If you’re looking for a wedding dress that won’t break the bank then you’ll love this new collection at BHS.
Yes we know what you’re thinking, BHS is hardly designer but over the past few years they have come up with some gorgeous bridal wear.
This year it’s no different. The high street store has teamed up with Elizabeth Emanuel, who has some very royal connections.
She designed the wedding gown of The Princess of Wales in 1981, and has now designed some, well fit for the queen (that’s you by the way) dresses for Bhs.
The collection of four dresses uses a mixture of tulle, organza and satin. They are available in sizes 8 to 14.
However, the best bit about this is that the dresses start from a price fit for a princess at £495.
With the credit crunch still lurking around as strongly as a cheap air freshener smell, many brides are looking at ways in which they can cut down the cost of their wedding.
While some couples will relegate some guests and make it into a smaller do, make their own invites or even opt for a cheaper honeymoon destination, other brides are turning to their dresses.
This gorgeous Ivory and Gold damask silk Suzanne Neville dress is up for sale for just £1600. It’s only been worn once before and the original owner bought it for £2850.
Suzanne Neville won Best British Designer at this years Bridal Buyer Awards, so this really is an amazing opportunity to get your hands on a bargain!
The strapless a-line (with corset, detachable underskirt and bustle tie) dress is a size 12, but the owner claims that anyone can wear it from a size 10 to a small 14 because of the corset top. For more information, or to buy it, go here.
I’m still running with the short wedding dress theme because frankly I think they are the bees knees! Or possibly the bride’s knees, depending on how daring you want to be, but ‘tea length’ is my personal favourite length, particularly when it’s enhanced by a good volumising underskirt.
Designer LizzieJayne makes fabulous dresses like this one to measure, and in the shade of your choice. Her work is 50s-inspired but with a modern twist, and prices are very reasonable, ranging from £390 to around £620 depending on whether you choose to go for simple silk dupion or full-on duchesse satin. Check out Lizzie’s blog for more insight and inspiration!
This unique, hand-made dress is made from 100% raw unbleached cotton and would make the perfect choice for an eco-chic summer bride. The leaf detailing on the skirt gives it a lovely, folksy feel but I particularly like the unusual string-strap arrangement at the back.
The perfect antidote to the fuss and froth of many traditional gowns, this dress can be ordered bespoke in a range of sizes and costs a very reasonable $220 on Etsy
Having your wedding dress designed and made directly to your wishes is probably the dream of most brides, but not one that’s within a lot of budgets. But if you’re lucky enough to know a talented seamstress who is happy (and brave enough) to take on the daunting task, it could become a reality.
This silk and lace dress was made by Indiaeden for her best friend’s wedding. She was nervous about the reaction to it, but I don’t think she had anything to worry about, since it’s gorgeous. Have a look at her blog, Lazy Seamstress, to see photos of the bride in the dress (and an added black and blue petticoat).
If you’re looking for a mid-range, classic wedding gown that’s available in a wide range of sizes, you can’t fault Mon Cheri. Their styles are always up-to-date, well made and with designs to suit all figures.
I’m a real sucker for capped sleeves, which explains my choice today of the label’s ‘Kayla’ gown, a best-selling A-line dress with chapel train and a stunning lace overlay that gives it a wonderful texture. To me, this design skims a perfect line between refined elegance and celebratory pizazz, appealing both to my sophisticated lady leaning and my inner girly girl. Visit the site for a selection of stockists.
Can you guess which of the gorgeous gowns was selected as your favourite ‘daily frock’ of 2009? The answer surprised me (even though I have to admit it got my vote) as it wasn’t the traditional look I expected to see coming out on top.
Read on to see which one won, and if you took part, let me know which one got your vote and why!
A dress that definitely has the right name for a sizzling-hot day, Augusta Jones’ Brazil is a beautifully summery frock that combines the chic elegance of a sheath neckline with the femininity of an ample train and rose corsage.
Seen up close, the silk dress is overlaid with lace and the bodice is decorated with taffeta. Just enough embellishment to add interest to what is otherwise a perfectly-shaped, flattering dress! Want.
Available in the UK from Scarlet Poppy, Annie Laurie Bridal or Ellie Sanderson
The photography used on the site is dreadful – sort it out, guys! But that doesnt stop Tara Keely’s dresses being truly gorgeous pieces that would be ideal for a bride working the traditional look in style.
This silk taffeta, pleated ballgown has a moulded look with lovely soft edges. You can’t really tell from the picture, but the fabric is ivory, and I particularly like the sash tie at the back. Style tk2801at Tara Keely.
Most of us would like nothing more than to feel the cooling touch of a sea breeze right now, so I thought I’d share this delightfully nautical mage with you for today’s daily frock.
The dress itself is by Ana Cristache, who’s a big celeb favourite at the moment after Carly Zucker wore a bespoke gown by the designer at her recent wedding to Joe Cole. This frock is a far more minimal affair that would make a perfect choice for the destination bride, and is a hugely flattering and fashionable style with box-pleat skirt and an exquisitely fitted bodice. It’s very reminiscent of Carrie Bradshaw’s second wedding dress (not the one she famously wanted to wear at her fictional wedding!) and very chic.
I know what I like when it comes to bridalwear, but it would be great to get some feedback from you guys, on which of my choices meet your approval. Today, I’ve picked out a selection of dresses chosen by Bridalwave staff in the past year, so you can let me know what you think. If none of your favourites are pictured here, please let me know which dress you’ve fallen in love with in the comments!
Click on the image above to enlarge it, and vote for your favourite one below!
I tend to think of lace as being a bit fuddy-duddy; a retro motif that had a bit of a comeback recently but is mostly best left confined to the dressing up box. But when used tastefully, lace can add beautifully romantic notes to a dress, and State of Grace know how to use it sparingly and attractively.
I love the way the lace panel at the front of this dress give it an extra bit of interest and panache, while the touch on the train finishes off what would otherwise be a very simplistic bridal slip. State of Grace custom-make their dresses so if a touch of lace is something you’d like, you can have as little or as much as you like.
Since we’re on a bit of a ‘dark’ kick today, I thought I’d pick this unusual, two-tone gown by quirky French designer Max Chaoul. The black and white stripes give it a theatrical quality that could fit i with some wedding themes and venues I know just beautifully, and I can see it appealing to those with Gothic or burlesque leanings, too.
The ‘tiered’ look is still hot right now, but it’s good to see it interspersed with a bit of contrast courtesy of the black on white layers. It’s a very lavish look, which I can see really coming into its own in winter. Top hats for the brides too? Oh I do hope so!
Not your thing? Remember you can vote for your favourite Daily Frock of 2009 here.
Romona Keveza is not a name I’ve encountered before, presumably since she’s a US designer. But I’m very glad I’ve finally discovered her gowns as each one of them is a joy to behold. They’re either out-and-out classics like this style, or tastefully contemporary gowns like this.
The gown I’ve picked out today is about as close to every little girl’s archetypal wedding dress as it’s possible to get: it’s beautifully symmetrical and cuts a stunning figure that would work equally well for a church or large venue wedding. Now, all I need to know is where one might find these dresses in the UK! If you can help me out, do drop me a line.
If you’re looking for a wedding dress that won’t break the bank then you’ll love this new collection at BHS. 
From:Bridal wonderland: German brand kisui 2012 collection draws inspiration from fantasy realm