Wedding Dresses in West Midlands

Shopping in the city and beyond

Birmingham has a wide choice of bridal shops, and many brides from across the West Midlands start there. Towns such as Shrewsbury, Worcester, Hereford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stafford and Lichfield also have boutiques, often with a quieter, more personal feel. Booking a day that combines a city shop with a smaller independent can give you a useful contrast.

Choosing for your setting

West Midlands weddings range from Birmingham hotels and converted industrial venues to barns in Herefordshire, castles in Warwickshire and country houses in Shropshire and Staffordshire. Some things to weigh up:

• Rustic or outdoor venues suit lighter fabrics and shorter trains.
• Grand ballrooms and historic buildings can carry fuller skirts and cathedral-length veils.
• Winter weddings, which are popular for their cosy feel, may call for sleeves, a cape or a faux fur wrap.

Timings and fittings

Book appointments ahead, particularly for weekends. Give yourself plenty of time before the wedding, since many dresses are ordered after you choose them and can take several months to arrive. Alterations then usually take a few fittings, finishing close to the date. Ask shops whether they carry out alterations themselves and how much notice they need for the final fitting.