Gone are the days when wedding dresses were bought in-person, in a boutique with a hefty wait on its arrival.
Savvy brides are skipping the schlep into their nearest shopping area and buying wedding dresses far more comfortably - by buying their wedding gown online, and trying on in the comfort of their own home.
There's as much choice online as there is IRL, with affordable wedding dresses and designer bridal gowns both available at the click of a button. Just make sure your other half-to-be is out when you do your trying on session at home.
- Monsoon: Best for vintage-style wedding dresses and gorgeous details.
- Phase Eight: Multiple styles - including wedding jumpsuits - to suit all tastes.
- John Lewis: Multiple big brands all in one place, including Ghost, Maids to Measure and more.
- NET-A-PORTER: Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney and Jenny Packham are some of the designer bridal names featured.
- Whistles: For classic bridal gown styles bought up to date.
It's also a great way to get bridal gown inspiration, as you can see the sorts of dresses available within in your budget. You can always have a wedding dress bought online adjusted by a local tailor too, giving it a beautiful fit if needed.
What are the benefits of buying a wedding dress online?
This approach has so many benefits - you can ship the dress to your home and take your time trying it on at your leisure without the pressure of salesperson, then you can return what doesn’t work and have a seamstress make any adjustments if necessary.
We spoke to Lauren Goodman, Wedding Expert and founder of Bluebird Creative and Bluebird Bride Academy for advice. She told us: “There are definite perks of purchasing a dress online - in terms of timing, it can be a lot quicker than utilising a bridal boutique, however, you may miss out on the 1-2-1 personal service.
“Alongside this, lots of brands are now carrying bridal collections so you will know your taste/sizing is being catered for by ordering from a brand you shop from on a day-to-day basis.
“For those brides who may feel nervous about an in real-life shopping experience or those who would like a more low-key dress selection process, online can also be a great place to start!”
What should brides look into before hitting 'add to basket'?
Bear in mind that this might be one of the most important purchases of your life, so proceed with caution - and make sure you do your own measurements and compare with their online size charts.
Lauren advises: “As these dresses aren’t made to measure in the same way a boutique would be, definitely ensure you are aware of a website's returns and refund policy - this way you will be covered in the eventuality that it doesn’t fit correctly.
“In addition, if you are ordering a dress close to the wedding, ensure you have read the delivery times - the last thing you want is to order something that won’t be on time!
“The other thing I would recommend is checking out the reviews of the online store - these often give details on the dress quality, delivery time and any other general feedback. More than anything, this can also help put your mind to rest.”
What are the best websites to check if you're looking to buy a wedding dress online?
Lauren says: “This would be purely dependent on your budget - there are some great bridal high street products coming out including Monsoon, ASOS and Chi Chi London.
“If you are looking for something more luxe, RIXO and Needle & Thread have a bridal collection which is a bit more pricy but has great variety and is a great place to start if you are already a brand fan!
“When looking more independent, we really love online stores such as Thread The Spool - Charlotte has a great collection of ready-to-wear dresses which can be personalised online but she offers a super personal service!”
Best wedding dress websites to shop
1/11
Monsoon Arwen Embroidered Lace Wedding Dress
© MonsoonMonsoon caters for the classic bride who favours a vintage style. This gorgeous dress features a sweetheart neckline and cascading ruffles that fall to a high-low hemline.
2/11
Phase Eight Othelia Maxi Bridal Dress
© Phase EightPhase Eight has a beautiful range of wedding dresses in multiple styles, to suit all tastes. There are even some very chic jumpsuits in the mix. The dress that caught our eyes was this elegant silhouette, with statement drop waist and contemporary bubble skirt.
It also has some gorgeous classic details like a v-neckline, cap sleeves and embellished belt.
3/11
Alie Street Melody Vintage Lace Wedding Dress
© John LewisWith a selection of brands under its belt stocked, you've got the likes of Alie Street, Ghost, YAS and more brands to choose from. John Lewis is a great place to start when it comes to choosing from a selection of bridal styles. This short and sweet style is one of the most popular right now.
4/11
Vivienne Westwood Nova Cocotte Gown
© NET-A-PORTERWhy not turn to NET-A-PORTER for some of the coolest bridal designs from designers including Vivienne Westwood and Halfpenny London?
5/11
Whistles Ellis Strapless Wedding Dress
© WhistlesWhistles know how to bring classic styles up to date, using luxurious lace and sultry silk to create the most gorgeous dresses. Consider a minimal maxi dress to look effortlessly chic on your big day - this dress looks just as beautiful from behind.
6/11
Needle & Thread Heart Lattice Ankle Gown
© Needle & ThreadWith whimsical patterns and oodles of tulle, Needle & Thread is the destination for fairytale brides. Calling all frill-seeking ladies - this beauty is for you! With ruffles, off-shoulder style and sequin floral embellishment, it is romance in a dress.
7/11
Coast Honoured Plunge Floral Vintage Embellished Wedding Dress
© CoastYou can rely on Coast for classic wedding dresses with a modern twist. This vintage gown is both elegant and flattering - the contour silhouette beautifully accentuates the figure.
8/11
Rixo Candice Silk Mini Dress
© RIXORixo's bridal collection is the choice for brides looking for something with a vintage touch but with modern flair. There are a wide range of styles up for grabs, including mini dresses, jumpsuits and separates as well as gorgeous bridal gowns.
9/11
Dream Sister Jane Bridal Bow Maxi Dress
© ASOSWith a diverse range of styles to suit every type of bride, ASOS will leave you spoilt for choice - and you can rest easy knowing that your dream dress won’t break the bank. You should add swiftly to basket this stunning, standout number - we bet nobody would be able to guess the price!
10/11
Nadine Merabi Kimberly White Dress
The bridal collection at Nadine Merabi caters for modern brides who are looking for non-lacy, non-romantic style wedding dresses. Their most popular styles frequently sell out but the currently in-stock dress that stood out is the Kimberly. A thigh-skimming, white crepe dress with a jewel-embellished square neckline, shoulder pads and structured bodice, it's an absolute show-stopper.
11/11
Reformation Roy Satin Dress
© ReformationIf you're looking for something timeless and elegant you’ll love the bridal gowns at Reformation - plus, they are made from sustainable fabrics. This silk dress is definitely one for the bride who wants something sexy while still being elegant.
Meet the expert
Lauren Goodman is the founder and creative director of Bluebird Creative and Bluebird Bride Academy. With a wealth of experience in her field, Lauren is well-versed in all things wedding planning, from table styling and creating the perfect mood board to tips on calming nerves and coordinating the logistics for the big day.
The mission of Bluebird Bride Academy is to make wedding planning accessible to couples across the world via Youtube and digital downloads. Bluebird Creative is the full, luxury wedding planning/coordination arm of the business in which Lauren and the team work hands-on with couples through the process of planning/executing their special day!
Through both tailor-made wedding planning services as well as the library of downloadable resources, Lauren’s goal is to make the wedding planning process enjoyable so that couples can enjoy their big day from start to finish.
