One of the most exciting moments for any bride-to-be is the hunt for the perfect wedding dress. After all, your wedding dress is kind of a big deal. It’s a dress you’ll be wearing just once, for the most special day of your life, captured in photos to remember forever. So, no pressure, but it’s important that you find one you truly love!
We know that dress hunting is a top priority for any bride, but it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to start your search. The good news is that we have some truly incredible local dress designers to choose from here in Australia when it comes to finding “the one”.
From bohemian gowns and princess dresses to more high-end couture, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite Australian wedding dress designers to check out below (along with our top tips to keep in mind when making a final decision). No matter what your bridal style might be, we can guarantee you’ll find something you love with this list of local talent!
Grace Loves Lace
Holding the title for the most pinned dress on Pinterest (with their gorgeous Hollie dress being pinned 2.5 million times!), it’s no surprise that this cult Australian favourite is one of our top picks for wedding dress inspiration.
Their unique gowns feature dreamy French lace and modern bohemian designs, perfect for the free-spirited bride. With a collection featuring everything from whimsical off-shoulder gowns to plunging necklines and romantic full skirts, Grace Loves Lace have gowns to suit any style.
Website: https://graceloveslace.com.au
Instagram: @grace_loves_lace
Pinterest: @graceloveslace
Facebook: @graceloveslace
Made with Love
With bold, feminine dresses and three different collections to be inspired by, we are huge fans of the Made With Love bridal designs.
Not only are their gowns effortlessly beautiful but they are also one of the more affordable options for brides working towards a strict budget. Our personal favourite? Their gorgeous ‘Frankie’ gown, a form-fitting lace dress complete with stylish pockets.
Website: http://www.madewithlovebridal.com
Instagram: @madewithlovebridal
Facebook: @madewithloveuniquebridalcollection
Jennifer Gifford Designs
Photography by Carly Tia
The ethereal and delicate designs from Jennifer Gifford are some of our absolute favourites. Featuring sheer materials, flowing sleeves and artful silhouettes. If you’re on the hunt for something unique for your dream dress then you’ll probably find it in her collections!
Brisbane brides will be pleased to know you can visit the Jennifer Gifford studio in Milton, or order your perfect gown online to be shipped interstate or international.
Website: http://jennifergifforddesigns.com
Instagram: @jennifergifforddesigns
Pinterest: @jennifergif
Facebook: @jennifergifforddesigns
George Wu
Photography by Trent and Jessie
For the modern luxe bride, we think you might just fall head over heels in love with the custom designs of George Wu. A quick peek through the George Wu Instagram feed will show you a selection of his exquisitely handcrafted gowns, each one completely unique and tailored to each of his brides.
If you’re searching for something truly elegant and refined, George Wu’s beautiful designs are created from scratch featuring French lace, silk fabrics and Italian embroideries. You may have even seen his work on celebrities including Angelina Jolie and Kristy Hinze!
Website: http://www.georgewu.com.au
Instagram: @georgewu
Facebook: @georgewucouture
Georgia Young Couture
Photography by Paper and Light Photography
Melbourne-based designer Georgia Young describes her label as being created for “the bride that doesn’t want to look like a bride”. So if contemporary couture is more your style, you’ll love her untraditional and truly unique designs.
With striking silhouettes complete with clean, geometric lines and structured fits, the gowns from Georgia Young Couture are perfectly suited for the sophisticated bride. We love the high-end look of her dresses, with both a ‘couture’ and ‘ready to wear’ collection available.
Website: https://georgiayoungcouture.com
Instagram: @georgiayoungcouture
Pinterest: @georgiaYcouture
Facebook: @georgiayoungcouture
Karen Willis Holmes
Photography by Kait Photography
For elegant and on-trend wedding gowns, you’ll definitely want to check out the growing collection of Karen Willis Holmes. This Sydney-based designer is renowned for her high-quality and bespoke designs to cater for the modern Australian bride.
We love the variety of styles that are showcased through the KWH collection, with pieces ranging from bohemian-luxe to classic beauty. Make sure you jump onto the Karen Willis Holmes Instagram feed too, for unique wedding inspiration being shared daily.
Website: https://www.karenwillisholmes.com
Instagram: @kwhbridal
Pinterest: @KWHbridal
Facebook: @KarenWillisHolmesBridal
One Day Bridal
Photography by Jerome Cole
The One Day Bridal collection steers away from the traditional, and instead embraces more daring and unique designs. For brides wanting something a little more contemporary for their big day, you’ll love the mix of unconventional silhouettes, sequined gowns and two-piece sets offered by One Day.
A one-stop shop for brides, you can also purchase veils, accessories and intimates from this modern collection. You may have also seen their denim ‘Wifey’ jacket circulating around social media lately – a bridal trend we are definitely on board with!
Website: https://onedaybridal.com.au
Instagram: @onedaybridal
Pinterest: @onedaybridal
Facebook: @onedaybridal
Spell Bride
Photography by Prue Franzmann Photography
For the barefoot beach brides, you’ll love the dreamy gowns on offer through the Spell bridal collection. If you’re already familiar with the Spell brand from their cult bohemian clothing label, you’ll be pleased to know that their bridal collection is just as gorgeous.
Featuring light cottons and delicate flowing lace, these relaxed gowns are perfectly suited for the free-spirited gypsy bride. We’re imagining these gowns being accessorised with flower crowns and wild bouquets for a true bohemian look.
Website: https://shop.spelldesigns.com/collections/spell-bride
Instagram: @spell_byronbay
Pinterest: @spelldesigns
Facebook: @spelldesigns
Anna Campbell
Photography by Jessica Apap
Vintage-inspired and super romantic designs are what you’ll find from Anna Campbell. With dreamy tulle skirts, hand-beaded details and metallic embellishments being the standout features from her collections, it’s safe to say an Anna Campbell gown is designed to make you sparkle.
Anna Campbell also stocks her own jewellery and accessories to complete the look, from delicate headpieces to bejewelled foot-cuffs. We’ve been totally swept up with her boho-inspired designs and we think you will be too!
Website: https://www.annacampbell.com.au
Instagram: @annacampbellbridal
Pinterest: @annacampbellbridal
Facebook: @annacampbellbridal
Jane Hill
Photography by Amelia Fullarton
The Melbourne-based label Jane Hill is one of the biggest names when it comes to Australian dress designers, and it’s not hard to see why.
Focusing on “hand-made gowns for the fashion forward bride”, these dresses are anything but plain. A quick peek into the Jane Hill collections and you’ll find streamlined silhouettes, thigh-high splits and even detachable skirts for the modern bride. The Jane Hill blog is also filled with real weddings to draw inspiration from for your own special day!
Website: http://www.janehill.com.au
Instagram: @janehillbridal
Pinterest: @janehillpins
Facebook: @janehillbridal
Dress Hunting: Our Top Tips!
Choosing your wedding dress is definitely an exciting time, but it can also mean putting a lot of pressure on yourself. With so many beautiful gowns to choose from, it can be tricky narrowing your selection down to “the one!”.
With this in mind, here are some of our top tips to help you find the perfect wedding dress.
Allow Yourself Enough Time
Hunting for your wedding dress is not something you should be leaving until the last minute, especially if you’re considering a custom design. Keep in mind that many wedding dresses are made to order, so your bridal designer will essentially be creating your gown from scratch using your measurements.
You’ll also need to factor in things like dress fittings, potential alterations and sourcing accessories to complete the look. We recommend starting the dress hunt at around the 10-12 month mark before your big day, to make sure the process is as stress-free as possible!
Define Your Personal Style
There will always be certain “trends” in the fashion world when it comes to wedding gowns, but it’s important to define your own personal style first to ensure your chosen dress will be the best fit.
Think about your body shape and the dress styles that are the most flattering for you. Do you want to show off your amazing legs with a thigh-high split? Flaunt your curves with a cinched waistline? Think about the dress styles you’ve felt the most confident in before, and keep this in mind when hunting for your perfect gown.
You also want your dress to reflect your own personality, too! If your fashion sense is fun and quirky, why not consider a two-piece set, a unique fabric or a burst of colour? Remember that you should still feel like yourself in your wedding gown, so try to find a dress designer that you resonate with.
Keep an Open Mind
Even if you think you have a crystal clear picture of your dream wedding dress in your head, it’s important to keep an open mind throughout this process. What you’re visualising might not necessarily be the dress you end up falling in love with, so don’t put too much pressure on it.
Instead, stay open to ideas and try on a few different dress styles before making a final decision. You never know – it could be the most unexpected gown that takes your breath away!
Look for Comfort
Your wedding will be a huge day, both emotionally and physically! You’ll be spending hours on your feet, mingling with guests and dancing the night away. So it’s important that you choose a dress that you feel comfortable in.
If you’re uncomfortable in your wedding dress, it will absolutely show in your photos. As you try on different wedding gowns, practise walking around, sitting down and even having a little dance to yourself! It might sound silly, but it’s the best way to gauge how comfortable you’re going to be on the day.
Go with Your Gut
And finally – go with your gut! This is the best piece of advice we can give you. If you have an overwhelming and emotional instinct that you’ve found the one, you probably have. So don’t overthink it!
If you’ve invited family or friends to join you on your search for the perfect wedding dress, they might have different opinions to you. But don’t let this influence your final decision. Nobody knows you as well as you know yourself, so trust your own instincts and make a decision based on what feels right for you.
HAPPY HUNTING!
Finding the perfect wedding dress is such an exciting journey, but it can also lead to some serious stress when you’re lacking inspiration!
Luckily, we have so much incredible local talent when it comes to dress designers right here in Australia. With a range of different styles to suit any bride, it’s safe to say we are pretty spoilt for choice with beautiful gown options.
So if you’re currently struggling to find “the one”, check out our top picks above for some inspiration to help you on your search. You never know – the perfect dress might be closer than you think.
Happy hunting!
