Where do I even start with wedding dresses when all appts charge to look?

[datcherygrateful]

Hi everyone
I'm recently engaged and have no idea where to start when it comes to wedding dresses. This is my second marriage, my first one I walked into a local shop tried a few and went with what suited me best. I've come to discover I have to pay a fee just to look, and that's money I dont want to spend if my dress type is not there. I have emailed around but they don't answer. So I figured maybe buy online?
I'm looking for a bateau neckline plain column dress, that's structured and not flowey, really minimalist and I'll spend the money on tailoring to get it just right. Does anyone here have any tips or recommend shops in the UK that I can start with? I don't mind traveling as have time.

Thank you

@ThisMellowCat They all have stockists on their web site but that’s not really how it works. The stockists have one size, then they clip it and pull it in to fit. They don’t have the full
range of sizes.

The way I approached dress shopping was to find a few designers that did some dresses/styles I liked, and then visited shopped that stocked specifically those dresses. It means at least you're paying to try on things you actually like on paper at least. No point picking shops at random.

And they wonder why businesses fail !
How pretentious. The very fancy bespoke houses are appointment only for clothes. But your average ordinary wedding dress boutique is not that.
They might want to wonder how much business they actually lose by charging.

I had this stress and posted about it. Wed to be you can walk in. If you search off the peg bridal stores you can find one in your area.

If you are in Yorkshire Elite Bridal outlet might be a good place to go.

My dress was from Wed2B too. They were excellent and reasonably priced.

Wed2be as mentioned and John Lewis occasions has some lovely wedding dresses.

My sister used these too, for the adult bridesmaids as well. They did not charge (4 years ago, but no fizz either !)

They were not overpriced from what I remember and lots of choice. She had hers altered I believe (as she was losing pregnancy weight)
My daughter and I took our bridesmaid dresses to be altered elseswhere (just a bit too long)

Congrats BTW

@Monty36 They do more than just show you a dress though. It’s a pretty lengthy experience just for you. There’s very many different manufacturers too and you need to know what styles and bespoke measurements they can do. Money well spent for us. Plus it’s very normal for better quality dresses but if anyone wants budget ones, there’s loads of choice.

I did say it was normal for higher end dresses.
My comment was that I got the impression that ordinary shops were charging.

That is gorgeous! If I could iron out my lumps and bumps.

@Monty36 Depends on definition of “ordinary”. Most wedding dress shops offer a very personalized service. Your fitter, your adviser, someone who knows the dress/ manufacturer. It’s not a high street experience. Most wedding dress shops have dresses by specialist manufacturers and they might start at £1200 and go up to £8,000. So prices above high street. At these shops, the perfect fit is never available from stock. Most brides need alterations. Some have huge stock and frankly, most charge.

I would have to grow a foot 😂
oh and remember that my 2 forays in to marriage have not been a success, it’s not one of my skills 🤔

You could do a lot worse than look online at Ghost.
www.ghost.co.uk

Like this? https://www.landybridal.co.uk/product/sheath-column-boat-neckline-satin-wedding-dresses-ukm00029587-65801.html.

You know what you want so find someone to make it for you. No alteration fees either