Looking for the best wedding dress can be stressful, emotional and, of course, expensive. Some brides-to-be love it, some do not - and many naturally feel quite daunted at the prospect of spending a lot of money on one dress. The right bridal boutique can make or break the experience, but the best wedding dress shops in London will have you well on your way to finding the right wedding dress.
Of course, there's still that pressure of finding 'The One' and having that teary-eyed Say Yes To The Dress moment. And the reality can be quite different. Let's face it: it's just a dress - the poignant part is knowing you're about to commit to your best friend for life. So it's totally OK if you don't cry - it's, of course, special and exciting, but there's a lot of pressure to have that moment. The key is to find a dress that you feel amazing and comfortable in, with or without tears.
There are so many horror stories about bridal boutiques being rude to potential customers, with some even body shaming women who don't fit the very smallest sizes. Naturally, we want to make sure you never have to face such experiences, so we've discovered the very best wedding dress shops in London, should you want to look for your outfit - or even your hen-do outfit - in the UK's capital city.
BUT of course, wedding dress shopping can also be really fun, and the perfect way to kick off your wedding planning journey. If you're living in London or just simply want a bigger day of hunting for that perfect wedding dress. Whether that's a simple wedding dress or something more extravagant, there are tonnes of bridal boutiques that suit the chicest brides. Not sure where to begin? We've got a hold of them all.
The Best Bridal Boutiques To Shop In London
Best Wedding Dress Shops In London
1 of 11The Wedding Club
When it comes to dressing brides-to-be for their big day, these guys certainly know a thing or two about picking that dream dress. Established in 2001 and now with three beautiful stores in Knightsbridge (The Luxury Edit), South Kensington (The Luxury Boho Edit) and Birmingham (The Original Edit), they really are the go-to destination for brides on the hunt for a jaw-dropping gown. Featuring world-renowned designer brands, such as Carolina Herrera and Zuhair Murad; modern and ethereal gowns from Costarellos and Rue De Seine; and elegant classics from Suzanne Neville and Jenny Packham. Each of the stores has a perfectly curated edit to suit all brides and budgets.
Knightbridge Store, 10 Yeomans Row, London, SW3 2AH. South Kensington Store, 37 Thurloe Street, London, SW7 2LQ
2 of 11Halfpenny London
Founded in 2005 by costume designer, celebrity stylist and Central St Martin's textile graduate, Kate Halfpenny, Halfpenny London has become one of the UK's leading luxury bridalwear brands. Kate weaves Brit cool with vintage inspiration to create truly stunning modern wedding dresses and bridal wear. The experience in the boutique is also unrivalled: the Halfpenny team ensures you're comfortable from the outset and they are all passionate, talented individuals who are committed to giving you the best possible experience.
10 Woburn Walk, London, WC1H 0JL.
3 of 11Mirror Mirror
Especially if you live in North London, this is a good place to start your search. Not only does Mirror Mirror stock a curated edit of wedding dresses and separates from designers like bridal staple Pronovias and Spanish brand Marco y Maria – designers Maria Yiannikaris and Jane Nicolls also work on their own couture gowns in the on-site studio.From the breezy Grecian Goddess look to a fairy princess fishtail style, there's something to match the sartorial tastes of every bride-to-be. Prices start at £1,850.
Mirror Mirror Angel Boutique, 56 Penton Street, London N1 9QA
4 of 11Charlie Brear
Based in the Queen's Park Design District in North London, contemporary bridal and eveningwear label Charlie Brear is the perfect choice for the modern-day woman who wants their wedding dress to be inimitably stylish. The eponymous label - which was born from Charlie's love for vintage wedding pieces when working as a stylist - sells bespoke pieces and is a favourite among A-list stars such as Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller and Caroline Issa who have all worn her collections. With 50 boutiques worldwide, Charlie Brear produces two seasonal bridal collections a year as well as a bi-annual eveningwear collection which is stocked exclusively at the London studio. Charlie Brear has also just launched a beautiful new bridal collection - 'London Collection'. Each piece in the collection is named after a different road in the Queen's Park Design District. Key styles include 'Claremont' in a camellia flower stretch lace with optional applique flowers on the cuffs and neckline, 'Brooksville' in a silk spot chiffon with a sheer back, and the striped organza 'Apsley' top and 'Somerton' skirt. The collection is only available from the Queens Park showroom.
Charlie Brear address: 35 Lonsdale Rd, London, NW6 6RA
5 of 11The Mews Bridal
If you're after a certain French 'je ne sais quoi' for your big day, then The Mews might be just what you're looking for. This beautiful Notting Hill-based bridal boutique is the go-to place for French Bridal Couture in the UK. Stocking sought-after Parisian designers such as Delphine Manivet, Laure de Sagazan and Rime Arodaky, this is a treasure trove of chic gowns.
The Mews Bridal Notting Hill, 202 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 1NR
6 of 11David's Bridal
If you've always dreamed of walking down the aisle in Vera Wang, Zac Posen or Jenny Packham, then David's is the place to head. With stores across the country and a London outpost in Westfield, this bridal boutique specialises in dresses from the big-name American designers.
David's Bridal, Westfield Stratford City, Montfichet Road, London, E20 1EN
7 of 11Browns Bride
The mother of all bridal shops, this is where basically every fashion-industry person heads first for their dress. It makes sense: from Valentino to Vera Wang via Monique Lhuillier, all the major designers are represented and there are some niche, hard-to-find types like Delphine Manivet too. Everything about the experience is luxe: from the staff who manage to be both superbly knowledgable but also approachable to the changing rooms themselves. It's a chilled-out environment in which to try out some superstar catwalk creations. Prices start at just under £3,000 and it's worth looking for bridesmaids' dresses there, too - the Monique Lhuillier collection is lovely.
12 Hinde Street, London, W1U 3BE
8 of 11Heart Aflutter
Founded by Cecilia in 2014, Heart Aflutter is a friendly and relaxed East London bridal boutique stocking cool contemporary designers such as Truvelle, Vagabond, Laudae and Made with Love.
Cremer Business Centre, 37 Cremer St, Hackney, London E2 8HD
9 of 11Grace Loves Lace
Aussie bridal brand Grace Loves Lace recently opened its London showroom as the first Europe boutique for the brand. The ultimate destination for unique, boho brides.
58, 59 Charlotte Rd, Hackney, London EC2A 3QT
10 of 11The Fall Bride
The Fall was created with the contemporary, independent woman in mind - it's a destination for women who don't relate to the mainstream offering and want a relaxed yet elevated alternative to bridal shopping.
Studio 201 Permanite Building, 451 Wick Lane, London E3 2TB
11 of 11Lovely Bride
As the original indie bridal shop, established in 2010, Lovely redefined the wedding dress shopping experience by being the first to stock undiscovered designers who offer the freshest bridal fashion. FINALLY, they've arrived in the UK.
18 Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 4HZ, UK
How To Find A Wedding Dress That's Perfect For You
When it comes to shopping for a wedding dress, it can be completely overwhelming to know which style, shop and even colour (especially if you'll be wearing a coloured wedding dress) could be the one you say yes to. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed, as every wife-to-be has to go through the process. Here are Grazia's favourite tips to make sure you're getting the most out of your bridal appointment.
Find Your Style FIRST
Do. Your. Research. Look at your wardrobe - if it's full of floaty silhouettes and whimsical dresses then look for something in this shape. If you're more into simple slip dresses with statement accessories - there you have it. You want to look and feel like yourself! That being said... trust your stylist. If they're suggesting an A-line and you were set on a mermaid wedding dress, try it. More times than you would expect, brides end up falling in love with something they were never expecting. Don't forget, dresses look completely different on your body to the hanger (or compared to the models on Pinterest).
When you're looking at boutiques to visit you want to first find out what designers they carry, what their in-house sample sizes are, and what their price range is. The last thing you want is to show up and they have nothing you actually want or can try on.
Know Your Timeline
Since the pandemic AND Brexit, a lot of designers have extended their order time. The ideal time to order your dress is around 12-9 months! Which sounds insane, but you don't want to risk finding the perfect dress and there's no way to get it in time for your wedding date.
Set Out Your Budget
It goes without saying - you don't want to fall in love with a dress that's 3x your budget. Set this out before going shopping and make sure to communicate this to the bridal stylist.
Cut Down Your Entourage
The most important thing when going wedding dress shopping is that you're buying a dress for YOU, not for your mum/nan/mother-in-law/18 bridesmaids. Take 1 or 2 people you trust and know will boost you up and just make it a great experience for you.
Think about context…
Where and when are you getting married? What time of year is it? What are your bridesmaids wearing? What will your groom be wearing? How long are you wearing your dress for? All of these things will influence the dress you need.
& Lastly, Don't Forget These Essentials...
Do your hair & make-up - you want to feel your best on the day so try and do something similar to how you envision your look on the day - so if for you that's a slick of mascara and good-to-go, perfect.
Bring your accessories - if you've always dreamed of getting married in electric blue Manolo's - get them first and bring these along to see how they work along with the dresses. Jewellery try-ons are also a great idea.
Nude underwear - a seamless brief or thong is a great idea, as is a strapless bra. If you're more comfortable in shapewear, bring your fave Spanx along. Or, if you're off lingerie shopping, take a look at their bridal collection for the best bridal underwear.
The rest is really down to the people looking after you. Do they make you feel comfortable? Are they friendly, approachable and accommodating? If the answer to any of those questions is no, don't feel bad about heading for the exit as soon as possible.
SHOP: Best Wedding Dress Shopping Essentials You'll Want To Remember
1 of 6SKIMS, Fits Everybody T String Thong, £14
Make sure you're not distracted by any vibrant underwear with a seamless nude option. The SKIMS Fits Everybody T String Thong is a perfect choice for no visible panty lines and comes in a variety of nudes to choose from.
2 of 6SPANX, OnCore High-Waist Jersey Briefs, £58
If you'd rather wear shapewear to feel your best trying on your wedding dress, bring your favourite SPANX along. The SPANX OnCore High-Waist Jersey Briefs offer seamless, discreet support under a fitted gown.
3 of 6Calvin Klein, Strapless Bra, £42
Strapless bras make for good fitting in a wedding dress shop because they'll be out of the way of most wedding dress shapes. The Calvin Klein Strapless Bra is one you can depend on for all your wedding needs, and beyond.
4 of 6Ted Baker, Hyana Moire Satin Bow Court Shoes, £75
If you haven't already got your hands on your wedding shoes, the Ted Baker Hyana Moire Satin Bow Court Shoes are the real deal. You'll want to make sure you have a pair for the wedding dress fitting so that you can really feel as close to the big day as possible. Make sure you've got a pair that are the same height you want to dance in at your wedding.
5 of 6Etsy, 'Say Yes To The Dress' Printable Paddle Signs, £4.92
If you want your bridesmaids to be fully involved with the decision-making of the day, grab some 'Yes to the Dress' Printable Paddles that can hold up to each wedding dress you try on. Ultimately, it's your decision, but these paddles will allow your entourage to (respectfully) have their say on whether the dress is 'you' or not.
6 of 6Etsy, 'Say Yes To The Dress' Thank You Card, £2.82
If you do end up finding your dress of dreams, why not give your chosen party this keepsake thank you card for their input during the crucial try-on stages? It's a way to show them that you appreciate them - and that you value their opinion.