A Leap of Faith
A guide on buying your wedding dress on the internet
Are you willing to take a risk?
Take a leap of faith?
Hire a seamstress?
Without ever having seen it in person, I just ordered my (potential) wedding dress from the internet. Some may call me crazy. I say I have a vision and measuring tape.
I wasn’t sure I’d step into the bridal space, but after a year of searching, I had to share what I couldn’t find: a curated list of my favorite online vintage and secondhand bridal sources.
I visited countless bridal stores, new and old, with no luck. I came close once, but couldn’t justify the $13,000 price tag (though I nearly swiped my Amex out of desperation).
Shopping online has its downsides: you can’t try things on, and sellers aren’t always fully transparent about wear. But the pros are worth it: lower prices, access to pieces from anywhere, and the ability to shop from your bed. With a little creativity and vision, you can still find the dress.
Step 1: Get a measuring tape and gather your measurements
Step 2: Try on some dresses in person so you can get an understanding of what fit and style you like. I really thought I would like something slinky and silky, until I tried a few on. Turns out I want structure and drama!
Step 3: Pinterest your heart out, save, follow all your dream bridal designers, create your vision.
Step 4: Shop!
Ramonas Archives
Ramona’s archives is a London based archival vintage dealer, who I found through Instagram. Her prices by far the steepest out of the group but her selection is one of a kind. Archival designer, one of a kind dresses, and incredibly rare pieces. Ramona’s bridal selection spread is vast across the decades, landing with most pieces from the 1980s. I love this 1980s puffy wedding dress.
Art Garments
For the non-traditional, the minimalist, I present to you Art Garments. A little Etsy shop with incredible suit sets, accessories, and court house looks. I have so much saved from this shop. I wish I could do 12 court house weddings. I love this little 1980’s two piece set.
Studio Dorothy
No one knows vintage and secondhand bridal better than Studio Dorothy. I visited her studio a few weeks ago and still can’t stop thinking about so many of her bridal pieces. With 13 years in fashion, she sources, perfects, and styles some of the most exciting bridal I’ve tried. It’s worth visiting just to hear her talk about archival bridal designers, music to my ears. But if you’re not in NYC, she also sells plenty of bridal online. I adore this Marni poplin twisted bubble skirt midi.
Gossamer
Gossamer is the first place I started my hunt and I actually did buy a dress from here. Unfortunately the fit wasn’t what I was looking for but I am still thinking about reworking the dress since the bottom half is perfect. Prices here are mostly around $500 - $1,500. Gossamer is based in Atlanta Georgia and they are reliable and fast shippers! They also sell amazing occasion-wear (prices are significantly better than cough cough Happy Isles). They will also be popping up A Current Affair Market in NYC April 11-12. I adore this vintage Lagerfeld silk dress.
Atlas and Amber
Atlas and Amber is based in VA and I would obviously love to make an in person visit one day if I am ever in the region.
Delphine Vintage
Based in Milan, Delphine has some stunning garments for the romantic and low-key bride.
Mondo Archive
Mondo Archive is based in Australia and they have so many cute and affordable pieces. Like this 1980s striped taffeta gown. They also have some Juliette caps and hats!
Amy Shane
Amy Shane is known as the fairy godmother of vintage wedding gowns. She carefully sources and restores vintage wedding gowns to their former glory. Her prices are extremely reasonable, with nothing over $650. She also sells stain guides and care manuals. I love this satin collared gown.
Vivian Elise Vintage
Vivian Elise feels under the radar, which is reflected in her incredible prices. I really love her range of styles and fabrics. There is a little something for everyone. I love this 1940s tulle and ruffle gown.
Transplant Vintage
Transplant vintage or Saturn bridal is really good. The LA showroom is a favorite of all the cool non-traditional brides. If your like me and weren’t able to snag one of the very hard to get appointments, they also have an online boutique. Prices here range from $1,000 up to $6,000 and higher. Yet they meticulously source pieces spanning the entire 20th century, including some reworked and re-imagined pieces. I love this Vera Wang column gown.
Adored Closet
Adored Closet has an incredibly special selection. Based in the UK, her pieces are romantic and simple. She also sells some select bridal accessories. I love this 1930s Net Wedding Dress With Flowers (I mean wow).
Merari Vintage
Omar, based in Texas, is the owner of Merari vintage on Esty and Depop. His prices rarely go above $500 and all have been carefully restored and repaired. I love this organza beaded dress.
Blossom vintage shop
Blossom Vintage is based in LA. Their online bridal collection is small but mighty. Worth a peruse.
Call Me The Breeze
Call Me The Breeze has a very fun presence on socials. They also have a really wide range of styles and prices. There is some y2k, some 1940s, and everything in between.
Farmers Daughter
I would like to live in the 1930s burleqsue dressing room that is the pied-à-terre of Farmers Daughter. I a visited the shop recently and would recommend shopping online, the $100 appointment fee and lack of size diversity was tough to swallow. Her pieces lean more romantic, unstructured and victorian. I especially love this lace halter gown.
Thanks for reading !!!