Copplestones Bridal

rachie29

I hope I'm ok to write this on here, and it's not classed as advertising or anything! I just wanted to let other brides-to-be know about my experience with buying a wedding dress from a non-traditional wedding shop! I was so freaked out about going to this place but just couldn't get it out of my head, it sounded too good to be true but I wanted to give it a go.

I'd tried on dresses at 3 bridal shops. Every dress I like was over £1000, most around the £1200 mark. My Mum was buying my dress for me, and although she was fine with this, I didn't feel comfortable spending so much money on a dress. None of them had made me think "that's the one!" and I was worried I was going to be one of those people that never felt that way.

I found out about Copplestones bridal through the MSE forums. It's a shop in Liverpool that has lots of wedding dresses in different sizes. They buy direct from the designers and a lot of their dresses are "last years" so to speak (think TK Maxx kinda idea!) I was worried what it was going to be like but I couldn't get this place out of my head! Dresses were from £99 up to £349 and the list of designers I was seeing at this shop were the same as what my local shops stocked (for example, they have just got some Sottero and Midgley dresses in, I tried on a Charlottel Balbier and an Amanda Wyatt dress)

So, we decided to go. I was worried about dragging everyone out to Liverpool but it was SO worth it. We were greeted by a lovely lady, told where the sizes were and what to do and shown the changing room. The changing room had a hoop, a chair and a dressing gown in it. I picked out about 7 dresses from the first quarter of dresses I looked at! There were lots of mirrors, small and large, and a 2 inch raised block to stand on to give the impression of wearing the dress with shoes. The shop was busy at the time, about 3 other ladies in trying dresses on so we all had a bit of a giggle together when we came out in our dresses. The shop assistants were very friendly and helpful, without being intrusive. I found my dress after 50 minutes. I am SO in love with it!! We paid £349 for it and £12.99 for a dress bag. We bought it there and then and it's now in my Grans wardrobe! It needs steam cleaning, which I imagine most dresses that arrive in a bridal shop would need before going out to the bride as they get creased in transit. I have since found the dress for £1200 online, the cheapest I found it was £999. I'm over the moon!!

There are no fancy pictures on the wall, no cup of tea or coffee offered when you walk through the door. Yes a couple of the dresses had the odd mark on the neck line from people trying them on with makeup on, but most were in immaculate condition. This would come off if professionally cleaned anyway/

The dresses are brand new and just the same as what would be in all the shops, just at a fraction of the price! I feel very MSE!!!:T

Jessycat

My mum has said she'll buy my dress but I don't she was quite aware of how expensive they are. I am fearful of falling in love with a dress and it being really expensive.

Which dress is it? I love Charlotte Balbier's Martha but it only came in ivory and antique gold, neither of which would suit me. I've seen a Maggie Sottero one I need to try on, but I think her dresses are around the £1100 mark.

I went to one of the Berketex Bride sales and they had some lovely dresses, but none which were 'the one'.

Well done on finding yourself a bargain, I'm impressed and jealous :cool:

becciboop

I went in there and didnt see anything I liked, but that was a few weeks ago..I will go back and have a look!

I tried a few dresses on around shops in Liverpool, saw one like I like but not love. I need to start looking properly, we have moved our wedding to July next year so not that long to go really.

Anyone got any recommedations for Liverpool dress shops?

rachie29

I tried on a few Maggie Sottero ones that were over the £1000 mark. It just seems like such a lot for a dress! I think it was actually putting me off liking some! It's a Trudy Lee dress, one designer I'd never tried on as none of the shops close to me stock her stuff

Jessycat

becciboop I think you're my date twin aren't you? I need to start looking more seriously too. Have you an idea of what kind of style you want?

my_definition

Can in if they had a lot of different styles at cobblestones? I had heard of it and really wanted to get a dress from there because i really resent the thought of paying £1000 for a dress but it would be an overnight trip for me. I know its kinda a go and see whats there thing but i dont want a strapless dress and wondered if there were different styles?

becciboop

Jessycat wrote: »

becciboop I think you're my date twin aren't you? I need to start looking more seriously too. Have you an idea of what kind of style you want?

I was May 2015 but now we have moved it to 9th July 2014, in Greece

I think fitted and quite plain as Im only small and look silly in massive dresses, but really dont know.

becciboop

my_definition wrote: »

Can in if they had a lot of different styles at cobblestones? I had heard of it and really wanted to get a dress from there because i really resent the thought of paying £1000 for a dress but it would be an overnight trip for me. I know its kinda a go and see whats there thing but i dont want a strapless dress and wondered if there were different styles?

When I went they had loads of different styles but nothing lace that was fitted...they all seemed quite 'fussy' or big dresses, a mixture of strapless and some with straps.

rachie29

my_definition wrote: »

Can in if they had a lot of different styles at cobblestones? I had heard of it and really wanted to get a dress from there because i really resent the thought of paying £1000 for a dress but it would be an overnight trip for me. I know its kinda a go and see whats there thing but i dont want a strapless dress and wondered if there were different styles?

Unfortunately you don't know until you get there as it depends what is sold and what comes in. There were lots of different styles, huge ones, fitted ones, coloured ones, ivory/white ones. Where are you based? As there are lots of other places similar to this, Wedding dress factory outlet has places in London and the Midlands. Not sure if anyone on here has tried them?