Wedding dress emergency - please help!

Right - don't panic. I guess you have two options if you don't get a highstreet dress, as you definitely don't have enough time to order from a bridal shop in the 'usual' way which would take at least 3 months.

1. Get one off of preloved

2. Get an ex sample

You can either ring all the bridal shops in your area, tell them your size, height and that you want a sample dress and then just visit as many as possible to try on what they have in your size. OR you can find a wedding dress you want, and contact all of the suppliers in the country (let's face it, you will drive for a few hours for your wedding dress, right?) and see which shop will sell you their sample.

Have you checked preloved? They have some great dresses on there in fab condition. Do you have a budget in mind?

If you like lacy there was a lovely elegant one in phase eight. Also there is a website that people were talking about a couple of weeks ago that does 2 week delivery - might be a bit tight if you need to try on but you might be able to pay extra to get it faster. I think they were all about 300 quid. I was so tempted by 'city slicker' but had already bought mine. hopefully someone will be along with said website name shortly....

Kittieanddulcie.com x x

Oh no how awful! hope you get all your money back!!

i don't know of any shops in that area but monsoon also have some nice dresses ... i would maybe phone around some shops asking whether they have any samples on sale at the moment and pop in...are you a sample size? 10-14ish? you will find it easier if you are...i think it'l be a case of ringing them...what style of dress did you have in mind? some ladies on here may have seen similar on the high street to save you treking around all the high street bridal stores...have you tried preloved as well? you may drop lucky and find a dress in your area?

Is the dress not useable in any way? e.g could you not get a decent seamstress to have a look at it or is it the material quality that is rubbish?

Good Luck x

It's South West and just outside of London, but Swoon Wedding Gowns are fab. They only stock ex-samples and once-worn dresses, loads under £500 and they are there to take away on the day.

http://www.swoonweddinggowns.co.uk/

I agree with Sail, seen some beautiful dresses in House of Fraser. for high street i'd deffo try debenhams too.

What was the dress you were having made meant to be like? do you have any kind of pic? Maybe we could all do a bit searching for you?

I hope you get sorted asap, what a crappy thing to happen to close x

Thanks everyone, looking through your suggestions now.

I'm a busty size 12. The dress was supposed to be a copy of a Benjamin Roberts Tia 5070. So it's really fitted with a swooshy chiffon skirt, I was having 3/4 sleeves on as strapless is a bit difficult for me being so top heavy. Empire line is out of the question as they make me look pregnant.

Visiting all the high street shops tomorrow, am trawling through preloved now and the other sites you've recommended.

Any help greatly appreciated....I'm having a slight breakdown here!

oh and my original dress was £500, hopefully I'll get it back so I don't want to spend anymore then that, Preferably less in case it takes ages to get back.

Am really sorry to hear about that. Have you thought about looking at charity shops? Most have a specialist bridal store, and some of their dresses & accessories are brand new from end of stock lines & shops closing down etc. At least you can try the dress on, feel & see it, rather than buying online. Here are some links:

https://www.redcross.org.uk/shop/shop-for-wedding-dresses

https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/content/secondhandstore/bridal/default.html

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/shop/shops/brides_by_appointment.htm

http://www.thechiefbridesmaid.co.uk/content/cheaper_wedding_dresses

http://www.tkmaxx.com/wedding-shop/wedding-dresses/icat/5678?cm_mmc=icrossing-_-Google-_-BMM-_-bride+dress&OVMTC=Broad&site=&creative=11289865021&OVKEY=bride%20dress&url_id=18420043&adpos=1t3&cm_mmc=icrossing-_-Google-_-BMM-_-bride+dress&gclid=CJ_5q-XRt68CFQkRfAodWEORig

Just came across this website with a few wedding dresses in the sale.

http://www.anyoccasion.biz/star-buys

Not the same but a few high street options...

https://www.coastfashion.com/womens/dresses/maxi-dresses

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/JS+Collections+Structured+bodice+dress/148040558,default,pd.htmlhttps://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_54510+201354106_-1

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Biba+Alexa+bell+sleeve+bridal+gown/146918462,default,pd.html

https://www.bhs.com/mall/productpage.cfm/bhsstore/657622/91594

https://www.bhs.com/mall/productpage.cfm/bhsstore/657601/91594

https://www.coastfashion.com/womens/coats-jackets

I hope you get so etching sorted if it's any help I'm selling an Amanda wyatt Barcelona xx

I'm south-west London but am selling a Benjamin Roberts 958 if that's any help. I'm a busty size 12 too so it should fit you. I've let the Preloved advert lapse but you can see a photo in my avatar on the left.

Etsy has some stunning dreses too x

Mine was south east

Cutting edge brides - they do a hitched discount I think

No idea of prices but last day of sample sale here

https://www.facebook.com/events/149517311842424/

Oh no! lotte_, do let us know if you've found anything! I'm sorry you have such a crap experience. I can tell you from experience that the BHS Antoinette dress is lovely quality (though I removed the beaded waistband, as it wasn't me), and as I'm busty and uncomfortable with fully strapless, I've purchased material to be made into an overlay and cap sleeves by a local dressmaker.

BHS (among others) do a few options with straps/sleeves, but even though it's short notice, you could always have a high street dress tarted up a bit by a seamstress to add straps or sleeves. Going preloved or sample might be stressful at this point, but there's a lot of choice on the high street, and all very affordable prices!

What about looking on Gumtree? Mihgt get lucky on there if you don't mind second hand.

Give Very/Littlewoods a go. They have some beautiful dresses on there.

Near me (Sheffield) there si a shop that sells exclusively samples... have you looked about to seeif there is anything like that near you?

Please post back and let us know how you are getting on!!

Have you had any luck Lotte? fingers crossed for you! x

Found a dress yesterday, it's perfect and is being altered ready for me to pick up on Saturday. It's really similar to what I wanted and fits really well...it's also only £500 including alterations.

PHEW!!!! Thanks for all your advice ladies. I'm picking it up with my best friend then going off to my hen night on Saturday. I'm so excited now, I;m actually getting married!! Whoooop whoooppp!['

I'd flash but I don't know how to!