Paris Couture Wedding Dresses for Less
Don’t let your bank account come between you and a runway gown.
Someone recently mentioned that it seems like Fashion Week happens all year round. And you know what? They’re right, it does feel that way.
I did a little research (read: I consulted ChatGPT) and discovered that over 40 cities worldwide host their own Fashion Week. Of course, New York City (which is happening as I write this), London, Milan, and Paris are the main hubs.
Where am I going with this?
Spring 2025 Paris Couture Fashion Week recently wrapped, and there was a staggering number of bridal looks featured this season. Great and all, but if we’re being honest, most brides aren’t going to stroll into a Chanel store and pick up a couture wedding gown off the rack (mainly because you can’t; those pieces have to be custom-ordered).
And commissioning a custom couture look? That’ll likely run you anywhere from $500k to over $1 million (depending on the designer). If that’s a possibility, more power to you—but for the rest of us, it’s just not in the budget.
What is realistic, is finding a dress that channels high-fashion couture vibes without costing a fortune. See for yourself below…and happy shopping!
P.S. If you’re eyeing a wedding dress (it doesn’t have to be a couture piece) and want me to send you a few suggestions that fit your budget, message me!
Schiaparelli \ Amsale
Schiaparelli's Spring 2025 Paris Couture collection was basically a bridal runway show. Below are a few alternatives to get the same aesthetic as the above ball gown (i.e. the Amsale dress pictured), without the sky-high price.
TOP PICK: Amsale Banks Gown
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Miss Sohee \ Markarian
Check out Markarian's Evora Mirror dress for a Miss Sohee-inspired look. FYI, “the Evora” has been on my radar for over a year, and I’d love to see someone wear it for their wedding.
TOP PICK: Markarian Evora Strapless Mirror Gown
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Giambattista Valli \ Liza Ray
Since Giambattista Valli actually creates wedding dresses, its Spring 2025 Paris Couture collection has a few beautiful options for brides-to-be. Here are a few affordable picks for the GV gown pictured above.
TOP PICK: Liza Ray Zendaya Gown
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Schiaparelli \ Rabanne
I love, love, love this Schiaparelli couture dress. I’m not sure how much it actually costs, but I found a “dupe” from Rabanne that’s under $1,500.
TOP PICK: Rabanne Lace-Trimmed Maxi Dress
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Dior \ Nadine Merabi
Who doesn’t love a blazer dress (and one from Dior at that!)?! The good news is that there are plenty of options to shop, like my top choice from Nadine Merabi.
TOP PICK: Nadine Merabi Monica Blazer Dress
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Chanel \ Milla Nova
The moment I saw this Chanel look, I immediately thought of an alternative: the Dion by Milla Nova.
TOP PICK: Milla Nova Dion
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Jean Paul Gaultier \ Morphine Fashion
Love a bit of drama? Channel Jean Paul Gaultier with my Morphine Fashion pick, along with Wolf & Badger, IHF, and Bridal by ELOQUII.
TOP PICK: Morphine Fashion Lola Wedding Gown
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Gaurav Gupta Studio \ Ines Di Santo
I am very proud of this find. These two pieces (Gaurav Gupta Studio and Ines Di Santo) are almost identical. The honorable mentions are spot on, too.
TOP PICK: Ines Di Santo Isolde Dress
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
obsessed with these picks!