Hand beaded sheaths that catch every light in the room. Fringed cocktail dresses. Beaded capelets, short reception dresses, two piece beaded gowns, silk slips and crochet resort dresses. Made by a family-owned New York house in business since 1982 alongside our bridal ateliers, which means this is the page for the mother of the bride, the wedding party, the rehearsal dinner and the guest list, as well as for the wedding gowns themselves. Occasionwear built on structure and fit, finished with beadwork done by hand.
Some pieces ship from Los Angeles in days and some are cut to order by the designer. For the bride's own gown start at bridal gowns, and for the reception change at second look dresses. Or bring the whole party to the Santa Monica showroom, or a live virtual fitting.
Dresses and gowns at Mae Bridal, answered
How is this different from the bridal gowns page?
The bridal gowns page is filtered to what a bride would wear down an aisle. This page is every dress we carry, which means it also holds occasionwear and shorter dresses for the wedding party, the mothers, the rehearsal dinner and the guests. If you are not the bride, this is the page you want.
What should the mother of the bride wear?
Something with structure and beadwork rather than something that disappears, in a length that suits the venue. A hand beaded sheath or a beaded cocktail dress does the job and photographs beautifully in evening light. Avoid white and ivory unless the bride has said otherwise, and ask us which colours each style comes in.
Do you carry bridesmaid dresses?
Not as a matched bridesmaid line. What we have is occasion dressing: short and long beaded dresses in a range of colours that work for a wedding party without looking like a uniform. Several styles come in more than one colourway, so a party can be coordinated rather than identical. Ask us what exists in a given shade.
What is the difference between a dress and a gown here?
Length and construction, loosely. The floor-length, built pieces are gowns and the shorter or softer pieces are dresses, which is why both words appear. A gown usually carries boning, lining and underlining and takes longer to make. A dress is quicker, costs less and is easier to wear again.
Can I try dresses on in Los Angeles?
Yes. Appointments run at 145 Bay St in Santa Monica, and we are glad to see a bride with her mother or her party in one sitting, which saves everyone a second trip and tends to settle colour arguments faster. Say who is coming and what you would like on the rail. Book a private fitting, or read our piece on Lara New York's hand beaded gowns and capelets.