Finding a wedding dress strategy

[yestonodressyet]

Can anyone give me some advice pls I'm feeling very overwhelmed about how to go about finding the dress. So far I've been to 2 shops but didn't like anything much but helped me refine what I want (mermaid with tulle bottom) but there's just so many options online, I don't want to spend a fortune and don't have a huge amount of child/work free time to go and try loads on.
I seem to find one I like online then can't find where it's stocked, or they show shops stocking that designer but not that particular dress from that collection.
Any advice would be very welcome!

It's very tricky finding a specific dress. You need name and year of the dress but more than once the name has been called something different by certain shops.
I would go and look on StillWhite. They are a resale website so dresses are much cheaper than new ( although does have new dresses where brides have changed their mind etc).. Has the advantage of photos of real brides wearing the dress so you can see how it works on a range of people.
Other than that JJ House is the best reviewed Chinese site. Their dresses are cheap as chips and have hundreds of styles. Also have real photos in their reviews.

I bought mine in Wed2B. Don't bother with the website apart from inspiration, as you won't know what there will be available in any shop. Better to just go in and see what they have in your size. The advantage of their sales method is that you don't order months in advance, you walk out with the dresses under your arm, it's price capped at £800 (I think), it's open on Sundays an D you don't book appointments - just turn up.

I've been to a wed2b and found the selection very limited, I liked the concept and they helped me narrow down shape but they only had about 25 dresses in my size then about 5 of the shape I wanted and I wasn't particularly sold on any of them

I hated the dress shop experience.

I found a private seller who bought up samples from high end dress shops and sold them independently.

She had a huge range, ended up with a beautiful Stella York dress for £550, original price £1600.

She’s based in Surrey if it helps! But I’m sure there’s lots.

@MsOliphant ooo I'm in Surrey too! Do you mind saying who she was or her business name?

Not at all!

It was in Surbiton, she does it from her house. Really nice lady, and local alterations lady she recommends too. Cherished Bridal Boutique.

Amazing thanks will give her a call

Also in Surrey here, thanks MrOliphant!

What’s your budget? It’s generally £1000 minimum for a bridal store plus alterations.

If you find a style you like, google for photos of it on a bride as it’ll look nothing like the models!