New York City is one of the best places in the world to shop for a wedding dress, especially if you want access to multiple designers under one roof. We visited a wide range of bridal salons, and while all of these stores are well-known and legitimate options, the experiences varied. Below is our honest ranking from worst to best, factoring in selection, experience, staff, and overall value.

Buying a wedding dress is a very personal experience and a huge monetary investment so it’s important to get it right. We hope this guide can help you get the most positive experience so you can make the best decision for you.

Note: The listed price ranges come from each retailer’s website

What to Know Before Booking a Wedding Dress Appointment in NYC

Before the appointment

Let’s address this right off the bat - the wedding industry is crazy. Everything is super expensive and the timelines are basically made-up. Have an idea of the budget you want to stick, and how much you’re willing to compromise that budget because odds are that you’ll want to. And, very importantly, start the process early. And when we say early, we mean at least 9 months in advance, but ideally earlier. Dresses typically take 6 - 9 months to be made, with additional time for alterations. If you’re too late, you may be subject to extra rush order fees or limited options.

Almost every salon requires appointments and these often need to be made weeks in advance. Some of these salons charge a fee, but often there is no fee if you go at off peak times like week days.

During the appointment

In our experience, appointments typically take 2 hours but the salon will tell you if there is a strict time limit. The salon may limit how many guests you can bring, so check in advance. You' will be assigned a stylist who pulls dresses for you based on your preferences. Some may let you browse freely, but not as much as you expect, so it’s good to have an idea of styles you want to try ahead of time. You’ll try on dresses in the fitting room, then show any guests you brought along with you. Then, you’ll give your stylist feedback and they’ll pull more dresses for you. Make sure you’re totally honest about what you like and don’t like! Towards the end of the appointment, you’ll often have the option to re-try on your 1 - 2 favorite dresses, this time with a veil or other accessories. Treat early appointments as reconnaissance: the first few stores are often about learning what you don’t like just as much as finding what you do. And make sure to take lots of photos and videos so you understand how the dress looks both in-person and on film!

After the appointment

Congratulations, you’ve said yes to your dress! Once you decide on the dress you want, the salon will place an order with the designer based on your measurements. You’ll have to pay a deposit first, and then the remaining balance after the dress arrives. Heads up: you may have to pay an extra 3% if you want to pay with a credit card, so you may want to bring a check book. You’ll wait months and then, finally, your dress will arrive. Most salons offer alterations or have a parter they recommend so they’ll walk you through the process. But expect 2 - 3 fittings in the weeks leading up to your wedding.

And with that, let’s dive into our list…

6. Kleinfeld Bridal

Price range: $3,000 - $30,000+

Kleinfeld is a rite of passage for anyone who’s ever watched Say Yes to the Dress. Almost everyone we know has had an appointment here and we understand why. It’s iconic, the inventory is massive, and it’s a great place to start. That said, the experience itself doesn’t feel particularly premium. The central try-on area is busy and exposed, you’re not allowed to browse or pull dresses yourself, and the process can feel a bit transactional. We think of Kleinfeld as a good warm-up store, but not where you’re likely to find “the one.”

5. Anthropologie Weddings

Price range: $300 - $4,000

Anthropologie is the go-to for budget-friendly wedding dresses, and for that reason alone, it’s worth considering. The staff was friendly and welcoming, but you truly get what you pay for. The store layout was confusing, the selection was very limited, and there isn’t much of a designated bridal space, which made the experience feel less special. If affordability is your top priority, it’s worth a stop. Otherwise, expectations should be calibrated.

4. Wedding Atelier @ 240 Madison

Price range: $2,500 - $4,000

This is the more affordable of the two Wedding Atelier locations. The pricing is more approachable, but you can tell the dresses are a bit more worn and generally simpler in design. It’s a solid option if you’re early in the process or trying to stay within a tighter budget, but it doesn’t quite deliver the same polish or excitement as some higher-end salons.

3. Bridal Reflections

Price range: $4,000 - $20,000+

Bridal Reflections is the spot if you’re looking for extravagant, dramatic, and heavily embellished gowns. Think sparkle, structure, and statement-making silhouettes. This was the only appointment we paid for, which raised expectations. And while the staff was helpful, they weren’t particularly accommodating or attentive given the paid nature of the appointment. Also worth noting: their selection of classic or minimalist gowns is very limited. Great for a specific aesthetic, less flexible overall but we rank it high on the list for our maximalist brides.

2. Mark Ingram Atelier

Price range: $6,500 - $18,000

Mark Ingram delivers a truly luxury bridal experience. Private dressing rooms, beautiful lighting, attentive and knowledgeable staff… everything feels thoughtful and calm. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but the service level matches the cost. If you value a refined, personalized experience and are comfortable with higher budgets, this is one of the best salons in the city.

1. Wedding Atelier @ 72 Madison

Price range: $4,500+

This is our top pick. This is the more expensive of the two Wedding Atelier locations and we found that it strikes the best balance of selection, experience, and value. There’s a huge range of dresses across styles and budgets, more private mirrors for trying on gowns, and a noticeably calmer environment. The staff is knowledgeable without being pushy, and the overall experience feels supportive and efficient. For us, this was the most well-rounded bridal salon in NYC.

Final Takeaway

If you’re wedding dress shopping in NYC and want multi-designer access:

Best overall: Wedding Atelier @ 72 Madison
Best luxury experience: Mark Ingram
Best true budget option: Anthropologie

Each salon serves a different purpose. The most important thing is to find the salon and dress that’s right for you.

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Ranking Wedding Dress Stores in New York City from Worst to Best