What would an Haute Couture fashion show be without the grand finale?  When something truly over-the-top sensational arrives at the end of the show to take everyone’s breath away in one big, dramatic flourish!

Generally, that last shock-and-awe moment means a wedding dress is required. No other type of gown is as anticipated or as inspirational as an haute couture wedding gown. Particularly when the fashion designers hold nothing back for these lavish gowns, bringing out the delicate lace detailing, lavish sequin embellishments, dramatic trains that never seem to end, miles and miles of rich fabric, and piles of layered tulle and beading.

As you may know, Haute Couture means “High Sewing” or high fashion. Haute Couture is (mostly) hand-made, made-to-order custom clothing that requires multiple private fittings, for clients who are willing to pay from $40,000 for a suit to $150,000+ for an evening gown. It is the ultimate in buying and owning a custom garment that maybe one or two other women in the entire world might also own. (if that)

Worth waiting for, here are our favorite haute couture bridal gowns from Couture Week in Paris…

{ GEORGES HOBEIKA } 

Much to our delight, Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika offered this very beautiful and extremely traditional wedding gown as his closing gown for his Fall/Winter collection. It is simply stunning, classic and so “ready to royal”… don’t you agree?

{ VALENTINO } 

Inspired by the bejeweled and artfully eclectic oddities of curiosity shops, Valentino co-Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli did not end their haute couture collection with one definite bridal gown. Luckily, there were several gowns that could easily be used as inspirations for bridal. You can see from these two gowns (above) how the designers were inspired to create modern Renaissance-style gowns with plenty of lace, pearls and gold thread for their Fall/Winter 2013-2014 haute couture collection. We happen to love their clean linens, high necklines and long sleeves. Don’t you?

{ CHANEL }

Looking to the future as they did with their latest collection, Chanel even put an apocalyptic set behind their stunning clean white wedding gown for dramatic effect. Fitted tweed, drop waist belts, high fitted collars and trailing embroidered organza trains made a statement that fashion forward brides will find inspiring.

{ CHRISTIAN DIOR }

White, structural, and contemporary glided down the runway at Christian Dior‘s Fall/Winter 2013-2014 show in Paris. We love the way this strapless wedding gown fits around the bust, cinched in by dramatic black belts and married with long black gloves, the look was decidedly modern.

{ ARMANI PRIVE }

Absolutely one of our favorites from all of Couture Week in Paris was the “Nude” collection from Giorgio Armani.  With a nod to Art Deco it still managed to feel fresh and updated without falling into the world of Gatsby. The delicately sequined straps of this sheer wedding dress brings to mind the glamorous world of Hollywood in all its golden glory days. (only better).

{ ALEXIS MABILLE }

Alexis Mabille’s latest collection is an outstanding combination of past and present European glamour. With a strong range of romantic styles and cutting edge designs, Mabille’s elegant collection was inspired by the “Master of Swish,” the Italian painter, Giovanni Boldini. We particularly love the red satin gown, with its grand cape glamour, and the sensual gray silhouette with its intertwined pearl necklace!

{ GIAMBATTISTA VALLI } 

Why wear a two gowns, one short and one long, when you can wear both at the same time? For his Fall/Winter 2013-2014 runway show Valli introduced his avant-garde approach to the classic wedding gown with this provocative short dress. We love the sassy floral design, with its flouncy feel and cinched in waist. (Not to mention the fabulous black shoes! Who says you have to wear white or metallic shoes, anyway?)

{ JEAN PAUL GAULTIER } 

Go big or go home! Inspired by rocker David Bowie’s 1980’s music video for Ashes to Ashes, Jean Paul Gaultier‘s fluffy white bridal gown brought his feline-inspired Fall/Winter collection to a close. Yes, we really did just hop from David Bowie to wild cats in the same sentence. But, what is Gaultier if not a total contradiction in style at every moment? And we DIG that about him.

{ ELIE SAAB }

Glittering, decadent and glamorous, Elie Saab’s Fall/Winter 2013-2014 collection was truly jaw dropping. Known for creating increasingly impressive bridal designs year after year, Elie sure didn’t disappoint. What we loved was the sensational silver embroidered veil that required multiple bridesmaids to carry… sensational!