UK Creative Contemporary Wedding Blog, Directory & Show

It’s Oxfam’s Second Hand September, so what better time to revisit some of our favourite UK vintage and pre-loved ethical wedding dress shops! Here at Magpie Wedding, we want to open our brides up to the option of buying vintage or pre-loved wedding dresses. First of all, buying a second-hand wedding dress doesn’t have to take away from the experience of buying your gown. In fact, we believe it makes the dress even more special. Think about the history that comes with some of these vintage wedding dresses, and the positive environmental impact that comes with buying second hand – there are so many different elements that come together to explain why you choose your dress, making your journey so unique! On today’s blog, we will be sharing our top 5 UK vintage/pre-loved wedding dress shops.

(First Published 2019)

Bridal Reloved

Being one of the UK’s largest bridal chains, and the world’s only chain of pre-loved wedding dress boutiques; Bridal Reloved simply had to feature in our top 5 best UK vintage/pre-loved wedding dress shops. With 17 shops spread across Britain, we’re sure you can find the hidden gem you’re searching for. In addition to selling bridal gowns, they also stock accessories – such as tiaras and veils – and bridesmaid dresses.

Photo by @beyondtheframephotography

“Bridal Reloved is a chain of award winning bridal boutiques across the UK selling luxury designer ex sample wedding gowns such as Jenny Packham, Bowen Dryden and Kate Halfpenny to name a few. We also sell pre-loved wedding gowns – so recycling is our thing! But we have so many more ethical credentials: We are a certified member of the Sustainable Wedding Movement and have achieved Plastic Free Status from Surfers Against Sewage.We support many charities that are eco conscious and also support couples with terminal illness both privately and through the Wedding Wishing Well Foundation. In 2020 we are launching our own charity “A Brief Bride”. Our charity will focus on reusing the off cuts from bridal alterations. These off cuts will be used to make underwear for people in crisis as well as making bridal garters which will be sold to raise money.”

Kate, Bridal Reloved

Brides Do Good

This specific boutique is close to our heart. We’re proud to share that Brides Do Good is our chosen charity for 2019/20. The company donates up to two thirds of the proceeds from their ex sample and pre loved wedding dress sales to fund projects that fight against child marriage. Furthermore, with discounts of up to 70% on the original price, their goal is to ensure you can afford the dress of your dreams, ‘whilst making other dreams come true’.

Photo by @juliakaptelova_photography

Days of Grace Vintage

Located in Budleigh, Salterton, Days of Grace specialise in vintage bridalwear ranging from 1920s to 1990s and starting at prices as low as £75. With tons of reviews raving of their impeccable customer service, we cannot recommend them enough!

Photo by @ninapangphotograpphy

“When i first moved to the West Country, many moons ago, I was overjoyed to find a wealth of gorgeous clothes from the 20s and 30s with their interesting owners who had retired here. Chief amongst the heirlooms was the bridal trousseau. My passion for antique fashion was born! Wedding dresses of the past are so different from today’s mass produced in China. Often bespoke or handmade they have passed down the years with their stories and treasured for a next generation. The fabrics are soft and real – lace, fine cottons – think the romance of parachute silk. No two the same, they will hand wash and can be adapted to suit today’s bride. In our collection they span from 1900-1970 with an abundance of antique lace!” Ethical and economically sane a lovely vintage gown will be a thing of beauty forever”

Linda, Days of Grace Vintage.

Vintage Lane Bridal

Boasting a wide variety of one of a kind vintage and bohemian wedding dresses, Vintage Lane Bridal was an obvious to be featured in our top 5 best UK vintage/pre-loved wedding dress shops. Stocking sizes from 6 -16, this Bolton based wedding dress shop pride themselves in their options and low prices. We can’t believe that all their gorgeous gowns fall under £350.

Photo by @creativecameraphotography

“Our mission has always been for each and every one of our brides to feel totally unique in her wedding dress. At Vintage Lane Bridal we love beauty and we love sustainability. We hope that all brides know they don’t have to be having a vintage themed wedding to wear a vintage wedding dress!”

Sybil and Lauren, Vintage Lane Bridal.

Cambridge Vintage Bridal

This award-winning vintage/pre-loved wedding dress shop focuses on ensuring that they offer the very best in class when it comes to choosing your vintage gown. Cambridge Vintage Bridal strongly believe that wedding dresses shouldn’t cost the earth. However, for those with a higher budget, you’ll be able to get your hands on something really rare!

Photo by @thymelanephoto

“Cambridge Vintage Bridal curates vintage wedding dresses for eco-brides and glamour pusses. All dresses are one of a kind pieces from the 1920s through to the 1980s and don’t cost the earth – literally. Full stock is available online and brides can also make an appointment to come and try on any of the vintage pieces at my home studio, just outside of Cambridge.”