Deborah Chan
There are many options for buying a wedding dress in the UK. You could consider buying a new dress from a bridal shop, either off-the-rack or made-to-measure. Alternatively, you could buy a second-hand wedding dress from sites such as Stillwhite, Bride2Bride, Borrowing Magnolia, Nearly Newlywed, or directly from the previous owner on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Oxfam. Buying second-hand can be a great way to save money and find a unique dress, but it may require alterations or dry cleaning. Sample sales at bridal boutiques are also a great opportunity to buy a dress at a discounted price.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress marketplace | Stillwhite, Bride2Bride, Borrowing Magnolia, Kleinfeld Again, Preowned Wedding Dresses |
| Buying options | New, pre-owned, sample, custom-made |
| Price range | Heavily reduced from retail prices, up to 80% off |
| Payment methods | PayPal |
| Additional services | Try-ons, online messaging system, payment protection, shipping, returns |
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What You'll Learn
Second-hand wedding dresses
If you're looking for a second-hand wedding dress in the UK, there are several options to consider. Online marketplaces such as Stillwhite, Bride2Bride, and Kleinfeld Again offer a wide range of pre-owned, used, and sample wedding dresses. These platforms provide the opportunity to find designer gowns or custom-made dresses at a fraction of the retail cost. With thousands of dresses to choose from, you can browse through various designers and securely connect with sellers.
For those who prefer a more traditional shopping experience, there are physical stores and charity shops that offer second-hand wedding dresses. Brides Do Good in Chelsea, London, provides a unique selection of sustainable, preloved wedding gowns, and their proceeds even help fight forced child marriage. Charity shops, such as the British Red Cross shop in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, and St. Barnabas House in Worthing, offer bridal sections with wedding dresses at affordable prices.
Additionally, The Fall in London offers a mix of second-hand and made-to-order new dresses, providing a lovely experience for those trying on gowns. If you're open to both new and pre-owned options, Bride2Bride can help you connect with nearby brides-to-be, reducing transport costs and carbon emissions.
With a variety of options available, you can find your dream wedding dress while also considering your budget and sustainability. Whether you choose to browse online or visit physical stores, the hunt for the perfect second-hand wedding dress can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
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Sample sales
Little London Brides, a luxury wedding dress boutique, offers a range of sample dresses from designers such as Pronovias, Enzoani, and Milla Nova. Their sample dresses are heavily discounted, ranging from £500 to £3800, with sizes ranging from UK 4 to UK 14.
Online marketplaces such as Stillwhite and preownedweddingdresses.com also offer a wide selection of sample wedding dresses from various designers. Stillwhite, the largest global marketplace for pre-owned wedding dresses, features over 97,021 wedding gowns for sale at a fraction of the retail cost. The website allows buyers to connect directly with sellers, offering a safe and secure way to purchase a sample dress. Kleinfeld Again is another online retailer that offers pre-owned and sample designer wedding dresses, providing a trusted platform for buyers and sellers to connect.
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Online marketplaces
There are several online marketplaces where you can buy a wedding dress in the UK. Here are some options:
Stillwhite
Stillwhite is the largest global marketplace for pre-owned, used, and second-hand wedding dresses. With over 97,021 wedding gowns for sale, you can find designer gowns or custom-made dresses at affordable prices. Stillwhite allows you to chat safely with sellers, meet them in person, or arrange for the dress to be posted. The platform also offers secure payment options like PayPal.
Bridal Reloved
Bridal Reloved is the UK's largest chain of pre-owned wedding dress boutiques. They specialise in sample and pre-owned high-end designer wedding dresses and are a carbon-neutral business.
Bride2Bride
Bride2Bride is a UK-based wedding marketplace that helps newlyweds sell their dresses directly to brides-to-be. It provides a secure platform for communication and offers guides to help you stay safe during the transaction. You can find a wide range of new and second-hand wedding dresses and bridal gowns on Bride2Bride, often at heavily reduced prices.
ASOS
ASOS offers a range of wedding dresses with various styles, including tall, petite, curve, and maternity options. They also have designer wedding shoe dupes available at excellent prices.
Rixo
Rixo offers a 'try before you buy' scheme, allowing you to order up to four dresses to try on before making a purchase. They also have a 'What's my size?' feature on their website to help you choose the perfect fit.
These online marketplaces provide various options for finding your dream wedding dress in the UK, whether you're looking for pre-owned gowns, designer styles, or convenient try-on options.
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Bridal shops
There are several bridal boutiques in the UK that offer a range of options. The Fall Bride, for instance, offers diverse wedding dresses and accessories, including plus-size options, custom orders, and rentals. You can also sell your once-worn gown back to them after your wedding. Whistles, a high-street favourite, launched its bridal department in 2016, offering affordable gowns and bridesmaid dresses. You can book private styling appointments for bridal parties at their London flagship store.
Sassi Holford is another bridal designer, creating bespoke gowns since 1981. The brand is British, with every order handmade in the South West of England, and stores in South Kensington and Taunton, Somerset. You can also browse their seasonal wedding dress collections online, which include white sequin minis, retro jumpsuits, and 19th-century-inspired separates.
Bridal Reloved is the UK's largest chain of pre-owned wedding dress boutiques, specialising in sample and pre-owned designer wedding dresses. They are a carbon-neutral business and part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Community, working towards a circular economy.
Online, Stillwhite is the largest global marketplace for pre-owned, used, and second-hand wedding dresses, with over 97,021 gowns for sale. You can find designer gowns at affordable prices and sell your dress on the platform after your wedding.
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Designer gowns
There are many options for buying designer wedding gowns in the UK. If you are looking for a British bridal brand with a long heritage, Ellis Bridals has been around for over 100 years and is moving into its 4th generation. They create timeless and classic pieces with a modern twist, crafted in luxurious fabrics and expertly constructed for a premium product at an affordable price.
Another British designer with a long history is Sassi Holford, who has been creating bridal gowns for over 40 years. Her designs are handmade in England and aim to be effortlessly elegant while also being environmentally considerate.
For those looking for something more fashion-forward, Pippa Cooke's brand BON BRIDÉ challenges the conventions of traditional bridalwear, providing bold, innovative alternatives. Similarly, WED, founded by Amy Trinh and Evan Phillips, takes a bold and visionary approach to bridalwear, emphasizing the emotional resonance and tactile artistry of the attire.
If you are looking for something bespoke, Savannah Miller launched her bridal collection in 2016, offering a custom wedding gown that reflects each bride's unique story. Finally, for those who want to shop sustainably, Bridal Reloved is a network of award-winning boutiques specializing in sample and pre-owned high-end designer wedding dresses.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several online marketplaces for pre-owned wedding dresses, including Stillwhite, Bride2Bride, Borrowing Magnolia, eBay, and the Oxfam online shop.
Buying second-hand is a great way to save money and stay within your wedding budget. You can often find designer gowns at a fraction of the retail price.
It's important to inspect the dress for any imperfections, such as tears, snags, or discolouration. You may also need to consider the cost of any alterations or dry cleaning that may be required.
Many online marketplaces allow you to filter dresses by size. You can also try following local boutiques or shops on social media, as they may advertise sample sales where you can try dresses on before purchasing.
It's a good idea to research the original retail price of the dress and compare prices across different marketplaces. You can also consider the condition of the dress and any additional costs, such as alterations or dry cleaning, when evaluating the deal.
