These Israeli Wedding Dress Designers Are Reinventing Sexy

Including a Say Yes To The Dress staple!
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Elizabeth Kadar
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Elizabeth Kadar
The Knot Fashion Contributor
  • Elizabeth is a freelance fashion, beauty, lifestyle and commerce writer with more than 10 years of editorial experience writing for top tier publications, including The Knot, TIME, Forbes Vetted, Hearst, Brides, Today’s Parent and many more.
  • Elizabeth freelances as a copywriter, specializing in fashion, and has worked with major brands like Maisonette.
  • Prior to writing, Elizabeth worked in fashion PR in both New York a...
Updated May 21, 2023

Sheer paneling. Plunging necklines. Couture details. Elaborate, handcrafted embellishments. And sultry, form-fitting silhouettes that you can't take your eyes off of. Today's top Israeli wedding dress designers are reimagining what it means to be a bride, with seriously sensual, glam gowns that celebrate the figure and cater to the fiercely bold and fashionable.

Chances are, you're already familiar with more than a few big names on our wedding dress designer list, from the famous Pnina Tornai of Say Yes To The Dress to Hollywood haute couture fave, Israeli bridal designer Berta. But there's plenty more to discover for every wedding dress aesthetic and style.

The good news is, you don't have to travel abroad to try on these show-stopping gowns. In fact, you can shop several of the brands from the comfort of your couch, book a virtual consultation or see them in person at a bridal boutique near you.

Read on to discover which Israeli wedding dress designers definitely need to be on your radar, including coveted bridal brands beloved by Queen Bey, Paris Hilton, Ariana Grande and more.

Our Favorite Israeli Wedding Dress Designers

Learn more about some of the top Israeli wedding dress designers in the game and find out how to shop for their amazing pieces.

Galia Lahav

Exquisite details. Figure-flattering silhouettes. Sensual illusion backs. And a knack for bringing the romance and drama with seriously wow-worthy trains, cascading tulle skirts and glamorous embellishments. Perhaps one of the most celebrated Israeli wedding dress designers on our list, Galia Lahav is a go-to for some of Hollywood's hottest stars—from Beyonce, who donned a couture pearl and Swarovski crystal-embellished creation for her 2018 vow renewal, to Paris Hilton who dazzled in a custom ball gown (fit for a princess!) for her first dance to husband Carter Reum at her 2021 nuptials.

With over 30 years of experience designing haute couture dresses, Galia's background as an artist shines through in the delicate embroidery, impeccable details and flawless fits of her lavish, custom couture gowns. And to top it all off, they're incredibly comfortable.

How to shop: Book an appointment at one of their flagship bridal stores in Miami, NYC, Los Angeles or Tel Aviv, or find a bridal boutique near you. You can also purchase some ready-to-ship pieces (dresses, tops, trousers, shoes and more) directly on their website.No stockist nearby? Email office@galialahav.com to directly place an order.

Dress prices from: Made-to-order starts at $5,000, while custom couture starts at $7,000

Pnina Tornai

The Queen of bling! If you've ever watched an episode of TLC's Say Yes To The Dress, then you're already familiar with world-renowned Israeli bridal designer, fashion influencer and TV personality Pnina Torna. Her hand-crafted couture gowns can be found exclusively at Kleinfeld, where they're a favorite amongst extravagant brides who travel from all around the world just to try on her high-end, hand-sewn dresses adorned with crystals, beautiful beadwork and more.

The designer is known for her over-the-top sensual styles in fitted silhouettes—like mermaid and trumpet gowns—dazzling details, illusion corsets and plunging necklines. From short and edgy to princess-style ball gowns with all the embellishments, there's something for every type of glam bride.

How to shop: Pnina Tornai dresses are available exclusively at NYC's Kleinfeld Bridal in the US. Click here to book an appointment.

Dress prices from: $4,800

Inbal Dror

Nobody does ultra glamorous, sultry wedding dresses better than Inbal Dror, a leading, luxury Israeli wedding designer that's already made a huge name for herself internationally. From the plunging necklines to the intricate details, each barely-there couture gown is utter perfection—great for the daring bride who isn't afraid to make some jaws drop.

The bridal brand, which launched in 2014, is also beloved by Beyonce, who stunned in a sheer and crochet lace white wedding gown by the designer at the 58th annual Grammy Awards and then rocked several custom-created Inbal Dror looks for her "Formation" world tour in 2016.

This season's collection showcases the same sexy, regal gowns with luxe layers of silk tulle, delicate matte sequins and cool laser cutouts.

How to shop: Inbal Dror can be found in a number of bridal boutiques across the US and worldwide. Click here to find a store near you.

Dress prices from: $8,000

Galit Levi

If you're searching for a show stopping, hand-crafted corset-style wedding dress that will really wow your guests, Galit is your girl. After designing her own pink wedding gown in 1994, the top Israeli bridal designer founded her namesake brand and the requests for bespoke dresses and bridal gowns poured in—and they haven't stopped since.

Her boudoir-inspired dresses are perfect for the glamorous bride who wants something elegant, over-the-top and super sultry. Most dresses are lavish, form-fitting and feature meticulously-made corsets that are not only comfortable, but flawlessly flatter the figure. No detail goes unnoticed. And if you want something besides white, you can find gorgeous gold gowns, light pink couture dresses and more. Fun fact: her signature corsets can be constructed of up to 150 bones!

How to shop: To find your dream dress, book an appointment at The Showroom in the heart of Manhattan (NYC). Virtual consultations are also available.

Dress prices from: $2,500 (RTW) and $6,000 (couture)

Dana Harel

Israeli wedding dress designer Dana Harel takes everything you love about a traditional wedding gown and turns it into something completely breathtaking and freshly feminine for the contemporary bride. Her designs are classic yet cutting edge and are perfect for the fashion-forward woman who wants something uniquely modern for her big day.

Dana launched her eponymous label in 2012 after attending the prestigious Shenkar College of Engineering in Tel Aviv and her dresses have been seen on the likes of actress Gina Rodriguez from Jane The Virgin, Adria Arjona, Quentin Tarantino's wife and many more. Her latest collection, Water Lilies, comprises 11 stunning dresses that feature delicate lace details, new necklines and interesting fabric pairings that are effortlessly elegant.

How to shop: While the flagship store is in Tel Aviv, you can find various stockists around the US in major cities like Los Angeles, NYC, Chicago, San Francisco and more.

Dress prices from: $7,500

Chana Marelus

Coverage, but make it high fashion. Chana Marelus wedding dresses have an almost ethereal feel, featuring a mix of luxe contrasting fabrics, handmade embroidery and beadwork to create simple yet stunning designs that appeal to the more modest, feminine bride planning an enchanted wedding.

While Chana got her start designing conservative couture gowns for the ultra-Orthodox community, Bnei Brak (right outside Tel Aviv), in which she's based, her dresses have since evolved to attract a more global audience and are sought after for their clean, delicate and romantic details.

How to shop: Chana Marelus dresses can be found at a number of luxe bridal boutiques worldwide, including in Miami, New York and San Diego.

Dress prices from: $8,500

Lihi Hod

Another graduate of Shenkar, the top fashion design school in Israel, Lihi founded her award-winning luxury bridal brand in 2010 after working alongside famous fashion designer John Galliano at Dior. Her made-to-measure dresses are the epitome of timeless elegance, with classic silhouettes (like sensual sheath gowns) and rich, romantic details that are meticulously handcrafted.

In addition to her Couture line, Lihi also has a second, more accessible line "Dreams" which caters to the younger, experimental bride searching for something more trendy and less traditional.

How to shop: Her Couture line is available at bridal boutiques worldwide, including many stockists in the US, which can be found here. Searching for Dreams by Lihi Hod dresses? Try them on at these US bridal boutiques.

Dress prices from: $5,000

Mira Zwillinger

Led by mother and daughter design duo Mira and Lihi Zwillinger, this couture bridal brand based in Tel Aviv is renowned for creating whimsical, made-to-measure wedding gowns with utterly ethereal details. Think delicate 3D floral appliques, handmade embroidery and beading, and exquisite attention to detail that makes each gown truly one-of-a-kind. The stunning, tulle-adorned dresses look like they're straight out of a fairytale and have been worn by celebrities like Leona Lewis on her big day and Lauren Hashian for her intimate Hawaii wedding to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

In addition to custom-made bridal gowns, Zwillinger also designs the dreamiest day-of accessories (handcrafted jewelry, beaded gloves, shawls and more), plus everything else you need for the pre-wedding festivities—from couture robes to get ready in to little white dresses with same romantic, feminine floral touches the brand is known for.

How to shop: You can order Mira Zwillinger gowns exclusively at a number of high-end US bridal boutiques and international stores.

Dress prices from: $11,000

Berta

Bold, sexy and avant-garde, you'll know a Berta bridal gown when you see one—they're that memorable! Celebrity-adored Israeli wedding dress designer Berta Baliti, also a Shenkar graduate, started designing ready-to-wear clothes but soon discovered her passion for wedding wear, which led to her sewing gowns in her own home. It wasn't long before her career took off and her now-famous fashion house Berta was born in 2004.

Today, the internationally-acclaimed bridal brand has over 3 million followers on Instagram and has dressed some of the most powerful and popular women in Hollywood—from Priyanka Chopra to Sofia Vergara, Ariana Grande and Kourtney Kardashian. In addition to the main luxury couture bridal line, Berta also has two more bridal lines, as well an evening line. Her signature sexy style takes vintage and retro elements from the past and reimagines them for the modern woman, pushing the boundaries of bridal wear with each new highly-anticipated collection.

How to shop: Book an appointment at the Berta NYC flagship store to shop all three bridal collections. You can also find a list of authorized Berta retailers in the USA and worldwide to locate a boutique near you.

Dress prices from: $6,000

Julie Vino

Established in 2008, Israeli bridal designer Julie Vino takes inspiration from the runways of Paris, Milan and New York to construct fashion-forward wedding gowns that blend classic style with modern silhouettes that are right on trend. She's known for sourcing unique and lavish fabrics from all around the world (French lace, handmade Indian brocade and more) to bring her exquisite, figure-flattering and uniquely sultry visions to life. With four signature lines to choose from, all at different price points, there's truly something for everyone, including dazzling cocktail dresses for the bachelorette, after party and beyond.

How to shop: Julie Vino dresses can be found at a number of bridal boutiques worldwide. You can also purchase a select number of styles, including many on sale, directly on the website.

Dress prices from: $1,500

Tal Kedem Bridal

An Israeli wedding dress designer that has you covered from the engagement party and bachelorette to the rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, reception and even the honeymoon! Tal Kadem Couture, established in 2016, comprises three different dreamy lines to meet the needs of every bride and budget—including made-to-order, made-to-measure and modern mix-and-match separates.

Her style is sophisticated, chic and timeless with exquisite embroideries, beautiful fabrics and effortless silhouettes that exude luxury and sex appeal. The main line offers even more revealing and fitted options for the adventurous, fashion-forward and trendsetting bride.

How to shop: Book a consultation at a stockist near you or shop separates directly online.

Dress prices from: $5,500

Helena Kolan

If you're in the market for a dreamy wedding dress that will stand the test of time while still feeling super modern, you'll want to check out Helena Kolan. The Shenkar graduate designed her first wedding gown for a friend at the young age of 17 and then spent seven years working as an industrial engineer by day and dress designer by night. In 2011 she realized her dream and opened her namesake studio in Tel Aviv.

Her gowns are effortlessly chic, utterly romantic and are made with the best handpicked fabrics and materials for the contemporary bride who still wants a classically cool vibe. For 2023, she has three different collections, including a plus size specific collection.

How to shop: You can book an appointment at the Helena Kolan NYC store or shop the dresses at En Blanc in Los Angeles, plus other locations worldwide.

Dress prices from: $4,000

Liz Martinez

From sewing gowns in her mother's apartment outside Tel Aviv to becoming one of the hottest up-and-coming, French-Israeli wedding dress designers in the bridal scene, Liz Martinez is one to watch for creative, cutting-edge dresses that are perfect for the contemporary bride who wants something fresh, fabulous and sexy.

The attention to detail in every dress is truly next level, with lots of soft tulles, beaded embellishments, floral appliques and more romantic, sensual touches.

How to shop: Find a US or international bridal boutique near you at this list of stockists.

Dress prices from: $6,000

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