Found: The Best Places to Buy Wedding Dresses in San Diego

Ready to find your dream wedding dress in San Diego? We're here to help when it comes to planning your shopping trip and getting your hands on gowns by your longtime (and soon-to-be) favorite dress designers. While the Knot Vendor Marketplace is always a great place to start discovering wedding dress shops in San Diego to add to your must-visit list, we've narrowed the options down to a few favorites that have something for every bridal style and wedding dress budget. Once you've perused the salons below the only thing left to do is make an appointment and inform your "I do" crew. Happy shopping!

Lovely Bride

Photo: Lovely Bride

The San Diego location of this national brand is nestled in trendy North Park and offers gorgeous interiors and a relaxed atmosphere with a large selection of romantic wedding gowns. Lovely Bride carries talented yet under-the-radar indie designers like Emmy Mae, Made With Love and Louvienne. The shop is appointment only, but ahead of your visit, you can register online to see the entire selection with prices (typically between $2,000 and $5,000) listed. Plus, brides can take comfort in knowing that Lovely Bride has a wide range of sample sizes in store—from bridal sizes 8 to 20.

• Review Spotlight: "I found my dress here! What a great shopping experience I had. After booking your appointment the company will send emails to help you prepare and get you hyped for your appointment. Their dress selection is all so good! Great variety per your budget and style. I had shopped with Delaney and she is amazing. Was easy to talk to, very thorough in getting to understand your style and budget." - Amanda G., The Knot Vendor Marketplace

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Brides For a Cause

Photo: Brides For a Cause

Located in North Park, Brides For a Cause is a bridal shop in San Diego unlike any other. The store, which has four other locations all on the West Coast, carries affordable donated off-the-rack dresses with a portion of all sales going to women-focused charities like the American Heart Association and Girls Who Code. The shop has more than 600 dresses in sizes 0 through 24, all five years old or newer and with prices starting at $150. Some of the dresses come from past brides, but many are unworn samples from designers or other shops. During your one-hour appointment, you'll be free to roam the store with up to three guests and pull up to 15 dresses to try on in a private fitting room.

• Review Spotlight: "I had a great experience at Brides for a Cause - San Diego! Andrea in particular was fantastic at helping select and style dresses for me to try. This store was incredibly attentive, flexible and was not crowded during my appointment. I had tons of space to try on dresses and for my guests to sit (one of them had a sprained ankle and the team was so accommodating). Despite this store having opened recently, they have a large selection of great quality dresses, all reasonably priced and going to great causes. I highly recommend this place!" - Sally L., The Knot Vendor Marketplace

Grace Loves Lace

When you step inside the Grace Loves Lace Cortez Hill boutique, which is located within a renovated chapel, you'll be welcomed with timber floors, towering ceilings and Spanish revival archways—plus a glass of prosecco or tea. The Australian brand crafts ethically and sustainably made gowns that aren't mass-produced and feature luxe lace and silk fabrics. Ahead of your one-hour appointment, you'll be asked to select five favorite gowns that you want to try on in-store and you can plan to bring up to three guests along to share in the fun.

• Review Spotlight: "The Chai Lena and Lumi veil was the wedding dress combination of my dreams. GLL was the first boutique I visited and I clicked with the Lena early on. I wasn't ready to commit so I shopped around and came back, and I'm so glad that I did. The dress was perfectly cut to my hourglass/pear figure and not only looked stunning but FELT amazing. The crepe fabric allowed me to dance the night away. I felt so confident in my dress and I give the utmost thanks to the gals at GLL for making sure I felt great in my dress. The team has unmatched customer service and patience—go experience it for yourself." - Rachel A., The Knot Vendor Marketplace

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Katia I Gabriel

Photo: Katia I Gabriel

Find wedding dresses in San Diego at Katia I Gabriel, a custom wedding dress brand helmed by two twin sisters originally from Mexico. Sisters Kati and Gabby are dedicated to designing dresses that perfectly align with each bride's personal style. Each dress is handcrafted and you can typically expect to spend between $2,000 and $3,000 on your custom gown. Katia I Gabriel provides custom veils and alterations services too, so you can be sure your final look will suit you perfectly. The duo works pretty fast too: Gowns only need to be ordered four months ahead of your wedding day.

• Review Spotlight: "I feel so lucky that I found Katia, who designed and made my custom jumpsuit for my wedding reception. I had tried on a few jumpsuits and knew that I liked the back of one and the front of another. Katia was able to create exactly what I wanted and she was so kind, professional and a true designer. I needed multiple fittings because I lost some weight from start to finish but she was so understanding and flexible. She was such a good listener and open to making adjustments to ensure I loved it and I definitely did and received so many compliments on my wedding day. Thank you Katia!" - Taylor D., The Knot Vendor Marketplace

The White Flower Bridal Boutique

Photo: The White Flower Bridal Boutique

The White Flower Bridal Boutique, located in Bankers Hill, carries pieces by sought-after labels like Martina Liana, Kelly Faetanini and Justin Alexander Signature and also handles alterations in-house. During your 90-minute appointment with up to four guests, you'll be treated to complimentary drinks and try on gowns in a private bridal suite. Made-to-order wedding dresses range in price from $2,800 to $6,000 and many can be ordered up to a size 20. The San Diego bridal shop also sells discounted sample dresses, accessories and mini-dresses that are perfect for rehearsal dinners or bachelorette parties.

• Review Spotlight: "Exactly the boutique bridal shop experience I was hoping for! Spacious, clean shop with large private dressing rooms. My dresser had a wonderful, open attitude and great listening skills. I found my dress here and I felt like a princess throughout the whole process." - Chantelle P., The Knot Vendor Marketplace

Jana Ann Couture

Photo: Jana Ann Couture

Jana Ann Couture is a bridal label carried in more than 40 boutiques across the world, but its showroom and design and alterations studio is located just north of San Diego in Del Mar. The shop has more than 300 samples in store with sizing available up to a 22 and you'll have plenty of time to try on all of your favorites during a 60 to 90-minute appointment. Jana Ann also offers custom wedding dresses near San Diego starting at $5,000 so you can get a look that's uniquely yours, or you can purchase a made-to-order gown for up to $3,200.

• Review Spotlight: "Loved going here! Professional, clean, friendly and knowledgeable, I really just can't say enough good things. Hope was completely amazing. She made my mom and I feel so comfortable and she really got my vibe. The other staff seemed helpful and kind as well. I thought this was going to be a long and stressful process but this was the only shop I needed. 10/10 would come again. Thanks, Hope!" - Taryn G., The Knot Vendor Marketplace