Photo: Alice in Ivory; Kristin La Voie Photography
Finding the right wedding dress may be trial-and-error, but finding a bridal salon shouldn’t be. Our editors polled more than 1,500 brides to discover the places with the prettiest dresses (from the designers like Carolina Herrera, Mira Zwillinger, and Houghton, just to name a few!), nicest consultants, and chicest spaces from coast to coast. Every single shop on this list is a true standout in style, service, and atmosphere whether it’s the white dress mecca in your state or a gem in the middle of nowhere (we didn’t judge!). Get ready for our curated, tested, and fully endorsed list of The Best Bridal Salons in America. Here, our editors narrow down the best bridal salons in the Midwest. Happy shopping!
Alice in Ivory, Chicago
A year in and business is already booming at this Lincoln Park shop, where boho brides can find all the Stevie Nicks-inspired silhouettes they desire from Carol Hannah, Rue De Seine, and Houghton. “I’ve referred at least a dozen friends already,” raves one bridal blogger.
Ultimate Bride, Chicago
This landmark on Oak Street is considered “the ultimate salon” by Midwest brides for good reason. Reviewers went nuts over the massive selection of high-end designers (Carolina Herrera, Marchesa, and more), plus the pro staff “makes you feel confident with your decision.”
MH Pomander’s, Indianapolis
A number of women we surveyed experienced “love at first try” here, thanks to the two owners’ almost psychic ability to read brides. “They immediately understood my vision and brought out beautiful dresses, veils, and accessories that matched it perfectly,” says one client.
The Gown Shop Bridal, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Want to feel like the only bride in the world? For your appointment, the doors are locked and the curtains closed to give you time to test-drive that Sarah Seven dress you were eyeing. “It was so private! I felt as special as I did the day my fiancé proposed,” says one customer.
Roma Sposa, Birmingham, Mich.
This posh salon has the best selection of Inbal Dror, Zuhair Murad, and others in the Detroit metro area, maybe even the entire state. Add to that a perfect score for service — one called her consultant “the dress whisperer” — and it’s a no-brainer for Michigan brides.
A & Bé Bridal Shop, Minneapolis
Sure, the trendy designers (Truvelle, Katie May) and approachable price points (tons under $1,500) are a draw, but for our reviewers, what sealed the deal were the engaged consultants who get exactly what you need.
L’Atelier Couture Bridal Boutique, Minneapolis
In this spacious industrial-chic showroom, racks hang from the ceiling to display on-trend dresses at eye level, meaning you can do a 360 degree inspection before hauling a gown to the dressing room. Bonus: You can rent out the space on the big day to get ready with your bridesmaids.
Fleur De Lis Bridal Boutique, Clayton, Mo.
When Connie and Kristin, a mother-daughter duo, shopped for Kristin’s dress in 2007, they were bummed they didn’t get “that special salon experience.” So they created a bridal haven with gorge gowns made in North America and the kind of above-and-beyond attention brides crave.
Rhylan Lang, Omaha, Nebr.
Worried you won’t find a decent salon (or dress) in Omaha? Our reviewers were — until they found this gem of a shop, where they lost their minds over ball gowns from Hayley Paige and jewels from Haute Bride.
Amanda’s Hyde Park Bridal, Cincinnati
This pretty pink boutique is all about the custom experience. It starts with a reserved parking spot and a big welcome sign with your name on it and ends with, say, a Pronovias gown that makes you feel and look like a million bucks.
White of Dublin, Dublin, Ohio
This place is such a stunner that reviewers admitted to window-shopping here before they were even engaged. Once inside, “the consultants will do anything” to find you the One. “My dress was over my budget, and they gave me a deal to make it work,” says a bride.
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