An abundance of dress and suit shops clustered in one area made the Gold Coast a one-stop shop for wedding attire. Appointments are suggested, so plan ahead to make the most of your day.
Simple, sophisticated gowns take center stage at Jenny Yoo Collection (300 W. Superior St. Suite 102 312-642-2327), where you can also browse special-occasion dresses plus sashes, belts and shoes to add a dash of glam. Since the closing of its Old Town wedding salon, Nicole Miller’s bridal line is now available here.
Next, stroll over to 1 E. Delaware Place, where you’ll find two dress shops right in the same building. Mira Couture carries its own line of custom-designed gowns, plus a number of international designers such as Rosa Clara and Pronovias from Barcelona and Japanese line Yumi Katsura (mezzanine level; 312-255-1699). Bella Bridesmaids (1 E. Delaware St. Suite 200 312-943-0344), carries an impressive array of maids’ dresses—28 lines to be exact—including Two Birds’ convertible frocks, Lula Kate and Love Lane, a house line by Ivy & Aster made exclusively for Bella locations. Brides-to-be can also browse little white dresses for showers and rehearsals, as well as non-traditional wedding dresses by Saja.
One block north, Anthropologie’s sister shop Bhldn (8 E. Walton 312-573-2573) tempts with two floors of dresses and accessories for brides, bridesmaids and wedding guests. Think jewel-encrusted satin sashes, antique-inspired hairpins, pastel heels and lace sheaths. (Hint: The name is pronounced “beholden.”)
Gown shop Bella Bianca (12 W. Maple St. #2 312-787-2377) carries everything from red-carpet favorite Badgley Mischka and ever-popular Lazaro to sweet, girly designs by bridal newcomer Hayley Paige.
At Dimitra’s Bridal Couture (1009 N. Rush St. 312-787-0920), gown styles range from sweetheart-neckline numbers by Jim Hjelm, sophisticated satin designs by Matthew Christopher or fitted mermaid silhouettes by Ines Di Santo.
Near the corner of Rush and Oak streets, look for the flagship of bridal industry goddess Vera Wang (945 N. Rush St. third floor. 312-379-5355) as well as Belle Vie Bridal Couture (34 E. Oak St. 312-751-2222), which carries gown lines such as Amsale and Valentino—plus new addition Rami Kadi—as well as headpieces, belts and shoes.
At Ultimate Bride (106 E. Oak St. #2 312-337-6300), browse designs by big names such as Monique Lhuillier and Marchesa, plus “Project Runway” alumnus Austin Scarlett and Israeli designer Berta.
Suit shop Burdi (58 E. Walton St. 312-642-9166) has been tailoring custom designs for more than 45 years. Whether you need a white jacket for a beach wedding, a full tux with tails or a trendy smoking jacket that you can wear again after the big day, Burdi can make it happen.
End your jaunt on Michigan Avenue, where you’ll find the only Midwest location of J. Crew (900 N. Michigan Ave. 312-751-2739) stocking samples of the company’s bridal and bridesmaids dresses, plus suiting for both men and women.
