First of all I want to start by saying, do not expect to know what dress you want. You may have an idea of what you like, which will influence what you start with when you’re trying on dresses, but you should definitely go into the bridal shop with an open mind.
I work as a fashion designer, so I understand the complexity of a wedding dress, and what you have to realise is what they look like on the hanger has no reflection on what it will look like on your body. Trust me, I am the perfect example of someone who looks completely different in a wedding dress to what I expected.
I have a very difficult figure to dress, Iam a size 8/10 on top but a 12 on the bottom (sometimes a 10 🙂 ) so very pear shaped. Fitted clothing is a no no for me. Unless I find something that magically does wonders for my hips, which is rare, I never show off my curves. It also doesn’t help that since breast-feeding, my boobs have shrunk, a lot. I’m totally out of proportion. Wow, I’m not painting a very good picture of myself am I! It’s not that bad, but we all have our body issues, and mine is my big hips.
So back to trying on dresses. Luckily for me, my bridesmaids sister works at a bridal shop called Grace & Lace. Charlotte is very honest, so I knew she wouldn’t let me buy the wrong dress. She’s also good at her job. Really good. She let me try on what I wanted but also made suggestions that she knew would suit my figure.
Like I said earlier, you really need to go into a bridal shop with an open mind. I went in knowing what my dream dress would look like (but deep down knew wouldn’t ever look good on my figure) and what I definitely didn’t want. Boy was I wrong.
“I don’t want anything satin or shiny and I don’t want those horrible ruched or gathered dresses.”
Well, Charlotte let me try on a few lace dresses, get it out of my system. They weren’t right for me. They just didn’t make me feel special enough. I felt silly actually. Big skirts and longs trains just aren’t my thing. I’m quite a confident person, but only around people I know well. The last thing I want is to feel like I’m playing dress up at my own wedding.
Then she pulled out exactly what I said I didn’t want to try. A shiny, satin, fishtail covered in gathers, and asked me to “trust her”. What can I say, I hate being wrong!
It was at this point I realised you can’t expect the wedding dress of your dreams to be the dress you actually buy!
I won’t say much more about the dress I have chosen. I obviously have to be careful as my hubby to be can see this! But here is a sneaky preview of the dress I almost bought! This was ‘the one’ until I found my dress! And no, I’m not giving anything away by showing you these pics, my dress is completely different!!
Alex xx
Louise @ Birds and Lilies says
You look beautiful in that dress! That’s very similar to one that I have seen pictures of and love, although I’m sure that wont be ‘the one’ as you say! It’s so exciting! I’m going to be looking for my wedding dress in the next few months too and it makes me nervous – I’m worried that I won’t find something that is perfect for me, but I’m sure I will! x
Alex Claydon-Scott says
Ah thanks hun! It was my first choice for ages, then when I went back to try on the correct size with my family, I found another dress on the sale rail! It was such a difficult decision between the two dresses, but the one I have chosen is so different to anything I’ve seen before, and I feel so glamorous in it! Trust me, when you find ‘the one’ you will know. xx