It probably won’t surprise you to hear, dear readers, that we encounter a lot of amazing bridal designers and boutiques here at Hello May. It’s our job, after all, to source styles of all sorts to inspire and delight you, and hopefully provide some inspo as you search for your own big day ‘fit.
Whether you’re looking for something to elope in, minimal cottage core vibes or intricate detailing, we’ve seen it all friends, and after some careful consideration, we’ve compiled a list of our top 20 all-time favourite bridal designers and boutiques that you simply MUST chuck a follow on the ol’ Insta.
It doesn’t matter if you’re ready to drop a motza or searching for a bargain – these fabulous folks have wedding-day looks galore and you’re sure to find something you love hanging on their racks. So here they are, in no particular order… our Top 20 Bridal Designers & Boutiques. (Psst – don’t forget to check out our Top 20 Jewellery Designers, and stock up on must-have accessories to finish your ‘fit.)
We have a massive crush on Grace Loves Lace and the reasons are aplenty, friends. Their Insta feed is a delicious buffet of dreamy dresses, shot in the most incredible of locations – and with the focus on sustainability, these Australia-made gowns are an easy pick. (They’ve even create their own exclusive eco lace, crafted from 100% recycled materials) Their latest collection, Memoirs Of Her, dropped recently and holy heck it’s like nothing we’ve seen from the label before. We’re downright obsessed with Anu and Goldie, and you actually have to get yourself to a showroom and peep Zsa Zsa – she is crafted from a buttery-soft lycra fabrication and designed to swim in. How has no-one thought of this before?!
Follow @graceloveslace
Nothing gets us more excited than a new boutique, friends, and the delightfully chic Sunday Eve Bridal is the newbie you need to invite to your party, stat. Opening on November 15, this here boutique (nestled in Sydney’s fashionable Paddington) is home to many a fabulous pick and a quick flick through their Insta grid will give you all the effortlessly cool vibes you’ll find within their walls. Think sleek and modern A.B. Ellie, luxe minimalism from The Law, all-Aussie cool-girl brand Bowie Rae and one of our personal faves, the always dreamy Bo & Luca, all hanging out here ready to be loved.
Follow @sundayevebridal
True romantics, listen up – the fabulous folks at Maison Oui are bringing all the classic couturier vibes courtesy of the stunning Chérie By Oui brand. Intricate embellishments, timeless cuts and a yesteryear vibe are all that’s needed to put this here label front and centre of our romantic-bride must-haves list, and their grid is one you want popping up in your feed, trust us. The latest collection, Unbridled Love, will steal your breath away and we have to admit, we feel for you, we really do – after all, we wouldn’t want to be stuck with the task of having to pick just ONE of these phenom pieces. Give them a follow and enjoy the dream.
Follow @cheriebyoui
If you’re a bride in Adelaide or the surrounding area, you need to make an appointment to see the ladies at The Bride Lab, stat. It’s a truly dreamy space where you can get lost amidst some seriously exquisite gowns. There are permanent collections from likes of Hera Couture, Rue De Seine, Alena Leena, Anna Campbell, Daalarna Couture, Eva Lendel, Alyssa Kristin, Anna Kara, Alexandra Grecco, Lovers Society, Amaline Vitale and Theia Couture – and as if that’s not enough, The Bride Lab is also the place to get amongst Adelaide’s best trunk shows. We’re talking exclusive designers, not to be found anywhere else in town. Chuck them a follow to stay up-to-date on exclusive designers coming to their space and for plenty of dreamy dress inspo.
Follow @thebridelab
Are we a wee bit obsessed with Mrs Fray? Yes, and we’re happy to admit it, too, because there’s no shame in frothing over a bridal boutique this good! The exclusive ACT stockist for Karen Willis Holmes, Prea James Bridal, Lola Varma, Chosen by KYHA and, heck, so many more to-notch labels, this is the place Canberra-and-surround- brides must visit before saying ‘I do’. Plus we also happen to know from experience that Amy and her team are bloody lovely people, genuine rays of sunshine whose sole purpose here is to make you feel flippin’ great in whatever you wear on the big day.
Follow @mrs_fray
Classic, timeless gowns with a notably contemporary flavour – that’s what Luci Di Bella‘s all about and we’re oh-so here for it. Playing the gown game since 1999, this Melbourne-based magic worker has collection after delicious collection, and each and every one has us ‘oooh’ing and ‘aaah’ing. The latest, though is something truly spesh. You want sweet puff sleeves and divine lace? You got sweet puff sleeves and divine lace! Interested in some dramatic structural shapes? Uh-huh, it’s here. Oh wait – buttery soft, liquid-like gowns are more your pick? LDB has you covered – and it’s all waiting on the ‘gram, ready for you to like, save, share, etc.
Follow @lucidibelladesign
Amelia and Martine are just a coupla besties who want to help you get into your dream dress – and so Moonstruck Bride was born, a labour of love for these gals who weren’t vibing with the whole dress shopping experience when they were planning their own weddings. There are stacks of fab designers to choose from hanging on their racks, such as By Watters (pictured), E&W Couture, Laudae, Dear Heart, and Truvelle, and they also include some super-fun colourful options for anyone saying ‘no thanks’ to white. Their Insta is just as colourful, full of fun and love, and accented with sunset tones – think peachy pinks, hints of gold and real wedding inspo galore.
Follow @moonstruckbride
Modern minimalist brides, this is the ‘gram grid for you. As a fashion and wedding photographer (and a damn fine one at that), designer Courtney Illfield knows a thing or two about curating a good Insta feed, and if the beautiful gowns and stunning inspo shots don’t get you, the carefully crafted and oh-so-satisfying layout of this here grid definitely will. You’ll find no cookie-cutter dresses at Lola Varma – no m’am, this is edgy, unconventional bridal at its very best and is crafted to honour who a woman is at her core. The perfect vibe for the big day, we reckon.
Follow @lola.varma
Nothing says chic bride like a Parisian designer gown and Carte Blanche Bride is the only place we can rec for a selection of the very best in French ‘fits for your big day. Along with gowns by the likes of Atelier Blanche, Margaux Tardits, Donatelle Godart and Laure de Sagazan, their Instagram feed is sprinkled with snapshots of French cityscapes, giving your scroll a deliciously international feel. We feel a croissant is an essential accessory for a scroll through this here ‘gram and if you happen to book a trip to France for your honeymoon? Well, heck, Paris is never a bad idea.
Follow @carteblanchebride
Who better to design you the perfect dress than someone who’s been through the process herself? That’s what the lovely Lilia Cass is all about, after her own gown search prompted her to help other brides create pieces that light them up – but not just for the big day. No siree, this lady is all about minimal bridal separates, which are designed to “mix, match and layer”, she says. “Buying an outfit for only one day is something I avoid with my everyday wardrobe and I believe the rules shouldn’t change just because it’s bridal,” she says, and if that’s an ethos you’re feeling, you simply must tap on over to her ‘gram to get your fill of stunning mod-min styles (plus, you’ll be in exactly the right place to hear all about it when her new collection drops v. soon).
Follow @liliacassceremonial
We love a beautifully curated Instagram grid as much as we froth a fab wedding gown here at Hello May, and London-born (now Sydney-based) designer Moira Hughes serves both – and we love her for it. We thank her for it! Because our newsfeeds are better for it. Her new collection, Take Flight, is the current star of the show and heck, it’s one drop you do not want to miss. Designed for “the adventurous soul”, these pieces feature silks and laces sourced exclusively from London, Paris and Milan, intricate beading, dainty pearl details and dramatic embellishments… it’s romance on tap, people.
Follow @moirahughescouture
You know we’re big fans of the lovely Prea James Bridal here at Hello May. This super-talented lady launched her bridal line in 2017 but has been whipping up incredible couture pieces since 2015 and has been dropping collection after stunning collection, dishing up her trademark fashionable yet relaxed take on bridal for overs of understated elegance and modern, minimalist designs. Her 2023 collection is Riviera and is a masterpiece, as per, but it’s not just gowns over here, folks. The accessories game is strong. We’re obsessing over the sheer Liv Blazer (perfect over a dance-the-night-away mini) and The Bowie – the most scrumptious giant bow we ever laid eyes on. Peep it all on their ‘gram – a bright, vibrant corner of the internet you’ll love to scroll.
Follow @preajames_bridal
Modern bride but make it dreamy: that’s what Oui The Label (one of Maison Oui‘s two delightful offerings) is all about, and they’ve got the Insta to prove it. Ofc, there’s gown inspo aplenty, but these delish dresses are interspersed with savvy styled shots, fab florals, cakes, table settings, shoes… all the little details that take a wedding next level. And about those dresses… think timeless designs given a fresh makeover; sensual shapes, dramatic curves, effortless glamour and chic styling – everything from classic chic to modern maximalism at its best. It’s a big ‘oui’ from us.
Follow @ouithelabel
Did we mention that New Zealand bridal designer Katie Yeung is all sorts of talented? In addition to Hera Couture, this creative lass has a second label to her name, and Daisy is every bit as covetable as its sister brand. With sizing from UK 0-36, these pieces are made for e-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y, to fit every size, shape and personality – and it’s not just gorg gowns you’ll be treated to here. Daisy’s separates make creating your own unique w-day look too, too easy. A scroll through their Insta is all the proof we need that Daisy is here to celebrate fun, love and diversity – these joyful pieces are totally worthy of adorning your bod on your special day.
Follow @daisybrides.co.nz
Of course this lady makes heavenly white bridal gowns. But what we are simply stoked on over at her Insta is all the dramatic colour! This is a fun-loving feed for the fancy-free bride, and whether you’re vibing whites or brights (or shades in between – hi, pastels!), there’s something in this scroll you’ll need to save for your Pinterest board. Plus, the team has just moved into their new Brunswick studio (that’s in Melbourne, for the uninitiated), so prepare for plenty more BTS snaps and cheeky insight into the couture creation process.
Follow @georgiayoungcouture
If ‘neutral tones’ is the planned vibe for your big day, you must chuck Tasmanian designer Frahn Bridal a follow. We’re loving hard on the chic, crisp monotone vibes of this grid’s palette, accented with splashes of neutral colour for the dreamiest modern-minimal grid. And the gowns – oh, the gowns! Think sophisticated, poetic, strong but feminine pieces, crafted for the fashion-forward bride and inspired by glamorous vintage images of yesteryear and you’ll have a pretty good idea what their debut made-to-order collection, First Story, is all about. Handmade in Tassie, these chic pieces are begging to be re-worn beyond the big day.
Follow @frahnbridal
She’s been in the game for more than 20 years and still, this lady keeps finding ways to wow us, collection after stunning collection. And folks, the variety here is everything – romantic gowns, modern cuts, tailored suits, sweet minis… Karen Willis Holmes has it all, and every single piece is handcrafted by the knockout team in their Sydney workroom. We’re loving every single piece in their stunning Wild Hearts ’22 drop. Head on over to their ‘gram for a lusty mix of real brides and heavenly shoots, plus a whole lot of sweet accessories we can’t get enough of. We’re looking at you, Erin Gloves and Steph Pearl Hair Bow.
Follow @kwhbridal
We’ve loved New Zealand bridal brand Hera Couture for a long time, folks, and for many many good reasons. One of the things we love most about these pieces, designed by the talented Katie Yeung, is that they’re made with every woman in mind – and that means they are size inclusive as well as just downright stunning options for all. Their latest collection, Modern Debutante, has just freshly dropped and it’s really something else you guys. Pop them a follow on the ‘gram and you’ll be treated to everything from dramatic ethereal gowns to modern minimalist, chic simplicity and intricate detailing – you’ll de find something here that speaks to your soul.
Follow @heracouture
If your Pinterest board is overflowing with jaw-dropping sunsets over mountain ranges and free-spirited folk living out your boho dreams, Rue De Seine is the designer for you. The New Zealand-based brand was originally inspired by the bohemian style of Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Près district, and the dreamy vibes are super strong here. The most recent collection, Mountain Song, features the stunning exclusive lace they’re famous for (all designed in-house, mind you), not to mention the stunningly unique styles we’ve come to expect from these bridal trailblazers. Whet your appetite over on their Insta – a bohemian smorgasbord, tbh – then pick your fave.
Follow @ruedeseinebridal