YOU may not think that this time of year is prime time for shopping for a wedding outfit.
With the main wedding season running from April to October, this month is not the usual point we think about what to wear to a summer wedding.
However, the high street clearly thinks the time is now, with a number of brands releasing bridal and occasion-wear collections in the last few weeks.
From River Island teaming up with artist Joe Horner to release an occasion-wear edit, to Nobody’s Child launching its first ever bridal collection, bagging the perfect wedding look early is easier than ever.
Here, Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale shows you the new collections, as well as some top occasion-wear picks from the rest of the high street.
River Island has collaborated with artist Joe Horner to create a capsule collection perfect for every day in your 2025 diary.
Featuring an array of floral patterned pieces, they range from dresses and suits to co-ords and accessories.
Joe says that adding florals to pieces makes everything feel more expensive and fresher.
And these sure are the perfect occasion pieces.
This is the first ever bridal collection for the brand – launched on Boxing Day, it features 12 different bridal dresses and 25 bridesmaid and wedding guest dresses.
As well as selling on its own website, you can also rent the pieces from rental site HURR.
Available in white and a range of pastel colours, the range also has lots of texture including jacquard, ruffles and statement bows.
With prices starting from £110, this is certainly going to be popular with those who have wedding dates in their 2025 diaries.
Monsoon has a whole tab dedicated to weddings on its website.
As well as bridal dresses, there are suits, jumpsuits, jackets and skirts.
You can also find bridesmaid and wedding guest dresses, plus flower girl and page boy outfits.
People went wild for Abercrombie’s wedding guest dresses over summer last year, particularly the butter-yellow shade satin midi dress.
Ideal if you’re a wedding guest or a bridesmaid, it is super-versatile and still in stock for 2025.
Its bridal range is also super-chic, with this strapless scarf white dress for just £110.
With new drops every season, it’s definitely a store to keep an eye on if you’re in the market for an outfit for a wedding.
Karen Millen has offered a bridal range for quite a few years now – on the website, you’ll find a mix of white pieces for brides, as well as lots of choice for guests and bridesmaids.
This embellished maxi-dress is perfect for a bride who wants a bit of bling, while this satin-long sleeve dress comes in an array of different colours.
Or if you want to pack a punch with your look, why not try this one-shouldered fuchsia dress?
If you’re searching for outfits for all the family, then take a look at Phase Eight.
The brand not only stocks bridal looks, but bridesmaid, wedding guest and mother-of-the-bride choices, too.
It has a range of styles on its website from fringed boho dresses to this gorgeous 1960s-style A-line midi dress.
When it comes to the rest of the wedding party, these green and red satin midi dresses would work well for older kids and teens, too.
CHOOSING your wedding guest list can be one of the most tricky parts of a wedding - particularly when it comes to plus ones. But should you bring your partner if you are in the bridal party? Fabulous writer Becky Pemberton - who has been a bridesmaid seven times - gives her views…
It’s always an honour to be asked to be in a bridal party and as a close friend, your priority lies with ensuring the bride has her dream day.
I’m very much of the belief of “your wedding, your rules”.
Far too many people forgo having the day they really want by letting other people have their say and by doing what they think other people expect them to do.
If you want a small wedding, or don’t have the budget to invite loads of people, only invite the people who will make the dream truly magical for you.
Don’t ditch close friends, just so someone else can have their plus one.
When you are in the bridal party, you are focused on the bride and making sure she has the best day – so often you don’t get time to fully hang out with your partner anyway.
If they don’t know anyone else, it can be more fun for you to have a day with the girls.
That being said, if you are close friends you will likely want your partner to be close to the bride and groom in an ideal world.
It can be a lovely feeling when a bride and groom invite your partner, as it can show they see them as a friend and value them in their lives too.
But what do the experts say?
Wedding expert Amber Harrison told Vogue everyone in the bridal party should receive a plus one.
She wrote: “Not only does a happy wedding party make a happy couple, but allowing a bridesmaid to bring her new boyfriend, for example, is a small token of appreciation you can offer in exchange for her efforts and support.”
