As you start on the journey of planning your wedding, one of the most exhilarating moments awaits: saying YES to your dress!
This is an opportunity to gather a few of your besties and family, and involve them in the decision-making process, perhaps add a brunch and make a memorable day of it. Selecting your wedding gown not only marks a significant step in your preparations but also adds a tangible sense of reality and excitement to your upcoming wedding!
Navigating the multitude of options when it comes to selecting a dress can be a little bit overwhelming, so I’ve created a comprehensive guide to wedding dress shops in Minneapolis and St Paul!
The Best Wedding Dress Shops In Minneapolis
Here are some wedding dress shops in Minneapolis to consider when searching for your perfect gown:
Anna Be
120 N 1st Ave, Suite 110, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-389-0048
The sister store of a&bé, located in the fun and hip North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. This boutique offers a vast selection of wedding dresses from popular designers, beautiful accessories. Claire, Nikita and the rest of the team offer a truly personalized service and size-inclusive collections for the ultimate shopping experience.
The White Room
1621 East Hennepin Ave #220 (2nd Floor) Minneapolis, MN 55514
Phone: 612-361-7175
One of my absolute favorites! A sophisticated, modern, and artistic boutique located in South Minneapolis. Jillian and the team here strives to connect with brides on topics such as fashion, art, music so that they can provide an elevated customer service experience. They aim to bring a fresh, modern take on wedding attire to aspire brides to be authentic and true to their personal style.
Bridal Accents Couture
12501 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, MN 55337
An award-winning bridal boutique featuring beautifully crafted dresses by renowned national designers. They also offer an extensive collection of bridal jewelry and accessories, bridesmaids dresses, and Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom dresses with friendly and attentive consultants to assist you.
a&bé bridal shop Minneapolis
1607 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612-238-1300
Located in the Loring Park neighborhood, a&bé offers a beautiful collection of wedding dresses from top designers. Whether you need romantic, modern or a simple wedding dress they have you covered and offer a variety of styles, fits and sizes. The majority of their collection is size 8-12.
Annika Bridal Boutique
3940 West 50th Street, Edina, MN, 55424
Phone: 952-303-6801
An upscale bridal boutique located in the Edina suburb of Minneapolis. All gowns have been carefully selected and handpicked by the owners, Annie & Katie. Specializing in classic & modern high-end wedding dresses & accessories.
Wedding Shoppe Inc
1196 Grand Ave St. Paul, MN 55105
Phone: 651-298-1144
A one-stop-shop for all wedding attire. In business since 1977 they boast a large wedding dress selection, reasonable prices and top notch customer service. You could even pick out dresses for the bridesmaids and suits for the groomsmen too!
Things to consider before wedding dress shopping in Minneapolis
Before you dive into wedding dress shopping, please consider these tips:
Start Early
If time allows, begin shopping for your wedding dress at least 9-12 months before your wedding date. Wedding dresses often require alterations, and some designers may have long lead times for ordering.
Research & gather inspiration
Look online and through bridal magazines to gather inspiration and get an idea of the styles you like. Keep your wedding venue and theme in mind when thinking about the style. For example, a ball gown may be perfect for a more elegant ballroom wedding, while a simple sheath dress may be more suitable for a casual backyard wedding. Create a Pinterest board or mood board to help you visualize your preferences.
Set a Budget
Determine how much of your wedding budget to allow for your wedding dress. This should include alterations and accessories.
Book Appointments
Most bridal shops operate by appointment only, especially on weekends so make sure to schedule appointments at bridal boutiques in advance.
Top tips for a smooth shopping experience
Bring a Few Besties or Family Members
Limit your group to a few close friends or family members whose opinions you value and trust. Too many opinions can be overwhelming.
Wear the Right Underwear
Consider wearing nude or white underwear and a strapless bra or bustier to try on dresses. This will give you a better idea of how the dress will look on your wedding day.
Be Open-Minded & trust your instincts
Whilst it’s great to have a vision of your dream dress, being open to different styles that are still within your budget may surprise you. When you find the right dress, you’ll know. The perfect dress should make you feel beautiful and confident, so do not settle for anything less.
Think About Comfort
You’ll be wearing your wedding dress for several hours, so make sure it’s comfortable to move and sit in. Consider factors like the weight of the dress, the fabric, and the ease of movement.
Bonus tips from a Minneapolis wedding photographer
Here are some additional pointers to enhance your bridal gown experience on your wedding day:
Bridal Accessories
Don’t forget bridal accessories – shoes, veil, earrings and other jewelry. These details also contribute to stunning detail shots on your special day.
Bridal Gown Hanger
Opt for an elegant or customized hanger to beautifully showcase your dress. I recommend to have a wood white hanger, however many brides opt for customizable ones from Etsy!
Showing your dress at it’s best
Throughout your wedding day, try to mak sure to fluff your gown for photos! Consider having a friend of member of the weddding party help you with this to make sure your gown looks its best in photos.
Happy shopping! I hope you have found this complete guide to wedding dress shops in Minneapolis useful.
Please check out this page for other useful guides and resources for planning a wedding in Minnesota.
About Laura Alpizar Photography
Laura Alpizar is a Minneapolis & St Paul Wedding Photographer specialized in candid and romantic wedding photography all over Minnesota and the Midwest. She also works in Costa Rica and destination weddings.
Learn more visiting our website and reach out so we can start working together !
