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Wedding Dress Shops |
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On the big day your dress has got to be just right. Carole Hamilton, author of the Sublime Wedding and a former editor of You and Your Wedding magazine for more than 13 years, picks Britain's best places to buy. Click to view Top 5 Wedding Dress Shops.
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Buyers Guide and Overview |
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 Shopping for your wedding dress could be described as the most fun you’ll ever have with your credit card. It’s the certainly the most important outfit you will ever buy and it’s a good idea to do some research before parting with any cash. |
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| Take a look through a selection of wedding magazines to see what you like. Once you have a list of designers and shops which stock dresses that appeal to you, check out their websites to see if it's worth paying them a visit. Most have a good selection of dresses online for you to look at. |
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 Most of the bridal shops will ask you to make an appointment. Don't let this put you off, it's just so you can be allocated time in a dressing room and also get the attention of one of the trained staff.
If you are getting your dress from any of the mainstream bridal designers and it's being made for you, expect the process to take anything up to nine months. Even a dress bought off-the-peg in the high street can take weeks from ordering so either way, allow yourself plenty of time for shopping.
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Staying on Track |
 • Shop with someone who’s opinion you trust. Limit the shopping party to three people including you.
• Feel free to shop on your own for the first couple of appointments, inviting mums and maids only once you have a shortlist.
• Wear supportive lingerie and take along a strapless bra and a pair of shoes with roughly the heel you are thinking of wearing.
• Keep your budget firmly in mind. Trying on dresses way out of your price bracket will just be depressing.
• Try on a variety of styles - many have little hanger-appeal but look great once they're on.
• Take advice from the sales assistant – they should know what they’re talking about – but don’t be bullied. If you don’t like something, it’s thanks but no thanks!
• If one dress isn't quite right, ask if the same designer has a similar style, perhaps with another neckline or sleeves that you'll like better. Shops won’t stock every style but may be able to get something different for you.
• Even if you spend a long time in one shop don’t feel you have to buy anything.
• Don’t buy on your first shopping trip, it’s always best to take time to reflect and you can always go back if you’re lucky enough to have found "the one" first time out!
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On the High Street |
And finally, don't dismiss the high street, especially if you're on a budget - or simply don't see the point in spending a fortune on a dress for one afternoon.
Debenhams, BhS, Asda, Pronuptia, Berketex Bride and, new for Spring '07, good old M&S - all of them have very wearable dresses at brilliant prices.
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