12 incredibly stylish wedding dresses you'll never believe are under £500
For the chic yet budget-conscious bride
Wedding season is back on, and if you're on a budget, then may I interest you in one of the best high-street wedding dresses? Whilst you might be saving on £££, you certainly won't be scrimping on style.
As a 2025 bride myself who is loving all of the current bridal trends, I am deeply scouring the internet for the best inexpensive styles that are equally as timeless as they are stunning. I'm excited to report that this season, there is a style to suit every bride, from retro mini dresses to tailored maxi gowns, romantic lace frocks to shimmering numbers, and everything in between.
Brands such as Sleeper, RIXO and Self-Portrait all offer gorgeous bridal collections for price-conscious brides-to-be unwilling to compromise on style. While Net-A-Porter is known for its designer offerings, it also has a great bridal section from contemporary brands and it's a great destination for alternative wedding dresses.
Options for traditional high street wedding dresses
For the traditional brides, the likes of Whistles and Norma Kamali are great for lace fishtail gowns or tailored maxi dresses. Meanwhile, boho brides will love ASOS and RIXO for the ‘60s and ‘70s-inspired styles, which are currently coming in hot with sparkle details and drop-waist silhouettes.
Ideas for alternative high street wedding dresses
For something altogether more contemporary, some of my favourite brands include Odd Muse and Sleeper, who are currently serving alternative designs to classic iterations like blazer dresses or long-sleeve styles. As well as tasteful separates that you can mix and match to create your own outfit. Think suiting, off-the-shoulder tops, and minimalist silk slips.
Bridal mini-dresses are also trending at the moment, seeing a 229% increase in searches of late. We have a completely separate article for that one, if you're looking for a wedding dress on the shorter side.
High-street wedding dresses for every shape:
As well as all of these, I've found dresses to suit all shapes and heights - from bias-cut silk dresses to full-skirted traditional styles. Prefer to be a little more covered? There are some great long-sleeved wedding gowns that will solve your bridal dilemmas. Want your waist to stand out? Try a cinched style. Petite figures will suit all the lovely ruffle dresses that are so in at the moment, too.
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I've handpicked the below dresses as I love each brand's take on wedding gowns. Keep on scrolling to pick your dream outfit from the best high-street wedding dresses available now. If you're looking for more inspiration, don't forget to check out my guides to the best places to rent designer wedding dresses and the best wedding guest dresses.
Shop wedding dresses under £500:
This gorgeous slip dress is for the minimalists amongst us. Featuring a cowl neck detail and bias cut silhouette, this gown will drape just perfectly.
Create an ethereal wedding look with this elegant one-shouldered gown - it looks way beyond it's price tag.
Currently on sale, this Sleeper dress is the perfect dress for the chic, contemporary bride.
Made of pure cotton, this dress is great for an outdoor wedding where keeping cool is key. Featuring a tie -back detail on the back, I am obsessing over this dress.
Crafter with an embellished sequin fabric, this under-300 dress is a great option for those looking for an absolute show-stopping dress,
Rixo's bridal selection includes vintage-inspired designs that are great for brides looking for a unique yet chic option. This classic mini-dress silhouette is the perfect civil wedding dress or after-party option; you can't go wrong.
Silk, seamless, and super sleek, this dress is the perfect option for brides who are looking for a timeless classic that will serve them for many occasions post-wedding.
Loved by Hailey Bieber, Odd Muse's bridal selection is great for ultra-feminine and chic designs that perfectly fit whilst retaining all day comfort.
A modern dress for the minimalist bride, this square neck gown features a low-back with lace detailing and covered buttons.
For effortless brides who want to make a statement, this striking wedding dress is so enticing that it tempts me to add it to my cart.
This totally modern dress has a flattering deep cut with a gathered fabric silhouette for an edgy twist.
Featuring a classic bodice and a minimal bow detail at the waist, this traditional dress is so good I can't believe it's under £150.
Sofia Piza is the Fashion Writer at Marie Claire UK.
Sofia Piza is a Fashion Writer with experience working across runway trends, shopping picks, creative production, and celebrity fashion news. Born in Mexico and raised in five countries, Sofia decided to settle in London after spending four years at the London College of Fashion, studying Fashion Journalism. When she's not sourcing inspiration from social media, you will most certainly find Sofia anywhere from a local vintage market to busy central London streets people watching - the possibilities are endless.
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