Unexpected Fashion Girl-Approved Brands to Shop for Your Wedding

With peak spring and summer wedding season upon us, more and more of what may at first seem like anti-bridal brands are putting their own twist on what special occasion wear should look like. Designer Richard Quinn was in town during Bridal Fashion Week last month to host market appointments for the first time after seeing interest from brides for his signature white finale looks. Vogue’s own Naomi Elizée opted for an unconventional, straight off the runway mini for her over-the-top engagement party last year. Then there’s Ssense’s latest bridal collection that tapped into even more niche, it-girl brands such as Shushu/Tong and Chopova Lowena after a wildly successful debut capsule.

Whether it’s a statement making, genderless two-piece set by Tanner Fletcher who never intended to launch a bridal collection in the first place, or Bode who officially launched womenswear last year and dressed Maude Apatow in one of the key looks, off-the-rack wedding outfit shopping has never been chicer. From Simone Rocha’s whimsical accessories for a downtown city hall nuptial to Thom Browne’s couture creations for an extravagant black-tie affair, here are 17 unexpected cool girl-approved brands to get to know as you plan your big day.

Simone Rocha

With her more-is-more attitude and exaggerated tulle silhouettes, Simone Rocha just might be one of the most beloved brands by fashion insiders and Vogue brides. Wedding-ready dresses aren’t a new concept for Rocha and the accessories? Well, they will be the perfect whimsical keepsake for anyone getting married!

Bode

Just a few short months after being named CFDA American Menswear Designer of the Year, Emily Adams Bode Aujla launched womenswear at the beginning of 2023. The nascent womenswear line dabbles in wedding attire with Bode’s signature home-spun feel that’s sure to draw attention from the fashion crowd.

Tanner Fletcher

It was never Tanner Fletcher’s intention to design a wedding collection but after receiving multitude of interest from both brides and grooms, the brand has launched its first gender-fluid bridal capsule. Think sheer romantic blouses, playful bow-adorned suiting and a made-to-order dress that you can personalize with your own love letters.

Richard Quinn

While Richard Quinn’s finale brides have become quite the signature since his fall 2019 collection, for his last two collections, Quinn sent down not one, but a small bridal capsule down the runway. Testing out the bridal market with a trunk show at the cool-girl-approved bridal showroom LOHO in Los Angeles, and coming stateside during New York Bridal Fashion Week last month, you can expect to see some real life Richard Quinn brides in the coming months. Made for the maximalist, expect loud lattice sequin minis and exaggerated silhouettes for true fashion lovers.

Molly Goddard

It’s no surprise that It-girl favorite brand Molly Goddard was early to the game with her first bridal collection launch in 2020. From Angela Koh, a fashion editor at T Magazine, to Olive Uniacke (a WME agent who wore a truly unconventional hot pink wedding dress), Goddard’s designs are fit for modern brides who want to opt for anything but traditional.

Jacquemus

While a number of fashion brides already left behind the big ball gown in favor of Jacquemus and his minimal ready-to-wear silhouettes, the French designer has made it official with a new Le Mariage capsule that launched last month. Channel Danish It-girl Emma Leth who wore the unforgettable massive Jacquemus hat (and perhaps started the naked wedding dress trend) or stylist Lolita Jacobs in her custom rehearsal dinner dress and opt for an effortlessly seductive number for your seaside nuptial.

Wiederhoeft

2022 Vogue/CFDA finalist, Wiederhoeft launched its first bridal collection in 2020 which challenged tradition and what came before. As seen on Julia Fox and Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan, designer Jackson Wiederhoeft is making the case for a theatrical, gender-neutral wedding attire. Who could forget the 32 custom outfits created for this one wedding?

Mirror Palais

With approval from influencer Emily Mariko and model Emily Ratajkowski, Marcelo Gaia’s Mirror Palais is on the rise in the bridal scene. For the fashion minimalist with a penchant for body-skimming slip dresses and Brigitte Bardot inspired eyelet minis, Mirror Palais will have you covered from your bachelorette to your honeymoon.

Ashley Williams

Ssense has tapped London-based designer Ashley Williams for an exclusive bridal collection. Known for her kitschy graphics and undeniably eccentric designs, the capsule consists of a paneled midi, bow-trimmed veil and bonnet, and a cheeky heart-shaped top-handle.

Cecilie Bahnsen

Copenhagen designer Cecilie Bahnsen officially launched a made-to-order service with bridal as one of three categories. Brides from all over the world sought out Bahnsen’s signature smocked silhouettes in shades of whites and blues, perhaps since model Caroline Brasch Nielsen’s iconic Copenhagen 2018 wedding where the designer dressed the entire wedding party which included supermodel Helena Christensen, designers Barbara Potts and Sophie Bille Brahe. Perfect for expecting brides, add one of Bahnsen’s effortless silhouettes to your “chill” bridal wardrobe.

Thom Browne

From the ultimate cool-girl and ex-Vogue editor Kelly Connor who opted for an archival look for her wedding to this groom who wore a pink skirt for the cake cutting, Thom Browne is another designer who has long been breaking traditional gender rules of fashion. While his classic suiting options add a fun flair to any wedding, after his Paris couture debut (with a finale bride of course), perhaps we’ll be seeing some state-of-the-art creations for future couples.

Neous

Founded by a former magazine editor, Vanissa Antonious, Neous designs “soft cream” colored accessories fit for modern brides. For those who want to opt for a less-is-more, quiet luxury wedding wardrobe, there are minimal sandals and classic kitten heel pumps with delicate lace detailing sure to elevate any bridal trousseau.

Clio Peppiatt

Taylor Swift wore a rhinestone minidress by Clio Peppiatt for her birthday last year. A bag embellished “Til Death Do Us Part” from Peppiatt’s debut bridal collection has been a favorite of actress Julia Fox’s. While Clio Peppiatt has been known for cheeky after-party dresses and statement-making bridal bags, her latest exclusive collection for Net-a-Porter consists of ceremony-ready gowns in her signature beading.

Chopova Lowena

Looking for something totally untraditional? You’ll find it from cult-favorite brand Chopova Lowena who has launched a second wedding capsule for Ssense; fans of the brand will love to hear that a carabiner dress is included. (Perhaps the idea stemmed from one of the designers, Laura Lowena-Irons who designed her own wedding dress in 2021 alongside her co-designer Emma Chopova.) Also in the mix? A broderie anglaise garter, shoulder bag, and open-knit gloves with bracelet-style chain detailing—all of which are sure to be a hit.

Cawley Studio

This London-based brand celebrated for quality craftsmanship and British manufacturing is offering made-to-order bridal service out of its South London studio. Cawley only works with natural materials and is perfect for those who appreciate exceptional fabrics and also want to be ahead of the curve.

Shushu/Tong

Shanghai based brand Shushu/Tong celebrates modern women who will unabashedly express themselves through hyper feminine, girly silhouettes. Translate that to bridalwear and you have a flouncy minidress to dance all night in and ornate wedding accessories sure to make a fashion statement.