I've found two bridesmaid/****tail style dresses, and patterns for 3 kinds of dresses. Not sure fi I have the motivation or skill to sew my own, so I'll keep looking. I'd rather look online so I don't have to travel and go to stores. Newcastle isn't too hard to get to and from (not many trains to and from each day), so I might take a day in Newcastle to look around.

Does anyone know of any bridal or stores that sell nice dresses in Newcastle?
Does anyone know any designers that don't charge a fortune for "off the rack" styles?

Thanks so much for all of your help and best wishes.