Wedding Dresses - cheap and quick (not internet)

[BettyandDon]

I have never ventured on to this board so be gentle...

But, I am getting married this summer and need a wedding dress! Having just had a baby, I have been putting off thinking about it as I had no idea how fat I would be :)

But now I need to get moving...

I have a a budget of about £1k and am in SW London/Surrey. As I have a toddler and a newborn, I do not think I am going to be able to do a lot of shopping, so I therefore want to streamline the buying process by:

1 - find a style I like (short 5'1 about a size 12 but shrinking! - big boobs, a bit wide on the hips) - can anyone recommend sites / blogs etc that might cover dresses in my budget ? (can only find v expensive couture ones)

• I want an embroidered, flowery dress - I like this one but its from 2009m and probably a bit expensive...
  

[http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/229890/floral-wedding-gowns#234864]

• find a dress I like or 2 (my shortlist)
  

• go and try them on (preferably visit 1 shop and love it)
  

• buy it.
  

I do not want to venture into online buying - too stressful and I need to have a shop nearby to tailor it as I am dieting like mad. I am not sure if my budget covers proper shops?

Can anyone who has done this advise on whether I am dreaming to make it this easy ???

Any advice much appreciated.

Please note - I will be doing this all myself as I don't have adult bridesmaids - only kids...

[Scheherezade]

Find out if any of your local dress shops are having a sample sale soon - I got my dress half price.

[Scheherezade]

Meant to add - they may be some that are having a sale right now as part of January sales.

[Scheherezade]

Aaaah sorry! Don't worry about tailoring - any seamstress can do it. I bought my dress as a sample. It doesn't fit (no wedding dress does, they all need slight adjustments because of the boning and variation in bust sizes, length etc), so I've found a seamstress via the yellow pages who will alter it one month before the wedding for £50.

[BettyandDon]

Thanks!! It's a case of you don't know what you don't know with this one. I found a website with sample sales on it...

[Scheherezade]

Also try monsoon, BHS. Bridal shops charge average 1.5k for designer dresses. These also take 6 months to order, so you'd need to order in the next few weeks.

[Tingalingle]

Does it need to be new?

I ask because our local Oxfam has such gorgeous dresses in it sometimes I could almost be tempted to do the whole thing again.

[Scheherezade]

TK maxx have launched a new online bridal boutique too.