Firstly I'm so sorry you had such a poor experience. That's not how it should be. I used to work in the industry and that's really not what should have happened. Did you go to proper long established bridal boutiques or off the peg type places?
Secondly, necklines can be altered! Find a good BRIDAL seamstress and they can work miracles.
What kind of neckline do you think you would like?
For someone more busty I would generally recommend a well structured straight cut corset, or an illusion style half sweetheart, or a Queen Anne, or strapped with either square neck or scoop neck but to be honest the best thing is to try the different necklines. A good boutique will carry at least one dress in each neckline available and frankly they will ensure they have samples that suit different body types including good necklines for more busty ladies in their larger samples - it's just good sense to be honest
Seamstresses can alter the shape of the neckline, raise it, add illusion fabric or straps or sleeves to most styles, depends on the exact style and fabric involved.
Where you are a bit stuck is you've left it a little late, bespoke dresses generally need to be ordered 6 months in advance but be open to alterations and possibly buying a sample (I did) and you should be able to find a good dress.
so it's worth trying out different places to find a style that suits.
Definitely true
Off the peg type places tend to follow whatever this years trends are, boutiques usually carry a range of classic and contemporary styles
Boleros and capelets etc have their place too but they're not for everyone
She said they get very few dresses in with higher necklines and that they get snapped straight up when they do 😭
Sounds like you went to one place and not a very good one at that. A good boutique keeps on top of sample stock - did they even have samples or only what they were selling?
You need to buy a bigger dress and have it altered.
Yes I'd agree with that. Generally speaking they can be taken in by up to 3 sizes depending on style and skill of the seamstress. You need to find a good seamstress as even "just" fitting it well requires one.
I suspected wed2be they're fine for standardly sized and proportioned brides who aren't necessarily looking for something specific but they're not really industry experts.
Sorry I'm not familiar with Newcastle seamstresses, but I would advise ensuring they are a BRIDAL seamstress as the fabrics and cuts are very different from regular clothes and the last thing you need especially with the time scale is a last minute mistake being made. I've unfortunately dealt with several brides frantically hunting for replacement dresses because a high street seamstress out of their depth messed up their dress.
Honestly actual boutiques are your bet some have in house seamstresses too, I've known them work miracles.
Wishing you so much luck with this and congratulations too 