9 Italian Wedding Dress Designers You Should Know

Romance is seemingly always in the air with all things Italian—the food, wine, art, even the language itself are innately full of love. Fashion is certainly no exception, especially when it comes to Italian wedding dresses on the bridal fashion front. That's why you need to get familiarized with our picks for talented Italian wedding dress designers you need to know now. From Giambattista Valli's floaty, whimsical designs to the sculptural, minimalist look of former architect Antonio Rivas' designs, Italian wedding dresses span the gamut style-wise, but share the sort of superb craftsmanship and quality that's synonymous with Made in Italy fashion.

Wherever you are in your process of shopping for a wedding dress, we're here to help you navigate the best Italian wedding dress designers out there. Ready to track down the Italian wedding dress of your dreams? Perhaps you know exactly what your wedding dress aesthetic is, or are just figuring out the materials, cuts and details that resonate most as you head to your very first appointment.

Whatever the case may be, you'll find lots of inspiration in the Italian wedding dress designers, some of which are stocked at bridal salons (or available to shop online). And be sure to check out more must-know wedding dress designers around the world.

Our Favorite Italian Wedding Dress Designers

Italy is known as a hub of fashion, so some of these designer names may be very familiar, while others may be new to you. Learn more about these bridal fashion talents.

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1. Atelier Eme

Photo: Atelier Eme

Atelier Eme is all about variety: There's elaborate beadwork and romantic, ultra feminine silhouettes for classics lovers, as well as modern, playful midi- and mini-length options with clean lines that nontraditional brides will love. The company's roots date back to its debut in 1961 as Atelier Aimee, a brand specializing in bridal headpieces and floral accessories that branched out into wedding gowns two decades later. In the '90s, the Milan-based bridal label did a handful of special bridal collaborations with luxury fashion houses like Versace. Since being acquired by major Italian fashion conglomerate Caldezonia in 2015, Atelier Eme has expanded a ton, including new store locations, robust e-commerce for easy online ordering, and launching lower-priced offshoot bridal and bridesmaid collections.

How to shop: Atelier Eme offers many of its designs directly on their website, where you can find the brand's many locations throughout Italy and contact the brand to make an appointment or inquire about specific styles. make an appointment at one of the brand's boutiques; or, you can find the brand at a wide range of stockists, including a number of U.S. retailers.

Prices starting at: $175 for bridal accessories like sleeves, stoles and jackets; $450 for separates and jumpsuits; $1,000 for gowns.

2. Le Spose Di Gio

Photo: Le Spose Di Gio

Le Spose Di Gio's signature clean lines and understated aesthetic "enhances the bride without transforming her" per the brand's philosophy. Founded in 1975 by sisters Giovanna and Marisa De Capitani in the Northern Italian town of Monza on the outskirts of Italy, Le Spose di Gio stands out for its skillful tailoring and gorgeous fabrics. Instead of heavy lace or embellishments, subtle sheer paneling and textural contrasts add detail and dimension to Le Spose Di Gio's designs–yet don't interrupt its signature fluid lines and elegant, crisp silhouettes.

How to shop: Find a stockist near you from the brand's extensive roster of retailers (including many U.S. bridal salons) and standalone locations throughout Italy on their website, or, you can order online by selecting a favorite style from their digital catalog and emailing the brand for a price and shipping quote, turnaround timeline. You can also book a fitting at one of Le Spose di Gio's boutiques in Italy and London, or make an appointment to shop discounted samples and runway looks at the Di Gio Outlet in Bergamo, Italy.

Prices starting at: $5,000

3. Elisabetta Polignano

Photo: Elisabetta Polignano

Polignano caters to all sorts of brides and aesthetics with playful details like oversized ruffles, voluminous sleeves and chunkier lace in her eponymous line, along with two offshoot brands, EP Classic (lots of rich, romantic organza, Mikado silk and cady) Vision (ethereal vibe with airy tulle and chiffon). The Northern Italian label's latest collection for its namesake line proves this versatility well–from a dramatic, structured gown for a formal wedding with glamorous vibes to a modern, cheeky yet chic two-piece look with shapely tailoring, bold three-dimensional lace, tons of texture, perfect for a cool waterfront loft affair. That range reflects the brand's commitment to "a woman's freedom to be herself at all times, even in a wedding dress." A dress that's incredibly beautiful, of course, but most importantly, one that celebrates a bride's body and brains because it's "perfect for her personality and figure."

How to shop: Contact the brand on their website to request an appointment at one of their standalone stores, or with a range of international stockists.

Prices starting at: $4,000

4. Antonio Riva

Photo: Antonio Riva

The clean lines, sculptural draping and modern feel of Antonio Riva's designs reflect his architectural background—Riva moved to the U.S. to study architecture before swapping his pursuit of constructing buildings with a passion for building beautiful dresses. Structured yet airy materials like organza and silk mikado create three-dimensional, shapely silhouettes that reflect the Italian-born and -based designer's M.O. of perfection and purity, Subtle details like Chantilly lace that add softness and texture to Riva's minimalist pieces.

How to shop: Contact Antonio Riva's Rome or Milan ateliers to make an appointment or inquire about specific styles on the brand's website; in the U.S., the brand is stocked at Jessica Hayley Bridal in Rye, NY. Or, you can shop a small selection of Antonio Riva dresses online at UAE-based retailer, Maison-B-More.

Prices start at: $6,000

5. Peter Langner

Photo: Peter Langner

A graduate of esteemed Paris fashion couture institution École de la Chambre Syndicale, Peter Langner specializes in sharp tailoring, structured silhouettes for a contemporary yet timeless vibe. After completing his schooling, Langner honed his craft at iconic French fashion houses like Christian Dior, Emanuel Ungaro, Guy LaRoche and Christian Lacroix, then launched his own eponymous bridal label in 1991 with a Rome atelier; the label's HQ later moved to Milan, in 2015. Langner's designs stand out thanks to crisp lines and sumptuous materials (instead of, say, heavy beading or sparkly embellishments).

How to shop: Make an appointment at Peter Langner's Milan flagship on their website, where you can also find a list of international stockists, including some U.S. bridal salons.

Prices start at: $8,000

6. Giambattista Valli

Photo: Giambattista Valli

Already a longtime fashion set favorite for his supremely ethereal ready-to-wear and Haute Couture collections, Giambattista Valli took his unapologetically romantic aesthetic to the next (nuptials-ready!) level with the 2021 debut of its Love bridal collection. Fresh, feminine and always a bit whimsical, Valli designs are all about a playful attitude seldom seen in wedding wear, and the return of "happy times." That optimistic, translates to lovely draping with big Grecian goddess vibes, flirty ruffles and lace, plus floral embellishments that feel straight out of a fairytale.

How to shop: You can shop a selection of Giambattista Valli bridal dresses and accessories directly on their website, where you can make an appointment at the brand's Milan or Paris boutiques and check for upcoming trunk shows at luxury retail partners. A handful of online retailers, like Matches, Farfetch and MyTheresa also carry some wedding-worthy styles, though you'll have to scour around.

Prices start at: $3,000

7. Eddy K

Photo: Eddy K

Based in Milan, Eddy K is an Italian wedding dress brand that's been around for over half a century, dressing brides seeking all sorts of wedding aesthetics—whether that means classic and elegant, through and through, with romantic lace and more, or quite modern, fresh and on-trend. The detail-laden label is a family-run business, too–founder Eddy Kestenband's daughter, Addy Kestenband, is Eddy K's president.

How to shop: Locate an Eddy K stockist on the brand's website, where you can also fill out a contact form to track down specific dress styles or inquire about anything else.

Prices start at: $1,600

8. Nicole Milano

Photo: Nicole Milano

As lead designer, Nicole Cavallo highlights beautiful Italian silk, French lace and detailed embroidery in her collections for the company's five different brands under the Nicole Milano umbrella. It's no wonder Cavallo was drawn to the bridal business, as it's a real family affair—Cavallo's mother, Alessandra Rinaudo, is a renowned wedding dress designer, and Spose's grandmother was a seamstress with her own workshop in Italy. Feminine and timelessly elegant wedding gowns can be on-trend, too, as Nicole Milano's creations prove.

How to shop: Find a stockist near you or make an appointment on the brand's website, or fill out a contact form with any other inquiries.

Prices start at: $1,700

9. Luisa Beccaria

Photo: Luisa Beccaria

When it comes to celebrating Made in Italy craftsmanship and material sourcing to the fullest, it's tough to top Luisa Beccaria. The Milan-based atelier also works closely with its brides to translate all sorts of romantic, whimsical, even sentimental motifs into dreamy wedding gowns. Besides its more affordable ready-to-wear bridal designs, the label offers a midrange Bespoke collection and fully custom designs via its Luisa & Lucilla Brides label. The latter is all about a couture process and old-school approach involving hand-drawn sketches, paper fittings and dresses constructed from luxurious, varied materials (like tulle, satin, silk, chiffon, organza, georgette, linen, crepe and even cotton) and lots of lace and embroidery, including broderie anglaise, Macramé, Valenciennes or Rebrodè lace.

How to shop: Select Luisa Beccaria ready-to-wear bridal looks are available to shop directly on the brand's website; you can also make an in-person or virtual appointment.

Prices start at: $4,100 for Luisa Beccaria Collection (ready-to-wear); $7,600 for The Bespoke Collection