Wedding dress designers in Toronto give a handmade touch to wedding wear. There's no shortage of destinations for wedding dresses in the city, from splurge-worthy to budget-friendly and everywhere in between. Going local is always a worthy option, whether you're looking to support a local business, add custom details, or just find something that's been made with a little extra love and care.

Here are my picks for the top wedding dress designers in Toronto.

Catherine Langlois
Langlois' focus is on custom bridal design, with romantic lace, delicate beading or architectural details just as paramount as comfort and ease of motion (after all, you're going to want to dance on the big night). She also offers an off-the-rack collection, dubbed Amethyst, at Sash & Bustle.

Sarah Houston
Designer Houston does classic gowns in a variety of styles, from vintage Hollywood to poufy-skirted princess shapes. Each created to flow elegantly around a bride's body, thanks to lush fabrics inside and out (each dress is lined with silk for extra comfort). To get one for yourself, visit her Yorkville atelier.

Christopher Paunil
Up-and-comer Paunil, a recent competitor in the Toronto Fashion Incubator's New Labels competition, counts dramatic, feminine bridalwear among his specialties. He's fond of an asymmetrical hem, strong ruffles, and a splash of his signature crimson red. Find his pieces at Kleinfeld Toronto.

http://www.lea-annbelter.com/">Lea-Ann Belter
Belter, who operates out of a pared-back bridal salon at Broadview and Dundas, has been dressing Toronto brides for nearly 20 years (in case you're wondering, that adds up to over 20,000 dresses). Belter's dresses are all about subtle, gorgeous details, including pearls, crystals, and textiles sourced from around the world, including a few fabrics designed by Belter herself.

Marika Brose
This Canadian designer recently parlayed her edgy, minimal aesthetic into a wedding-oriented collection that's a far cry from staid, fussy bridalwear. Long or short dresses in simple, clean shapes come coated in beaded fringe, marabou feathers, or tiny white sequins. Contact Brose to order your own.

Ines Di Santo
Sensuality plays a big part in Ines Di Santo designs: Form-fitting shapes, sweetheart necklines, deep plunging Vs, all retaining sophistication and glamour. (As Ines herself, half of the mother-daughter-team behind the line, puts it: "Your wedding day is your chance to have your red carpet moment.") In addition to the label's studio on Davenport Rd., their pieces can also be found at Kleinfeld.

Lowon Pope
Want vintage flair without the needle-in-a-haystack hunting experience? The husband-and-wife duo of Lana Lowon and Jim Pope might have your solution within their Liberty Village studio. Their dresses, which often make use of antique fabrics, are either available off-the-rack or custom-made (including corsets).

Rivini
Designer Rita Vinieris, who splits her time between Toronto and New York, does exquisite lace-and-tulle creations that don't shy away from drama (as one recent design, lace sweat suit with a train, undoubtedly proves). Her designs recently caught the attention of Bergdorf Goodman; in Toronto, you can find her gowns at Kleinfeld.

Valencienne
This Eglinton West studio, headed up by designer Kim Ironmonger, specializes in custom-designed gowns, with countless creations - from romantic to glamorous to sexy to daring - already under their collective belts. They pride themselves on being able to take brides' wedding-day visions and make them work for their body type and style.

Maureen Patricia
In her Queen East studio, designer Maureen Patricia works closely with brides to create their perfect gown, including fully custom designs. Her trademark is vintage-inspired silhouettes using locally-sourced fine fabrics, including antique and hard-to-find lace. To try on her dresses for yourself, book an appointment to check out her studio.

Did I miss any? Leave your picks for Toronto-based wedding dress designers in the comments.

Photo via Catherine Langlois