Buying Your Wedding Dress in Connecticut

So, you’re Connecticut people. Welcome! You two are working on wedding planning in good shape for finding your perfect venue and photographer. You’ve read my advice on how to go about choosing your wedding dress. Now you’re ready to actually explore Connecticut wedding dress shops. You’re in the right place! Here’s a quick guide to some of the best dress and bridal shops in our state.

What do I need to know about bridal shops in CT?

In the greater Mystic area where I’m based, there are only a handful of bridal shops. As far as I’m aware, there are a few dozen wedding dress shops in Connecticut as a whole. So what do you need to know about finding one for yourself?

As I explain in my guide for how to choose your wedding dress, the process of getting your dress is a little harder than it may seem. It’s not that picking a wedding dress is very complex, it’s that there are many steps. You have to find which dress styles appeal to you. You have to make appointments. You have to get measured. It takes a long time!

Best to keep this in mind as you explore wedding dress shops in Connecticut. Then start your research by asking around, reading reviews, and visiting shops in person. If you’re working with a wedding planner, it would also be a great idea to ask them for their input.

A photo of a future bride looking in Bridal Affection, a wedding dress shop in Connecticut.
A bride-to-be tries on a wedding dress at Bridal Affection in Hamden, CT.

The Best Bridal Shops in Connecticut

Here are the best Connecticut wedding dress shops for you to explore. Also included are some more bridal shops elsewhere in the northeast and online.

The staff at Bridal Affection in Hamden, CT help a future bride the train of a sample dress.

1. Bridal Trousseau

This is one of the premiere formal wedding dress shops in Connecticut. Bridal Trousseau is located in New Haven and has a huge inventory of available wedding dress designers. They feature designers such as Maggie Sottero, Van Der Velde, and Eddy K. Generally, the prices range from about $1000 to $6000.

The staff is very helpful, including 25+ years of alteration experience. Having met and worked with owners Mel and Ide in the past, I can tell you that they’re lovely. I recently asked them how they go about helping you find the perfect dress. Accordingly, here are some key points from their response:

  • They build relationships with their customers and pride themselves on customer service (just look at all the smiling faces on their Instagram)
  • Their stylists help you from start to finish, working on building an actual friendship
  • Their seamstress partners have 25+ years of experience to help you with a perfect fit and alterations
  • Off-peak season is December to February (alterations can be performed more quickly during this timeframe)

You can even book an appointment online (and they have champagne).

2. Bridal Affection

A bride-to-be tries on a dress in Connecticut bridal dress shop Bridal Affection.

Located in Hamden (not too far from Bridal Trousseau) is Bridal Affection. Under the same ownership as Bridal Trousseau, this Connecticut bridal shop specializes in off-the-rack (or sample) wedding dresses. Their inventory features designers such as Sottero & Midgley, Rebecca Ingram, and Pronovias. Generally, the prices range from about $600 to $2000. Having visited this bridal salon, I can tell you that the staff treat their clients like royalty!

And while you’re in the greater New Haven area, keep in mind that there are plenty of jewelers around if you still need wedding bands.

3. The Wedding Embassy

The Wedding Embassy in Oakville is another of Connecticut’s best places to buy a wedding dress. With a comprehensive website and a Pinterest account to match, this boutique prides itself on the experience. (This shop was my wife’s choice for her wedding dress.)

Other Connecticut Wedding Dress Boutiques

Mariella Creations (Rocky Hill), Plumed Serpant (Westport), and Bella Bridesmaids (West Hartford) are all very popular bridal shops in Connecticut as well.

Other Bridal Shops in the Northeast

Kleinfeld Bridal

One of the most popular dress boutiques in the entire northeast is Kleinfeld Bridal in the Chelsea area of Manhattan, New York City, NY. Not only does this store huge at 30,000 square feet, it’s also the home of the aforementioned Say Yes to the Dress

I’m currently working with a bride who bought her dress here. She told me, “Kleinfeld was beautiful, I enjoyed the experience and feel like my attendant provided the perfect amount of help and guidance to help me get my dress on my first time out.” 

One last thing: while Kleinfeld may be known for their allure to celebrities and luxury wedding dresses, they actually have plenty of options in the price range I mentioned earlier.

Pure Bliss Bridals

Pure Bliss Bridals in Newburyport, MA is a great New England wedding dress shop in the Greater Boston area. ”The shop was great–they were super helpful,” said one bride that I recently worked with.

Spark Bridal Outlet

In Cranston, RI is Spark Bridal Outlet, one of New England’s most highly-rated wedding dress shops. Many Newport brides head here.

Preowned Wedding Dresses

If sustainability and/or budget are bigger priorities to you, then a used or preowned wedding dress might be for you. If you’re in Connecticut, So Many Dresses in Hamden is a good choice  for wedding dress consignment. Online, PreOwned Wedding Dresses looks to be a reputable dealer. Facebook groups and Poshmark are also good options.

Buying Wedding and Bridesmaid Dresses Online

Based on conversations I’ve had with past and current clients, they’ve recommended the following online bridesmaid dress designers/vendors (these designers also offer wedding dresses):

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer…

Interested in wedding photography? Just use these links to learn more.

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