Anybody getting married next year? Come talk to me about wedding dresses!

[Nicecupofcoco]

Hi all, so our wedding is booked for summer time (august) and I'm hoping it will go ahead, we've decided that we could imit guest list to 15 if needed, and have accepted the fact that it may be ceremony only.
Hoping that we can have a reception by the summer but who knows! So with that in mind, I'm thinking of wedding dresses... I was thinking something nice but modest, as I may only have chance to wear for acouple of hours, also I can't justify spending alot on it if I may not be in it for long at all, and obviously it will be a very small do... So to wear a big dress seems wrong for me... Cost wise as well. We have a strict budget anyway.
What are other brides doing dress wise? Are you going for your dream dress anyway or have you changed your mind due to covid and the size of the weddings that are taking place at the moment?
I've looked online at high street bridal wear but nothings jumping out at me.

[DrCindyPops]

I went for a slim fit, plain dress. Left the shop with a massive sparkly over the top dress. Nothing like I ever wanted or thought I liked. Make your decision when you try the dresses on & see how it goes

[firstimemamma]

Getting married next summer (tiny, simple wedding) in a monsoon dress -£350. This was more than I'd ever expected to spend on a wedding dress so no compromises at all!

[lalalalands]

I looked in high street shops too in an attempt not to spend too much but it just didn't feel right, I plan to get married only once in my life so I did want a proper dress that I really loved. So went for an expensive one from a bridal boutique in the end anyway, despite it being a tiny ceremony

[DressingGown]

I’ve ordered a BHLDN dress for around £200... It’s coming from America and no shops here to try it so a bit of a gamble. But like you, nothing was grabbing me...

[Plonque]

Look at the second hand sites if that's acceptable for you. Lots of places sell their samples at the end of the season too.
I'll find some.

[Plonque]

the bridal barn on eBay sells new/boutique worn ex samples

[Plonque]

eves wedding shop another business seller on eBay, selling mostly new dresses

Have you looked at wed2b ? Specialises in more budget friendly dresses.

[Strokethefurrywall]

Not an actual "wedding dress" but I bought this on Amazon.com in November because I wanted a formal gown for some events I have next year.

Honestly the most fabulous dress I've worn in ages and fits perfectly!

The kicker is that it only cost $39.00, so I wasn't worried if it didn't fit. It comes in a huge amount of colors and the material has some give so doesn't feel too restrictive. A number of reviewers have had it as their wedding dress as you can see from the review pictures.

It could be a good cheap option if you don't see anything on the high street that you like!

[Nicecupofcoco]

Thanks guys!! Ahh @strokethefurrywall that's beautiful, and you would never tell it wasn't expensive!! I'll check out all the sites you've all mentioned! Thank you!
I have an appointment at a bridal shop that has a sample sale in a couple of weeks! But it's shut now due to tier 4 do that won't go ahead! My wedding isn't until the summer if it goes ahead, but I'm starting to wonder if I've left it too late, especially with the bridal shops here being shut. So I may look and order online too!

[DrCindyPops]

Most bridal shops will have different waiting times.
I ordered my dress in October and it won't be ready until may.
Sample sales & things like that you can usually take home that day.
Bride to be have lots of stores and you can take their dresses home that day and are all reasonably priced. You'll find something in time don't worry about that

[Nicecupofcoco]

Thanks cindypops!

[bravotango]

I'm having mine made by a local dressmaker which has been so fun (and much more cost effective than choosing one from a bridal boutique).

[whatthehelldowecare]

We were meant to get married in the summer and it was postponed. Bought my dress pre-Covid. We've decided we're getting married regardless in July this year. I've decided I'm keeping my dress and shamelessly wearing it, even if it's only me, DP and our witnesses in a registry office! It's fitted, backless, with lace sleeves. Covid isn't taking my dream dress from me 😜 (although might have been a different story if it wasn't already bought and paid for)

[notthemum]

What size do you need OP ?

[TheSandgroper]

I second the local dressmaker. I took a photo of my mother’s wedding dress for reference, a jacket with a neckline that suited me well and an idea for the waistline.

We had a discussion, I bought fabric that would do the job I wanted, she fiddled with the waistline idea a bit and I ended up with an unbelievable gown.

I did go to a bridal boutique once with a friend and we came away agreeing that there was nothing for me there. But the dress that I designed (looking back I feel that I felt a bit like those couples on Grand Designs) was way out of fashion and all the better for it.

And much more economical.

[toastofthetown]

My wedding is in October and I bought my dress about a month ago from a bridal boutique. Whether or not the wedding can go ahead, with everyone we'd imagined, I still want to get married in a beautiful dress.

[WashableVelvet]

I had a fabulous pure silk dress with a train second hand from eBay. Less than £200. So if budget is a significant part of your thinking, rather than actively wanting a simple dress, that’s worth a thought.

[jendifer]

July wedding and I bought it for £60 on jjs house. I figured I could get alternations made at that cost if I needed too but it’s fine.