Bride dazzles in thrifty wedding with £2 charity shop dress

A couple tied the knot in a thrifty-themed wedding with the bride dazzling in a £2 charity shop wedding dress.

Gina and Jacob Dodds, from Hoole in Chester, said "I do" in a ceremony held at the city's Storyhouse arts and cultural centre on Wednesday.

Both Gina's dress and engagement ring were bought from the Hope House Children's Hospice outlet while guests were also invited to wear outfits sourced from charity shops - raising money for a range of good causes.

"If we were going to have a wedding then we wanted it to be about more than just us - we wanted it to be about helping other people," she said.

Gina said they had an "amazing" day and worked out they and their guests had collectively donated more than £1k to charities.

She said she and Jacob, who are both 32, love buying from charity shops and wanted to encourage more people to do so.

The barista and musician, who works at Short and Stout in Hoole, said she spotted her dress after finishing work one day and "it fitted me perfectly", before her friend, seamstress Grace Patton, modified it for her big day.

Gina also bought a range of other wedding dresses for her wedding-themed hen do.

She said she and Jacob, who have been together for 11 years, were proud to see their family and friends embrace the thrifting theme.

Gina said she told Jacob she even wanted her engagement ring to be from a charity shop - and he duly obliged by spotting a "beautiful" piece in the Hope House store on Frodsham Street.

She said the person who donated the ring had not only helped the charity but "they have made a wonderful memory for us."

The couple also repurposed family rings for their wedding rings.

Jacob said: "I think if you were to buy a suit from a shop you'd be tempted to go with more of a safe option whereas with this, you're forced to try other things."

Nia Davies, Hope House store manager, said they were proud to be part of "such a beautiful story".

"It really does go to show that shopping sustainably can unearth some real treasure, as well as supporting a great cause," she said.

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