Your wedding dress will be one of the most important purchases of your life – but it doesn’t have to be the most expensive.
Head to your local high street or pop online and you can find thousands of cheap wedding dresses that are a snip of the price of a boutique but look just as good.
There’s also a new selection of Ghost dresses from their Cloud Dancer collection which are all under £500 and seriously sleek. With plenty of vintage details and gorgeously flattering silhouettes, they top our list for some of the best new high street wedding dresses for 2020.
One of our favourite brands Whistles have also dropped their 2020 collection and we’re completely in love with their three new styles. Looking effortlessly more expensive than their price tag, they join the eight current designs, all crafted from luxury silk, lace, jacquard and embroidered tulle. The Melba dress, below, is brilliant value at less than £650 for a stunning on-trend lace column dress with a gorgeous Bardot neckline.
Image: Melba Dress, Whistles
We’ve rounded up our favourite 53 cheap high street wedding dresses – including the three new Whistles’ beauties. If you don’t see you perfect dress here then check out some of the brands we’ve included and we’re sure you’ll find one.
- Wedding Dresses Under £100
- Wedding Dresses Under £250
- Wedding Dresses Under £500
- Wedding Dresses Under £1,000
Phase Eight, Monsoon, Dorothy Perkins and Ted Baker are all great places to start your high street hunt. ASOS, Chi Chi Bridal and US brands like BHLDN have loads of choice.
You’ll find shops like Selfridges and online store Net-A-Porter also feature frequently on this list. You might be shocked to find that lots of designer dresses are well within your price range if you’ve a £750 budget to play with.
Happy dress shopping!
The Best Wedding Dresses Under £100
Chi Chi Bridal Meryl Dress – £75
If you want a shorter dress, this dip-hem Bardot dress is a total dream. This would be great for a civil ceremony, where you want elegant and sophisticated but also slightly more informal. Plus, for that price, you could easily dye it afterwards and wear it as a summery dress. It would look so good in baby pink or pastel blue.
Dorothy Perkins White Bridal ‘Sarah’ Maxi Dress – £85
This Grecian style one-shoulder maxi is the dream floaty, easy-to-wear wedding dress. It has a satin tie-waist to nip you in and balance you out. Because it’s such a simple, boho design, you can dress this Dorothy Perkins number up with statement shoes and bold jewellery. Did we mention it’s machine washable? You honestly won’t know how important this is until you’ve tried to get a red wine stain out a white dress.
READ MORE: 2019 Wedding Trends You Need to Know
Chi Chi Bridal Alix Dress – £95
Why just hold flowers on your big day when you can wear them? This Chi Chi 3D floral dress is so romantic. The sheer sleeves, high neckline and soft chiffon skirt make for a feminine and sophisticated bridal look. Subtle sparkly floral hairpieces or hair vines would look amazing with this.
Lavish Alice Halterneck Strapless Midi Dress – £70
Short dresses are ideal for registry office or destination weddings where the rules of dressing are relaxed. This Lavish Alice dress is fitted to the body and cinched with a belt, drawing attention to curves and creating them on athletic figures. A sexy, stylish little number.
Y.A.S Ruffle Sleeve Jacquard Maxi – £95
Boho brides on a budget will love this Y.A.S. dress from ASOS with ruffle sleeves and a super cute crossover tie back. The slight sheen on the material will make you look glowing; we can totally see this at a summer wedding with plenty of fresh flower accessories.
READ MORE: 14 Beautiful Beach Wedding Dresses
Topshop Burnout Satin Halterneck Dress – £49
If you’re looking for something a little edgy or you’re not into layers of tulle, Topshop is a great place to look for white or ivory dress that can double as bridalwear. We love this satin halterneck dress with a chic burnout chevron pattern. It’s ideal for a festival wedding or a relaxed registry office affair.
Chi Chi London Meghan Bridal Dress – £75
Channel your inner Duchess of Sussex with this bargain take on her wedding dress. It features a bateau neckline and long sleeves, with the addition of a contrasting satin ribbon round the waist and beautiful open back to make it fit for a princess (without a royal budget).
H&M Sequin Embroidered Long Dress – £99
This sequin dress is perfect for a boho wedding or a relaxed destination wedding. The sequins and butterfly sleeves are great details that’ll look amazing fluttering and glittering in the gentle breeze as the sun sets on the beach where you’ll say ‘I do’.
ASOS Flutter Sleeve Wedding Dress – £95
We can’t quite believe that this gorgeous lace wedding dress from ASOS costs less than £100! It looks so expensive and your guests will never know that your wedding dress was such a bargain. Team this elegant style with a pretty flower crown to really enhance to boho look.
Boohoo Plunge Neckline Wedding Dress – £45
Priced at a modest £45, this plunging lace wedding dress from Boohoo is super stylish. The detailed fabric makes the dress feel much more expensive than it really is and you will only need simple jewellery to complete this pretty bridal look.
Boohoo Lace Midi Dress – £40
If you are searching for a unique wedding dress that won’t break the bank but still feels extra special then this high neck lace wedding dress from Boohoo would suit your style perfectly. The shorter length makes it feel less formal so it’s ideal if you are looking to plan a simple wedding day.
Chi Chi London Meara Lace Wedding Dress – £68
We can’t quite believe this elegant wedding dress from Chi Chi London – available at Very – is priced at just £68. It’s the pretty neckline detail and lace sleeves that make this stylish wedding gown feel even more special. Team with some fabulous shoes that you can really show off with the dipped hemline.
The Best Wedding Dresses Under £250
ASOS Edition Ruched Halterneck Maxi Wedding Dress – £120
ASOS has your on-trend styles covered, and with luxe attention to detail, this beautiful gown could not be more perfect for the most important day of your life.
The lightweight, woven fabric skims the body and falls effortlessly to the ground, while the halterneck and ruched front are two timeless features. This dress would be just as perfect at your beach wedding as it would be for your celebration at a stately home.
Chi Chi London Hannah Dress – £125
Since you’ll be having your back to your guests as you stand at the front for your vows, it’s important to have an amazing back to you dress. We’re in love with this elegant Chi Chi London dress with a fishtail skirt and an open back covered in delicate mesh and embellished straps leading into the waistband.
Jarlo Bella Bardot Maxi Dress with Thigh Split – £110
Jarlo is a fantastic brand for figure-hugging dresses that flatter all shapes and sizes – you can choose to view their designs on different height and body type models so you can work out how it would look on you. You can buy it from ASOS, House of Fraser or their own website. We love this covetous, curve-enhancing bardot with a thigh split and fishtail train.
H&M Tulle Wedding Dress – £139.99
H&M’s tulle dress is ultimate ballerina vibes. It’s simple, romantic and would look incredibly elegant with a tailored white jacket over the top. It’s great value for an easy, flattering design that almost anyone could pull off.
Camilla and Marc Bowery Sleeveless Satin Maxi – £450
This dress has the potential to be dressed up as a wedding dress or reused after as a chic honeymoon dress (if you’re on a budget that is very useful!). Camilla and Marc are a fantastic design duo who focus on “simple but perfectly formed” and you can find lots of their styles at Selfridges. Cut on the bias from silk, the Bowery dress has a cowl neck framed by spaghetti straps and a wrap-over skirt with a slit.
Monsoon Grace Bardot Midi Wedding Dress – £249
If you want something simple and great value, Monsoon have delivered with this vintage-inspired, modern midi. It’s perfect for a destination wedding if you want something light that you don’t want trailing in the sand and the cut is incredibly flattering.
READ MORE: The Emotional Stages of Choosing Your Wedding Dress
ASOS Edition One Shoulder Drape Jumpsuit – £120
The high street has so many exciting options for wedding day outfits, and we love a jumpsuit as an alternative to a dress. This sophisticated ASOS look is great for a low-key registry office or civil ceremony where you can throw tradition out the window. The draping make for a gorgeous silhouette.
H&M Lace Wedding Dress – £149.99
H&M took inspiration from Kate Middleton’s Alexander McQueen wedding dress to come up with this lacy creation. It has total princess vibes with the flowing skirt and elegant lace sleeves, but could also be dressed up with flowers for a boho feel.
READ MORE: Etsy’s Biggest Wedding Trends for 2019
Outline London Evelyn Ivory Maxi Dress – £215
How stunning is this cowl back! With a dramatic side-split and eye-catching gown, this Outline gown is sure to turn every head. It’s excellent value for a fitted, fully-lined gown of this quality and cut. Make sure to check out this brand for other gorgeous chic wedding dresses.
Wolford Fatal Seamless Stretch-Jersey Dress – £130
Yes, the Wolford that’s famous for its tights and lingerie has created a totally gorgeous, sensuously-soft maxi dress. There’s nowhere to hide, but if you love tight-fitting clothing, something as simple and striking is this column jersey dress lets your body do all the talking. It might get a little cold being worn in the UK, but it’s ideal as a destination wedding dress.
ASOS Edition Lace Halterneck Maxi – £120
Destination or summer weddings call for wedding dresses that you’ll look great but still be able to keep cool in. This ASOS dress is the best of both worlds, with a elegant halterneck and lace back, plus a floaty tulle skirt. Avoiding anything clingy also means you can eat and drink to your heart’s content, win-win!
City Goddess Cross Front Embroidered Maxi – £120
Both the front and back are equally worth of our attention on the City Goddess bridal gown from ASOS. The embellished neckline is stunning, and leads down into a subtle fishtail kick skirt. The cut is tight and will really bring out the best in athletic and tall figures.
Chi Chi Fleur Dress – £120
With a floral bodice and flowing, tiered tulle skirt, this dress is the height of romance and femininity. The deep plunge and cross-over back make this an up-to-date take on the princess theme and totally on trend. If you want to go extra on your big day, this would suit perfectly.
H&M Satin Wedding Dress – £199.99
This H&M dress is truly elegant and looks hundreds of pounds more expensive than its price tag – just under £200! The necklines are really interesting: a straight one at the front and a deep V at the back. It mixes modest with a flash of flesh from behind.
French Connection Clandre Vintage Lace Jumpsuit – £170
We’ve got another dreamy jumpsuit for you. This one oozes vintage boho vibes – look at that Victorian-inspired lace neckline and those breezy pleated culottes. It moves in the same way as a shorter dress so most of you guests won’t guess that you’ve opted for something a bit comfier – and much more fun to dance in.
READ MORE: 19 Wedding Dresses With Pockets
The Best Wedding Dresses Under £500
Ghost Viola Dress – £495
With a strong ’70s vibe and statement detailing – like those billowing sleeves – the Viola dress from Ghost is all about vintage drama. For an under £500 price tag, it’s beautifully made, with satin-back crepe, fabric-covered buttons and gathered detailing at the shoulders and waist.
Next Ivory Crochet Lace Bridal Dress – £290
Boho brides, this Next dress is for you! The detailing from the crochet lace is cool and contemporary; the skirt flows effortlessly; and the wide-strap bodice accentuates your bust and waist. Wear with flowers in your hair and daintiest of accessories.
READ MORE: Our Favourite Lace Wedding Dresses
Whistles Mia Dress – £499
Named after Emma Stone’s character Mia in La La Land, Whistles have created a wedding dress worthy of Hollywood royalty. This satin column dress features a timeless square neckline and a flattering, figure-skimming cut. The chic simplicity makes it ideal for a city wedding or a modern brides who wants the dress to speak for itself.
Ghost Liliana Dress – £395
Boho meets vintage in this latest offering from Ghost’s Cloud Dancer collection. The Liliana dress features the most divine pussy-bow tie at the back and beautiful frill detailing around the shoulders. Cut in an effortlessly flattering silhouette, this gown will move with your body so you can dance all evening.
Phase Eight Poppy Embroidered Dress – £450
There’s a modern look to this Phase Eight dress that works really well with the timeless all-over lace look. The sleeves are flattering on every body type and those hems trimmed with contrast satin edging make this look much more expensive than it is. Don’t miss the semi-sheer back and the cute buttons down it.
Solace London Siara One-Sleeve Gown – £380
Modern yet timeless, this Solace London gown has a single fluted sleeve to balance the figure-hugging cut. There’s a deep slit at the back to show off your shoes as you walk down the aisle. The icy white colour looks so good with metallics and would really suit a winter wedding.
BHLDN Sander Dress – £299 ($390)
BHLDN isn’t technically a UK high street store – it’s the US-based sister brand to Anthropologie. That does mean that you’ll have to get it delivered, but for these gorgeous dresses it’s worth it. The Sanders dress is a chic, body-skimming v-neck dress covered in beading that has a truly vintage vibe.
READ MORE: 29 Colourful Wedding Dresses
Reformation Riesling Dress – £395
US brand Reformation is one of our favourite designers of gorgeous wedding and bridesmaid dresses. The Riesling dress is the gown of your dreams: strapless dresses will never go out of fashion, and this one features a sweetheart neckline, pintuck detailing on the bust and a slight sweep in the skirt. It actually comes with removable straps if you want that extra little support.
Ghost Bellerose Dress – £295
For under £300, there’s little on the high street with such beautiful craftsmanship and as elegant a shape at this price tag. We adore this contemporary and sleek off-the-shoulder dress, which draws the eye with the statement shoulder frill and then sculpts down the body.
Les Héroïnes by Vanessa Cocchiaro ‘The Rose’ Asymmetric Satin Midi Wrap – £400
This dress is ideal for a registry office wedding. It’s modern, clean, beautifully fluid in the skirt and has a lovely glossy satin sheen. We can’t think of a more lovely contemporary wedding dress.
LoveShackFancy Rebecca V-neck Cotton Midi – £365
Another vote for short wedding dresses! This breezy, tiered midi is crying out for a boho summer wedding. Match with pretty sandals and a flower crown for a romantic, retro 70s vibe. Once again, it’s the versatility of this that we love – you can wear it again and again after the big day which is a huge plus if you’re looking for sustainability in your clothing.
Self Portrait Cold-Shoulder Ruffled Pleated Chiffon Gown – £420
This is a romantic, flowing gown trails into a small train that will swish beautifully as you walk. Made from lightweight ivory chiffon, it’s pleated and ruffled for texture and movement, and features on-trend cold shoulders that lead to pretty ties at the cuffs. Wear with a pretty pearl hairclip and dewy makeup.
Monsoon Elizabeth Embellished Wedding Dress – £499
This artisan wedding dress is hand-embellished with pearly sequins, silver beads and sparkling gems, cascading from the v-neck to the train. The sheer sleeves are such a gorgeous touch and this would be perfect for a winter wedding if you’re after a bit more coverage.
French Connection Isla Embellished Column Dress – £295
A 1960s-inspired column dress with a side split makes for the sleekest look. This draped dress is topped with a sheer cap sleeve bolero to add a touch of sparkle; this can be removed during the ceremony and added back on for the reception to give you two completely different looks for your photo.
Ghost Rosa Frill Dress – £395
Look at that neckline! With its statement cut-out ruffle detailing, the Rosa dress is crying out for a destination or summer wedding. It’s cool, contemporary and moves like a dream. You won’t regret wearing this on a sunny beach as you say “I do”.
Les Héroïnes by Vanessa Cocchiaro ‘The Ada’ Smocked Satin Gown – £500
Just on the dot of £500 is this eye-catching, modern gown. It’s cut from lustrous satin and has both a puddle train and scarf ties that flow down to the floor. You’ll look utterly ethereal as you move around in this flowing, loose fitted gown, especially with those on-trend side splits.
Ghost Laurel Dress – £495
Timelessly elegant, the Laurel dress ticks every box of the current Victoriana trend. The high neckline, puffed sleeves and elbow-deep buttoned cuffs are all the height of demure and dainty. But turn around and there’s a dramatic diamond cut-out that brings this bohemian empire dress right into the 21st century.
The Best Wedding Dresses Under £1,000
Needle & Thread Tiered Gloss Bridal Gown – £775
Needle & Thread are definitely at the higher end of the budget for high street dresses, but their range starts from £550. This unforgettable Victoriana-inspired gown is perfect for brides who want to make a statement. The floral embellishments and sequins lead into the dreamiest swishy skirt.
Whistles Melba Dress – £649
This Bardot dress from Whistles looks beautiful from every angle. Completely embroidered in elegant lace that extends down the illusion sleeves, it’s a romantic and dramatic gown the deserves to be seen. At this price point, it’s also way more expensive-looking that any guest would ever guess.
Michael Lo Sordo Double-Breasted Metallic Velvet gown – £810
Is there anything more luxurious than a velvet wedding dress? This white velvet is flecked with metallic threads so it’s really shine in your wedding photos as well as being incredibly soft to wear. This would look stunning at a snowy winter wedding. Inspired by double-breasted blazers with a wide waist-tie, it’s thoroughly on trend too.
Whistles Guinevere Dress – £599
This playful tiered dress is ideal for modern brides. The short length is perfect for petite brides or those who don’t want to go so formal. For showstopping details, just look to the high-frilled neck and cut-out back with that cute bow.
READ MORE: The Best Wedding Dresses Under £1,000
Needle & Thread Leilah Dotted bridal Gown – £625
How romantic is that skirt! The floaty, dotted tulle layers of this Needle & Thread dress contrast beautifully with bead-encrusted waistband and straps. The movement in the skirt will look equally as good walking down the aisle as tearing up the dance floor.
Whistles Maria Dress – £599
The last of Whistles’ 2020 collection is the Maria dress (named after The Sound of Music heroine). This gorgeous lace halterneck design features open back detailing, a statement neckline and falls into the most gorgeous pool at the train. It’s a sleek and chic gown that would really suit an elegant affair or even a destination wedding.
Michael Lo Sordo Silk-Satin Maxi Dress – £780
Statement elegance is the look of this Michael Lo Sordo gown. Made from a smooth silk-satin, it features a deep V-neck and back leading down to an ankle-grazing hem. It’s excellent value for such a quality piece so you can spare a little on a striking pair of Jimmy Choos to wear underneath too.
Whistles Adelaide Wedding Dress – £699
At Hitched, we’re suckers for a ruffle. How beautiful is this Grecian-style column gown for Whistles, sporting glorious botanical embellishment and one-shoulder detailing everyone will be admiring. It cinches in at the waist for the most flattering of fits.
Reformation Merlot Dress – £535
Texture always looks good in wedding photos and the all-over floral lace on this Reformation dress is beautiful. It’s feminine, romantic and that flared hem is destined for twisting and twirling your way across the dance floor. With those off-the-shoulder sleeves, there’s more than a hint of Spanish flair – making it ideal for destination weddings!
Before you go shopping, make sure you read our essential list of 43 mistakes not to make when choosing your wedding dress, featuring advice from Second Chance Dresses’ Olivia Buckland and Say Yes To The Dress’ David Emmanuel.
