Have you just recently got engaged? Or have you only just started thinking about the dress?
Choosing a dress can be fairly mind blowing at the beginning, as there are just so many options out there. It makes it makes it easier to narrow things down a bit once you know what time of year you are getting married, and where it will be. Both those things will have an impact on what kind of dress you decide to go for.
Even if they break budget, I'd really recommend making an appointment in a bridal shop to try on some dresses. They don't know that you have no intention of buying something from them, and it really helps to give you an idea if you want to go down the traditional route, not at all, or something in between.
Also, it really is best to just take a day off work//make a bunch of appointments on a saturday, and just go and try things on. Get a friend to take pictures if possible so you can look at them again later.
You really need to see things ON to decide if they suit you, if you like them, and if you are comfortable in them. Do bear in mind that if you love a dress but the fit isn't quite right in one area, then you can always get it altered. You should really only rely on that for small issues though.
BHS do some lovely dresses in a huge range of styles. For example there is this shorter and full length version of this lace one HERE.
Otherwise COAST do some gorgeous dresses. THIS ONE is particularly stunning, and I think would look great in winter with some Hollywood red lipstick.
Otherwise you could try other places like Selfridges, but they don't do actual wedding dresses per se. Something like THIS.
Or there's always the ghost option in John Lewis if you have a killer figure and can get some high octane underwear to prevent post dinner/fizz belly bulge
like this one.
I am personally not a huge fan of the phase 8 wedding collection. The dresses themselves are nice, but I think they are over priced for what they are.
In House of Fraser THIS ONE is a little unusual, but still lovely.