Find out the best wedding dress shops and bridal boutiques in Istanbul with our essential guide including where to find the right boutique, wedding dress shopping advice for every bride, at every budget, prices.
Istanbul is Turkey’s capital of culture and fashion, and from flagship designer stores to unique boutiques, the city is also home to some of the best wedding dress shopping in Europe and Asia. The city welcomes hundred thousands of visitors each year planning their wedding and make shopping, and definitely has a good number of beautiful bridal boutiques.
What to Consider When Buying a Wedding Dress?
The selection of a wedding dress, one of the first steps in the wedding journey, is a meticulous process. Let’s explore together what to consider when choosing a wedding dress to make the right choices.
Body Type
You don’t need to have perfect body proportions to be a beautiful bride. When choosing a wedding dress, it’s sufficient to make selections based on your body type. There are five main body types: hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle, and inverted triangle. Determining your type and choosing a suitable model for it will ensure your dress looks perfect.
- Hourglass: Almost any style suits you, but a mermaid dress can highlight your perfect figure.
- Pear: A-line dresses complement this body type very well.
- Apple: Neckline designs enhance the elegance for this body type.
- Rectangle: Straight-cut dresses and models emphasizing the shoulders are ideal.
- Inverted Triangle: A-line or princess-cut dresses create balance between the shoulders and hips.
Ready-Made or Custom Tailoring?
Pay attention to how close your wedding date is. If time is short, opting for a ready-made wedding dress may be more practical. If you can’t find a ready-made model that fits well and you have enough time for tailoring, then getting a custom-made dress is an option, albeit a more expensive one.
Dress According to the Wedding Venue
The wedding venue is one of the most critical factors in choosing a wedding dress. If, for example, you want to wear a bohemian-style dress at a hotel wedding, your model selection should align with this. Straight-cut mermaid dresses are ideal for hotel weddings, while chiffon-skirted dresses may be preferred for country weddings.
Dress According to the Wedding Concept
The wedding concept should complement the dress. For a vintage wedding, opt for an elegant dress reflecting the spirit of the 1920s. If you’re planning a glamorous wedding, princess-cut wedding dress models would be suitable.
Dress According to the Season
The season of the wedding significantly influences dress choice. Delicate fabric dresses with floral details are perfect for spring, while summer may call for models with more tulle and daring necklines. Lace-detail dresses are suitable for autumn, and winter may favor satin and embellished designs.
Matching the Dress with the Groom
The groom’s height and physical features are factors that influence the choice of a wedding dress. If the groom is shorter, choose a dress model accordingly. The wedding dress and groom’s suit should harmonize, with choices complementing each other.
By paying attention to these criteria, you can plan your wedding dress shopping. Researching wedding dress companies and fashion houses in Istanbul, considering customer reviews and dress prices, will help you make a reliable choice.
Tips for Wedding Dress Shopping
Choosing a wedding dress, one of the most exciting steps in wedding preparations, is a meticulous process. Let’s take a look at what to pay attention to when choosing a wedding dress to make the right decisions.
- Avoid Procrastination: Fittings can take a long time, so it’s crucial not to procrastinate the wedding dress shopping.
- Set a Budget: Determine your budget before shopping to make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary stress.
- Explore Fashion Trends: Look through magazines and websites to stay informed about the latest wedding dress trends.
- Opt for Ready-Made Models if Time is Short: If time is limited, ready-made models offer practical solutions that can be obtained quickly.
- Choose Early Hours: To avoid fatigue, schedule wedding dress shopping for the early hours of the day when the environment is calmer.
- Know Your Body Type: Knowing your body type helps you select the right dress that complements your figure.
- Take Photos: Capture the dress models while shopping or bring your camera along to review later.
- Consider the Wedding Venue and Concept: Factor in the wedding venue and concept when choosing the dress. Different venues and themes may require specific dress styles.
- Harmony with the Groom: Ensure that the bride and groom’s outfits complement each other for a cohesive overall look.
- Go with a Small Group: To avoid confusion during fittings, it’s better to go with a small group of people.
- Pay Attention to Measurements: Wedding dresses are usually chosen based on the widest area, but designers may have models tailored to different measurements.
- Decide on Embellishments and Fabric: Deciding on the right embellishments and fabric that suit your body type is crucial.
- Bring Accessories: Have the accessories you plan to wear during the wedding with you during fittings and purchases.
- Communicate with the Company: Don’t hesitate to ask questions and clarify any doubts with the wedding dress company.
- Inquire About Delivery and Fitting Count: Ask about the delivery date of the dress and how many fittings you can have.
- Wear Shoes for the First Fitting: After deciding on the wedding dress model, attend the first fitting wearing the shoes you’ll wear on the wedding day.
Top 6 Wedding Dress Shops in Istanbul
Here’s our pick and guide to where to find the best and the most popular bridal boutiques in Istanbul. Majority of the wedding dress shops and stores in the city are appointment only.
Pronovias
Pronovias is the company from Barcelona incorporated under Spanish law, and has worldwide wedding dress and bridal stores in many world’s top destinations. The brand has luxury, super chic, and exclusive bridal collections available in the well-located three stores in Istanbul.
pronovias.com | Store-1 > Ortakoy Mah. Zorlu Center Shopping Mall, Zincirlikuyu, Besiktas; Store-2 > Bagdat Street, No:438/A, Suadiye, Kadikoy; Store-3 > Istinye Bayiri Str. Istinye Park Shopping Mall, Istinye, Istanbul
Nova Bella
Nova Bella is a very stylish and chic bridal boutique situated in the classy Sisli district of Istanbul, offering artfully designed and exclusive bridal collections embellished with striking lace motifs, plus Swarovski crystals. The brand has two stores with unique styles and amazing wedding dresses selection.
novabellabridal.com | Store-1 > Harbiye Mah. Tesvikiye Str. No:33, Floor:1, Nisantasi, Sisli; Store-2 > Vali Konagi Str. No:73/20, Sisli, Istanbul
Akay Istanbul
Akay is the largest tailor shop of Turkey, and has a reputation of creating unique and classy wedding dresses since 1976. The brand has a wide range of one-of-a-kind collections for brides in its three boutiques in Istanbul.
akay.com.tr | Store-1 > Serafettin Str. No:20, Caddebostan, Kadikoy; Store-2 > Bagdat Str. No:327/4, Erenkoy, Kadikoy; Store-3 > Kartaltepe Mah. General Sukru Kanatli Str. A Blok 26/4, Bakirkoy, Istanbul
Atelier Mila
Atelier Mila is a beautiful and classy one situated in Kadikoy district of Istanbul and has a great team supporting the brides with more than 10 years of experience. The brand has several boutiques in Turkey and several other cities in the world.
Atelier Mila has unique, modern, high quality wedding dress and bridal designs following the world fashion. The brand also offers quality products, fast service, reasonable prices, high customer satisfaction and after-sales support.
ateliermilagelinlik.com | Osmanaga Mah. Sogutlucesme Str. No:144, Kadikoy, Istanbul
Weddies Bride Wear
Weddies is a stylish brand situated in the famous Bagdat Street in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul. The brand has a wide range of bride wear, as well as night dresses, groom suits and accessories and serving its guests with its experienced and dynamic team.
weddies.com | Bagdat Str. No:344, Erenkoy, Kadikoy, Istanbul
Hello Bride
Hello Bride is the first bridal concept store in Turkey and offers good selection of wedding dress and bridal collections in the Besiktas district of Istanbul. The brand has modern and elegant designs here.
hellobride.store | Arnavutkoy Mah. Abdulhak Molla Str. No:2/1, Besiktas, Istanbul
Is your wedding dress shop worthy of being on our list?
Do your clients leave reviews showcase how happy they are?
Have you received awards that showcase your surgical and artistic abilities?
If so, please contact us today to set up an interview, where will take a deep dive into your place and everything that makes it special.