These High Street Wedding Dresses Look Bespoke – And You Can Order Them Straight To Your Door

When it comes to buying your wedding dress, it can feel like a gargantuan task. Unless you're the type of person who knows what you want as soon as you've become engaged, the amount of choice on offer can feel overwhelming. Even more overwhelming is the cost; weddings are, as we all know, an expensive endeavour, to say the least. So, how do you find something beautiful to wear without spending the entire budget? You may not have considered a high street wedding dress yet but, as a fashion editor who spends endless hours trawling the internet for the very best pieces to buy, I can attest to the fact that you'll find some of the most beautiful wedding dresses from the likes of Reformation, Rixo, Whistles and Monsoon.

Of course, you can find simple wedding dresses galore on the high street but you may be surprised to know that you can also find more elaborate styles if you're looking for something more conventional. One of the best things about buying your wedding dress on the high street? Well, it obviously means you haven't used the entire budget all on one element of the day, but it also means you could organise a try-on session in the comfort of your own home. Plus, you could invite as many friends or family members as you like to make it feel like a true bridal appointment.

Best high street wedding dresses at a glance:

It's also worth noting that there are high street brands creating beautiful pieces which aren't necessarily classified as bridalwear but would be perfect for your wedding. Karen Millen, for example, has a host of intricately beaded gowns which would look sensational as a wedding dress for any non-traditional brides or even serve as a show-stopping look for celebrations around the main event (for those planning a wedding weekend). Similarly, Self Portrait has everything from bouclé mini dresses to tailored maxi dresses and elegant jumpsuits, which would work for civil ceremonies, destination weddings, next-day parties and everything in between.

Don't discount pre-loved or vintage styles, either. There are thousands of wedding dresses to be found on eBay in a great selection of sizes, most of which could be altered to suit your style and requirements. And then, of course, there's wedding dress rental services, which are more affordable and sustainable.

If you do want to invest in an outfit for your wedding that you can keep forever (or even sell on after the big day), these are the very best affordable wedding dresses that you could, with a few tweaks, even wear again. And again.

Shop: The Best High Street Wedding Dresses

What is the average price of a wedding dress in the UK?

Short answer - it depends. According to hitched.co.uk's 2023 wedding survey, the average amount spent on a wedding dress in the UK was £1,300. Having said that, your wedding dress could be more or less expensive, depending on what you're looking for.

Brands like ASOS, Reformation and Revolve offer affordable high-street wedding dresses for as little as £300. However, if you're looking for a bespoke dress from a designer, £2,000 may be a more realistic starting point.

Which high street brands do wedding dresses?

Brands have been launching bridal collections left, right, and centre, and we're seriously impressed. Coast has its premium bridal collection, which offers up plenty of styles and separates ready for you to build your perfect wedding day outfit. From short chiffon mini dresses to flowing plunge-neck sequin gowns, whatever you're feeling for your wedding, they've got you covered. And then there's A-list favourite, Rixo, with everything from silk gowns to feather-trimmed mini dresses.

At Whistles, you'll find a selection of dresses, tailoring and jumpsuits that offer something for every bride (and bridesmaid). Our hero piece? The Mia dress, with a flattering square neckline.

Self-Portrait is the destination for dresses with attention to detail. Think structured hems, intricate lace details and embellishment, and they all start at just £280.

ASOS's wedding department reported sells around 800 bridal dresses a day – with its gowns from as little as £50, it really does cater to all budgets and styles. Additionally, Monsoon has a range of wedding dresses which could-be designer, while Ghost is the place to head if you want something elegant with vintage vibes. The brand's silky dresses would also be perfect for additional wedding looks, if you're on the hunt for something to wear the day before your wedding or even for engagement drinks.

How far out from your wedding should you buy your dress?

When shopping for a wedding dress, you need to strike a balance between not shopping too far in advance, but also not leaving it too last minute. Shopping too far in advance could mean a change in trends as well as personal preference, while leaving it for a few weeks before can lead to unnecessary stress. The sweet spot? Around eight to 12 months before your wedding day. This will give you time for multiple fittings, as well as alterations, which typically take around three months.

How much are wedding dress alterations?

Depending on how minor or major the tweaks are, your alterations could cost anywhere from £80 to £400. Services such as Bride & Alter offer bespoke services, so be sure to have a look online to find the best place near you, for the best price.

Where can I sell my wedding dress?

Selling your wedding dress is a great idea for a few reasons. Firstly, you'll be extending the lifecycle of the garment by passing it on to another bride, and you'll also be making some extra cash for the honeymoon. A few of our favourite second-hand retailers to sell pre-loved clothes are Vestiaire Collective and Vinted.

Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person__