Labay Viktoria, The Bold & Bridal
Photography: Keryn Sweeney
For some brides, the dress is a love-at-first-sight moment. For others, it’s an endless maze of options, opinions, and second-guessing. A bridal stylist exists for both—bringing clarity, direction, and a trained eye to curate a look that isn’t just beautiful but perfectly you. With more brides embracing a curated, fashion-forward approach to their wedding attire, the demand for stylists' expertise is on the rise. But what exactly do they do? And most importantly, how do you find the one who just gets you? THE WED sat down with the industry's top bridal stylists to answer all your burning questions.
A Studio, Gabrielle Hurwitz
Photography: Elio Rosato, Samm Blake
The Role of a Bridal Stylist
Every bride dreams of looking effortlessly stunning on her wedding day, and a skilled bridal stylist can take that vision to the next level. This exciting service goes much deeper than dress shopping, creating a wedding wardrobe that is cohesive, polished, and perfectly in sync with your big day.
Gabrielle Hurwitz, a luxury bridal fashion stylist based in New York City, explains it best: "Think of a bridal stylist as the creative director of your wedding fashion. Not only will they work with you to curate a vision for your wedding wardrobe that feels authentic to your style and the weekend of events, but they'll also help you execute it by selecting the perfect garments, accessories, and even hair and makeup for each look. A good bridal stylist is much more than a personal shopper—they help tell the story of who you are and who you want to be as you walk down the aisle."
And across the coast, the celebrated Los Angeles-based bridal stylist Hope LaVine expresses a similar sentiment: "As a bridal stylist, my role goes beyond just helping a bride find a dress—it's about curating her entire wedding weekend looks and ensuring she feels confident, beautiful, and true to herself. From selecting the perfect gown and accessories to advising on alterations and staying on top of bridal trends, I blend fashion expertise with intuition to create a seamless, personalized experience."
Katya Vladykina, Gabrielle Hurwitz
Photography: Cara Mia, Norman & Blake
The Key Services
of a Bridal Stylist
Bridal stylists offer a comprehensive range of services, from putting together bold and distinctive looks to collaborating with beauty professionals, assisting with fittings, and providing day-of styling support. Samantha Levis, the visionary behind The Bold & Bridal, a premier styling service in Los Angeles, leaves no detail missed: "We style everyone in the wedding party—from the bride to the mother of the bride, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and even the ring bearer. Whatever the bride needs, we're there to make it happen, offering hair and makeup inspiration, jewelry, and accessories to complete the look. True head-to-toe styling."
Caroline Thorpe Goldberg of Little White Looks shares a similar commitment to personalization, with a focus on sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces and managing the intricacies of bridal fashion: "One of the biggest parts of my job is helping brides find unique looks—which sometimes means I have early access to pieces, but more often, it's about scouring the internet for standout options that a bride may not have time to find herself. I also focus on creative accessory and styling combinations that bring a fresh perspective to their looks. Beyond that, I can oversee the entire process for wedding gowns and custom-made bridal looks—helping with appointment scheduling, keeping track of timelines, and making sure everything stays on schedule with designers."
Alex Vidal Atelier, Valera Style
Photography: Derando Studio, Maximova
When to Hire a Bridal Stylist
Timing is everything when it comes to hiring a bridal stylist—the sooner, the better. Kate Loscalzo, the Founder and Lead Stylist of Something White Styling, advises, "Ideally, a bride should book a bridal stylist 9 to 12 months before the wedding. This ensures ultimate and full guidance right from the start and a stress-free styling journey. If you already have your gown, then 6 to 9 months in advance for alternative looks, accessories, and day-of styling."
Gabrielle Hurwitz agrees, suggesting that a bridal stylist should be one of the first vendors to hire, right after securing your venue and planner: "While some stylists offer à la carte services, working with one from the beginning allows you to fully benefit from their expertise and connections."
The Bold & Bridal, Gabrielle Hurwitz
Photography: La Dichosa, Norman & Blake
Finding the Right Bridal
Stylist for You
The right bridal stylist is someone who can transform your personal style into a wedding ensemble that feels authentically you. Kate Loscalzo knows exactly how to find the perfect match: "Every stylist has a unique approach to bridal fashion. Make sure to check their past work on Instagram, websites, or other platforms, and see what attracts you to them. Reading reviews from past brides can also give you insight into a stylist’s professionalism, communication, and ability to bring a vision to life."
Kennedy Bingham, stylist behind Gown Eyed Girl adds, "It's equally important to understand a stylist's working style. Figure out what you really need a stylist to provide for you on your journey and make sure that aligns with the kind of work they specialize in."
But beyond portfolios and skills, it's also about the connection. "Outside of your wedding planner, your bridal stylist is the vendor you'll probably be closest to during the wedding planning process, so it's really important to find someone not only whose style you like, but also who you want to spend time with," wisely notes Gabrielle Hurwitz. "The relationship between a bride and her stylist is intimate and built on trust, with family dynamics, insecurities, and finances often in play. I always recommend finding someone who can be your confidant, advocate, and friend."
Little White Looks, Gown Eyed Girl
Photography: Sydney Marie, Norman & Blake
Your First Consultation
& What to Expect
Your first consultation with a bridal stylist marks the exciting start of your wedding wardrobe journey. It's the perfect opportunity to merge your vision with the stylist's expertise, ensuring that every detail of your look harmonizes with the bigger picture of your celebration. Samantha Levis gives a glimpse into The Bold & Bridal's process: "Our onboarding process is both thorough and exciting! We begin by immersing ourselves in the event over coffee, Zoom, or the phone. We explore the wedding atmosphere, from the décor to the overall vibe, to ensure every detail aligns. Then, we shift to fashion, discussing how to translate that vision into a bridal look. We'll also dive into personal style, ensuring that every element of the wedding fashion feels authentic and uniquely the bride's."
Caroline Thorpe Goldberg takes a similarly thoughtful, tailored approach to each bride's experience: "I start with a detailed questionnaire to get a sense of the bride’s timeline, vision, and how much styling support she’s looking for—whether it’s wedding dress shopping, custom pieces, or styling for multiple events. Then, we hop on a call to go through everything in more detail. We talk about the wedding, their style preferences, and what they’re envisioning. If they need in-person help, I suggest boutiques and set up appointments. If we’re working virtually, we discuss the events in order, go over inspiration, and map out the styling plan. From there, I put together the first round of styling ideas based on everything we’ve discussed."
Polina Vasilko
Photography: Romanova
The Bridal Styling
Process Explained
Every bride's styling experience is unique, tailored to her vision, timeline, and level of support needed. "It depends on what the bride needs! If she’s looking for wedding dress styling, we start about a year before the wedding, go over budget, venue, and style preferences, and then I recommend places to shop. If I’m assisting in person, I’m there for appointments; if it’s virtual, I guide them through the process," explains Caroline Thorpe Goldberg. "For event styling—like a rehearsal dinner look—we start with a call where we discuss the event, vibe, season, and any inspiration they have. After that, I spend a week or two curating a presentation with a mix of safe, classic options and some wildcard picks to see where their comfort zone is. Once they order pieces, they send me photos or we do a FaceTime fitting. If needed, I source more options, or if they love a look, we move on to accessorizing. We go through rounds of styling until everything feels perfect, down to undergarments, shoes, and hair and makeup ideas. My process is super flexible—we go until the bride is 100% happy."
Giambattista Valli, Claudia Twisk
Photography: Chris Fragkou, Pablo Laguia
How Much a Bridal Stylist Costs
The cost of hiring a bridal stylist varies depending on the services provided and the stylist’s approach. Some charge hourly rates, often between $200 and $700, while others offer customized full-service packages that cover everything from your gown and accessories to outfits for other events. If you prefer flexibility, some stylists work on a minimum-hour basis and charge for extra hours as needed. Of course, prices can go up depending on the scope of services, but what you’re really paying for is peace of mind and an experience that guarantees you look your absolute best.
Livne White, Vivienne Westwood
Photography: Gil Hayon, Freda Banks
How a Bridal Stylist
Works On the Wedding Day
On the wedding day, bridal stylists are the unsung heroes who ensure that every detail of the bride's outfit is impeccable, from the moment she steps into her dress to the final dance of the evening. "We have a dedicated team of dressers who focus on the bride and wedding party, providing styling assistance throughout the day," shares Samantha Levis. "Whether it's helping with dresses, sewing mishaps, or dealing with stains, we've seen it all—and we've got it covered!"
José Saint Jacques, Hope LaVine
Photography: Alta Studio, Beba Vowels
The Benefits of Working
with a Bridal Stylist
Working with a bridal stylist means making your dream wedding look a reality, with a custom approach that elevates every detail from head to toe. Kate Loscalzo breaks it down: "A bridal stylist takes the pressure off by guiding you through the overwhelming world of wedding fashion. They know where to shop, what to prioritize, and how to work within a budget, avoiding costly mistakes, unnecessary purchases, and time wasted on endless dress searches. They help curate a lineup of outfits that match your personal style and wedding theme. If you don't have a vision, a bridal stylist can help you find it."
And the benefits don’t stop there. As Hope LaVine elaborates: "A bridal stylist can navigate different silhouettes, fabrics, and designers to find the perfect dress for your budget and personal style. Beyond just fashion, a great stylist provides emotional support, guiding brides through what can be an overwhelming experience with confidence and ease."
Presen Rodriguez Atelier, Medina Studio
Photography: Sii Photo, Rotem
Common Mistakes Brides Make
Without a Bridal Stylist
Without the guidance of a bridal stylist, brides often feel overwhelmed by the endless options, leading to mismatched looks, uncomfortable fits, and a lack of harmony between the dress, accessories, and hairstyle. "The number one mistake brides often make is taking too long to make a decision," emphasizes Kennedy Bingham. "Wedding dresses take 6-7 months to produce and an additional 2 months for alterations. All in all, you need to purchase your dress at least 9 months before your wedding if you want a truly no-headache process. Many brides don't know this until they start shopping and it's already too late."
Something White Styling, Hope LaVine
Photography: Erich McVey, Sarah Partain
