Introducing David’s Bridal’s New Birmingham Store…
The Bridebook Team had the incredible opportunity to explore the brand spanking new David’s Bridal store in Birmingham – and my goodness were we blown away! And to show just how excited we are about it, we are hosting a £1000 David’s Bridal giveaway!!
For those not in the know, David’s Bridal is an American behemoth in the wedding industry and the largest clothing retailer of wedding and special occasion wear in the WORLD. With exceptionally extensive choice of designs and brands, including collections by Vera Wang and Jenny Packham, David’s Bridal is truly the one-stop-shop for brides. And with the new store in the centre of Birmingham, the midlands is about to experience the wonder that is David’s Bridal for themselves! In the meantime, here’s our own sneak peak into the gorgeous space and incredible services…
By Dave Evitts
The Birmingham Store
The new Birmingham store is a magnificent 15,000 square feet of everything from wedding dresses and head to toe accessories to MOB outfits and hen do swag. While this may sound too good to be true, or even a little daunting, the free flowing layout, 38 spacious changing rooms (yes 38!) and exceptional customer service ensure you feel taken care of from the moment you step in to when you find ‘The One’. And when that moment happens you even get to ring a bell to announce it!
By Dave EvittsBy Dave Evitts
With Birmingham as David’s Bridal’s 4th UK based store (the first three being located in London’s Westfield, Watford and Glasgow) continues to deliver on it’s promises to brides-to-be: to provide a beautiful and welcoming space that has everything you need for your wedding under one roof.
By Dave Evitts
So midlands brides, what are you waiting for? Start your wedding shopping adventure at the Birmingham store asap! And in the meantime, enter our exclusive £1000 David’s Bridal giveaway today!!
Keep exploring the Birmingham David’s Bridal store below…
By Dave EvittsBy Dave EvittsBy Dave EvittsBy Dave EvittsBy Dave EvittsBy Dave EvittsBy Dave EvittsBy Dave EvittsBy Dave EvittsBy Dave Evitts
Here at Bridebook we love all things new and exciting; whether it’s our incrediblebudgeting tool (if we do say so ourselves), the naked cake trend taking the world by storm, or #welfies – the more it pushes the envelope the better! So when we heard about House of Ollichon, we knew we wanted to hear more. House of Ollichon is redefining how we think about bridal fashion by offering the modern bride a fashionable and more practical alternative to the traditional wedding dress. Read on to learn more about how to own being a “dress-less bride”:
Courtesy of House of Ollichon
House of Ollichon was launched just six months ago (yes, we’re still babies!) to bridge the gap for fashion forward brides between the big dress and the high street offerings. The collection includes luxury bridal jumpsuits and pretty but trendy two pieces. As far as we know, we are the only bridal collection to exist without a dress in sight! After my struggle to find something for my own wedding at Islington Town Hall (I didn’t want a dress but something that pushed my bridal boundaries); House of Ollichon was born. Wedding trends are changing rapidly, there are so many weddings now that are more of a party than a big ceremony and like mine, some end up in the pub! Imagine a huge dress down the local!
Founder Hannah Ollichon
The Jumpsuit Bride
Does a dress simply seem too much fuss? Many women out there desperately want to don the trousers for their wedding day and so they jolly well should! Women’s tastes have evolved beyond the traditional ‘meringue’ stereotype and now we have the confidence and individuality to ‘dress’ in trousers. Until now, we just haven’t had that many options!
Courtesy of House of Ollichon
Our beloved English weather!
Imagine if it rains, imagine if you have to drag your dress through puddles or hitch it up round your ankles to avoid them; kind of ruins the look right? Jumpsuits have this magical power to hover above puddles and delete this concern from your otherwise graceful arrival.
Courtesy of House of Ollichon
Love your shoes?
Then don’t hide them under a million skirt layers, you can finally have your wedding shoes on show!
Courtesy of House of Ollichon
In the mood for dancing…
The biggest annoyance from my wedding was the fact that once the party started, my dress was no longer my new BFF. It hindered my moves so much (maybe this was a good thing), I was carrying the train around all night, I still have photos of it draped over my brother’s shoulders as it was even in his way! Once I’d adopted that s*d it moment, I knew there was no more www.preloved.com cash back for me… the bottom was greyer than a winter’s morning, the beading dangling off and beautiful lace totally shredded. Embrace trousers and avoid the dress- heartache!
Courtesy of House of Ollichon
That toilet moment.
For anyone who thinks weeing in a jumpsuit is a pain, try it in a wedding dress; jumpsuits win every time. And, you don’t need an assistant!
Courtesy of House of Ollichon
Post wedding hang ups…
The day is done and now you need a metre wide space in the cupboard for a dress you’ll never wear again. Jumpsuits (even white ones!) can be re-worn, re-loved, and ensure you keep your day alive without ever offending another bride!
Courtesy of House of Ollichon
A four day wedding? Why not!
With wedding celebrations overseas spanning across long weekends, there are so many more outfit opportunities for the cocktail, brunch, and registry office ceremony before the big bash. Do you really want to wear a dress every time?
Courtesy of House of Ollichon
Happy Planning! Read more of our wedding dress articles here.
There is no wedding dress designer that can equal the timeless elegance and sophistication of Phillipa Lepley‘s designs. There is something so undeniably irresistible about the classic silhouettes, the endless attention to detail, and the flawless tailoring.
It is no wonder that Bridebook can barely contain the excitement of having the chance to share with you this fabulous Q & A with Phillipa herself. Packed full of insight and guidance for brides embarking on their bespoke dress journey, as well as stunning photos of Phillipa at work and her dresses, you will be sure to enjoy yourself reading this one!
Phillipa Lepley at work on a bespoke dress in her London studio
What is it that drew you to bridalwear in particular, and what is your favourite thing about designing wedding dresses?
I am particularly drawn to and passionate about bridal-wear as I am able to work with corsetry, embellishment and fine feminine detail so closely, which I absolutely love. Both my grandmothers were passionate at sewing and making so I picked up a lot from them at an early age about fabrics and sewing. I was always making things and loved art and crafts.
After studying Fashion Design at the London College of Fashion I was fortunate enough to be accepted onto an apprenticeship with an established wedding dress designer based in Holland Park. One year later I launched my own business.
Your style is known for its timelessness – what defines a wedding dress or style as timeless?
We focus on finding the right shape and style for the individual, rather than following fashion trends too closely. If the dress is exactly right for the bride, really defining the figure beautifully with a fabulous fit, in clean simple lines it will stand the test of time. Quite simply, a dress that will age well. You will be looking at your wedding photos forever so you need a frock to stand the test of time.
Phillipa Lepley specializes in bespoke fitting and timeless design to ensure the dress fits like a dream and will continue to look beautiful for many years to come
What is the most challenging part of designing wedding dresses?
The most challenging part is finding the time to bring all of my ideas to life! I have so many ideas, because I am inspired every day by the beautiful brides I meet.
Is the fitting process altered or affected by the fabrics, and if so how? Are certain fabrics more difficult to work with?
Yes – but with such experienced seamstresses, we manage to make light work of the various silk fabrics. Plain, satin dresses are incredibly difficult to make so that they fit well around the shoulder area. I am quite OCD about this and won’t rest until that ‘spray-on’ effect has been achieved perfectly accentuating every curve, with no seems or folds.
What are some things brides should keep in mind regarding the fitting process when choosing certain fabrics?
No matter which dress a bride chooses, she will first of all attend a measuring appointment where an expert technician will see her in the sample shape, taking all the measurements as well as a visual rendition of posture. From this information, the pattern cutter will create a paper pattern, and then a calico toile will be made.
The calico toile is a mock-up of the dress, which is fitted to the bride’s body to ascertain the most accurate fit. This is fine tuned at the next fitting before the silk fabric itself is cut. More than one toile fitting is often needed to achieve the precise level of fit Phillipa Lepley dresses require.
The calico toile “first draft” of the dress ensures every bride’s dress accentuates their figure perfectly
How long before the wedding do you recommend a bride should start her wedding dress fittings? And when is the best time for the final dress fitting?
I would recommend you start the process of looking for your dress 6-9 months before your wedding. I feel that it is important to have an idea of how you want your day to look first, so that the dress fits in with this, so if you have already chosen your venue that is helpful.
My team of seamstresses like to have 6 months to work on a couture dress, however we can turn around a dress in two weeks if we really need to – I never like to turn away a bride! The whole process should be fun though, so start soon, take your time and enjoy every moment! Couture bespoke is a wonderful experience.
What essentials should a bride bring to her wedding dress fittings?
Tights (I personally don’t like bare legs in photos, when you are being thrown around on the dance floor!), shoes with a size heel you are comfortable in and some discrete, and comfortable knickers. Once you have chosen your wedding jewellery you can bring that along too, but usually brides decide on that later on, and they often bring all their accessories to their final few fittings.
Who should brides bring?
It is lovely to bring bridesmaids or family members, however I often suggest that brides come on their own to their very first appointment. That way they can make up their own mind on what they personally like, before being too influenced by other people’s opinions. There are plenty of opportunities to bring people along either to have a second try-on, or to the fittings.
When buying a dress that’ll need to be altered, what are key factors brides should remember?
Be sure to go to a skilled, expert seamstress because the fit makes all the difference. – someone who really has experience with corsetry and fine silks is key.
What are your recommendations on how to handle sudden weight change in the run up to a wedding?
Fittings are very regular towards the end of the couture process, so changes in weight (even very last minute!) are not a problem – – something we are very used to.
What budgeting tips can you recommend to brides in the wedding dress budget?
Brides often ask what they should splurge and save on and I always say to them that if the dress is perfectly fitted people won’t be looking anywhere else!
Start looking for your perfect wedding dress at least 6-9 months in advance to ensure you find “the one” and have time to make any necessary alterations
Do you have some wedding planning tips for brides to be?
Don’t be overwhelmed by the search process. You need to feel relaxed and open-minded right from the start. You will be invited to try on as many dresses as possible, including those that don’t immediately jump out at you. Leave any pre-conceived ideas outside the door as wild cards can often be ‘the one’!
Consider adding your own special touches. The lining of the gown could be embroidered with the date of your wedding, or your initials and those of your intended. A special piece of jewellery could be incorporated in to the dress and you could wear a family veil, tiara, or keep sake.
A slight change to a gown for the evening is on-trend. A shrug, button-backed top or bolero could be removed leaving either a strapless dress or different straps. A belt could be added, removed or changed. For a winter wedding a fur shrug could be removed, or a change from a veil to a tulle stole could be incorporated into a summer wedding look.
A silk tulle veil will frame the final look adding romance and mystery. The right veil will complement the gown, echoing detail with a hand worked lace edge or a splash of sparkle. Or a clean satin bias binding can offer a crisp clean finish and really enhance the look.
Whether opting for a couture gown or not, choose one that is timeless; it can be ‘modern’ but it needs to age well and stand the test of time in your wedding photographs.
Don’t forget you’ll be looking at your dress in your wedding photos for many years to come, so make sure it can stand the test of time!
Happy Planning!
Are you as obsessed with Phillipa Lepley’s designs and bespoke approach as we are? You can book a consultation with the lady herself through her Bridebook profile, or visit her website!
It’s official. Jenny Packham, one of the UK’s most recognised independent dress designers, adored by celebrities and royalty alike is launching a brand new bridal collection minus the designer price tag. The red carpet favourite follows in the footsteps of Vera Wang with the launch of a brand new collection exclusively for US bridal chain David’s Bridal. Prepare to fall in love as Bridebook brings you an exclusive first look at the Collection, available in all David’s Bridal stores and online February 10th.
We love this feminine veil with beaded floral accents
Wonder by Jenny Packham will feature bridal, bridesmaid, flower girl and mother of the bride styles plus a range of accessories including shoes, bags, sashes, hair pieces and veils. The 9 bridal gowns are available in a UK size 4-18 and are priced at £850 – £1395 whilst bridesmaid’s dresses, available in 12 delectable shades, start at £130.95.
A luxurious and glamorous sequin covered dress from the collection
The diffusion line offers all the grace and soft glamour Packham has come to epitomize at a fraction of the cost of her regular line, favoured by the likes of Kate Middleton and Angelina Jolie. The collection- inspired by the art nouveau style of the early 20th century – expertly captures how most women want to look on their wedding day. The beaded flowing gowns don’t feel dated or overly theatrical but instead effortlessly beautiful and timelessly chic. Trademark feminine silhouettes with intricate details along with structured shapes combine to create a collection that is light, romantic and contemporary.’ This is a designer and David’s Bridal collaboration at its best – letting all of us feel like fashion royalty without having to mortgage the house.
The details Jenny Packham is so well known for continue to shine through in her collaboration with David’s Bridal
Happy Planning!
Don’t forget to take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
Award winning dress designer Louise Selby shares her expertise with the Bridebook team less than a month after winning the prestigious National Wedding Dress Designer of the year from The Wedding Industry Awards – and we are so glad she has! Read on for some quality insight and tips only an award winner could provide.
Louise Selby’s Delphinium Dress By Yasmin Afshar
Could you walk us through your typical process with a bride?
All of my dresses are bespoke, and having a bespoke dress means the dress is made to fit your measurements exactly and includes a toile fitting, which is a cotton mock-up of the dress so that the bride can see exactly the design and fit of the dress before seeing it in the fabrics of her choice. There is flexibility on the details of the dress and the fabrics she chooses, so a bride can make it her own.
What do you think is the most challenging aspect of having a bespoke dress?
The most challenging aspect is that the bride needs a certain amount of vision, while understanding that there are some limitations to fabrics and designs one should always keep in mind.
What is your #1 tip to brides preparing for a bespoke fitting?
My number 1 tip is to wear the correct underwear for all the fittings. To have the correct underwear is so important, nude works best and seamless preferably. A good bra is vital under many of my designs, the Delphinium dress for example needs a backless bra, and luckily these are so readily available now. Marks and Spencer do a brilliant one, the Foxglove dress needs a bra with a transparent back, Boux.co.uk do an excellent one.
What is your favourite wedding dress style and what are your favourite wedding dress details?
At the moment, my favourite design is my Delphinium dress which is new for 2016 and is very Grecian and simple but exquisitely cut in a beautiful heavy crepe.
Louise Selby’s Delphinium Dress By Yasmin Afshar
Could you describe the most challenging assignment you have ever taken on?
Some brides are more challenging than others, but we endeavour to ensure that they are all happy on the day!
What fabrics do you recommend a bride consider for each season?
Heavier fabrics such as zibeline and mikado work well for winter and autumn weddings, whereas softer satins and crepes are more suited to spring and summer. The chantilly laces are so pretty in the warmer months, beach weddings or gardens with that festival vibe, and the guipures are perfect for those golden autumn weddings (our Mimosa gown illustrates this perfectly). A little bit of fur is fabulous in the winter, we have some exquisite rabbit trims.
Louise Selby’s Mimosa Dress By Yasmin Afshar
Which cuts do you recommend for the bohemiam, modern, whimsical, and classic bride respectively?
Princess lines work perfectly for the classic bride, the fuller skirt, maybe with pleats in a fine mikado for that Grace Kelly look, such as the Orchid gown. Finer silks such as a light weight zibeline work well as a sheath shape for an elegant Jean Shrimpton look, maybe with a grosgrain bow or waist detail, the Sunflower dress is the perfect example of this.
The bohemian bride suits the lighter Amalfi satin or crepe with a fine chantilly lace, look no further than the Primrose dress, below, with its pretty capped sleeve and low back detail.
Louise Selby’s Primrose Dress By Yasmin Afshar
The modern bride suits a dress like the Foxglove, a streamlined crepe and georgette gown with a boat neck and a low lace back. Alternatively, for that Chelsea Registry Office look, early sixties vibe, chose the iconic Snapdragon zibeline coat with little strapless lace dress underneath, below. Accessorise with black and white Kate Spade vintage bag and black shoes.
Louise Selby’s Snapdragon Coat By Yasmin Afshar
If you could have designed anyone’s wedding dress – past, present or future – who would it be and why?
The lovely Lily James, currently playing Natasha in War & Peace, would look gorgeous in one of my designs, maybe Primrose or Amaryllis or Foxglove.
What type of dress did you wear on your wedding?
I absolutely love the dress I made for my own wedding 24 years ago, an oyster shantung sheath, dress with Calais lace, slightly off the shoulder, and a lovely slightly ruched back detail.
Louise Selby herself in her self-designed wedding dress
What was your favourite moment/memory?
Arriving at the church with my little attendants and seeing my future husband for the first time, waiting for me by the altar.
What is your #1 planning tip for brides today?
The devils in the detail; but chose the details carefully. Some things are really not that important, don’t worry about the things you can’t control, such as the weather, concentrate on looking after your guests, making them feel part of a really special celebration that they will remember.
Happy Planning!
Want to see more of Louise’s gorgeous wedding dresses? Of course you do! Be sure to check out her Bridebook profile and website for some more swoon worthy designs.
1. When can I book an appointment to try on dresses?
Remember that weekend appointments will be booked up well ahead of times so you may need to be prepared to compromise. If you have to take time off work to attend a midweek appointment, why not make a day of it? That said, don’t panic and try to cram loads of appointments into a single day! Shopping for a wedding dress is more tiring than you might expect so plan one appointment in the morning and one in the afternoon.
2. How long will my appointment be?
Expect most appointments to last at least an hour. You want to have enough time dedicated to you in the shop – and this isn’t a decision you want to rush either!
3. How many people can I bring with me?
Choosing your wedding dress is a big decision so it’s always worth having a second opinion. Make sure you’re allowed to bring your most trusted advisers with you. That said, we’d advise only bringing a few people – maybe just your mum and your maid/person of honour. Too many opinions can be overwhelming, not to mention confusing!
4. What dresses do you think will best suit me?
It’s completely up to you which wedding dress you choose and we’d never suggest you follow outdated “rules” on silhouettes and body shapes. That said, it’s always worth getting some guidance from the professionals to help you find the dress that will make you feel your best.
5. How customisable are your dresses?
You never know, you might find your dream dress but decide something isn’t exactly right. Make sure you know in advance how much freedom you’ll have to make alterations. You might want a certain dress in ivory instead of white or to replace a zip with a lace-up back, for example.
6. What is the lead time on your dresses?
The lead time is how long it takes from placing an order to receiving the finished gown. You’ll want to leave yourself a minimum of six months for a bespoke gown, so make sure to plan well ahead!
7. How many fittings will I have and when will they be?
It’s common to have as many as four fittings so you want to plan well ahead and make sure you leave time for any necessary alterations to get everything just right. Again, weekend appointments will be likely be booked up well in advance.
8. What do I need to bring to my fittings?
In most cases, you’ll want to bring the undergarments you’ll be wearing on your wedding day, as well as your shoes and any other accessories. If you’re unsure of what will work best, the staff in the boutique will usually be able to advise you.
9. Do you do alterations and how much will they cost?
While most boutiques will offer alterations, this isn’t always the case. You’ll then need to take your dress to a separate seamstress which will mean factoring in extra time.
10. What if my weight changes? How much will last-minute tweaks cost?
It can be months or even years between your first fitting and your wedding day, and it’s completely normal for your weight to fluctuate during that time period. It doesn’t matter how much you weigh on your big day, but you don’t want to be worrying that your dress won’t fit. To put your mind at ease, make sure you can have your dress taken in or let out at the very last minute to make sure it still fits perfectly.
11. Can I have undergarments sewn into my dress?
If your gown is strapless, having undergarments sewn in is especially useful. A sewn-in bra or corset will make your dress feel more secure and avoid you worrying about pulling it up throughout your reception.
12. How much is the deposit and when will I pay in full?
Expect to pay 50% of the total price as a deposit. The rest is usually taken in installments in the run-up to your wedding day so make sure you know the payment plan.
13. What accessories will go with the dress?
Whether you’re planning to go for classic pearls, statement earrings or a dramatic heel, it’s always worth asking the professionals for a second opinion on your accessories before you commit. After all, they’ve seen it all!
14. Will the dress be steamed when I pick it up or when it’s delivered?
If you’ll need to steam your dress yourself, ask for exact instructions from the boutique. Remember, most dresses aren’t compatible with an iron!
15. Can you show me how to put on my dress? Can I film it?
On your wedding day, your wedding party will likely be in charge of lacing you into your wedding dress. It can be a complicated process to get exactly right, especially when nerves (… and the odd tipple) are involved! Make things as easy as possible by getting step-by-step instructions and filming the process if possible.
16. What’s the best way to store and transport my dress?
Wedding dresses are often reasonably large, making them more difficult to manoeuvre than your standard gown. The boutique will know how best to store and transport your dress so make sure to ask them!
If you’re wearing a dress to your wedding, you’ll spend many hours (or , more likely, days and weeks) agonising over what the right dress for you might be. Do you want a ball gown? Mermaid? A-line? Do you want strapless? A train? When it comes to choosing the right wedding dress, there are so many options available it can sometimes be overwhelming. Where do you even start?
Another question you might ask is how much does a wedding dress cost? You may know the style you want for your wedding, but does it align with the budget you have in mind? For many, choosing the perfect dress is just as important – if not more important than – the venue and catering.
In this post, we’re going to explore everything to do with the cost of a wedding dress, including the average cost, what affects the cost and what you might expect for your budget.
According to our 2024 UK Wedding Report, the average amount couples spend on a wedding dress is about £1,300. However, there are plenty of reasons why you may spend far less than this, and in other cases, why you might spend way more.
It’s important to note that this amount doesn’t include any jewellery or accessories you might wear, nor your shoes. So, expect to pay a little more for those (unless you’re getting married on the beach!) to complete your overall wedding attire. Check out our ultimate wedding budget breakdown for an understanding of how much your wedding might cost.
Even if you don’t have the average amount to spend on a dress, there are still plenty of options available to ensure a stunning dress is within easy reach. Here at Bridebook, we have a fabulous collection of wedding dress suppliers and boutiques, so you can find your perfect dress. There are also a few tricks to be aware of so you can save money on your wedding dress.
With wedding dresses coming in all manners of shapes, designs and sizes, no two dresses cost the same. Plenty of factors mean you may end up spending less – or even a lot more – than the average.
Location: Wedding dresses bought in London will cost more than those bought outside the capital.
Brand: A dress made by a well-known brand will often cost significantly more than a dress made by a less well-known brand.
Materials: Premium and high-quality fabrics, such as lace and silk, will cost more than other fabrics, such as satin.
Expertise: A dress from an experienced designer will be more expensive than an up-and-coming designer with little experience.
Style: The more complex the style and design, the pricier your dress will be.
Embellishments: Dresses with more embellishments, such as embroidery, beads or sequins, will cost more than dresses without.
Imported materials: If materials are imported from overseas it will add to the cost more than if locally-sourced materials are used.
What type of wedding dress can you expect for your budget?
Even if you already have a good idea of the budget for your dress, it can be difficult to know where to start looking. Do you go designer? Which designers suit your budget? How do you find out the wedding dress prices if designers don’t even show them?
To help with the confusion, below is a rough price guide for different stores and designers based on various budget ranges:
Budget
Store/Designer
£100 – £500
Monsoon, Phase Eight, Ben de Lisi, Pearce II Fonda.
£500 – £1,000
Aneberry, Benjamin Roberts, Alexia, John Lewis.
£1,000 – £2,000
Maggie Sottero, Jenny Packham, Pronovias, Ronald Joyce, Benjamin Roberts, Vera Wang White Collection.
For a bespoke dress, you’ll need a little more than the average paid by couples, with costs starting from £1,850. If you want a dress made by a designer, you‘ll pay for their time designing the dress, the materials and any extras, like intricate beadwork.
Designers like Vera Wang, McQueen and Givenchy will charge premium rates, so if your budget is more forgiving then you’ll have a greater selection of well-known designers to choose from. However, most designers will have a more affordable collection, like White by Vera Wang, if you’re keen on a big-name brand but not necessarily a big-name budget.
An off-the-peg wedding dress can be a fantastic way to reduce your wedding dress cost. Most department stores will have an array of absolutely stunning gowns at a fraction of the price of a bespoke or designer gown. As we highlighted above, John Lewis offers modestly priced wedding dresses that start from as low as £175 (or lower during a sale).
Our advice for an off-the-peg dress is to make sure the gown fits you as close as possible before buying and then taking it to a professional seamstress for any alterations, otherwise it can get quite pricey.
How much does a bespoke dress by a seamstress cost?
If you still want a bespoke gown but your budget is limited, you can always contact a talented seamstress near you and ask what she would charge for making your wedding dress. Much like designer gowns, you’ll pay for the design, the time and the materials, but at a far more affordable price. The cost for simpler gowns starts at £400 and something more elaborate will start at £1,200.
If you’re visiting a department store, you won’t need to make an appointment. However, bridal boutiques are often much smaller, so you’ll likely need to reserve an appointment. Whether or not you have to pay for this appointment depends on the owners’ policy, but many do charge at busy times such as evenings and weekends. The amount can vary between £20 and £50, which is usually discounted from the dress if you make a purchase. But, if you’re making an appointment at several boutiques, then you may lose a little as you’re not likely to buy a dress at every store!
Much like the cost of the dress itself, the cost of alterations can vary based on factors such as location, time, the skills required, and the experience of the seamstress. It can also be cheaper to have the alterations done at the same boutique you bought your dress at as part of a package.
The typical price you might expect to pay for wedding dress alterations is between £100 and £500. However, this is totally dependent on the amount of work required.
The rough price breakdown for a London seamstress is:
Altering the hem: £75 – £100. The more layers your dress has, the more altering it will need, with the first two layers coming to £75 and the subsequent layers adding around £25 each.
Altering the sides: £50 – £75. If your dress has intricate beading and detailing it might cost more as a seamstress would have to remove them, make the alterations and then sew them back on by hand.
Adding bustles (to tie up the train if needed): £20 per bustle.
Yes, you can buy a wedding dress from a charity shop! More often than not they’re in great condition because they’ve been carefully looked after, and have usually only been worn once before.
Browsing charity shops is a fantastic way to grab a bargain while supporting a good cause. You may even find a wonderful dress for around £50. But, finding the perfect dress for you in a charity shop will take a lot of dedication and luck. It’s also likely that you’ll need to take it to a seamstress for alterations.
Charity shops are also sometimes sent discontinued dresses which will be cheaper than the original cost, but still fairly pricey – especially if by a well-known brand or designer.
The cost of buying your wedding dress isn’t cheap, especially as you’re only going to wear it once. If you’re on a budget, another option is to rent your wedding dress, with costs starting from as low as £12 per day. To put this into perspective, Carrie Johnson’s wedding dress was rented for £45 – far less than the original £2,830 price tag.
And if you’re looking for ways to save money on your wedding dress, we’ve got a load of hacks to help you slash your budget and still look fabulous on your big day.
We’re here to help you with all the boring, adminny, practical and unfortunately very necessary parts of your wedding, which is why we’ve developed super powerful wedding planning tools, alongside our amazing venue directory. But on top of that we totally want to help with the frillier, more exciting bits too! Choosing your dress is definitely one of the most exciting parts of being engaged, so grab the bubbles, some of your nearest and dearest and hit the shops!
1.Give yourself plenty of time. It can take around 6 months to make a wedding dress, so give yourself lots of time to enjoy all the appointments and fittings.
2.Research away. Working out what you like and don’t like is the first step, so make a few appointments. Then you will know you’ve found the perfect dress – gold star for you.
3.Who to bring? Part of you wants to bring a gaggle of friends to drink bubbly and try on a bunch of dresses, but that’s all well and good until you have seven opinions for every dress. Many boutiques stipulate a maximum number of accompanying guests, which is usually 3 or less. Take a couple of people who’s honest opinion you trust and who’s company you enjoy.
4.Be Prepared. Some stores ask you come without makeup or perfume on for fittings, so check before. Neutral coloured, seamless underwear works best when trying on dresses – or rock out the fluorescent pink if that’s your vibe.
5.Budget. Be realistic about what you can afford when shopping for your wedding dress. Add in the extras: veil, accessories and shoes. If you’ve put in your budget with Bridebook (if you haven’t, get on it now!), we’ll have given you an estimate for that bit of your spendings.
6.Wedding lingerie. If you’ve chosen a dress that leaves you wanting some extra support, choose some practical underwear for the day that can lift and hide whatever you want hiding. Save something sexier for the wedding night.
7.Think through the storage and transportation. Think about where your dress will be stored pre-wedding and how it will be transported to the wedding location. Wedding dresses can require a lot of space (and believe it or not, you can buy your dress a seat on a plane)!
8. Get it in writing. Make sure you have all the details (whether given to you in the store or sent via email) such as: when your dress is due for delivery and the dates of your fittings in writing.
9.Dry cleaning. Budget in the dry cleaning of the dress post-wedding. It will often cost a lot more than you expect.
The wedding dress is an iconic part of the wedding process. Selecting your wedding dress is a very unique and personal experience where the bride makes a statement about who she is as a person and how she wants to be seen and remembered on her wedding day. For many people, it is also turning a dream into reality. (Can you tell we’re just a little excited for you?!) So to help you with one of the most important, and exciting, decisions in your wedding planning, we have put together everything you need to know about choosing the perfect dress for you.
Choose the time of year
The time of year will dictate the fabric you will choose for your wedding dress. And you should remember that different fabrics have different ‘looks’ and comfort levels, and will ultimately determine the style of your wedding dress. Most wedding dress fabrics are very versatile but heavy fabrics such as velvet and brocade are clearly suited for winter weddings, whereas lighter fabrics like organza and georgette are better suited to summer weddings. Don’t forget to think about this when picking your shoes and veil too, as they must be suitable for the anticipated weather conditions and the chosen venue.
Choose your style of occasion
Time and location of the wedding are crucial when selecting the design of your wedding dress. Small, lavish, religious, indoors, outdoors, modern, traditional or themed – all of these can have an impact! And if it’s a destination wedding, then make sure you have researched the weather!
Make appointments
On average, it takes 6 months for your dress to be made, so bear this in mind when making appointments at different bridal shops and don’t rush your dream dress! And whilst you should allow yourself enough time to give yourself options, don’t overwhelm yourself with an appointment at every boutique within an 100 mile radius. The worst thing in the world could be not finding your dream dress; a very close second is trying on so many that no dress will ever be your dream. Think also about who you should bring to your first few appointments; most boutiques recommend three as a maximum, because too many opinions and voices can be so overwhelming. We think bringing your Mum, Sister or Maid of Honour is enough and will give you the most honest feedback!
Dress shapes
Before you make your first bridal appointment start collecting images of dresses that you like – Pinterest is perfect for this or any other Bridebook inspiration pages such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Try out evening dresses in different silhouettes at various department stores and see what shapes and necklines suit you best. To help you narrow down the choices, here are the most popular wedding dress styles and the shapes that they generally work well with:
Ball gown
Style: Also known as meringue, consists of a fitted bodice and a big and full skirt. Best for: For a slender or petite frame, good for highlighting the waist. Tip: This is the ultimate wedding dress shape and your wedding day is probably the only time that you can wear a dress like this (unless you’re likely to be at the MET Gala one day…)
Fishtail or trumpet
Style: Figure hugging, with a skirt that flares from the knee, good for highlighting curves. Best for: Hourglass, curvy. Tip: This is a quite a restricting dress shape so make sure it’s not going to hold you back from the dance floor.
Sheath
Style: Follows your body’s natural silhouette. Best for: Sleek figures. Tip: A very easy shape to wear, good for summer weddings.
A-line
Style: Fitted bodice with the bottom half of the dress following the shape of the letter ‘A’. Best for: This shape suits most body types, which is why it is the most popular. Tip: Can work with any neckline and sleeve/no sleeve.
Dress Train
Once you’ve chosen the dress shape of your dreams, the next thing to think about is the dress train, which should be comfortable for the bride and suitable for the wedding style. The length of the train should be influenced by the formality and surroundings of your wedding.
Almost all dress styles can have a train, and a lot of the time these can be re-adjusted after the ceremony too. Sometimes they are simply bustled up or removed, but some dresses will often come with a hook to wear on your wrist whilst you boogie.
Here are the different styles of train to help you choose:
Brush
This is the shortest and most modest train style. It lightly ‘brushes’ behind and gives a very subtle volume to the dress. This train length is suitable for all occasions, regardless of the ceremony format or the time of year of the wedding. This would be the best choice for outdoor weddings. Approximate length: 6 inches
Court
This train length is slightly longer then the Brush. This would be suitable for all ceremonies, but could be problematic for outdoor receptions since the train can collect greenery as the bride walks around on grass. Approximate length: 3 feet
Chapel
This is the intermediate train length, between the more modest ‘brush’ and ‘court’, and the very dramatic ‘cathedral’ and ‘royal’ lengths. Approximate length: 5 feet
Cathedral
This train is suitable for formal and traditional weddings. Due to its length, you will need help from the bridal team to make sure that the train is in place before you walk down the aisle and throughout the ceremony. This train will often have a bustle option. Approximate length: 7 feet
Royal
This is the grandest length of train; it makes a statement about the bride and the wedding itself. Similar to a ‘cathedral’ train, this will require assistance to make sure that the train is in correct position and does not interfere at any point while the bride is walking down the aisle. Approximate length: 10 feet
Watteau
This train is a separate piece of fabric that is attached to the top part of the bodice on the wedding dress. This is a more contemporary version of the train. Approximate length: varied.
Choose the right shade of white
It is important to choose the right shade of white that goes well with your skin tone and will work well with the lighting of your wedding venue. Generally, if you are fair skinned you should opt for warmer shades of white, such as Ivory, while darker skin tones should opt for cooler shades of white, with a slight blue undertone. Once the dress has been chosen make sure you try walking in it and sitting down. If you are taking a car to the ceremony make sure the fabric does not crease (and that you and your dress can fit into the car!).
Fittings
Generally speaking you need approximately 6 months for the dress to be made. Work backwards and have your fittings as close to the wedding date as is comfortable. Make the most of each fitting and make sure you attend them with your trusted person, someone whose advice you value and whom you are at ease with.
Underwear
Do not underestimate the power of undergarments. Make sure you consider the practical options when trying on the wedding dress – will you feel supported if it’s completely backless? Will you be able to let your hair down on the dancefloor in a tummy-smoother? You will want to be as comfortable as possible on your wedding day and good underwear is sure to achieve that.
Be yourself!
The final piece of advice is for you to be yourself. Make sure that you are comfortable in whatever dress shape you choose and that you feel beautiful. Make sure your dress isn’t restricting as this will be very obvious when you make your way down the aisle. Choose your best feature and make sure that your perfect dress highlights that.
Kat Williams, the brains behind the wonderful Rock N Roll Bride blog, has shaken up the wedding world for the better. With her firm mantra that it should be you that defines your day, not the most popular Pinterest boards, Kat is the hero of all things individual and alternative. So when Kat shared with Bridebook her top 3 tips for having an amazing alternative wedding, we could hardly wait to share it with all of you! Remember, your wedding is all about you as an individual and truly unique couple – so be sure that you show it! Read on for Kat’s inspiring tips:
Photo by Dale Weeks Photography
1.
Sit down with your other half and discuss the things that define you – is it tattoos? video games? movies? outdoor pursuits? And bring those things into your wedding. The ‘best’ weddings are those that truly reflect the couple, not ones that have things just because they’re popular on Pinterest!
2.
Get a really great photographer (and if budget allows, videographer). After the wedding those images will become your memories. Don’t scrimp on them. The biggest post-wedding regret I hear is from people wishing they had a better photographer.
Photo by Margherita Calati
3.
Wear an outfit you feel fabulous in. It could cost £2000, it could cost £20, it doesn’t matter as long as you feel amazing!
