Inside Weddings shares the trusted wedding professionals in our Editors Circle, plus a directory of local wedding vendors to find your expert bridal stylist!
Whether you're looking for your dream wedding dress or you've already found The One, many brides hire bridal stylists to help them with everything related to the bridal fashion industry. From shopping for cohesive bridesmaid dresses, to helping you find the best bridal style for your big day, to sourcing accessories a your bridal salon or local boutique,
Many brides share that shopping for the dress and the wedding-party wardrobe is the most difficult, emotional, and potentially stressful part of organizing their nuptials. Making sure you feel and look your best, managing the expectations of friends and family, and navigating through an endless amount of options can be overwhelming.
A bridal stylist will act as your fashion advocate and can assist with every aspect, from shopping for the gown to being by your side on the big day – from shopping for your wedding dress, to helping you choose bridal accessories, to coordinating the bridal party, to helping ensure everything looks perfect on the wedding day!
Your wedding planner will help you choose professionals for every other aspect of the wedding, but a professional bridal stylist is often overlooked. The style of the bride and bridal party sets the tone of the entire wedding, and choosing the perfect gown is one of the most important parts of planning!
Shopping for the Dress: Every bride can benefit from the help of an expert. Unlike bridal consultants – an experienced professional who helps you find a gown within the confines of bridal salons – bridal stylists will help you find the best gown for you. He or she has access to a wide variety of designers and boutiques, and will not only ensure you are receiving a wonderful experience, but will help you verbalize the style you're looking for and assist in making your vision a reality.
Your personal bridal stylist may also have relationships with fashion designers who will offer a wider range of dresses than a local boutique may carry in stock. They can also help with special requests such as extra fabric, custom measurements, rush orders, and other insider favors.
Choosing Bridal Accessories: Do you want a glamorous, photo-worthy pump for the wedding, but need a second sensible pair of shoes for dancing? Most bridal salons do not carry a full range of shoes, so your stylist can collect several heels to try with the gown. They can also bring in accessories, so all elements can be sampled while wearing your dress!
Styling the Wedding Weekend: Will you change into a second dress for the reception, or even a third dress for the after-party? What about a special outfit for the rehearsal dinner, bridal showers, and morning-after brunch? Your bridal stylist can help you decide where to splurge and where to save – they will provide you with an array of options that will ensure your radiant confidence throughout the event.
Coordinating the Bridal Party: Your stylist can also design the look of the entire wedding party – from establishing the same level of formality with both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom to acting as your advocate and counselor during any potentially stressful conversations with your nearest and dearest. They can find reasonable cost options for the bridesmaid and groomsmen, as well as help with the styling and alterations logistics.
This seasoned professional can take on tasks such as reworking a family heirloom for use on the wedding day, finding the perfect gift for the bridesmaids, assisting in the design of a custom embroidered gift for your family members, and hunting down the perfect accessory for flower girl, ring bearer, or even pets included in the wedding day.
Like all personal services, the best way to find a bridal stylist who has the experience and personality to play the role is through a trusted referral. Your wedding consultant is typically the first person hired as part of your team and can help you to find a stylist to join as your advocate in all aspects of the wedding wardrobe.