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Updated Oct 14, 2024Here’s Where to Find the Prettiest Wedding Dresses in Tampa
Narrow your list to two or three boutiques, make appointments and let the fun begin.
by Elle Cashin
Updated May 23, 2024
All the most important wedding tasks begin with a checklist, and dress shopping is no different. Start with research: When exploring boutiques for wedding dresses in Tampa, look at things like designers carried, sizes ranges offered, price range and shopping experience (is shopping going to be a party or a more intimate event with just one or two guests?). Save favorite styles to your phone, or explore your chosen boutiques' Pinterest pages; many salons keep a running inventory on Pinterest for brides to explore pre-appointment. Then, round up your crew and pack the goodies (we recommend bringing shoes in the height you'll probably wear on the big day, nude undergarments—and a bottle of Champagne if the salon allows it). Remember, most salons require an appointment and encourage brides to shop 9-12 months in advance of the wedding, leaving time for production, shipping and then alterations when the dress is in hand. So, dive into this article and check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace to narrow down your stops, then let the fun begin!
Bridal With Love
Photo: Bridal With Love | Facebook
"Classic and charismatic" are the words owner Ales Love uses to describe the type of bride she serves at Bridal With Love, one of our favorite wedding dress stores in the Tampa area (it's technically in nearby Clearwater) and a winner of The Knot Best of Weddings award in 2021. The chic shop carries handcrafted gowns by labels such as Naviblue Fashion Group's Blunny Bridal and Royal Bridal, full of unique embellishments and intricate detailing; and appointments are exclusive and private, so each bride—and her guests—feels special and celebrated. Plus, the shop has an in-store seamstress for on-site alterations, making it a full-service step on the way to "I do."
Size Range: Varies
Price Range: Varies
Review Spotlight: "Bridal with Love is the best! I love my dress, and all the thanks are to Ales and Bridal with Love. I was afraid not to find the dress I love in my budget, but from the first step in, I felt amazingly welcome. The space is calming and cozy, the owner and staff are incredible and the dresses are all just stunning. Ales picked out some beautiful choices for me to try on and made the day so fun and exciting. She truly has a talent for picking out styles that not only match your personality but flatter your body. For me the most difficult part was picking which one I loved the best. Thanks for making it such a special experience!" —Claire M., The Knot Vendor Marketplace
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
Emelina's Bridal & Boutique
In 2018, Jessica Scholz found her dream wedding dress at Latina-owned dress shop Emelina's Bridal & Boutique. "I fell in love with the boutique and the dress shopping experience as a whole," Scholz says. "Emelina shortly announced her retirement and was looking for someone to pass on her crown." So, the next year, Scholz left her teaching career and put her extensive background in alterations to use by purchasing and taking over the bridal gown business. "My ultimate goal is not only to continue the legacy but to ensure that our brides feel the same joy and security I experienced throughout my own journey as an Emelina's bride," she says. That's exactly the experience she and her team now offer. "The Emelina's Bridal team works tirelessly to offer an intimate experience with simply one focus in mind: for our brides to leave empowered, accomplished and confident in their dream dress," she says. "While our team is finding the perfect gowns, the bride and her guests are also able to browse our collections. Once we have the bride-approved dresses, the fun try-ons begin! We dedicate all our time and energy to making this process enjoyable and stress-free, with the bride's best interest in mind. And, at Emelina's, we cater to every bride from all walks of life—no matter their background, budget, preference or style." Look for labels like Sophia Tolli, Christina Wu and Martin Thornburg. (Psst, in June 2024, Emelina's is moving to a beautiful new location at 7248 N. Dale Mabry Highway.)
Size Range: 6-24 in-store; 0-32 for orders
Price Range: $500-$3,000
Review Spotlight: "I am so pleased with my experience shopping for and buying my wedding dress at Emelina's! The ladies there were all incredibly helpful and willing to find me the dress of my dreams! Even after purchasing, the alterations process was so seamless and painless. On my wedding day my dress was absolutely perfect, and the bustle for the reception was easy to use. I felt beautiful, and I received so many compliments on it. I highly recommend Emelina's Bridal & Boutique!" —Amanda C., The Knot Vendor Marketplace
Isabel O'Neil Bridal Collection
Of all the bridal shops in Tampa, there is only one where you can find those most-coveted labels like Rivini, Bliss by Monique Lhuillier, Galia Lahav GALA, Jenny Yoo and Atelier Pronovias: Isabel O'Neil Bridal Collection. (The shop also offers a stunning selection of accessories from Untamed Petals and Maria Elena Headpieces.) The shopping experience is just as elegant as the gowns themselves. The boutique recently relocated, and luxury and comfort were top priorities in the design. Brides are pampered during 90-minute appointments (which can be booked online) and taken care of by a personal stylist who can offer suggestions and customization options. The boutique partners with a seamstress who does alterations in-store, making the experience full-service from beginning to "I do."
Size Range: samples size 10, additional sizes orderable
Price Range: $1,600-$11,000
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Review Spotlight: "I had such an amazing experience at Isabel O'Neil! I tried on SO many dresses at almost every bridal shop in Tampa and several in Orlando, and the dresses at Isabel O'Neil's were my absolute favorite. I didn't want to take the dress off that I ended up going with, and I love how the consultants kept in close contact with me & gave me updates along the way. I loved how my dress looked on my wedding day, and now my MOH also just bought her dress here as well. Would definitely recommend!" —Jennifer S., The Knot Vendor Marketplace
Magnolia Lane
In 2021, sisters Kerrie Hileman and Mallory Thorburn opened a sister concept to their popular bridal boutique, The White Magnolia Bridal Collection (more on that below); Magnolia Lane quickly became just as successful and has since been franchised across the southeast. Among bridal shops in Tampa, Fl., this location offers a special, elevated experience for brides looking for the perfect made-to-order gown. The gowns are gorgeous—look for styles by Made With Love, Blue Willow, Martina Liana, Dany Tabet, Willowby by Watters and more—and the price is right, with dresses capping around $5,000. Another fun addition? Brides can shop an in-house collection of Little White Dresses perfect for the afterparty or bridal shower.
Size Range: 10-12 for samples, 16-24 for curve; additional sizes orderable
Price Range: $1,500-$5,000
Review Spotlight: "My experience at Magnolia Laine was amazing! Ainsley went above and beyond to make me and my group feel special. She really listened to my likes and dislikes with each dress and used that to find my perfect gown! So thankful for her! The shop itself was also so clean and bright, which made the experience 10x better." —Marissa S., The Knot Vendor Marketplace
Truly Forever Bridal Tampa
Truly Forever Bridal has two locations in Florida, but the Tampa location is extra special: It is the largest bridal boutique in the state. During 90-minute styling appointments, brides can explore an extensive selection of off-the-rack styles—which they bring home the same day—and made-to-order gowns by designers including Rosa Clara, Pronovias, Mila Nova, Justin Alexander and Morilee. You might even find something truly one-of-kind from the boutique's private label, which features gowns curated exclusively for Truly Forever by top designers. Appointments last 90 minutes; for $150 ($100 of which gets applied to the gown purchase), brides can book the VIP Diamond Suite, a private area of the store that hosts up to 10 guests for two-hour appointments.
Size Range: 2-36
Price Range: $1,200-$6,000 (the majority between $1,500-$3,000); sale gowns under $1,000
Review Spotlight: "We booked the VIP suite, and everything went wonderfully! My consultant, Rebecca, was so sweet and considerate of what I was looking for. This was my first and only dress shop, I was not expecting to leave with my dream dress that day and I'm so glad I did. My fittings went so well too, I felt like I was in a fairytale! Would absolutely recommend this shop to all future brides!" –Kaitlin G., The Knot Vendor Marketplace
White Closet Bridal
Photo: White Closet Bridal | Facebook
At White Closet Bridal, a South Tampa wedding dress shop, the goal is empowerment: The staff and stylists seek to make every bride who walks through the doors feel comfortable, confident and beautiful for her big day. They do so with personalized appointments and a stunning selection of gowns by labels like Colby John, Justin Alexander and Madi Lane. White Closet also offers an extensive range of plus-size wedding gowns by Stella York, Edition by ÉLYSÉE, Studio Levana and others. And, when the big day is done, brides can bring their gown back to White Closet Bridal for gown cleaning and preservation, an important and oft-forgotten step in the wedding journey that guarantees your dress stays in beautiful shape for the next generation.
Size Range: varies; plus sizes available in-store and for orders
Price Range: $1,500-$4,000
Review Spotlight: "I had the most wonderful shopping experience at The White Closet. All of the ladies (especially Ashley and Jamie) were so lovely, attentive, thoughtful, patient and made you feel like the most important bride. They suggested I try the dresses they knew were my style, and I ended up picking the 4th dress I tried on. I would recommend this store to anyone looking for a beautiful dress and a pleasant experience." —Isabella T., The Knot Vendor Marketplace
The White Magnolia Bridal Collection
There are a dozen designer labels on offer at The White Magnolia Bridal Collection's Tampa wedding dress shop (the store also has outposts in Nashville, Atlanta and five other locations). Some of the most popular are Maggie Sottero, Jane Hill and Watters—though with more than 350 gowns in the inventory, there's something for everyone. "At The White Magnolia, we offer a one-on-one gown shopping experience tailored to fit each individual bride," says assistant manager Brooke Sabo. "We offer private bridal suites to all brides who book an appointment with us. They are assigned to their own professional bridal stylist, who will walk them through the whole process. When you have your 'say yes' moment, we pop the bubbly and take all the fun photos with our pink 'Yes' sign in our beautiful naturally lit showroom."
Size Range: 10-12 for samples; bridal sizes 16-24 for curve collection; 00-28 for orders
Price Range: $1,600-$7,500
Review Spotlight: "I just said yes to the dress at this location last Saturday, and I loved every second of the experience! It was such a beautiful store and well-organized. The showrooms were stunning, and they even had a sign with my name welcoming me! They made me feel like it was an experience made just for me! Brooke was my consultant, and she was amazing! She did a great job at figuring out what I liked and giving advice. I will recommend this place to any bride looking for their dream dress!" —Shevannie T., The Knot Vendor Marketplace
