Bergdorf Goodman
754 Fifth Ave., at 58th St.; 212-753-7300; bergdorfgoodman.com
At Bergdorf’s Art Deco wedding salon, there is always someone ready to assist. Brides should take a look at gowns by Ines Di Santo, Elizabeth Fillmore, and Reva Mivasagar. Tia Mazza’s stylish veils and tiaras warrant a trip of their own, as does the wedding-friendly evening wear from Carolina Herrera and Marchesa. René Caovilla and other upmarket European footwear lines are laid out on level two; mid-priced lines like Kors are on five. On the seventh floor, couples will find high-end everyday goods like stationery from Pineider and well-known calligrapher Bernard Maisner. Grooms can appreciate designers such as Brioni and Kiton across the street; Bergdorf also has a full line of custom tuxes and great accessories.
Bloomingdale’s
1000 Third Ave., at 59th St.; 212-705-2000; bloomingdales.com
Though Bloomingdale’s doesn’t carry wedding gowns, the second-floor shoe department is stocked with affordable styles from
Lord & Taylor
424 Fifth Ave., nr. 39th St.; 212-391-3344; lordandtaylor.com
The stately Fifth Avenue mainstay isn’t as glitzy as the other one-stop shops, but brides are likely to keep within their budget there. For bridesmaids, it’s a good place to source inexpensive alternatives and traditional apparel, including everything from streamlined BCBG dresses to elegant gowns byCalvin Klein. The small range of suits—including Ted Baker and Joseph Abboud, and even a few tuxedos—makes the trip worth the husband-to-be’s time as well. DIY-makeup types should stop by the beauty department for wallet-friendly products (ask about promotions); they can also request a complimentary consultation for wedding-day tips.
Macy’s
151 W. 34th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-695-4400; macys.com
The venerable department store opened its huge new bridal salon in 2005—complete with a mirror-lined runway—and the service is still one-on-one. Brides will find gowns from the Demetrios wedding collection, bridesmaids’ dresses from classic labels like Bill Levkoff and After Six, and mother-of-the-bride attire. Ask about their trunk shows, which include discounts. Brides can count on the lingerie department for plenty of basics—bras, girdles, and the like. All the mainstays are represented, from Warner’s to Calvin Klein. On the way down to the basement (for registry goods), brides should stop by the two-level shoe department. Macy’s also has one of the best suit offerings in town; guys can find tuxedos from Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss.
Saks Fifth Avenue
611 Fifth Ave., nr. 49th St.; 212-753-4000; saks.com
This posh bridal salon (by appointment only) boasts swank labels like Amsale, Carolina Herrera, and Vera Wang. Bridesmaids will be happy to forgo an unflattering frock in favor of a red ruffle-trimmed gown from Notte by Marchesa or a black sequined number by Carmen Marc Valvo. Gucci, Prada, Christian Louboutin, and Jimmy Choo can all be found in the eighth-floor shoe department. In lingerie, Natori and Chantelle hang alongside Donna Karan and La Perla. Have the groom try on suits by Hugo Boss and Dior. If he’s after something special, stop by Domenico Spano’s Custom Shop for a bespoke fit.
Wedding Library by ClaudiaHanlin and Jennifer Zabinski
43 E. 78th St., nr. Madison Ave.; 212-327-0100; theweddinglibrary.com
Aside from their full-scale planning and referral services, this duo also employs dress specialists who help outfit the bridal party. The Wedding Library carries only a few actual gowns (from Thread, from $700, exclusive to them), but they have bridesmaid dresses by Amsale, Badgley Mischka, and Lela Rose ($250 to $500), to name a few—many of which can be ordered in ivory for a less-expensive wedding dress. They also carry a carefully curated selection of accessories, including headpieces and veils from Bride’s Head Revisited. Brides can then get cracking on their to-do lists by hitting up the vast stationery collection (from $800) that includes Dauphine Press, Ceci New York, and Mr. Boddington’s Studio.