POTW – Allen Schwartz

Department stores are becoming serious competition for the big bridalwear designers and Allen Schwartz at Nordstrom is certainly one of the designers to contend with not to mention my pick of the week. This fab silk frock has a sweetheart bodice and fitted waist with a double bow trim and pretty below the knee tulle skirt. Can you believe it is just $348?!

Other gowns by the designer include a fluid bias cut, cap sleeved gown, a jewelled halterneck and a  a cowl neck shirred bodice with flowing skirt.

Related: POTW – Candy Anthony I POTW – Monsoon I POTW – Nicole Bakti

POTW – Candy Anthony

Candy Anthony’s collection has captivated me. The 50s and 60s dresses are inspired by icons of the age, think Grease dreams and Grace Kelly perfection, featuring perfectly poofy skirts, nipped-in waists and demure bodices embellished with sashes or large flowers. Also take a look at the ready to wear collection with pretty prints, leopard, prom styles and jewel coloured separates. My only gripe is with the website – you can’t click on the thumbnails to view the dresses in more detail. Wedding dress prices start from £1250.

Candy Anthony Online

More wedding dresses on Bridalwave

POTW – Monsoon

High Street dresses just don’t look ‘High Street’ anymore and I’m willing to bet that they have a kept a few of the bridalwear designers on their toes and out of pocket with the great gowns being turned out.

Some brides may not be willing to go off the peg, but Monsoon’s ready-to-wear bridal collection may just change a few minds. Styles include crochet, a silk taffeta cocktail length dress, cowl necked, spaghetti strapped and strapless with a range of pretty-as-a-picture embroidery designs. Prices range from £160-£200. This style is ‘Minky Burnout’ a floor length 100% devore silk empire line gown with gold embroidery and sash detail, £180.

Monsoon Bridal

Related: POTW – Nicole Bakti I POTW – Bonny Bridal I POTW – Mon Cheri

POTW – Ian Stuart

Brides attracted to wedding dresses from three times UK Bridal designer of the year Ian Stuart will be far from shy, retiring types. Instead the wearers of his gowns will definitely take great pleasure in being centre stage in one of the many show-stopping, theatrical creations.

Ian Stuart undoubtedly draws inspiration from the drama of films like Gone With the Wind and Moulin Rouge translated into dresses that feature enormous puff ball skirts and sleeves, dramatic drapes, assymetric scrunches and high necked boleros with winter gowns inspired by Dr Zhivago. Colours are in sugary palettes of pink, blush, aubergine, white and latte. Detailing includes lace, tulle, oraganza, crystals, glass beads, sequins and 3D effect flowers.

Ian Stuart Bride Worldwide

POTW – Joyce Young By Storm

Joyce Young By Storm really has the modern bride in mind with their collection of destination and classic dresses. For the adventourous bride, in the Weddings Abroad section there are a number of crop top and skirt combinations, trouser suits and sarongs. For Modern Classic brides you’ll find styles with great twists such as feather detailing and pom poms amongst other traditional styles. And if you are planning a Scottish wedding you may want to take a look at the Touch of Tartan range.

Visit Joyce Young By Storm Online

Related: Pronuptia Reveal New Autumn/ Winter Collection I POTW – Paloma Blanca I GTL – Pretty in Pink

POTW – Je T’aime Bridal

Je T’aime Bridal made it to this weeks POTW due to their ability to create romantic gowns that don’t look like they can only be worn by six foot tall, size 4 supermodels. No these gorgeous gowns are for the shapes of real women! Long sweeping skirts include pleated, fishtail and mermaid shapes are paired with bead encrusted bodices and in a variety of colours. I particularly like this creamy pink with it’s corsetted waist, gathered bustline and pinch detail skirt. The website isn’t fabulous but it is easy to navigate. Visit Je T’aime Bridal here.

Related: POTW – Manuel Mota I POTW – Justin Alexander I POTW – Nicole Bakti

POTW – Blue River Lily

Cheongsams and Qipao – literally meaning ‘long tunic’ – are such beautiful dresses that it is easy to see why they have become very popular in the West. Blue River Lily have gone one step further to create a range of wedding outfits that incorporate the essences of both East and West and that is why they are Bridalwave’s Pick of the Week.

From traditional silk brocade dresses in vibrant red and gold to gowns with mermaid hems and high collars or even ‘Ultimate Fortune’ a Western shaped dress patterned with gold dragons, phoenixs and peonies. Pictured – ‘Oriental Fairytale’, £308 Shown in white with other colours available.

Related: Shiromaku – Traditional Wedding Kimono I POTW – Alison Blake I Asian Bridal Lengha

POTW – Bonny Bridal

When you are looking at the prices of wedding dresses the sky really is your limit. You can spend anywhere from a £60 dress at George to, well, there is no upper ceiling price. That’s why it’s great to find a retailer who specialises in low cost dresses that are beautiful and wide-ranging in style. After all, when you pick out the perfect dress the last thing you want to see if a price tag that looks like your tuition bill.

Bonny Bridal features tradition styling with great detailing such as colour inserts in the bodice and train, corsetry, timeless columns and up to the minute knee length gowns. This halter neck dress with vee-neckline and crystal detailing costs £495.

There is also Unforgettable, a plus sized range chock full of structured bodices and flowing skirts.

Related: Alfred Angelo plus sized bride I POTW – Nicole Bakti I POTW – Colette Dinnigan