AND THE BRIDE WORE ... AN £80 H&M WEDDING DRESS
AS the cost of weddings continues to spiral, high street chains are latching on to a trend for cheaper wedding dresses.
French Connection and Next are among those grabbing a slice of the lucrative market.
H&M sells wedding make-up, bridesmaid dresses, shoes and wedding gowns, including the one pictured above for £80, with prices from £2.99 to £150.
Next offers a range of outfits for around £200, while upmarket retailer Whistles launched its second bridal range this year, including a jumpsuit.
According to a GlobalData consumer survey, 34.5pc of brides bought a two piece dress or outfit in 2017, signalling the move away from traditional wedding dresses.
Asos launched its own-brand bridal collection in 2016 to let younger brides to buy a dress, shoes and accessories for no more than £400. It proved such a success that 9,200 women walked down the aisle in Asos wedding dresses that year.
Mamequa Boafo, senior retail analyst at GlobalData, said: ‘Affordable fashion is driving the clothing market – and wedding wear is no different.’