CHICAGO IS A BIG TOWN BRIMMING WITH PERSONALITY—several of them, in fact. The city is made up of 77 districts, and even more neighborhoods, each with a unique atmosphere. That variety makes it a fantastic place to shop. Eager to investigate the places Midwestern brides rave about, I plotted a course for Chicago’s hippest boutiques and best bridal shops. In no time, I was convinced: This city is second to none.

White Chicago is, appropriately, all white—stark white—from the shiny floors to the gloves worn by the staffers while they fit the brides. Shoes are verboten, as are unwashed hands. Reason being: These dresses are not samples, they’re actually for sale, though the gowns may have been samples at one time. If not, they’re considered “once wed”, meaning they once belonged to another bride. Finds might include dresses by Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra, Jenny Lee or Anne Barge, from as little as $800 to as much as $6,000.

Excerpted from
Elegant Bride,
Fall 2006 p. 244-246.