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Affordable Wedding Dresses For The Stylish Yet Thrifty Bride
Because the perfect wedding dress doesn't have to bankrupt you.
There’s a lot of stuff out there, and not all fashion pieces are created equal. Luckily, the ELLE editors know their way around a shopping rail, and when it comes to helping you find those niche brands worth knowing to high-street hits of quality, and a few vintage treasures too, our ELLE Edits showcase the very best of the season.
The past few years have been a financial struggle for many of us, and this has caused a lot of modern brides to take a less conventional approach to their big day. If you're currently planning yours, it's likely you're turning away from the princess fairytale of decades past and considering more affordable high-street wedding dress options.
Thankfully, there are plenty of brilliant, affordable wedding dresses out there that still have that luxurious feel thanks to silks, tulle, lace and all of the trimmings you'd expect from a bridal gown – without the associated eye-watering price tag.
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High-street and mid-range brands like H&M and Reformation offer luxury-looking pieces that can easily be tailored to make the perfect fit, while designer brands like Self-Portrait and 16 Arlington all include white, ivory and cream dresses at a lower price point, so you can get a big fashion name for a fraction of the cost. That means you can spend all the money you've saved on some fabulous bridal shoes and accessories, too...
So, whether you're looking for a vintage style wedding dress, a heavily embellished design, or even something simple in a midi length, there is surely an option for you among these more affordable wedding dresses, all of which are under £1,000.
The Sunday dress first appeared in Vivienne Westwood's SS97 collection. Drawing inspiration from high-society 18th-century women, this piece features a sculpted, corset-inspired silhouette that falls into a midi-length finish, complete with an embroidered orb at the hip. Perfect if you're looking for something a little regal on your wedding day.
With a fitted satin bodice and a full tulle skirt, this dress is a bridal classic. Whether worn with or without straps, the sweetheart neckline is perfect for a fairytale wedding – just add a giant bouquet, satin pumps and a bejewelled handbag.
Satin, strapless and streamlined, feel like a Greek goddess on your wedding day in this elegant Norma Kamali gown. Pair with gold accessories and sandals for an island wedding escape or wear with a fur cape and sparkling diamonds for a frosty winter occasion.
Draped across the body, this dress from French fashion house Jacquemus is a stellar example of a big brand name at a relatively low price. Capturing the seaside inspirations of the brand's founder, it has cuts and straps in all the right places – perfect with a pair of white strappy heels and gold accessories for the beachy bride.
Nothing says celebration quite like sparkle, and this short, sleeveless dress from H&M's latest collection is a fun alternative to traditional wedding attire. The high neck silhouette adds sophistication and the short length will go brilliantly with big, platform silver heels.
Simple yet effective, this figure-hugging Christopher Esber maxi dress has intricate cut-outs with sculptural bead detailing, fit for an artsy bride. Wear yours with minimal accessories so the embellishment still stands out.
This bandeau dress from H&M is a great affordable bridal option. The cotton jacquard weave feels luxe, despite the accessible price point, and the pleated bodice with boning adds shape and support. Perfect with a bouquet of blooms to match the delicate floral jacquard, its practical length means you can take to the dancefloor in the evening in your silver flats, too.
Copenhagen-based brand Rotate is an expert in occasion dressing. This sleek satin mini strikes the perfect balance of low-key Scandi-chic and something that still feels seriously special. Whether you're wearing this dress for the main ceremony or the reception, the halter neck and intricate open-back will be sure to make a statement.
Also from Rotate, but quite the opposite, this dress is for the bridal maximalist. Covered in shimmering sequins and with oversized statement shoulders, it's one perfect for a fashionable bride who's not afraid to stand out. Wear this dress with silver accessories and ramp up the sparkle, because why not?
Why not make your big white wedding dress silver instead? This satin style will have you shining all day (and night) long, but not at the expense of comfort. Why not up the ante and pair this dress with silver pumps and accessories too for the ultimate statement?
We adore the delicate pearl embellishments and bow-back detail of this ladylike tulle gown. A great choice for a classic bride who wants her fairytale wedding for less.
Cinched at the waist and full-skirted, this cotton Staud gown is the perfect option for a summer wedding or rehearsal dinner. Worn with pointed pumps and a polished mini-bag, you'll feel like the chicest modern bride.
For the daytime bride who's looking to live her cottage-core dream, the Penelope Apron dress by Damson Madder is a great and extremely affordable option. The corset-style bodice, with waist seam details and bows that gather into a fuller skirt, adds just the right amount of detail to feel elevated on your special day.
We're big fans of Tove's approach to minimalist dressing, and this crisp cotton gown makes the ideal choice for a summertime wedding. Paired with gold accessories and your daytime wedding look is complete.
Whistles has become a mainstay for bridal (and bridal party) dressing thanks to its great cuts and reasonable prices. The square neck on this classic mermaid tail dress lends a fresh, modern feel – but the long train and plunging mesh back adds a nice dose of tradition, too.
Nothing whispers 'quiet luxury' quite like a Toteme dress. And why not opt for this one on your special day for a modern take on bridal dressing? Pair this draped maxi dress with equally clean accessories, like hoop earrings, pointed ballet flats and a sculptural clutch bag.
Shrimps knows a thing or two about cutesy dressing, and that sentiment extends across bridalwear too. When paired with a bouquet of wildflowers, ballet flats and bow-embellished accessories, we can all live out our cottage-core dreams.
Ghost is a heritage go-to for wedding guest dresses, bridesmaids dresses and wedding dresses because of its flattering bias cuts and range of hues. This dress is effortlessly frame-skimming and spun from lustrous soft satin. Keeping things simple with a round neckline and long sleeves, the style will still feel contemporary in years to come.
Nensi Dojaka's naked dress is for the bold. True to the brand’s subversive design language, it’s shaped with daring cutout detailing, intricate straps, a thigh-high slit, and a gathered bralette-inspired bodice.
This asymmetric 100% silk gown channels the clean minimalism of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's 1996 wedding dress. Paired with pointed pumps and simple shimmering accessories, this is the perfect choice for an understated bride.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
Esther Coombes is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing luxury shopping content across fashion, beauty, travel and homes. She graduated from London College of Fashion with a First Class BA in Fashion Journalism in 2010, and has since worked at Marie-Claire, Easy Living, GLAMOUR and Women’s Health.
She held positions as Senior Fashion and Beauty Executive, Senior Lifestyle Executive and Content Lead during her nine years at HELLO! and HELLO! Fashion, creating editorial and branded content across the lifestyle sector and interviewing talent and experts including Lisa Eldridge, Jo Malone and Katie Jane Hughes for print and digital features.
With exacting standards and a critical eye for editing new launches, she enjoys recommending readers best in class products and experiences, be that a glow-giving skin tint, a boutique hotel stay or the perfect slingback stiletto.
In her spare time you can find her at a spin or reformer class or streaming the latest zeitgeisty podcast or television drama. You can follow Esther on Instagram at @esthercoombes.
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