Something old is an essential for your wedding day, but you needn't just opt for an antique piece of jewellery or hair accessory.
For a unique take on the main attraction, aka the dress, vintage is the way to go, whether you're feeling like embracing the roaring 20s or full-skirted 50s. An added bonus of going vintage (in addition to promoting sustainable fashion and getting a piece of history)?
You'll probably have some cash left over to splurge on something else for the big day. Something new or blue, perhaps?
Check out our gallery of where to find vintage and vintage-inspired wedding dresses below.
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
Kate Halfpenny is a celebrity stylist and vintage bridal wear designer whose fan club includes Emilia Fox (see left), Daisy Lowe and Pixie Lott. In addition to her bespoke dresses (in styles to suit the bride who wants a backless dress with vintage lace sleeves or an elaborate satin corset and tulle skirt combo), Halfpenny has also started making diamond and precious stone engagement rings and wedding bands. Vintage dresses start at £1,400.
Check it out at: halfpennylondon.com
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
For designer wedding dresses and vintage accessories to match, Atelier Mayer is a treasure trove of treats. How about walking down the aisle in a 1960s cream Chanel suit? Or a YSL tuxedo jacket from the 1980s, with Art Deco jewels to accessorise, perhaps? Simply divine - just cross your fingers and hope they have your dream dress in your size.
Check it out at: atelier-mayer.com
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
The Vintage Wedding Dress Company offers an amazing variety of vintage dresses from the Victorian era through to the 1970s, all cleaned and restored to their original glory. In addition to original vintage wedding dresses, the Decades Silk and Decades Lace collections offer vintage-inspired styles from the 1920s through the 1970s. Vintage dresses start at £950 and the Decades Collection begins at £1,350.
Check it out at: thevintageweddingdresscompany.com
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
You don't need to be in London to find a great vintage wedding dress. Abigail's Vintage Bridal in the East Midlands has a fabulous offering of original pieces from the turn of the 20th century to the early 1970s. Dresses start at £300.
Check it out at: abigailsvintagebridal.co.uk/html/vintage_wedding.html/
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
Elizabeth Avey sells her vintage wedding dresses from her studio in North London, with original pieces dating from the 1920s to the 1960s. She also stocks vintage and contemporary jewellery and accessories like handmade veils, fascinators, combs and tiaras, tulle petticoats and antique bags. Dresses start at £650.
Check it out at: elizabethavey.co.uk
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
For fabulous, embellished Victorian to late 1920s textiles - think silk brocades, antique laces and sumptuous velvets - Notting Hill-based vintage bridal designer Jane Bourvis' fairytale shop is a must. Fun fact: Remember when Mr. Big surprised Carrie in Paris? The dress she was wearing was by Bourvis.
Check it out at: janebourvis.co.uk/
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
If you're after a simple silhouette like a '50s style bodice with full skirt, head to London-based designer Lizzie Jayne. You can add a coloured sash for a modern twist. Prices start at £500.
Check it out at: lizziejayne.co.uk/index.htm
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
With wedding dresses starting at £150 and sourced from all over the world, Love Miss Daisy provides a great selection of styles from every decade. There's a particularly good assortment of long-sleeved dresses, whether you're after flowing and romantic or simple and figure-hugging.
Check it out at: lovemissdaisy.com
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
Your favourite vintage outpost also offers a selection of wedding dresses both online and in store, with a range of silhouettes from the 1940s to the 1980s. With prices starting at £75, your dream gown can be a reality. Also check out the funky bridesmaid dresses on offer.
Check it out at: rokit.co.uk
UK Vintage Bridal Shops and Designers
Dalston-based Sally Lacock creates gorgeous, vintage-inspired bridal designs made from French lace and silk and inspired by films like The Great Gatsby and Gosford Park. We love the details like hand-sewn silk flowers and glass buttons. Also a good option for brides looking for non-white designs in colours like mink and taupe. Prices start at £1,480.
Check it out at: sallylacock.com