Top wedding dresses: The biggest challenge a bride faces before her wedding is finding the correct wedding dress. Moreover, the abundance of wedding dresses, at times, makes it even harder to find the dress in which you look and feel perfect on your wedding day.

This article presents the top luxury wedding dress designers in the United Kingdom, and thus, to help you in your search for the perfect dress.

Caroline Castigliano

Specialising in classic styles with a contemporary edge, the emphasis at Caroline Castigliano is on genuine luxury and total indulgence. From humble beginnings, Caroline Castigliano opened her first bridal boutique in Surrey in 1991, today there are six such boutiques throughout the United Kingdom with several more stockists around the world.

Caroline is an expert in corsetry and incorporates her superior technique into her perfectly structured gowns. Caroline is an expert in creating dresses which flatter the female form using simple lines and understated elegance.

Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen

Royal wedding dress designer Sarah Burton is creative director at the luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen, following the death of its founder Lee Alexander McQueen. Sarah Burton arrived at the prestigious fashion house straight from college and has since taken the brand from strength to strength.

Famed for her exquisite designs, Sarah is a veritable magician with a needle and thread. Using a variety of textures, Sarah creates a world of beauty with her incredible ability to create artful and sophisticated gowns. Having created day dresses for Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow and Lady Gaga, Sarah Burton and co are no strangers to creating outstanding couture.

Amanda Wakeley

Amanda Wakeley launched her signature label in 1990 and has over the past two decades developed into an international brand with a considerable reputation as a designer of luxury womenswear. The bridal collection established in 2000, offers contemporary glamour coupled with timeless elegance.

Her collections tend to focus on simple clean lines which elongate the silhouette. This is achieved through precision cut and sophisticated designs with very few embellishments. Using a variety of luxurious fabrics, Amanda Wakeley’s attention to detail and craftsmanship is known throughout the industry.

Jenny Packham

One of the United Kingdoms most influential and successful fashion houses, Jenny Packham’s collections include sophisticated eveningwear and bridal attire. Offering a contemporary approach to style and design, there is both a couture and ready-to-wear collection.

Dresses are available to purchase at the world famous Harrods and showrooms in London, Paris and New York. Jenny Packham is an iconic designer having produced gowns for Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie, Amy Adams and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Ian Stuart

British designer Ian Stuart is famous for his spectacular bridal wear collections. Mixing elegant gowns with contemporary chic, Ian Stuart is highly praised for his unique and whimsical designs. Five times winner of Bridal Designer of the Year at the Bridal Buyer Awards, Ian boasts an impressive list of clients including socialites, celebrities and the Royal family.

Launched in 2003, Ian’s couture gowns are all about glamour, grandeur and refinement. With an unrivalled eye for detailing, many gowns are hand finished with ruffles, flowers and diamonds. Romantic and feminine, Ian Stuart’s gowns are as elaborate as they are beautiful.

Stewart Parvin

Royal couturier Stewart Parvin studied fashion at Edinburgh College of Art, then went on to work for well-known fashion designer Donald Campbell. Stewart started his own label in 1995 initially designing eveningwear however in 1999 he launched his first bridal collection, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Stewart Parvin was awarded the Royal Warrant of Appointment to HM the Queen in 2007, after years of designing for Her Majesty. Elegant, sophisticated and luxurious, are just some of the words which could describe any of Stewart’s bridal dresses. He truly has an eye for flattering the female form in perfectly cut sumptuous gowns.

Phillipa Lepley

Phillipa Lepley is renown for her impeccable style and is one of London’s leading bridal couture designers. Her distinctness style of understated elegance and sophistication makes her a popular choice for London’s high flyers. Timeless and feminine, Phillipa’s signature look is that of luxurious splendour. Coupling vintage fabrics with exquisite embellishments, Phillipa Lepley’s gowns simply ooze old world charm with a modern twist.

Each dress is designed to flatter the bride’s figure giving the bride the confidence to shine. Phillipa launched her first bridal collection in 1988-1990 from a basement in South Kensington and opened her flagship bridal shop in London’s fashionable Chelsea in 1990.

Suzanne Neville

British-born designer Suzanne Neville likes to keep her award-winning dresses home-made with all of her designing and handmade production taking place in London. Famed for her decadent wedding gowns, each piece is structured and constructed to fit the body perfectly. Suzanne’s dress is hand crafted to the pinnacle of couture excellence. Using only the finest silks and hand embroidery, Suzanne Neville’s collection includes everything from slim fitting dresses to full romantic gowns.

Suzanne started the business in 1991 after studying at London College of Fashion. She has since gone on to win numerous awards and British Bridal Designer of the Year in 2009. Suzanne is frequently featured in top bridal and fashion publications and boasts an enviable client list, including celebrities and high-profile clients.

Ritva Westenius

London’s leading Wedding Dress Designer with over 35 years of experience and dedication for producing innovative Bridal Couture of the highest quality. Ritva Westenius has become the symbol of British style by opening the way to the innovative and artistic interpretation of Wedding Fashion. Ritva Westenius has won numerous designer awards across her career, among them the Best British Bridal Designer 2012 and again a Finalist in 2013.

Ritva Westenius launched her own couture wedding gown collection in 1977 and opened her modern luxury Bridal Boutique in Central London. Here one is greeted with the eye-catching splendour of glamour and sophistication. Elegant slim fitting dresses, trendy fishtails and full romantic gowns are created in beautiful luxury fabrics of organza, tulle, slipper satin and lace with exquisite hand-beading and a choice of unusual, belts, corsages and boleros.

www.ritvawestenius.com

Sassi Holford

There is nothing better than an authentic handmade wedding dress that will show you in your best light. In this respect, Sassi Holford’s interpretation of the perfect wedding dress is brilliant. Her dresses exhibit the traditional style of the old days. What is stylish never goes out of fashion, and this is what Sassi has proven more than once. Moreover, designed to complement the figure at all times, her collection’s internal corseting will portray the bride in her most elegant form.

Justin Alexander

Justin Alexander is best known for his vintage gowns, combining timeless elegance from the 1950s and 60s with modern design. Old world glamour and sophistication pour from each dress, giving the bride a uniquely classical look, synonymous with Justin Alexander. Using exquisite styling and only the highest quality materials including antique lace, tulle and silk chiffon, Justin Alexander frequently appears in high fashion magazines and editorial.

Temperley London

Temperley London easily scores a place here, because she is one of the few designers who are ready to break free from the traditional forms and change the meaning of the word stylish. Her vast collection has dresses that fit all tastes from the shy and simple to the more retro wedding dresses.

Bruce Oldfield

As a wedding designer, Bruce Oldfield is known in all the high-fashion circles. In fact, Queen Rania of Jordan and Princess Diana are some of his previous clients who have proudly showcased some of the dresses in his collection. As for style, he shows how well conservative details go with modern-age ideas. If you are looking for a dress that will open you up, his innovative designs will, without a doubt, satisfy your taste.

Terry Fox

Terry Fox takes her place in our top ten because of a plethora of reasons. For one, her talent is not only recognised by numerous brides, but also by the 2013 Wedding Industry Awards committee, which pronounced her as the Best Wedding Dress Designer National Winner.

Whatever your taste is, you can be sure to find a dress that absolutely satisfies you. Terry Fox’s collection has everything from the most elegant and simple to the stylish, modern-age wedding dress. As a plus, all of her dresses are made by hand with a lot of attention to detail.

We hope you enjoyed reading our list of the top UK wedding dress designers, off-course there are much more, so we hope to feature more designers in the future. If you have any suggestions do let us know.

© 5 Star Wedding Directory

The Stewart Parvin 2016 Bridal Collection is to be unveiled on Friday, 15th May. The intimate salon privé style launch will evoke the chic ambience of the 1950s Parisian couture shows, where an exclusive guest list of wedding industry professionals and press will enjoy a first look at the new gowns.

The collection, while maintaining all of the sophisticated elegance of previous Stewart Parvin designs, explores the use of new fabrics and laces combined with newly honed shapes and silhouettes. Soft silk crepes drape beautifully with an air of the informal; distinctive, breath-taking laces set the aesthetic apart from past collections. The result is a collection of masterfully constructed gowns, designed for a sublime fit and using only the finest materials.

Louisa Shipstone, Senior Brand Manager at Stewart Parvin says: “The new collection represents a departure from the traditional and classically bridal Alencón laces used previously. The tone of the collection certainly captures Stewart’s chic, understated aesthetic, for which he is so well known and this season focusses on flattering A-line silhouettes and soft fluidity, creating a distinctly relaxed look”.

In addition to the made to measure service which is available to all Stewart Parvin brides through the label’s own flagship London boutique or through stockists nationwide, stand out hand finishing techniques will be offered on a selection of the gowns outside Stewart Parvin’s showroom for the first time.

• stewartparvin.com

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Last week Stewart Parvin launched his 2015 bridal collection to a handful of wedding bloggers and wedding industry suppliers and I was lucky enough to be one of them.

Brides with a love of romantic textures and delicate detail are in for a treat with the new collection, and here we share with you magnificent designs.

These are a few of the wedding gowns that caught my eye at the launch of the collection.

The 2015 bridal collection has build his signature impeccable tailoring and structure, moving onto soft and fluid, reminiscent of the world of classic ballet. Rushed bodices, delicate Chantilly lace and elegant beading are the unifying features of this feminine and graceful collection.

Stewart Parvin says “Inspired by the poise and delicacy of Margot Fonteyn, Martha Graham and Alicia Markova, this collection gave me the opportunity to explore a new facet of who I am as a designer. 

While the 2015 bridal collection is a bit of a departure from my signature aesthetic, which is a classic and sophisticated with a highly structured tailored look, it is still very much indicative of my design style and what I am exploring this season. Quality of materials, fit and construction are always of paramount importance to my collections”

Retaining the grandness of classic, Stewart Parvin designs the collection of fifteen dresses is a journey from full chiffon skirts reminiscent of prima ballerinas to grand gowns fit for a cathedral wedding.

• stewartparvin.com

The world’s most exclusive wedding wear retailers and the influential press will once again have the opportunity to see the very best in bridal design at this elegant three-day trade event held on 22-24 May 2011 in Battersea Park.

Amanda Wakeley Sposa will be presenting a supremely luxurious range of dresses, injecting fresh new shapes and contemporary, light fabrics. Cord embroidery is a dynamic and youthful embellishment on the bodice of a satin gown. A parachute hem gives a fresh twist to the traditional train. Gunmetal chain detail trims an empire line georgette dress, making an exceptional statement. David Fielden will be showcasing his 25 signature gowns – structured yet soft, romantic and floaty in slinky satins; cut-out work and soft, fuller skirts with embellished bodices will be key features. ‘White Gallery London is an event that was very much on our radar last year and one we felt very necessary to partake in for 2011.

The show is ideal for the David Fielden brand as it encompasses what we stand for high-end luxury, style and glamour. It is a fantastic opportunity to present the 2012 collection to a high-quality retailer and buyer set in a fabulous venue,’ David Fielden. Ian Stuart will be showing a selection of classic elegant gowns. Full skirted dresses meet asymmetric tiered styles, presenting innovative updates on period styles. Luxe fabrics include brocade and taffeta with lace also dominating the collection. ‘Once again we will be presenting our 2012 Bridal collection in association with White Gallery London. This is the most exclusive and couture bridal trade show, giving buyers the opportunity to see many different designers and accessory collections. Elegant surroundings and daily fashion shows give the buyers and press the first look at the leading collections,’ Ian Stuart comments.

Matthew Williamson will be launching the full bridal collection showcased for the first time ever in a glamorous catwalk show at White Gallery London. Fong Ee, a spokesperson for the designer, said: ‘Matthew Williamson Bridal is a natural extension of the mainline eveningwear; the pieces are characterised by a soft and feminine silhouette in richly-embellished luxurious fabrics. Elements of the designer’s signature style, fine embroidery and intricate beadwork, are central to the look. The personality of the collection encapsulates elegance and opulence and combines them with a bohemian spirit’. Stewart Parvin will be presenting pretty embellishments and flowing light fabrics with fluid lines.

Classic structured A-line dresses are key to the collection with lace and chiffon offering a contemporary take on traditional styles. Waistline detailing creates perfect silhouettes and look and feel ultra feminine. Stewart comments: ‘It’s such a fabulous setting to be able to present our collection.’ Alan Hannah, Anoushka G, Blue Bridalwear, Halo Designs & Co, Hollywood Dreams, Johanna Hehir, Katzi Jewellery, Lyn Ashworth, Polly Edwards, Rachel Simpson Shoes, Ritva Westenius, Sassi Holford, Stephanie Allin and Vivien Sheriff Millinery will also be amongst the UK talents at White Gallery London 2011 together with some big international designers including Claire Pettibone, Gemy Couture Bridal, Jesus Peiro, Lea-Ann Belter Bridal, Lusan Mandongus, Olivia Couture, Stephanie Browne Australia and Ugo Zaldi.

For more information on attending or exhibiting please visit www.whitegallery.com

Every bride is offered a fully made to measure service to achieve the perfectly fitting gown, and all dresses are handmade in the UK by Stewart’s team of specialists. With prices starting from £1895, the Stewart Parvin Bridal collection is available from Stewarts luxury Knightsbridge boutique and selected stockists nationwide.

• For more inspirational luxury wedding dresses, visit Luxury Wedding Dresses UK