Wedding Dress Cost UK: How Much Does a Wedding Dress Cost?
Wedding dress prices in the UK range from around £100 to well over £20,000 — and if that feels like an unhelpfully wide range, you’re not alone in thinking so. The good news is that once you understand what drives the wedding dress cost, budgeting for yours becomes a lot more straightforward. Whether you’re hoping to spend £500 or £5,000, this guide breaks down exactly what you can expect at every price point. And once you’ve got your budget sorted, our guide to choosing the right wedding dress will help you find the one.
How Much Does a Wedding Dress Cost in the UK?
According to Bridebook’s 2026 UK Wedding Report, the average wedding dress cost in the UK is £1,532. Most couples spend between £500 and £2,000, though prices range from £100 for off-the-peg dresses to £5,000 and above for designer or bespoke gowns.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what the market looks like:
| Type of wedding dress | Typical cost (UK) |
|---|---|
| Off-the-peg (sample sales, outlets) | £100 to £700 |
| High street (e.g. ASOS, Reiss, Coast) | £100 to £1,000 |
| Bridal boutique (standard designers) | £1,200 to £2,500 |
| Designer (premium/luxury) | £2,000 to £5,000+ |
| Bespoke | £2,500 and above |
Most UK wedding dresses fall somewhere within these ranges, with the bulk of couples shopping in the boutique tier.
Bear in mind that the dress price is rarely the final figure. Alterations, accessories and cleaning can add hundreds on top — so expect to pay a little more to complete your overall wedding attire (unless you’re getting married on the beach!). More on that shortly.
Check out our ultimate wedding budget breakdown for a full picture of how the dress fits into your overall spend.
What Affects the Price of a Wedding Dress?
Several factors influence why one dress costs £900 and another costs £9,000. Understanding them helps you make smarter decisions about where to spend and where to save.
Location Wedding dresses bought in London will generally cost more than those bought outside the capital, reflecting higher boutique overheads and the concentration of premium designers in the city.
Designer or brand name A dress made by a well-known brand will often cost significantly more than one by a lesser-known designer. Big bridal names like Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier and Caroline Castigliano command premium prices, partly for their craftsmanship and partly for the label itself. If the name matters to you, budget accordingly — if it doesn’t, there are beautiful dresses to be found without paying for the branding.
Fabric and materials Premium fabrics such as lace and silk cost more than alternatives like satin or polyester blends. A dress using several metres of silk organza with hand-applied beading will always carry a higher price tag than a similar silhouette in more affordable fabrics. Materials manufactured in Asia are typically less than half the cost of European fabrics, while the small number of fabrics still milled in the UK are among the most expensive available.
Expertise and construction A dress from an experienced designer will cost more than one from an up-and-coming name. Hand-sewn embroidery, intricate beading and bespoke construction all take considerable time — and time costs money.
Style and embellishments The more complex the design, the pricier the dress. Heavily embellished ballgowns with cathedral-length trains will almost always cost more than minimalist slip dresses, even from the same designer. Dresses with embroidery, beads or sequins command a premium over plainer styles.
Accessories The dress might be the centrepiece, but accessories can add up quickly. A veil alone can range from £30 for a simple high street option to £300 or more from a boutique. Add shoes, a cover-up and hair accessories into the mix and your total accessory spend can easily reach £500 or more. Our guide to how much wedding accessories cost has a full breakdown if you want to plan ahead.
Alterations This one catches a lot of people off guard. Almost every wedding dress needs some level of alteration — whether that’s taking in the waist, shortening the hem or adding a bustle. Alterations are charged per job and costs vary depending on the complexity of the work, the experience of the tailor and your location. We’ve broken down typical alteration prices in more detail further down, but as a rule of thumb it’s sensible to set aside at least £200 to £500 on top of your dress budget for this.
Wedding Dress Price Ranges by Budget
Even with a rough budget in mind, it can be difficult to know where to start looking. To help cut through the confusion, here’s a rough guide to which stores and designers fall within different price ranges:
| Budget | Store / Designer |
|---|---|
| £100 to £500 | Meshki, Monsoon, Phase Eight |
| £500 to £1,000 | House of CB, John Lewis (selected brands) |
| £1,000 to £2,000 | Maggie Sottero, Ronald Joyce, Pronovias (selected styles), Vera Wang White |
| £2,000 and above | Vera Wang, Suzanne Neville, Jenny Packham, Caroline Castigliano, Monique Lhuillier, Pronovias, Vivienne Westwood, Khya, Galia Lahav |
Where to Buy a Wedding Dress in the UK
Independent bridal boutiques The boutique experience is what most people picture: a dedicated appointment, a stylist who knows their stock inside out, and the chance to try a wide range of silhouettes properly. Most boutiques stock mid-range to designer gowns and offer a full fitting service. If you’re in or near the capital, wedding dress shops in London offer an exceptional range of options across every budget. Bridebook also has a full collection of wedding dress suppliers and boutiques across the UK, so you can find your perfect dress wherever you are.
High street retailers Brands like ASOS, Monsoon, Phase Eight and John Lewis stock wedding dresses that are ready to take home or order quickly online. These are ideal if you’re working to a tighter budget or a tighter timeline.
Online bridal brands A growing number of online-only bridal brands offer quality gowns at lower price points by cutting out boutique overheads. The trade-off is buying without trying on, so sizing requires more care. Many offer home try-on schemes to help with this.
Second-hand and pre-loved Buying a pre-loved dress is one of the smartest ways to get a designer gown at a fraction of the price. Sites like Stillwhite and Nearly Newlywed are worth browsing, as are Facebook Marketplace and local charity shops. Many pre-loved dresses have only been worn once — and some not at all.
Sample sales Bridal boutiques periodically sell off their sample gowns at significant discounts. These are often designer dresses at mid-range prices, though they come in limited sizes and can’t be ordered in your measurements. Getting on boutique mailing lists is the best way to hear about these first.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
The dress price is just the starting point. Here are the extras that commonly catch people out.
Alterations: £200 to £500+ Almost every wedding dress needs some degree of alteration. While simpler adjustments may fall at the lower end of this range, many London couples can find costs sit closer to £300-£600 depending on the complexity of the work. Here’s a rough breakdown of typical alteration prices:
- Altering the hem: £100 to £200+ (the more layers your dress has, the higher the cost — additional layers can add £20–£40 each)
- Taking in or out the sides: £60 to £150 (more if there’s intricate beading or structure involved)
- Adding a bustle to lift the train: £50 to £150 depending on the style and complexity
- Changing a zip to a lace-up back: £150 to £300+ due to the structural changes required
Having alterations done at the same boutique where you bought the dress can sometimes work out cheaper as part of a package, so it’s worth asking.
Accessories: variable Veil, shoes, jewellery, hair accessories, a cover-up or jacket — these all carry their own costs.
Dry cleaning and preservation: £100 to £300 If you want to keep your dress in good condition after the wedding, specialist dry cleaning and preservation is worth factoring in. Standard dry cleaners aren’t always equipped for delicate bridal fabrics, so look for a specialist bridal cleaner.
Dress bag and travel If you’re travelling to your venue, a proper garment bag is essential to protect the dress. Some boutiques include one; others charge extra.
How to Save Money on Your Wedding Dress
A gorgeous wedding dress doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. Here are some of the most effective ways to save money on your dress:
Set your budget before you start shopping. It’s far easier to fall in love with a dress that’s outside your budget than one that’s in it. Decide your maximum spend before you book your first appointment, and be upfront about it with your stylist.
Shop the sample sales. Many boutiques hold annual or seasonal sample sales, where you can pick up designer gowns at significantly reduced prices.
Go pre-loved. A second-hand designer dress at half the price is still a designer dress. Charity shops are a fantastic way to grab a bargain while supporting a good cause — you may even find a wonderful dress for around £50. The stigma around pre-loved bridal wear has largely disappeared, and the savings are very real.
Consider a non-bridal dress. Formal dresses from brands like Ghost or Reformation can make beautiful wedding dresses without the bridal markup. White, ivory and champagne options are easy to find.
Ask about payment plans. Many boutiques offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months. This won’t reduce the overall price, but it makes the spend more manageable.
Limit your entourage. The more people you bring dress shopping, the more opinions you’ll hear — and the harder it becomes to make a decision. A smaller, trusted group tends to make for a more focused appointment.
FAQs
How much does a wedding dress cost in the UK? According to Bridebook’s 2026 UK Wedding Report, the average wedding dress cost in the UK is £1,532. Most couples spend between £500 and £2,000, though prices range from £100 for off-the-peg options to £2,000 and above for designer or bespoke gowns.
What is the average price of a wedding dress? Bridebook’s 2026 data puts the average at £1,532. This figure doesn’t include alterations, accessories or cleaning, which can add £200 to £500 or more on top, depending on how much work is needed and what accessories you choose.
What affects the cost of a wedding dress? The main factors are location, the designer or brand, the fabric and materials used, the level of hand-crafted detail, and whether the dress is bespoke or off-the-peg. Alterations are an additional variable that depend on how much adjustment your dress needs.
Can I find a wedding dress under £500? Yes — high street retailers, online bridal brands, sample sales, charity shops and pre-loved marketplaces all offer dresses in this price range. The selection is more limited than at mid-range boutiques, but there are genuinely beautiful options available.
When should I start shopping for a wedding dress? We recommend starting your dress search around 9 to 12 months before your wedding. Bespoke and made-to-order gowns typically take a minimum of 6 months to produce, and you’ll want time for fittings and alterations after that. If your wedding is sooner, don’t panic — high street and online options are available with much shorter lead times. Our guide to how to choose a wedding dress is a great place to start.
Find Bridal Boutiques on Bridebook
Ready to start shopping? Bridebook connects you with wedding dress shops and bridal boutiques across the UK, making it easy to browse real reviews, view portfolios and enquire directly — all in one place.
Once the dress is sorted, our wedding budget breakdown and guide to how much a wedding costs in the UK will help you get every other element of your budget under control too.
You Might Also Like…
- The Ultimate Wedding Budget Breakdown
- The Average Cost of a UK Wedding in 2026 is £20,604
- How to Save Money on a Wedding Dress
- How Much Do Wedding Accessories Cost? The 2026 Average Revealed
Happy Planning!
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