Not to point out the obvious or anything, but weddings are a blimmin' expensive business and many people nowadays are looking for ways to cut costs.
This may sound like a controversial statement, but one place you could save a few euros is your wedding dress.
There's no need to scrimp on quality, either. There are many, many places to pick up amazing bridal gowns, at a fraction of the price of made-to-order dresses.
Here are some of the shops and online stores I've found to be amazing in my search for The Dress - all of which have really unique, interesting gowns that, crucially, won't break the bank.
Barnardos Bridal Rooms
There are two Barnardos Bridal Rooms, in Wexford and Dun Laoghaire, both of which stock brand new bridal gowns and wedding accessories that have been donated by some of Ireland's top bridal shops. I visited the Dun Laoghaire store and was amazed by the wide selection of gowns across a huge variety of styles and sizes. It's very possible to pick up a bargain here, with prices starting at just €250, which is extremely good value given the quality of the stock. All proceeds from the bridal rooms go to the Barnardo's children's charity. Definitely well worth a visit.
Dirty Fabulous
The beautifully appointed rooms and teeming rails of Dirty Fabulous will leave vintage lovers breathless. The family-run business, owned by sisters Kathy and Caroline, offers truly remarkable vintage occasionwear and bridalwear, along with drop-dead gorgeous accessories. It's an absolute pleasure to browse their rails, and the gals themselves are always decked out in wonderful period pieces, making it a truly immersive experience! You won't be disappointed by the sheer range and scope of vintage bridalwear on offer. Keep your eyes peeled for a vintage-inspired bridal collection which is coming soon from the talented sisters. Prices for bridalwear ranges from approx €350 to €850 while the vintage-inspired gowns will set you back €600-€1800.
Vintage Bride Clontarf
The Vintage Bride owner Pamela O'Loughlin specialises in tracking down beautifully preserved and unique bridalwear from the 1900s right up to the '70s. Each piece is in perfect condition and top-notch quality. Pamela makes the experience an extremely enjoyable one for her brides, with an easy-going manner and matter of factness not always associated with wedding dress shopping. If you don't find your perfect fit in the vintage selection, Pamela also stocks a made-to-order collection of vintage-inspired wedding gowns from independent designers, including Joanne Fleming Design, Heavenly Vintage Brides and Katya Katya Shehuina. Prices start at €500 - €1,200 for original vintage dresses or €1,500 - €2,400 for a vintage-inspired dress.
Oxfam Bridal
There are two Oxfam Bridal outlets in Bangor and George's Street in Dublin. I've visited the George's Street location, and it has a dizzying array of gowns, with vintage, once-worn gowns and brand new dresses gracing the many rails. The last time I was there, I spotted a very Calvin Klein-esque strapless fishtail gown, on sale for €50. With prices like that, you cant' go wrong! Prices range from approx €50 to €400 for their bridal gowns, and they also stock a range of accessories, veils and shoes so you could get fully kitted out.
Archive 12
Archive 12 in Belfast stocks the most incredible collection of original vintage wedding dresses. It's owned by former stylist Claire Leese who has an eagle eye for spotting unique vintage gowns with a modern edge. There's a particular emphasis on floaty, bohemian styles which have a perfect dose of effortless cool for the contemporary bride. The store is also the only Irish stockist of the bohemian bridal brand Daughters of Simone, who create to-die-for vintage-inspired frocks. The vintage collection ranges from £250 - £1000 while the Minna/Daughters of Simone collections are roughly £1200 - £1600.
Folkster
Folkster Bridal in Kilkenny has a selection of seriously show-stopping gowns which are a perfect mix of bohemian and elegant. The store is the exclusive stockist of Irish designer Don O'Neill's ethereal Theia collection of gowns. These have to be seen to be believed, they're truly spectacular. Folkster also stocks a selection of other bridal gowns and separates from America and Europe, along with veils, belts and headpieces found on buying trips from around the world. The stylists at the store are incredibly helpful and will help you create a totally unique look, that will make you feel like the best version of yourself. Prices range from €795 to €3595 so there's something to suit a range of budgets.
Miss Daisy Blue
If you're a vintage fanatic, Miss Daisy Blue in Cork is a must-visit. Set across two-storeys, the shop is brimming with beautiful, one-off pieces. It's a carefully curated selection from owned Breda Casey, who has an eagle eye for spotting great vintage clothing. Asides from the stunning ball gowns and day dresses, which could make for perfect bridesmaid attire, Breda also stocks a fabulous bridal range. Prices vary depending on era, fabrics and level of embellishment - starting at €150 for vintage dresses and going up to €3,000 for original vintage 1930s wedding dresses.
Little White Dress – Sample Dresses
Little White Dress in Castleknock really is a bridal boutique with a difference, stocking many dresses that are exclusive to Ireland. If you're on a budget or in a hurry to choose the dress for your big day, it's well worth checking out their sale section, which has sample dresses from previous ranges. Prices range from €195 to €1295 – which is excellent value given the recommended retail prices for these amazing gowns.
Reformation
The Reformation is an LA-based ethical clothing company that makes "killer clothes that don't kill the environment", as their slogan goes. Their clothing range is well worth a look, you're sure to be drooling over their selection of super-cool, fabulously risqué pieces, and their bridalwear is equally fantastic. It's perfect for the super-cool, insouciant bride who wants to a dress they can dance the night away in. Just bear in mind that you will have to pay customs and taxes on any order from the States – so factor that into your budget when you're browsing. On the plus side – delivery is free worldwide!
Covet
Why spend hundreds and hundreds of euro (maybe even thousands!) on a dress you'll wear for one day, when you could have the experience of wearing a designer piece, but at a fraction of the price? This is the reasoning behind Covet, an incredible dress rental store in the Powerscourt Centre in Dublin. The store stocks a fabulous range of designers including Tarik Ediz, Monique Lhuillier, Badgley Mischka, Tadashi and, my personal favourite, Rachel Gilbert. If you find your dream dress, they will tailor it to fit you to perfection. Prices are approx €175 to €350 for a three-day rental.
Etsy, Ebay
If you haven't had any luck hunting down your perfect dress, it's always well worth browsing through Etsy and Ebay as they have a huge amount of listings from all around the world. Just bear in mind that any purchases bought from outside the EU will incur customs and duties, so include this in cost. If you have an exact idea of what you have in mind, it's best to refine your searches to reduce the amount of page hopping you'll have to do, eg "vintage 70s boho dress" or "strapless ivory wedding gown".
Happy shopping!
