Etsy Shops Every Bride Will Want to Know About

Celebrate your unique style without breaking the bank.

Author:
Janet Sahm Easter
Updated:
Oct 12, 2016
Original:
Jan 8, 2015

Brought to you in partnership with National Thrift Week

It's no new news that we at Verily love Etsy for accessories, gifts, and especially cozy winter pieces. I am constantly surprised at the wealth of quality and unique products found on the online mecca marketplace, full of local and international artisans as well as vintage purveyors. And I, personally, was all too happy to discover an affordable, gorgeous cathedral-length illusion veil for my wedding this last October—score!

Which led me to thinking… for brides out there who want to celebrate their own styles and personalities and really stand out in a handmade, one-of-a-kind piece or vintage creation—and not break the bank—Etsy is the jackpot.

Etsy allows you to discover quality, gently worn vintage items from around the world without having to be a jet-set traveler or thrift connoisseur. Vintage can be intimidating, especially for those who don't want to look like they've stepped out of the set of Mad Men or Downton Abbey (or maybe you do!). Regardless, remember, you can take anything from decades past and make it your own modernized version with a skilled seamstress.

Unfortunately, Etsy shopping often takes mountains of patience and scrolling through page upon page to find the real gems, so we've made it a tad easier for you to get started by curating our favorite shops and dedicated artisans for truly affordable bridal wear and accessories. And, hey, who doesn't want to support small businesses for local, handmade, and quality items?

VINTAGE BRIDAL WEAR//

For real-deal vintage (and often vintage prices) Beloved Vintage Bridal has quite the collection of simple gowns ranging from the 1920s to the 1970s in silks and lace, while The Ivy Retreat carries unique, stark, and chic finds like a sleek 1940s satin number and simple embroidered frock from the 1960s.

Vintage doesn't have to constrained to your dress: You can up-cycle and personalize your look with a just a touch of vintage, like attaching an art deco broach to the base of your veil or adding sparkly clip-on cocktail earrings to your wedding day shoes!

VEILS & HAIR ACCESSORIES//

There's a slew of beautiful boutiques for hair accessories, but Twigs & Honey as well as Bride LaBoheme have really raised the bar; the ethereal, feminine aesthetic is perfect for the romantic bride.

And, for my wedding day, I found Canadian-based Cassandra Silvestro's simple, yet dramatic illusion veils for such a steal! She's an amazing seamstress who sends a personalized note with each purchase.

DRESSES//

Up-and-coming designers and dress makers from around the world love making their start on Etsy. It can take a tiny leap of faith to order a dress online, but on the upside your seamstresses takes your exact measurements into account and can tailor it to your preferences! Flora & Lane, an Indianapolis-based designer, promises a few bohemian gowns for the eclectic bride, and Saint Isabel is known for oh-so-soft feminine silk and French lace dresses.

BELTS & SASHES//

An embellished sash can totally transform any wedding dress or bridesmaid number by adding a bit of richness, as well as highlighting your waistline, without having to make costly alterations to the dress itself. Le Flowers has an amazing range of vintage-inspired pieces, complete with pearls and lace in ivory. We're looking for excuses to wear these to non-wedding occasions!

SHOES//

When it comes to bridal shoes, anything can go! We love brides who go for fun colors or personal touches. Bella Belle Shoes has fantastic retro options in comfortable heel heights. Those baby blue satin shoes are just the perfect touch of "something blue."