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Carine's Bridal Atelier, Image: R. Lopez

18 of D.C.'s Best Bridal Salons for Wedding Dress Shopping

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Shopping for a wedding dress can be overwhelming, but it should also be fun — it's unlike any other shopping experience. Because we all know no one is offering you glasses of bubbly or ohhing and ahhing when you come out of the dressing room wearing a new pair of jeans.

To help the process of finding a dream dress along, we've scoured the Washington, D.C. area to bring you 18 shopping spots for bridal gowns of most any budget, from reasonable to Kim K. Click to the map to see all the options, from a salon that will let you Skype in relatives to the perfect plus-size shopping experience to where to find high-end designer fantasy gowns. Did we leave any places to shop for wedding dresses in D.C. out? Leave us a comment!


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Ann'sĀ Boutique

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At this family-run bridal salon in Burke, find gowns from designers like Watters, David Tutera Bridal, and more. Price Point: $1,000 and up. [Image]

BHLDN atĀ Anthropologie

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To the delight of Anthro fans, the brand's bridal line BHLDN arrived in the spring as a permanent pop-up shop within the Georgetown outpost of Anthropologie. A corner of the store has been transformed into boho bride central, with flowy, vintage-inspired options and accessories like beaded sashes and veils too. And you still get the bridal store experience, with a dedicated fitting room and help from a consultant. Price point: The most expensive gown is in the $3600 range, with the popular Annabelle dress clocking in at $260. [Image: R. Lopez]

Diana's Couture AndĀ Bridal

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Got an idea for your dream dress and want something totally custom? Talk to Diana aka The Gown Doctor. She can design a dress from sketches based on your Pinterest pins or even recreate your mother's wedding gown. Price Point Varies due to custom nature of the gowns. [Image]

Ellie's BridalĀ Boutique

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Browse Ellie's Bridal's selection via their robust Pinterest page before you even step into the doors of the Old Town shop. Price Point: $800 to $5,000. [Image]

Fabulous Frocks ofĀ Alexandria

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This high-end bridal consignment boutique carries new, once-wed, and sample designer bridal gowns, and though you're scoring some savings, the atmosphere is chic. Check their constantly-updated Facebook page to see recent arrivals. Price Point: Gowns range from $1,000 to $10,000. [Image]

Carine's BridalĀ Atelier

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For the bride who wants her runway moment, Carine's offers completely romantic and modern creations from top-notch designers like Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Temperley London, and Liancarlo. You'll find emerging designers too, like Mira Zwillinger, and top-notch customer service. Carine's is set for a big expansion, opening a two-story shop in Georgetown soon. Price point: The average dress sold in the store is about $5,000 to $5,500. A few lines, including Monique Lhuillier Bliss, start in the $2700 range.

Cherry BlossomĀ Bridal

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Because brides come in all sizes, Cherry Blossom Bridal specializes in plus-size bridal gowns. Find a variety of options in sizes 12 to 28 here, and make sure to make an appointment. Price Point: Wedding gowns generally range $1,500 to $3,500. [Image]

Hannelore's of OldĀ Town

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In Old Town since 1983, Hannelore's carries designers like Claire Pettibone and Badgley Mischka. Think lots of lace, old-world glamour, and drama. Price Point: Dresses here start at $2,400 and go up to $14,000. [Image]

Hitched BridalĀ Couture

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Beyond customer service and that gorgeous window, Hitched is just a fun place to shop for your big day. The Georgetown shop carries gowns for every type of bride from unique designers like Austin Scarlet, Anna Maier, Johanna Johnson, and Lela Rose. Upstairs, Hitched Maids stocks bridesmaids gowns and you'll find a corner dedicated to the shop's custom invites. Price Point: $3,000 to $5,000. [Image]

I Do I Do WeddingĀ Gowns

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Don't mind a "nearly new" gown? Full service consignment shop I Do I Do carries an extensive selection of consigned gowns at prices up to 90% off retail. They carry new gowns as well from Casablanca, Alfred Angelo, and Allure Bridal. Price Point: From $150 for a basic sheath to $4000. [Image]
The only J Crew Bridal Department in the area is at the Georgetown store, so head here for classic, streamlined bridal gowns. Price Point: $595 to $2100. [Image]

Jeanette'sĀ Bridal

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If you're willing to make the drive, Jeanette's in Manassas carries bridal gowns for just about every budget. Designers include Victor Harper, Simone Carvalli, Cristiano Lucci, Marisa, and Yumi Katsura. Price Point: Gowns range from approximately $500 to $12,000. [Image]

LoveĀ Couture

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In Potomac, Love Couture offers more than 300 gowns styles in sizes from sizes four to twenty-four. Price Point: Prices from $1,500 to $7,000. [Image]

LovelyĀ Bride

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Lovely Bride is about to celebrate its one year anniversary in Washington. The store's design is, well, lovely, with exposed brick and Pinterest-worthy details. Find traditional-with-an-indie twist creations bridal designers like Sarah Janks, Elizabeth Dye, Sarah Seven, and Anna Campbell. Price Point: $1,500 to $6,000. [Image: Adele Chapin/Racked DC]

Rosalin's BridalĀ Boutique

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On a budget and don't need hand-holding attention or anything fancy? At Rosalin's, you can roam around this tiny shop and grab gowns to try on off the rack. Reasonable bridesmaids gowns are another draw here. [Image]

Rizik's

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Rizik's carries Jenny Packham wedding dresses and more in their bridal section. Price Point: $3,000 and up. [Image]

SaksĀ Jandel

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Are you a Vera bride? The bridal salon at Saks Jandel is home to celeb-favorite designers like Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Naeem Khan, Peter Langner and J. Mendel. Price Point: $3,000 and up. [Image]

Soliloquy BridalĀ Couture

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In downtown Herndon, Soliloquy is so into customer service they even will Skype in out-of-town family or friends to virtually experience bridal gown shopping. Find designers here like Sarah Seven, Heidi Elnora, Johnna Ho, and Kevan Hall. [Image]

Ann'sĀ Boutique

At this family-run bridal salon in Burke, find gowns from designers like Watters, David Tutera Bridal, and more. Price Point: $1,000 and up. [Image]

BHLDN atĀ Anthropologie

To the delight of Anthro fans, the brand's bridal line BHLDN arrived in the spring as a permanent pop-up shop within the Georgetown outpost of Anthropologie. A corner of the store has been transformed into boho bride central, with flowy, vintage-inspired options and accessories like beaded sashes and veils too. And you still get the bridal store experience, with a dedicated fitting room and help from a consultant. Price point: The most expensive gown is in the $3600 range, with the popular Annabelle dress clocking in at $260. [Image: R. Lopez]

Diana's Couture AndĀ Bridal

Got an idea for your dream dress and want something totally custom? Talk to Diana aka The Gown Doctor. She can design a dress from sketches based on your Pinterest pins or even recreate your mother's wedding gown. Price Point Varies due to custom nature of the gowns. [Image]

Ellie's BridalĀ Boutique

Browse Ellie's Bridal's selection via their robust Pinterest page before you even step into the doors of the Old Town shop. Price Point: $800 to $5,000. [Image]

Fabulous Frocks ofĀ Alexandria

This high-end bridal consignment boutique carries new, once-wed, and sample designer bridal gowns, and though you're scoring some savings, the atmosphere is chic. Check their constantly-updated Facebook page to see recent arrivals. Price Point: Gowns range from $1,000 to $10,000. [Image]

Carine's BridalĀ Atelier

For the bride who wants her runway moment, Carine's offers completely romantic and modern creations from top-notch designers like Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Temperley London, and Liancarlo. You'll find emerging designers too, like Mira Zwillinger, and top-notch customer service. Carine's is set for a big expansion, opening a two-story shop in Georgetown soon. Price point: The average dress sold in the store is about $5,000 to $5,500. A few lines, including Monique Lhuillier Bliss, start in the $2700 range.

Cherry BlossomĀ Bridal

Because brides come in all sizes, Cherry Blossom Bridal specializes in plus-size bridal gowns. Find a variety of options in sizes 12 to 28 here, and make sure to make an appointment. Price Point: Wedding gowns generally range $1,500 to $3,500. [Image]

Hannelore's of OldĀ Town

In Old Town since 1983, Hannelore's carries designers like Claire Pettibone and Badgley Mischka. Think lots of lace, old-world glamour, and drama. Price Point: Dresses here start at $2,400 and go up to $14,000. [Image]

Hitched BridalĀ Couture

Beyond customer service and that gorgeous window, Hitched is just a fun place to shop for your big day. The Georgetown shop carries gowns for every type of bride from unique designers like Austin Scarlet, Anna Maier, Johanna Johnson, and Lela Rose. Upstairs, Hitched Maids stocks bridesmaids gowns and you'll find a corner dedicated to the shop's custom invites. Price Point: $3,000 to $5,000. [Image]

I Do I Do WeddingĀ Gowns

Don't mind a "nearly new" gown? Full service consignment shop I Do I Do carries an extensive selection of consigned gowns at prices up to 90% off retail. They carry new gowns as well from Casablanca, Alfred Angelo, and Allure Bridal. Price Point: From $150 for a basic sheath to $4000. [Image]

J.Crew

The only J Crew Bridal Department in the area is at the Georgetown store, so head here for classic, streamlined bridal gowns. Price Point: $595 to $2100. [Image]

Jeanette'sĀ Bridal

If you're willing to make the drive, Jeanette's in Manassas carries bridal gowns for just about every budget. Designers include Victor Harper, Simone Carvalli, Cristiano Lucci, Marisa, and Yumi Katsura. Price Point: Gowns range from approximately $500 to $12,000. [Image]

LoveĀ Couture

In Potomac, Love Couture offers more than 300 gowns styles in sizes from sizes four to twenty-four. Price Point: Prices from $1,500 to $7,000. [Image]

LovelyĀ Bride

Lovely Bride is about to celebrate its one year anniversary in Washington. The store's design is, well, lovely, with exposed brick and Pinterest-worthy details. Find traditional-with-an-indie twist creations bridal designers like Sarah Janks, Elizabeth Dye, Sarah Seven, and Anna Campbell. Price Point: $1,500 to $6,000. [Image: Adele Chapin/Racked DC]

Rosalin's BridalĀ Boutique

On a budget and don't need hand-holding attention or anything fancy? At Rosalin's, you can roam around this tiny shop and grab gowns to try on off the rack. Reasonable bridesmaids gowns are another draw here. [Image]

Rizik's

Rizik's carries Jenny Packham wedding dresses and more in their bridal section. Price Point: $3,000 and up. [Image]

SaksĀ Jandel

Are you a Vera bride? The bridal salon at Saks Jandel is home to celeb-favorite designers like Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Naeem Khan, Peter Langner and J. Mendel. Price Point: $3,000 and up. [Image]

Soliloquy BridalĀ Couture

In downtown Herndon, Soliloquy is so into customer service they even will Skype in out-of-town family or friends to virtually experience bridal gown shopping. Find designers here like Sarah Seven, Heidi Elnora, Johnna Ho, and Kevan Hall. [Image]