1-2 hour slots anyway, as if they had an appointment with you. You have a lot of ground to cover, so your time is precious!

2. Don't be intimidated
If you're unfamiliar with wedding couture, trends, styles-don't worry! Most brides are be novices at gown shopping and attendants are prepared for that. Ask about their popular styles and for their opinion on what might be a good look for you. Keep an open mind and try on dresses that you don't expect you'll like, you could be pleasantly surprised!

3. Be a potential customer
Don't say anything that might make your attendant doubt your intention to buy. Right or not, many brides-to-be report horrific treatment at even the highest class salons when they've expressed that they've only just begun shopping. Attendants are prone to ignoring clients who don't appear interested in purchasing because their pay is so weighted towards making sales; they would rather spend that time with brides that might buy a gown that very day. You don't have to lie; it's ok if your wedding is two years away or if the store is out of your budget. Just say that you're excited to choose a gown right away and you'll do alterations closer to the wedding date, or ask whether they'll have a trunk sale where any of the styles you've been shown will be available at discounted prices.

Store information

Kleinfeld Bridal
Address:
110 W 20th Street
(between 6th and 7th Avenues)
New York, NY 10011
Telephone: (646) 633-4300
Website: www.kleinfeldbridal.com

Wedding Atelier
Address:
103 5th Avenue
2nd Floor
(between 15th Street & 16th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Telephone: (646) 638-3263
Website: www.weddingatelier.com

Bridal Reflections
Address:
286 5th Avenue
(on the corner of 30th Street)
New York, NY 10001
Telephone: (212) 764-3040
Website: www.bridalreflections.com

Vera Wang Bridal Salon
Address:
991 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Telephone: (212) 628-3400
Website: www.verawang.com

Macy's
Address:
151 West 34th Street
(between 6th and 7th Avenues)
New York, NY 10001
Telephone: (212) 695-4400
Website: www.macys.com

The Bridal Garden
Address:
54 W 21st Street
Suite 907
(between 5th and 6th Avenues)
New York, NY 10010
Telephone: (212) 252-0661
Website: www.bridalgarden.org