The average wedding now costs a whopping £20,000, according to Time Out magazine. That's a £6,000 rise over the last 10 years - and, furthermore, a survey by Brides magazine revealed the average spend on a wedding dress alone is £1,340.

But what if your budget doesn't stretch to those great heights, or you simply don't want to spend a fortune on a dress you'll wear once?

Thankfully, the high street's bridalwear selections are better than ever, offering serious style AND value for money.

If you're looking for something fairly traditional - that is, a dress that's pale and falls past the knee - but don't want to uphold the tradition of breaking the bank in the process, these are your best bridal bets...

BRIDAL BUDGET: UNDER £400

Popular with celebs Stateside, occasionwear designer Adrianna Papell also has a glamorous bridalwear range that's stocked at John Lewis.

Even the most detailed gowns, embellished with diamante or crafted from oodles of ivory chiffon, don't go higher than the £400 mark with some well under that, making Papell your go-to if you're looking for a dramatic dress at a cool price.

Likewise, frock specialist Damsel In A Dress this season carries a trio of floor-length bridal gowns that will hold their own against even the most striking backdrop.

:: Adrianna Papell Wedding Beaded Lace Motif Gown, £340 (www.johnlewis.com)

:: Florence Wedding Dress, £380 (www.damselinadress.co.uk)

BRIDAL BUDGET: UNDER £300

Ghost has a selection of 11 satin dresses in beautiful, vintage-inspired shapes that can be dyed to order in four weeks, with prices ranging from £195 (for slightly shorter styles) to £275 (for long-sleeved and floor-skimming styles).

Of the dye options, the Ivory, Oyster and Silver Lake shades fit on the traditional wedding colour wheel, and there's a style to suit every body shape.

For something a little more relaxed, the Brigitte Bardot collection at La Redoute has a couple of dresses that boho brides will love.

The strapless bustier dress, with its gorgeous gathered front and long, dipped-hem train is enough to make anyone want to elope to the Caribbean for a barefoot beach wedding.

:: Ghost Wendy Dress in Ivory, £225 (www.ghost.co.uk)

:: Brigitte Bardot Bustier Style Hooped Wedding Dress With Pleat Detail, £245 (www.laredoute.co.uk)

BRIDAL BUDGET: UNDER £200

They don't actually come with the bridal prefix, but Coast's host of long, white dresses are more than altar-appropriate.

From the full-skirted floral Lucianna to the lace-topped Lori Lee, these dresses are unfailingly feminine, but they'll still leave you with change from £200.

Similarly, ASOS is packed with wedding-worthy gowns from brands like Jarlo, Fame and Partner and Forever Unique, as well as the site's own bridal line.

With a younger customer in mind, some are a little on the skimpy side, but if you filter your search results by style (maxi dress) and colour (white or cream), you'll find lots of wearable options.

:: Lucianna Dress, £160 (www.coast-stores.com)

:: Jarlo Annabelle Fishtail Maxi Dress In All Over Lace, £135 (www.asos.com)

BRIDAL BUDGET: UNDER £100

Even supermarkets have got in on the 'I do' action, with Tesco this year stocking an £80 wedding gown. Floor-skimming and lace-covered with sweet cap sleeves, it's a bridal bargain that's not to be sniffed at.

BHS offers more choice with more than a dozen wedding dresses this season, and shorter styles will set you back around £95.

But the best bang for you buck can be found online at sites like Little-Mistress.com, where nude and cream maxi dresses with floral applique details are soft and pretty (without being prissy), and all fall well below the £100 mark.

:: F&F at Tesco Signature Lace Wedding Dress, £80 (www.clothingattesco.com)

:: Ivory Bella Lace Short Bridal Dress, currently reduced to £76 from £95 (www.bhs.co.uk)

:: Little Mistress Nude Applique Maxi Dress, £70 (www.little-mistress.com)

GET THE LOOK

Wedding hats. As much as we love them, they're generally all very similar, and you don't get much use out of them the rest of the year, do you? Enter Yosuzi, the Venezuelan milliner new to the team at upscale retailer Salt. As seen on the glamorous guests at the latest Salt store opening, these sleek straw hats are formal enough for weddings, but not so feather and flower-covered that you can't wear them all summer long.

:: Yosuzi hats, £190 each (www.saltresortwear.com)

BUY IT NOW

Often copied but never bettered, Cath Kidston's iconic prints get a new lease of life in wearable forms, with the brand's new Library Collection. Remember those cute cartoon cowboys? They've galloped back into town under the cover of darkness (OK, it's a black dress), while the Hampstead Rose now blooms against a cool blue backdrop on a cute crepe frock. The first drop is in stores and online now.

:: Cowboy Sleeveless Dress, £65 (www.cathkidston.com)

FASHION FLASH

:: BRA-VO!

Have you found The One yet? A new survey says that 39% of women are still searching - for the perfect bra. And they're prioritising their underwear hunt over their love life, according to research by Triumph, which also found that 48% are more concerned with having stylish lingerie than a stylish partner. Meanwhile, another intimates brand, Panache, has cast six inspirational 'real' women for their latest ad campaign, including Paralympic wheelchair racer Hannah Cockcroft, singer Mica Paris and senior nurse Rachel Elliot - all chosen for their achievements as well as their healthy approach to body image.

STYLE STEAL

Are you hunting for some fierce swimwear for summer, but at a gentle price? Then head to Matalan, where Julien MacDonald's bold new collection more than delivers on that front. Mixing giraffe, zebra and technicoloured leopard prints, the 39-piece line comprises bikinis, swimsuits, cover-ups and accessories, with prices ranging from £10-£25.

:: Julien Macdonald Kaftan, £16; Animal Tie Side Bikini Brief, £10; Sandals, £12 (www.matalan.co.uk)