About a third of the couturiers showed a “bridal” look at the fall haute couture shows this past week. Is this a tradition that’s dying?

Not really–it’s just moving. We may see a few less of these lovely ladies on the runways, but the bridal business is booming in couture. “Bridal will always be very important with couture. Some designers aren’t showing it [on the runway] because they have their own bridal couture business,” Spinelli told us. “The buyers are distinctly different. The couture designers don’t have to show just one of their fabulous creations–they can now show ten.”

In this world of fast fashion and RTW designers showing day-to-evening looks, brides want the fantasy again. And when we’re talking about couture, they’re willing to pay for it. The bridal gowns are generally the most expensive, because they’re usually the most elaborate. The Dior couture gown that Melania Trump wore (at left) to marry the Donald in 2005 cost somewhere in the area of $100,000 to $200,000 according to Dincuff.

And since couture really isn’t going anywhere, it makes sense that bridal couture isn’t going anywhere either; the ultra-luxury sector is booming. With brides being older and wanting something unique (and presumably having the money to pay for it), there are more potential customers for couture bridal gowns than ever before. Which means–much to our delight–that designers will continue to show these fantastical creations.

Click through to see couture bridal gowns through history, from the 1800s until now.