VIBE

Native New Yorker Vera Wang broke open the rather conservative world of bridal fashion (and made lots of brides very, very happy) in 1990 when she opened her flagship bridal salon in the Carlyle hotel on Madison Avenue and first shared her signature impeccably cut, fashion-forward pieces with the world. Her dresses, which range from fluffy tulle confections to sleek fitted numbers, are know for their incredible detail work, and the plush bridal salon is just as detail oriented: expect flawless service from the skilled consultants who guide you through the four rooms of dresses. They are known for their talent for picking out “the” dress in a matter of minutes.

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Looking fab on your big day

WHY WE LIKE IT

Those dresses…oh those dresses! And then there’s the fabulous service (you’ll feel like a princess from the moment you step in the door). Sure, Vera Wang is carried by many bridal boutiques, but the service and expansive selection here make it worth a special trip to come to the designer flagship.

GOOD TO KNOW

Appointments are required, and it’s best to book at least a week in advance. No photos are permitted until you purchase a dress. Also, pack your platinum card, because these dresses don’t come cheap. (Hot tip for those on a budget: the dresses are organized by price, and those in the back room are the most expensive at USD 10,000+.) Although Vera Wang’s designs are carried by many, many bridal retailers around the world, she only has two “bridal salons,” one in New York and one in LA. Her ready-to-wear flagship is in SoHo.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Los Angeles

CLOSEST COMPS

Carolina Herrera (New York); Monique Lhuillier (New York)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.