Where to Shop and Try on Wedding Dresses from Home

Like many businesses and industries across the globe, bridal designers and boutiques have taken a hit due to the COVID-19 outbreak. With government restrictions and policies in place, many bridal salons have had to temporarily close their doors, cancel appointments and pivot quickly to meet the needs of their clientele. The good news? While wedding planning during the Coronovirus pandemic is challenging (to say the least!), more and more bridal brands are offering the ease of shopping for wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses from the comfort of your own home.

By now we are all probably familiar with FaceTime and Zoom and how the power of technology has a way of bringing us together in a really human way (hello, virtual happy hours!). Many bridal brands and designers have begun harnessing these platforms to connect face to face with their brides and to create an at-home bridal salon experience through services like virtual appointments and one on one styling sessions conducted over video. If you want to physically touch and try on your dress before making the big decision, some brands even offer programs that ship wedding gown and bridesmaid dress samples straight to your door.

If you're disappointed about having to forgo the traditional wedding dress shopping experience–we hear you! But you'll be surprised by just how easy and fun the below brands make it to virtually shop for the big day. So pop some champagne, bring your bridal party and loved ones along for the virtual ride and start searching for your dream dress!

01 of 10

Amsale

Who?

For the bride who covets elegant silhouettes, crisp clean lines and soft intricate lace–Amsale is where you'll find your dream dress. Beyond the wedding gown, Amsale also offers chic little white dresses and fashion-forward bridesmaid dresses. Although Amsale had to temporarily close their New York salon, they're offering two clever ways to virtually shop for wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses.

How Does it Work?

Amsale's stylish and budget-friendly line, Nouvelle Amsale, is available for online purchase but if you prefer to design your own gown or bridesmaids dress from the comfort of your home, Amsale X You allows you to do just that. To start, choose from over six bodices and skirt styles to mix and match until you find the perfect pairing. From there, opt to accessorize with a waist flattering belt and finally, choose your preferred fabric and color. Once you've created your custom gown, simply add to your cart and check out online.

For bridesmaids, it can be tricky to visualize what a certain dress will look like on, especially if you can't physically try the style on–luckily Amsale has bridal parties covered with a Virtual Try On tool. Simply choose the style you want to virtually try on, upload a forward-facing photo of yourself and voila–you're wearing the dress! Although this tool is helpful to see what color will flatter your skin tone and what a certain neckline will look like on you, make sure you refer to the size guide to ensure you get the right fit for you.

Try Amsale's Virtual tool here.

02 of 10

Anomalie

Who?

All brides deserve to feel special in their wedding gown but if you can't find a style that feels uniquely you, design your own! Anomalie has finetuned the virtual wedding dress shopping experience with their innovative DressBuilder technology that allows brides to create a custom wedding dress from the comfort of their own home.

How Does it Work?

First, take Anomalie's quick Design Survey that's packed with loads of helpful questions to get you thinking about what you're truly looking for in a wedding gown, from the silhouette to the fabric type to sleeve length to neckline style and more. Once you've completed the survey, Anomalie reveals gowns for you to browse that meet the elements on your wishlist. The best part about the reveal is that the images are of gowns featured on real brides of all different shapes and sizes. Heart the gowns you like the best and click "Reveal My Dress" to see the finished product. If the final gown isn't quite what you had envisioned, you can opt to purchase Anomalie's All Access program for $49 where you get the added benefit of working with one of Anomalie's virtual stylists and the ability to edit your dress in the DressBuilder whenever you want. This offer is fully refundable for 30 days and will be credited to the cost of your dress should you choose to wear Anomalie.

Start building your custom dress with Anomalie here.

03 of 10

Danielle Frankel

Who?

Coveted bridal designer and CFDA finalist known for her unique and fashion-forward creations, Danielle Frankel is planning weddings from afar and wants to “add a little bit of ease” to these challenging times by offering at-home bridal appointments.

How Does it Work?

Once you book your appointment, you can expect a on one virtual consultation with the designer from the comfort of your own home. Danielle Frankel says of the process: "We are being creative and resourceful and as a relatively new label, I myself will be connecting directly with these clients via facetime.

Book your appointment at atelier@daniellefrankelstuido.com.

04 of 10

Bella Bridesmaids

bridesmaid dress — Courtesy of Bella Bridesmaids

Who?

Bella Bridesmaids carries all of the latest and greatest styles from top designers like Amsale, Jenny Yoo, Hayley Paige, and Marchesa Notte–even your most picky bridesmaids will find a dress they love at Bella. While many of their stores have temporarily closed due to government restrictions concerning COVID-19, Bella Bridesmaids is offering virtual consultations.

How Does it Work?

After your consultation via phone or video, a Bella Bridesmaid stylist will load dress options (sizing and pricing info included) for your bridal party into their online Virtual Showroom. In this showroom, brides can invite their bridal party and loved ones to vote and comment on the dresses and once the decision has been made, bridesmaids can order directly through the Virtual Showroom.

Bella Bridesmaids is also working very closely with their many designers to deliver swatches to your home and even samples to try on. "We have a network of nearly 60 independently owned and operated showrooms, owned by incredibly talented female entrepreneurs. We are more confident than ever that we have the expertise, partnerships and tools to care for couples and their bridal parties affected during these uncertain times. We're well equipped to help them have the celebration they deserve, even if planning from their couch," says Co-Founder Erin Casey Wolf.

Book your appointment here.

05 of 10

BHLDN

Who?

In-store and online, BHLDN is known for their carefully curated selection of wedding dresses (and bridesmaids dresses!) that cater to the boho bride, the classic bride, the plus size bride and the bride on a budget. While BHLDN has always offered online styling services, BHLDN teams are now working harder than ever to provide virtual styling to their loyal clientele.

How Does it Work?

We spoke to BHLDN stylist, Ariel Gutowicz, who broke it all down for us:

"First you'll fill out a quick form that tells us about your event, aesthetic and styling needs. We have tried on all of the gowns BHLDN carries and know them inside and out–think of us as your BFFs who just so happen to know every piece in the collection. Once our styling team has reviewed your survey, we will email you with personalized product selections that suit your body type, budget & style. You'll tell us what you love, and what you'd like to tweak. We will make adjustments to your final look and ensure you get the fit just right with expert sizing guidance. "When you’re ready, simply add the items you love to your cart & check out! In-stock items can arrive in as little as one week!"

Book your appointment here.

06 of 10

LEIN

Who?

Based in New York and offering impossibly chic dresses crafted from gauzy tulle and soft french lace, LEIN is for the bride who is looking for something different. Like other bridal brands during these unprecedented times, LEIN is conducting virtual appointments as a way to stay connected to their brides.

How Does it Work?

We spoke to LEIN founder, Meredith Stoeklein, who walked us through the process:

"We have been FaceTiming, video chatting, Zooming, whichever platform works for brides to talk through their needs. This has been with current brides to review what their new timeline will look like and with new brides who are still planning their weddings for Fall/Winter and next year. We take virtual measurements, can send fabric swatches, and are working on new approaches to the typical appointment and ordering process. More than anything, we want to offer comfort to our brides and future brides during this time."

Contact them here.

07 of 10

David's Bridal

Who?

From their body-inclusive gowns to their stylish bridesmaid dresses to their sophisticated mother of the bride outfits, David's Bridal truly has something for everyone at every price point. Although David's Bridal had to temporarily close all of their stores, they still have over 300,000 dresses in stock and ready to ship as well as helpful online tools like a virtual vision board and a virtual stylist who brides can actually text!

How Does it Work?

"Zoey" is David's Bridal's virtual stylist who is on hand 24/7 to answer any and all of your questions. The best part? There's no waiting on hold for her to respond! David's Bridal's virtual vision board is also a great tool to help brides narrow down their options to find the perfect dress. To create your vision board, simply answer ten questions about your dream wedding venue, your color palette, your preferred wedding dress silhouette and more. Once you are done, your vision board will auto populate with tons of gorgeous and inspirational imagery as well as suggestions for wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses that can be purchased straight from David's Bridal's website.

Simply text HELLO to 38201 to get started.

08 of 10

Reem Acra

Who?

Known for her dramatic ballgowns of frothy tulle and daring creations in pastels and allover beading, Reem Acra designs for both the adventurous and the classic bride. To further her relationship with her brides, Reem Acra recently announced that she will be offering virtual appointments.

How Does it Work?

Simply email Reem Acra to schedule your virtual appointment and a member of the team will reach out to you–it's as easy as that!

Book your virtual Reem Acra appointment at atelier@reemacra.com.

09 of 10

Grace + Ivory

Who?

Grace + Ivory, describes their brand as "bridal done differently" and offers a fun and easy at-home dress try-on program of their custom, made-to-measure dress designs.

How Does it Work?

Browse Grace + Ivory's many gorgeous dresses from romantic ball gowns to modern styles with dramatic capes. Once you've landed on a dress you love, add it to your cart by pressing "Try On At Home!" and schedule a delivery date that works for you. You'll receive your samples straight to your door along with a kit complete with clips, a soft measuring tape, a Try On At Home guide, and a prepaid return shipping label. Once you've received your samples, Grace + Ivory suggests you, "Invite friends over, pop champagne, Facetime relatives, or don’t! You do you, boo!" And we couldn't agree more! Mail your sample back within 3 days and order your dream dress straight off of the website. Your custom gown will be crafted and delivered to your door within 2-4 months.

Start your Try At Home program here.

10 of 10

Rent the Runway

Who?

During these challenging times, we all need something to look forward to and maybe that something to look forward to is wearing luxury for less!

How Does it Work?

RTR has a dedicated Wedding Concierge program that gives brides and their bridal party access to thousands of premier designer dresses and accessories, personal styling consultations and exclusive perks from Zola, Oasis, and Minted. Not only will you have a blast with your new rotating closet but you and your bridesmaids will save beaucoup bucks–does it get any better than that?

Start your Rent the Runway membership here.

The 25 Best Places to Buy Wedding Dresses Online, Tested and Reviewed