When planning a wedding, most couples focus on the venue, florals, and guest experience. But one service that has been gaining global popularity – especially in the luxury wedding space – is the Bridal Stylist.

What Does a Bridal Stylist Do?

A bridal stylist is far more than someone who helps choose a dress. They act as your personal fashion curator, overseeing every element of your look for the wedding day and beyond. From gown selection and accessories, to jewellery, veil, shoes, and even hair and makeup direction, their job is to ensure your entire aesthetic is seamless, elevated, and uniquely you.

Beyond the Wedding Dress – A Week of Styling

In luxury weddings overseas, a stylist’s role often extends to the entire wedding week. With multiple events – rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, hen nights, recovery brunches, and even the honeymoon send-off – a stylist builds a wardrobe that flows effortlessly from one event to the next. They can also style wedding parties, mothers of the couple, and of course our stunning grooms.

The result? A curated fashion experience that feels consistent and utterly luxurious across the entire celebration.

Why Are They So Popular Internationally?

In global fashion capitals like New York, London, and Paris, bridal stylists are considered as essential as photographers or florists. With weddings often lasting multiple days and being shared across social media and magazines, couples want a cohesive, editorial feel. Stylists bring access to international designers, exclusive collections, and fashion expertise that ensures every outfit looks purposeful and picture-perfect.

Famous Brides Who Used Stylists

Take Sofia Richie Grainge, whose 2023 South of France wedding went viral not only for the romance, but for the fashion. Working with stylist Liat Baruch, Sofia’s wedding became an internet sensation because each outfit – from her rehearsal dinner Chanel look to her post-wedding brunch ensemble – was carefully curated. It set the new gold standard for multi-day wedding wardrobes.

More recently, Madeleine White’s wedding to DJ Andrew Fedyk’s saw multiple style changes throughout the wedding week in Santorini.

Bridal Stylists in New Zealand

At Alexandra Kate Creative, we see the rise of bridal stylists as a natural extension of the luxury wedding experience. They provide brides (and their families) with confidence, ease, and a look that is timeless yet fashion-forward. After all, your wedding day – and week – should feel like a couture moment.

We sat down with New Zealand fashion stylist Sarah Stuart for her insight;

1. Can you tell us a bit about your background? How long have you been working as a fashion stylist, and what led you into this role?

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Design, majoring in Fashion, and have worked as a fashion stylist for over 15 years across New Zealand, Sydney, London, Paris, and New York. My experience spans television, red carpet, commercial, and editorial styling, having worked with incredible clients such as Mick Jagger, Little Mix, Temuera Morrison, Rose Matafeo, Samantha Hayes, Mike McRoberts, and Paddy Gower. I’ve styled talent for major red carpet events such as the AMAs and the Oscars. Editorially, I’ve contributed to magazines including ID Magazine, Remix Magazine, and Marie Claire Russia. In the wedding space, I’ve collaborated with Together Journal on a number of beautiful projects. Bridal styling is not my main focus, but it is something I have really come to love. It tends to find me through referrals or special editorial projects, and I am quite selective about the ones I say yes to. When I do take one on, it is because it feels like the right fit, and every time, I am reminded how rewarding it is. There is a unique kind of magic in helping someone feel confident, beautiful, and entirely themselves on such a significant day.

2. What are the main benefits of working with a bridal stylist for a wedding?

A bridal stylist brings expertise, connections, and a fresh perspective to what should be an exciting process, not a stressful one.They can help you tune out the noise and focus on what truly suits your shape, your energy, and the kind of wedding you are planning. Whether it is knowing how to balance silhouettes, what colours complement your skin tone, or how to style a suit to feel sharp but still you, it is those little details that make the biggest impact. It is also about the bigger picture. We consider proportion, location, lighting, and how everything will be photographed. Having someone in your corner who understands all of that lets you actually enjoy the process and the moment.

3. Do you have relationships with specific bridal designers or boutiques, and does this give your clients access to pieces or collections they might not otherwise see?

Over the years, I have been lucky to build strong relationships with a range of designers and brands through my work in TV, editorial, and red carpet styling. I have commissioned custom suits and dresses for talent countless times, which has given me a solid understanding of how to collaborate with makers and work toward a clear creative vision. That experience translates beautifully to bridal, especially when it comes to achieving a look that feels completely tailored to the person wearing it.

4. How involved is a bridal stylist in the process of selecting a wedding dress, and do they assist with the full bridal look including accessories, shoes, and reception outfit changes?

Every stylist works differently, but for me it is always about the full picture. I look at the entire bridal look from head to toe, dress, accessories, shoes, beauty direction, and if needed, a second outfit for the reception. I also help guide fittings and alterations to make sure everything fits perfectly and feels right on the day. A great example of the level of involvement that I bring was working with a bride who, at the time, was plus-size and couldn’t find her perfect dress. We designed a flattering gown from scratch around her grandmother’s veil. Being so involved and seeing her light up was unforgettable. The dress should always be the anchor, but it’s often the details – like working around a family heirloom or finding the perfect heel – that elevate the look and bring it all together. I love helping brides make choices that feel effortless and true to them.

5. What does the process look like when working with you from start to finish?

It begins with a conversation about who you are, what you’re drawn to, and the kind of day you’re planning. From there, I’ll source ideas – dresses, suits, accessories – and we refine things together through fittings and feedback. I can be involved from the first try-on to the wedding day itself, helping with last-minute details like steaming, adjusting, doing up buttons, and making sure everything looks incredible on camera. It might sound surface-level, but how you look in the photos really matters – they’re what you keep. Styling should feel personal, considered, and timeless.

6. Favourite styling moment or transformation?

The biggest transformations always happen in editorial work, because there’s so much room to push boundaries. Styling bridal shoots with Greta Kenyon for Together Journal has been a standout. She’s the guru of weddings in my eyes, and being able to go bold with silhouettes, textures, and concepts is such a creative buzz. But my most meaningful moment was styling my sister. She had just finished cancer treatment and had a little baby, so dress shopping felt like a huge emotional milestone. She trusted me completely, and seeing her feel radiant and strong in that moment is something I’ll never forget.

7. Do you also style members of the bridal party, such as bridesmaids, the mother of the bride, or even the groom?

Yes, absolutely. I have styled many bridal parties, bridesmaids, mothers of the bride, and plenty of grooms. I actually really enjoy this part of the process because it brings the whole look of the day together. It is not just about matching, it is about creating balance, considering different body shapes, and helping everyone feel amazing in what they are wearing. Sometimes it is about colour cohesion, sometimes it is tailoring, and sometimes it is just confidence, making sure every person feels like the best version of themselves in the photos and on the day.

8. How do you help clients stay true to their personal style while also elevating their look?

It starts with listening. I want to understand how someone naturally dresses, what they feel good in, and what makes them feel like themselves. Then I look at how we can take that and push it a little further, whether it is through silhouette, colour, or unexpected styling details.The goal is to take their vision and elevate it to a level they may not have imagined, while still feeling completely authentic. It is never about changing their style, it is about refining it and creating a look that feels both elevated and true to who they are.

9. Have you worked on editorial shoots or styled celebrities or public figures that our readers may recognise?

Yes I have for TV, red carpets and editorials. Only one for a wedding and I signed an NDA for. I was asked to work as an on-site bridal stylist for a very exclusive London wedding keeping the bride flawless from morning to night. She had her own photographer plus another from a publication documenting the day, so every moment had to be picture-perfect. The job ends up being so much more than a styling gig, which I loved making sure she’s eating, stopping any “sabotage moments” like someone standing on the dress or blocking her in photos, reminding her to relax her hands and lift her chin, and gassing her up anytime she’s doubting herself to keep her calm and confident. All while dressing her, fixing flyaways, touching up makeup, checking for lipstick on teeth, and keeping the gown perfect.

10. What tips would you give to a bride just starting her search for the perfect wedding day look?

My number one top tip – is to keep an open mind and try on every style, different cuts, fabrics, and silhouettes. Often the dress you think you want isn’t the one you’ll love most. Be open to surprises. Above all, be true to yourself. Your wedding look should reflect who you are, not just current trends or others’ expectations. I have heard brides talking about how they had regrets as they were pleasing their family or their bridal party. On the big day, assign one person to help you get dressed. Bridesmaids mean well, but fingers with foundation or lipstick can easily leave marks on your dress. You definitely don’t want brown dots around buttons or at the hem of your perfect white gown. Keep a tide pen handy for any quick fixes. For grooms, it’s a day for hugs and celebration, but if you care, try to avoid hugging anyone with a full face of makeup before photos. I’ve had to spot-clean blazers after some enthusiastic face plants. Less makeup on the lapel means more time enjoying the party! Wear in your shoes before the actual big day, if you have a friend who has a wider or a half size bigger get them to wear them around the house. (taking one for the team) or there are places you can get your shoes slightly stretched before the big day. This is for men too.

11. Do you offer virtual styling services for clients outside your local area, or do you work exclusively in-person?

I primarily work in person because being physically present allows for a better connection and understanding of the client’s needs. Seeing how fabrics move and how the look comes together in real life is invaluable. Occasionally, I may offer virtual styling for close family members who can’t meet face-to-face, but generally, I prefer the in-person experience.

12. How far in advance should a bride reach out to you if she’s interested in having a stylist on board

Ideally, as early as possible. If you’re buying a dress from a boutique, especially if it needs to be ordered from overseas, designers typically require about six months to produce and deliver the gown. Many boutiques expect at least six months’ lead time for these orders. For men’s custom suits, I suggest reaching out about eight weeks ahead. If you’re hiring suits for the bridal party, especially for a summer wedding, it’s important to book as early as possible since that’s a busy season and availability can be limited. It’s also worth noting that wedding hair and makeup artists, particularly the sought-after ones, often book up a year in advance, so securing your whole styling team early can help avoid last-minute stress. If you’re buying off-the-rack for the bridal party or groom, six to eight weeks is usually enough. Starting early helps keep everything running smoothly and stress-free closer to the big day.