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One of the side effects of working for Offbeat Bride and living in Los Angeles is that newly engaged friends will always ask me things like, “ok, smarty: where can I go to find unique wedding dresses in LA?” Before now, unless a wedding dress shop or designer was an Offbeat Bride vendor in LA, I wouldn't always be able to answer them… Then I got engaged and went on the personal hunt for a unique LA wedding dress shop… and let me tell you, it was a surprisingly difficult task!
But, after almost a year of shopping around, I have managed to track down the top five places to get an offbeat wedding dress in Los Angeles. BEHOLD…
1. RMINE
RMINE Bespoke in Studio City is where I'm getting my custom wedding dress. Yup, after a year of searching, I never did find The Dress, so I had to resort to getting it made. (More on that later, I promise!) The moment I walked into RMINE, I knew I was home. They got my offbeat aesthetic. The owner and designer Arminé's face even lit up when she saw what I was trying on and heard how I described my perfect wedding dress. (“I want it to look like a unicorn sneezed on me.”) She immediately said, “I want you to be one of my brides!” RMINE loves to have fun and get creative — these are our people, y'all.
2. Mermaid Miss Kristin
It's no coincidence that the number two on this list is not only my kick-ass hair stylist, but she's also an incredible dress maker. Mermaid Miss Kristin takes vintage wedding dresses, rips 'em up, and re-assembles them into a new wedding dress — whether it's custom-made or from her ready-to-wear collection. And with varying textures, laces, and color options, you're sure to go viral the moment your dress hits the interwebs. Sorta like this bride did.
3. JLM Boutique
Hayley Paige wedding dresses that give off major unicorn bride vibes
The moment they found out what kind of wedding day vibes I was going for, for they started plying me with Hayley Paige wedding dresses.... Read more
If you have the luxury of splurging on your dress, you should head to JLM Boutique. They have Hayley Paige and Jim Hjelm and champagne, and amazing sales reps who will kick ass to get you what you want. Seriously, my head was spinning for days after visiting that store.
4. Les Habitudes
Les Habitudes is one of my favorite dress shops in LA, because it's where cosplayers and high-fashionistas collide. This is where my nerd friends go get their outfits for the Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball. This is also where my stylist friends shop for their clients — and even shop for their own wedding dresses!
5. Glamour Closet LA
Basically, Glamour Closet is a brick ‘n' mortar space full of used wedding dresses. They have an incredible selection of unique gowns — including couture and well-known designers — for like 25-75% off retail prices! I found a couple rad dresses that would have been perfect, but weren't in my size. Keep going back if you don't find something the first time, because you never know what's gonna show up.
6. Unique Vintage
Those of us who aren't in LA know that Unique Vintage is totally available for amazing online shopping, but they also have a shop in Burbank! You can book an appointment with a dedicated UV stylist and we’ll help you find the perfect look for your wedding. Of course, they are to die for online, but goodness — visiting the Unique Vintage Burbank store will send you to the moon and back. There’s nothing like seeing with your own eyes some of our most darling vintage dresses, outfits and accessories, including special occasion and prom gowns. Flee the ordinary and the ho-hum of downtown LA, and pick out something that’s totally you. If you want, you can even order your favorites online and pick them up at the store.
Offbeat Wed Vendor
This page features vendors from our curated Offbeat Wed Vendor Directory. They're awesome and we love them. If you're a vendor let's get you in here!
About the Author: Megan Finley Horowitz
When Megan's not writing, traveling, and sleeping, she's eating like the fate of the world depends on it. (You're welcome, world!) You can snoop into her personal life over on her website The Dash and Dine!
You forgot Gossamer! Vintage wedding dresses galore! DTLA next to the old American Apparel factory. @shopgossamer in insta
Thank you for the shout out Jaclyn! 40% of our inventory are bridal wears, and you can come by our store to try them on at anytime Tuesday-Sunday 11-5pm! We also custom make dresses 🙂
This post if right on time!! I’m having a hard time figuring out what I want my dress to look like, and there are SO many great inspirations here. I’m having two weddings–one at Burning Man and one in Los Angeles–and both will of course be weird as hell.
Thank you!!!
I need a list like this for the SF Bay Area! Do any other Bay Area Offbeat Brides have suggestions?
Most needed post. Wedding dresses these days are so generic, I wanted a more unique look.
Thanks