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:

Sofia Piza is the Fashion Writer at Marie Claire UK. With extensive experience and a degree in Fashion Journalism, she covers runway trends, shopping picks, celebrity fashion, and industry news.
Throughout her career, Sofia's work has ranged from in-depth interviews with industry experts and high-profile celebrities to creative production for editorial cover shoots and red-carpet coverage. Born in Mexico and raised in five countries, Sofia's multicultural upbringing has fed into her interest in international markets, leading her fashion week coverage across London, Milan, Paris, New York, and Copenhagen.
When she's not sourcing inspiration from social media, you will find Sofia anywhere from a local vintage market to busy central London streets, people watching to make sure she brings you the latest trends, from the best denim pieces to the must-have investment bags- the possibilities are endless.
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