LaPointe Bridal: Wedding Dresses, Veils and Gowns

LaPointe does not run a bridal line. It does, however, make a great deal of ivory satin, a tulle veil, and the kind of evening gown that suits a second look better than most things sold as bridalwear. Brides have been quietly buying it for years.

This is a guide to using a ready-to-wear house for a wedding: what LaPointe actually offers a bride, where it beats a bridal salon, and where it does not.

Does LaPointe make wedding dresses?

No, and that is the point. There is no bridal atelier, no six-month order window, no fitting schedule. What there is instead: ivory and cream satin gowns, sheer embroidered mesh, sequin column dresses and tulle veils, all sold as ready-to-wear and shipped in days.

For a bride who wants a dress rather than a Dress, that is often a better fit. It is also considerably less expensive than couture bridal for a comparable fabric.

What does LaPointe offer a bride?

The veil. LaPointe makes a plain tulle veil in cream, white and a pale cloud, and a version trimmed with feathers. A veil is the single item that turns a ready-to-wear gown into a bridal look, and buying it from the same house keeps the ivory tones consistent. You can see them in hair accessories.

The ivory satin gowns. The halter and drape-neck styles in cream are cut on the bias, so they fall close without clinging. These read as bridal the moment a veil goes on and read as evening the moment it comes off.

The second look. This is where LaPointe is strongest. A sequin column, a feather-cuffed shift, a sheer embroidered gown: pieces built for a reception, dancing and photographs after the ceremony dress has done its job.

The party for everyone else. Rehearsal dinner, welcome drinks, the morning after. A satin caftan top with a matching trouser covers more of a wedding weekend than a single gown does.

Which LaPointe gown works as a wedding dress?

Look for three things.

First, the shade. LaPointe lists cream, ecru, off white and a true white across the collection, and they are not interchangeable. Cream and ecru are warm, which flatters most skin tones and photographs softly. Off white and white are cooler and sharper. If you have already chosen a veil, match the gown to the veil rather than the other way round.

Second, the cut. A bias satin gown moves beautifully and hides very little, so it suits a bride who wants a fluid line. A structured mesh gown, and a sequin one, holds its shape through a long day.

Third, the sleeve. LaPointe cuts a lot of long sleeves, which solves the church problem without a separate cover-up.

Browse the full evening gowns and the wider designer dresses to compare.

How should a bride size a LaPointe gown?

LaPointe sizes on the US ladder and Coveti lists everything in UK sizing, so a UK 10 on the site is a US 4 at source. Most of the collection is cut true to size.

The bias satin styles are the exception worth understanding. A bias cut stretches along the body as you wear it, so it will feel closer at the fitting than it does by the end of the night. Do not size down to compensate. Our LaPointe sizing guide covers the full conversion.

Allow time for one alteration. Ready-to-wear satin almost always wants a small adjustment at the strap and the hem, and a good tailor can do both in a week.

What about the wedding guest?

The same collection works, with one rule: stay off ivory and cream. LaPointe makes the same silhouettes in black, chocolate, emerald, mulberry and berry, so a guest can buy the dress the bride was considering in a colour that does not compete.

A feather cuff is a useful guest trick. It lifts a plain gown for an evening reception and packs flat. The cuffs come in black, cream and several colours.

Where to buy

Coveti stocks the LaPointe collection including the veils, ivory gowns and reception dressing. Browse the LaPointe edit, and see who LaPointe is for the house background. Everything is authenticated before it ships.

Frequently asked questions

Does LaPointe make bridal gowns?

LaPointe does not run a dedicated bridal line. It makes ivory and cream satin gowns, sheer embroidered styles and tulle veils as ready-to-wear, which many brides use for the ceremony and for the reception second look.

Does LaPointe sell wedding veils?

Yes. LaPointe makes a plain tulle veil in cream, white and a pale cloud shade, and a version trimmed with feathers. Buying the veil from the same house keeps the ivory tone consistent with the gown.

What is the difference between LaPointe cream, ecru and off white?

Cream and ecru are warm ivories that photograph softly and flatter most skin tones. Off white and white are cooler and sharper. They are not interchangeable, so match the gown to the veil you have chosen.

Should a bride size up in a LaPointe bias gown?

No. Most LaPointe styles are cut true to size. A bias satin gown relaxes along the body as you wear it, so take your usual size and allow time for a small alteration at the strap and hem.

Can a wedding guest wear LaPointe?

Yes, and the same silhouettes come in black, chocolate, emerald, mulberry and berry. Guests should avoid the ivory and cream shades so they do not compete with the bride.

Read next

• LaPointe evening gowns
• LaPointe accessories
• The LaPointe sizing guide

Written by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti.