Weddings Winter 2009 > Brides

Basia Custom Headdresses & Accessories

Basia’s one-of-a-kind headpieces and veils are elegant and understated, with exquisite embellishments like ribbon, enameled flowers, feathers, or Swarovski crystals ($100 to $400).

Bridal Veil Falls

This intimate East Village shop houses handmade headpieces in an array of designs and fabrics. Owner Margaret Duncan specializes in restoring vintage veils for brides who want to modernize a family heirloom, but she’s also determined to offer affordable and beautiful pieces for everyone. Veils, tiaras, flower-girl headpieces, and accessories range from $90 to $800.

Bride's Head Revisited

The owners of this small boutique, Emily Martin and Alexandra Kowalski, draw upon their art and design backgrounds (both once worked at the Costume Institute of the Met) to create unique headpieces for the style-conscious. They make French veils from $100, crystal combs from $40, and silk flowers from $98.

Cha Cha’s House of Ill Repute

It may sound like a turn-of-the century New Orleans brothel, but Cha Cha’s House of Ill Repute actually happens to be a milliner firmly rooted in New York with a coterie of celebrity fans like Alicia Keyes and Justin Timberlake. Many of Dina Psiani’s creations are as saucy as the name implies—a fedora with a multi-colored parrot pin and feathers—but there are also prim, elegant toppers available for the bride-to-be who would rather rock a hat than a veil. Prices start at $200.

Ellen Christine Millinery

This boutique carries creations adorned with handmade flowers and vintage netting. Most are made by Christine herself, a former costumer who skillfully turns out custom hats and headpieces to brides’ specifications. French veils start at $150.

Jenniferbehr.com

Go here for elegant, handmade head wraps, headbands, and combs—think encrusted crystals hand-stitched in silk chiffon. All items are made-to-order, and Behr will even match them to your dress color if you provide a sample.

Leah C. Couture Millinery

Leah Chalfen’s custom-made headpieces ($325 to $1,200)—featuring her trademark feathers—will satisfy any bride with a flair for drama. Her wide-net veils run the gamut from retro-inspired to swank and sophisticated. By appointment only.

Sposabella Couture, La Sposa Veil

The extensive veil section at this bridal salon includes more than 600 different kinds of headpieces. Veil prices start at a reasonable $65, but can soar to $3,000, depending on beadwork and material. Headpieces are priced from $80 to $1,000.

Suzanne Couture Millinery

Customers from nearby Reem Acra and Vera Wang come to this elegant Madison Avenue boutique for attention-grabbing headpieces, hats, and veils to complement their elegant gowns. Every piece is custom-made (from $350).

From the Winter 2009 New York Wedding Guide