6 Places to Buy a Wedding Dress and other Wedding Must-Haves in London

Fan of shopping? With a visit to London, you’re in luck, as it is home to some of the best stores and shopping districts in the world.

Looking for something in particular and super special? Then you’re in extra luck! The city has the absolute best wedding dress shops on earth, so whether you’re based there, or heading there from further afield, it’s surely worth arranging a shopping trip to bag your dream dress.

London marriage boutiques and wedding dress shops stock an immense array of styles from unique vintage wedding dresses or chic modern alternatives and everything in between. It’s also the home of a large group of leading, best general wedding stores, so if you’re in the market for those finishing touches to make your day amazing, you’re sure to find it here. Our guide to the best bridal boutiques in London was created to help you pick the correct stores, plan some fun outings to see your top choices, and at last locate the perfect wedding dress for you.

Why not make a lavish holiday out of your shopping trip? A stay at The Barbican Rooms Hotel is the ideal base for your wedding shopping adventures, as it’s conveniently located near some of the top retail destinations, and also near some top transport spots. Our team of expert staff will be on hand to help you relax at this frantic yet exciting time too, and will even recommend treatments to enjoy at our Barbican Spa. Check out our range of exclusive hotel packages now.

For dresses

House of Ollichon

Hannah Ollichon founded her dress-less bridal collection after she was finding it tough to obtain anything to wear for the Town Hall part of her two weddings. Her incredible collection of two-pieces and jumpsuits are ideal for the bride who doesn’t want to wear something traditional, or for the bride who wants to make like a true diva and have a costume change for the dance floor on the evening. The pieces are designed and made in London from materials including French lace and crepe from Italy. What’s more, Hannah herself offers a personal, fun, and stress-free service that you can only get with a smaller designer such as this, so make sure you book an appointment before you go.

The Mews

This stunning Notting Hill store will have you feeling like a film star from the minute you waltz in. There’s a real family feel to this boutique – headed up by mother and daughter team Gail and Lauren, The Mews Bridal has brought a breath of fresh air to the convoluted wedding industry with their keen eye for detail and a true love of amazing wedding fashion. The Mews began on a quaint, little mews in the heart of Clifton Village in Bristol. Yet, shortly after, they opened this second boutique in Notting Hill, just a stone’s throw away from the famous Portobello Road, and a short train ride away from our Barbican Centre hotels. Then, in Autumn of 2016, they took French bridal couture state-side with their third boutique in New York.

Amanda Wakeley

One of the most famous bridal stores in the country, located in an amazingly converted townhouse in the heart of Mayfair, the Albemarle Street flagship shop is the ideal place to explore the Amanda Wakeley collection. Designed and styled by Amanda herself, the stunning store was created to be a home away from home, complete with a drawing-room, gallery and kitchen. Go on in, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and let the friendly, warm team of staff amuse the children with games on the iPads while you peruse the Amanda Wakeley collection at your leisure.

For getting it all

The Wedding Gallery 

If you need more than just the dress – we’ve all been guilty of forgetting important things like shoes, jewellery and lingerie, this beautiful one-stop wedding shop in the heart of Marylebone is a great choice. However, it’s not just brides that will find what they’re looking for, here. The Wedding Gallery is a new destination for both brides and grooms. Open throughout the year, six days a week, The Wedding Gallery is a unique end-to-end experience for the couple counting down to their big day. Featuring over 200 iconic wedding brands and services, The Wedding Gallery is a hub for bridal retail, fashion, trends, wedding ideas and creativity.

Mia Sposa

Located in Central London in the lovely area of Hatton Garden, associated with jewels, this spacious store offers a welcoming and friendly shopping experience for the bride and groom to be. Dedicated bridal consultants are on hand to guide you through the stunning selection of gowns, to ensure you wow family and friends on your big day. For the groom, they offer a vast collection of modern and traditional formal menswear outfits, complemented by a huge collection of waistcoats and accessories that can seamlessly blend in with your chosen colour scheme. Open seven days a week during peak season with a late evening on Thursdays, this store is a must for every couple in love.

David’s Bridal

Located in Westfield, you’ll be surrounded by a plethora of amazing shops to stock up on everything you need to perfect your incredible day. But make sure you start with a spot of wedding dress shopping here, as David’s Bridal, which houses big names such as Zac Posen and Vera Wang in addition to their own styles, makes picking your dream dress a fun experience. With expert consultants on hand with iPads to show you which of their styles will best suit your theme, budget and figure, they’ve really simplified the whole process of choosing your gown – leaving you with the fun part of trying them all on without the fuss. Also, David Bridal’s is committed to size inclusivity so there’s a choice for every bridal style. You can also pick up your bridesmaids, flower girls and the mother of the bride dresses here too – perfect!