Our favourite Australian fashion labels making bridalwear
IMAGE VIA @christopher_esber/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY lara daly
The best non-traditional wedding dress designers.
Planning a wedding – no matter how ‘low-key’ you’re determined for it to be – will always be stressful. So when it comes to deciding what to wear, why not keep the process fun and make it feel like you.
If you’re not one for a traditional wedding dress, then you’re in luck. Increasingly, we’re seeing more Australian fashion designers expand into bridalwear, offering signature wedding dress styles or custom services for one-of-one designs.
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Whether you’re planning a destination wedding with hundreds of guests, an intimate backyard ceremony, or you’re popping down to the registry office and throwing a party, we’d trust these Australian labels to create the wedding dress of our dreams.
Van der Kooij
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Van der Kooij proves that brides needn’t be constrained to white. Created by Melbourne designer Natasha Veenhuizen, the label’s ready-to-wear pieces are arguably wedding-appropriate, but its bridal edit is extra special. Think puff-sleeve mini dresses, bustle gowns and corset-style bodices, available in a range of colours.
Perple
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Our editors are often searching for local weddings to feature on FJ that feel just a little bit different. When we do come across brides that stop us in our tracks, nine times out of ten they’re wearing Perple. Designer Huiliana Chandra-Curry specialises in whimsical shapes, modern fabrics and romantic, unexpected details – all qualities that keep a wedding dress feeling distinctly fashion.
Lucinda Babi
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For brides looking to bring a fun, nostalgic spirit to their wedding day, Melbourne-based Lucinda Babi is a match made in heaven. Specialising in sculptural fitted bodices and playful tulle layering, Lucinda’s designs feel both timeless and fashion-forward.
Romance was Born
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You’d be hard-pressed to find a wedding dress with more wow-factor than Romance was Born. The label’s very first dedicated bridal collection, RWB Bride, will be released each year on the first day of Spring. The inaugural collection is a classic mix of old Hollywood glamour with a distinct RWB sensibility – think exquisite floral embroidery, playful textures and exaggerated accessories. Each garment is a one-off and custom-made for you for your special day.
Madre Natura
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Brides who wish to forgo the traditional dress altogether should look to slow fashion label, Madre Natura. Sydney-based designer Jackie Galleghan creates beautiful separates, focusing on artful texture. From beaded silk blazers and pleated pants to sculptural circle skirts made from silk organza, it’s bridal you’ll want to wear again.
Lola Varma
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Lola Varma was founded by wedding photographer Courtney Illfield, who found that many women she photographed weren’t connecting with the dated silhouettes offered by traditional bridal brands. Her unconventional, minimalist styles are designed with comfort and fluidity in mind – perfect if you plan to dance the evening away.
Esse Studios
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Simple, elegant pieces for the fashion-forward bride can be found at local label Esse Studio. The label has a timeless approach to design and releases biannual editions.
Kyha Studios
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Kyha’s contemporary wedding dresses possess a kind of regal elegance, characterised by structured silhouettes, romantic details and luxurious materials. Choose from ready-to-wear gowns, bridal separates and elopement dresses.
Karla Spetić
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Designer Karla Spetić carries her signature cutouts, ties, sheer panelling and floral appliqué to her tight edit of bridalwear. And if you’ve already got the dress but want to make it your own, her whimsical accessories include a giant organza bow and crystal crown.
Nevenka
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Nevenka’s free-spirited designs embody Eastern European heritage and traditions. Its wedding dresses are playful, detailed and bold, all made in the brand’s Melbourne atelier. Pieces are released in limited-edition capsule collections, so keep an eye on the label’s Instagram page for your dream dress.
Acler
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Acler is known for its elegant draping, feminine silhouettes and textural details, and its bridal ready-to-wear collection reflects this. In addition to classic gowns, its range offers separates like soft satin blouses, tailored pants and structured jackets, so you can find something for a more casual affair or the in-between looks needed for the bridal shower, reception dinner and engagement party.
Maggie Marilyn
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New Zealand-born label Maggie Marilyn isn’t exclusively bridal, but the brand’s selection of simple, luxurious dresses is ideal for easy wedding celebrations. Browse the Forever collection for feminine gowns, floaty blouses and structured tailoring.
Honeymoon Studios
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Honeymoon Studios is bridalwear done differently. Naarm-based designer Andria Kiefer came up with the idea for the label after struggling to find an outfit for her own wedding. Disillusioned by the traditional styles on offer, she sought to create something that spoke to the modern, down-to-earth bride. With this in mind, the label creates inclusive, customisable and contemporary pieces that can be worn long after your special day.
Macgraw
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Designed by sisters Beth and Tessa MacGraw, Macgraw’s bridal edit evokes a flirtatious elegance through its use of texture and colour – these are dresses you’ll want to hold onto forever.
Beare Park
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Sydney label Beare Park creates high-quality dresses, blazers and pants. Drape yourself in silk and walk down the aisle in one of the label’s sleek designs.
Paris Georgia
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New Zealand label Paris Georgia creates sophisticated, custom bridalwear that celebrates the female form. Its ready-to-wear line also has an array of excellent options for the modern bride – a fringed mini dress, anyone?
E Nolan
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Melbourne-based label E Nolan makes made-to-measure garments, with a particular focus on expertly tailored suits. If you’re looking to subvert tradition, there’s nothing more understated and effortlessly cool than wearing a custom silk suit on your big day.
Rebecca Vallance
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The Rebecca Vallance bridal collection isn’t just for brides, rather the whole bridal party. For the main event, the label offers a varied selection of mini, midi and floor-length white gowns with embellishments of all kinds – feathers, bows, ruffles, sequins, pearls and lace.
Toni Maticevski
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Toni Maticevski’s tightly curated bridal collection is dramatic in all the right ways. Or, if you’re feeling colourful, you could opt for one of the Australian designer’s more elaborate and unconventional gowns from his ready-to-wear collection.
Christopher Esber
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Sydney-based designer Christopher Esber is known for his sophisticated, contemporary approach to womenswear, with a focus on high-quality materials and feminine silhouettes. The label introduced its bridal edit in 2025, a dreamy collection featuring artfully twisted fabric, boning and lace.
Aje
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Founded in 2008 by friends Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest, well-loved Australian brand Aje combines contemporary designs with classic undone, coastal style. Ideal for a beach wedding or summer garden ceremony, its collection of voluminous, playful dresses is undoubtedly beautiful, but never too buttoned-up.
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