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The Sun
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The 12 best & cheapest high street wedding dresses – including £27 Shein gown that looks way more expensive & royal dupe
GETTING married is all fun and games - before you discover you may have to fork out a small fortune on a wedding dress. As a bride-to-be already sweating at the price of canapes and flowers for my big day, I decided to turn to the high street for my bridal gown - and LOVED what I discovered. On average, brides in the UK spend between £1,300 and £1,500 on their wedding dress, with some designers even charging upwards of £10,000 for their gowns. Considering I'm going to wear mine for a matter of hours, I challenged myself to see what I could find for under £150. From Asos and Shein, to Coast and River Island, there were so many stylish options available for brides on a budget. I even find a host of short ones that looked perfect for a registry office or intimate elopement - many with cute bows on the back. Here are some of my tops finds, that would be perfect for any bride to say 'I do' to... Coast High Neck Vintage Style Embellished Wedding Dress - £153.30 I couldn't resist this absolutely breathtaking High Neck Vintage Style Embellished gown, which came in at just £3 over budget at £153 - but I decided to make an allowance for it. It was so comfortable to wear and I immediately sent pics to my friends and showed them to stylish train too. Out of all the high street shops, I found that Coast had one of the biggest wedding dress ranges, and were handily stocked on numerous retailers like Boohoo, Debenhams and John Lewis, so would really recommend having a look. Coast Taffeta Bow Back Puff Sleeve Mini Dress - £89.10 BUY FROM DEBENHAMS With many people opting for registry offices for their 'legal ceremonies' or simply they want to save the cash and have a micro wedding (fair!), we are seeming a boom in short wedding dresses. If following tradition is not top of your priorities list, a long poofy wedding dress doesn't need to be either. $500m superyacht, $32k-night-hotels & a $2m ring… inside the Bezos wedding of the century in world's most beautiful city But that doesn't mean you can't still look 10/10 elegant and *bridal*. I loved this puffed sleeve mini dress which cost just £89.10 and was super flattering. It even had a huge bow on the back which elevated it from 'just' a little white dress... Coast Puff Sleeve Wrap Bodice Fit And Flare Wedding Dress - £90.30 32 BUY FROM BOOHOO Ever since Anne of Green Gables drooled over puffed sleeves, I have had a mild obsession with them. So continuing the voluminous sleeve fad is this maxi dress which is sure to make a statement and turn heads. I loved the flattering, wrap bodice, which helped to nip me in at the waist, with the long, romantic skirt cascading out underneath. If you have a garden wedding or a sweet country parish ceremony, this could be just the dress for you - and at £90.30, you get a lot of puffed sleeve for your money. ASOS ASOS DESIGN premium scuba fold over bardot mini dress with sash detail in white - £85 BUY FROM ASOS Back to the minis, and this Asos bardot mini dress was a huge hit - just look at that added sash for a touch of drama. At £85, it could be the perfect for fashion-forward registry ceremony. It could also double up as a hen do show-stopper, and comes in sizes four to 18. ASOS ASOS DESIGN long sleeve embroidered mini wedding dress in cream - £102 BUY FROM ASOS Perhaps you love lace, but want a mini that ticks all the boxes. I fell in love with this high-necked dress which was adorned with pretty floral detailing. There were even teeny tiny beads in the design for added sparkle. What's not to love? A special shout out to these incredible shoes which I also picked up from Asos, which were super comfortable and had a bling buckle for some sass. OMNES BUY FROM OMNES As soon as I saw this satin, halterneck dress online, I had to try it for myself. The £140 Santorini dress by sustainable and ethically conscious women's fashion brand Omnes was even better from behind too - with a sumptuous draped bow and elegant train. The listing states that "she is perfect for city weddings, engagement parties, honeymoons and all those other moments when a white maxi dress is the order of the day" and I absolutely agree. Particularly with the recent hot weather, the Santorini dress cool in all meanings of the word. RIVER ISLAND White Bow Back Blazer Mini Dress - £40 Who says blazers are just for the groom? This sassy and gorgeous white mini blazer will ensure you are the centre of attention, without needing a huge Cinderella dress. I felt a million dollars in the blazer dress - which is a bargain £40 right now. While the blazer is business in the front, it certainly is party in the back... White Sweetheart Neckline Button Mini Dress - £59 BUY FROM RIVER ISLAND River Island are smashing their current offerings, and this includes this second mini from their bridal range. I loved the sweetheart neckline and pearl button embellishment, which added a touch of glitz to the white dress. Sometimes, less can be more. SHEIN Lace Trailing Wedding Dress - £86.99 32 32 32 BUY FROM SHEIN When it comes to my wedding dress, my starting point is probably Kate Middleton's iconic bridal lace gown, which will go down in history for its timeless design. While I may not have a spare £250,000 for her Alexander McQueen extravaganza, Shein thankfully has the next best thing. I was so excited to try their £86 replica and it certainly delivered. I felt so elegant and also comfortable in their structured gown which had stunning lace sleeves. For it being over 2,900 times cheaper than Kate's, it was such a great deal. QUIZ White Chiffon Floral Midaxi Dress - £38.49 32 32 BUY FROM QUIZ Quiz has smashed it out the park with this midaxi dress - currently priced at £38.49 - which has a pretty floral design. I loved the flattering shirred back, and I felt the tiered skirt added a romantic touch. It even comes in a pink colour if you want to wear it to a wedding as a guest. QUIZ White Bandeau Mini Dress - £34.99 32 32 BUY FROM QUIZ If you are looking for an elegant white mini that puts all the focus on you, this Quiz offering is the perfect choice. It only cost £34.99 and made me feel incredible - particularly thanks to the flattering A-line silhouette. My favourite part was the bandeau neckline and pocket detailing - and I immediately snapped this one for my friends too. Finish off the look with these incredible accessories which added to the reason that I loved the look... 32 BUY FROM QUIZ 32 BUY FROM QUIZ Wedding makeup do's and dont's Paige Williams, Founder & CEO of the iconic makeup brand shared her tips. DO: Go timeless over trendy We all love a trend babe, but for your wedding day? Let's keep it classic. Think soft glam, radiant skin, neutral tones with a pop of sparkle - You want to look back in ten years and still be obsessed with your glam. Classic never goes out of style. DON'T: Try something totally new Your wedding day is not the time to switch it up with neon liner or completely new brows babe. You want to feel like you, just the most elevated, glowing version. Stick to what you know makes you feel confident and gorgeous. DO: Prioritise long-wear formulas Your wedding is a marathon, not a sprint. You're not just walking down the aisle, you're dancing, hugging, crying, and posing all day long. You need makeup that's in it for the long haul. Go for waterproof, transfer-proof & cry-proof products. Your face needs to slay from 'I do' to the last dance and be able to handle those happy tears. DON'T: Overload your base Babes, less is more. You want coverage, not cake. Go for that breathable, buildable base that lets your real skin glow through. You're aiming for flawless, not flat. Trust me, your photos will thank you. DO: Book a trial Non-negotiable. Whether you're DIY-ing your glam or booking a MUA, a trial is your makeup dress rehearsal. Test it in daylight, take selfies, wear it for hours. It's the only way to know it'll hit just right on the day. DON'T: Forget your neck & chest Don't stop the glam at your jawline, babe. Blend that foundation, bronzer and glow down to your neck and chest, we're going for seamless, snatched and sculpted from every angle. You're the main event, let it show.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
We were quoted £23K for our dream wedding but DIY-ed it and saved £16K – my dress was just £54 from Shein
A THRIFTY bride managed to enjoy a luxury wedding on shoestring - by scavenging decorations from parks and gardens and buying her £54 dress from Shein. Debbie and Darran Brannigan, tied the knot on May 31 and saved a whopping £16,000 thanks to Black Friday deals and Shein offers. 9 9 The frugal mum-of-five even drove around scouting out spots to take cuttings of foliage, ivy and ferns from parks and her garden, which was used as decor in her bridal bouquet and buttonholes. The couple, both event security officers, wanted a luxury wedding without the hefty £23,000 price tag - the average price paid in the UK according to wedding planning website Hitched. The couple managed to keep costs substantially lower, eventually splashing out just £6,632 from their savings. Debbie, who had her heart set on a 'stunning' gown from a high street bridal retailer, felt she couldn't justify the £1,400 price tag so turned online detective to hunt for a budget dupe. The savvy 60-year-old spotted a similar design for just £54 on Shein so snapped it up along with £56 suits for 52-year-old Darren, the best man and ushers. The bridesmaid dresses were snapped up in a Monsoon sale for just £12, the wedding cake was baked by Debbie's daughter and the rest of the decor was sourced on Shein. The self-professed 'scruffy rocker' said guests were gobsmacked to see her look so glam on her big day and says 'it shows you don't have to get into debt to have a beautiful wedding'. Debbie, from Willenhall, West Midlands, said: " Weddings can cost an absolute fortune, that's why I did it on a budget. "We're good at saving, when you save money it's nice to see it well spent. "I tried a dress on and it was phenomenal. I decided at the age of 60 I was going to make an entrance. Shocking moment wedding guests carry out sweet tradition in VERY over-the-top way - and it's left people furious "It was beautiful. This dress had a train and a half, it was stunning, but it was £1,450. "I decided to research the dress and ordered 12 dresses until I chose that one [and sent the others back]. "We're scruffy rockers who wear jeans and t-shirts so I decided I was going to make an entrance - because of my age and I don't plan to ever get married again. "I wanted the dress to be 'hippy boho' and I wanted something with long arms to cover my tattoos to respect the church as well. 9 9 "I liked the cut of it, the dress had four layers, it had a lace train and it was so beautiful. "I couldn't believe how cheap it was, it was exactly what I wanted, so it was a no-brainer. "Shein has a reputation for being cheap but it didn't look cheap, it looked like an expensive dress. "The bouquet was all fresh flowers. All the greenery, the ivy and ferns, I cut down from mine and my friend's garden and parks in Birmingham. "I just drove around looking for it and it cut it down. I used it in my bouquet and the buttonholes. "If we can get the ferns and the ivy from the park and garden there's no point in buying it, is there?" DISCOUNTED VENUE Debbie booked St Giles church in Willenhall, West Midlands, as their wedding venue before heading to Oak Farm Hotel in Cannock, Staffordshire, booking during a Black Friday sale. The reception at Oak Farm Hotel in Cannock, Staffordshire, was decorated entirely using Shein finds, with guests enjoying cake baked by her daughter. Debbie said: "I signed up to the venue's mailing list and they sent an email for Black Friday. "They did a really big reduction, this was a really good offer so we decided to take up on it. "All the church was dressed with things from Shein - including the bows and silk flowers on the ends of pews. "We made all the table decorations and the balloons, wedding arches, candles, from Shein. 9 9 "To hire the 'love' letters was £160, so I bought them off Shein for £15 each letter. "We're going to recycle everything and sell them to people. It felt really good not to be a scruffy rocker but a beautiful bride. "There was shock on everybody's faces because they've never seen me in a frock, no-one's seen me dressed up really. "I don't think they thought I could scrub up like that. "It's not true that you can't do a wedding on a budget. It would gut me if I'd bought that £1,400 dress. "It just goes to show you don't have to get into debt to have a beautiful wedding." Wedding costs Church donation - £950 (including church flowers, choir and bell ringers) Wedding reception venue - £3,995 - Black Friday offer Bride's dress - £54 - Shein Bride's shoes - Monsoon shoes RRP £170 - bought from charity shop for £5 Fresh peonies - £50 Groom's suit, shirt, tie and shoes- £71 - Shein Best man and ushers outfit - £71 x 3 (£213 total) - Shein Bridesmaid dresses - £12 x 3 (£36 total) - Monsoon sale Fresh peonies - £50 Wedding rings - £99 (£198 total) in Warren James sale Hair and make-up - £60 Photographer - done by photographer friend for £350 Shein decorations - £600 Car hire - wedding gift from friends Bouquet and buttonhole flowers - £40 (paid by Debbie's mum) Foliage decor (used in buttonholes and bouquet) - free, sourced from gardens and parks Wedding cake - free, baked by daughter TOTAL COST = £6,632
