Feeling Overwhelmed!?
Will you marry me! Yes! That part is super exciting and you should feel on top of the world right now. And so you do! It’s a new chapter in your life starting a marriage together, making that next step together or finally after all these years getting around to putting you both first. But then you realise you have to choose a dress and you don’t know where to start. Today’s pressures are so much more intense than say pre social media days hey, with everyone sharing their amazing wedding day or you’ve attended so many friends weddings and you possibly feel it’s getting abit competitive this wedding malarky. But don’t, please don’t. You both have no one to impress or please other than yourselves. Plan and prepare your day to suit you. Make a realistic budget and goals to finance this. Whether this is a simple get away honeymoon style wedding, a registry office and a meal with close friends and family or the full shindig with all the trimmings. Do it your way. And that too comes down to choosing your wedding dress. Today there is also so many options out there available to you. Please don’t rush it or feel pressured to choosing the first dress you see or sales pushed into. Some brides often tell me they didn’t really enjoy the whole trying on dresses experience and without the knowledge of what it all entails, the secrets of what costs are and how alterations costs need to be factored into purchasing a dress too. Here’s some usual advice from me to get a new bride-to-be started…
1) Think about the venue, your body and your likes/dislikes. So we have now your starter basis for a dress. Perhaps this ideal dress is one that works practical for your venue, it suits your body shape and has elements of things for example sleeves as you aren’t too keen on showing your arms or a fuller skirt as not so keen on your legs. But I would say it is definitely worth trying on all shapes of dresses to quickly allow you to tick off yes and no ones. I often hear I went into try one type on but came out with something totally different, happily surprised. The sales worker will have helped so many brides in the past so trust that they do have an element of your interest at heart, not totally for the sale.
2) Budget, so you have had a nose online to get some inspiration but all the dresses you like are say well over your budget and it’s a little teasing. Don’t be put off, there are so many bridal boutiques and new stores now that are happy to sell their designer dresses at sample off the peg costs. So you can often find a £2500 for say £900-1100 with stores like The White Outlet. There are other stores were you can purchase preloved or reloved as they call them at Bridal Reloved stores or Preloved Bridal Boutique and Oak Tree Brides here in the South West. There are also online sites like Still White and Facebook Marketplace and Vinted who sell the same, even dresses that are new that didn’t get worn for whatever reason that you can find at a bargain purchase. Monsoon too do a bridal range and I first hand always think how exquisitely made they are fully beaded for less than £500. I highly advise though that you steer clear of cheaper sites such as Temu, Shein, JJhouse type ones as these often come with a whole bunch of other problems once purchased. These cheaper sites I can’t say don’t work for your bridesmaids as often if purchasing a handful it works out well and even with alterations to fix any problems it still cheaper but please brides stay clear for your own dress. There will only be that want for you to commit to your purchase and it can cost you around £500 or more to fix. Personally for me they always look too shark white and cheap. Trust a good store is best. Touch, feel, try it on before purchasing is usually best. There’s also wed2b with a variety available at affordable costs from £599 to £899, but don’t expect every store to have stock of what you see on their website and please don’t feel pressured to purchase ‘extras’ as they work on commission in store so have the task of trying to be helpful of getting you to purchase a few extra items which can then mean your receipt is well over £1000. Do you really want that belt!? A storage box is helpful to store your dress after your wedding if you wish to keep the dress but the breatheable gown cover is the only must and the best way of hanging and storing the dress until it’s worn.
Dress labels I’ve worked with that I feel are made well and no problem to alter are Made with Love, Maggie Sotterio, Enzoani, Jesus Piero, Stella McCartney, Ronald Joyce, Morilee, wed2b gowns are by Anna Sorrano to name a few.
3) Prebook an appointment. Bridal stores, much like my service require you to prebook an appointment. Some do accept walk ins like Wed2b but all other boutiques rather a booked slot. That way they can give you a full bridal experience and allow you usually to try on up to around 5 dresses in an hours slot. It’s good for example to take a look at that boutiques website to see the types they stock and if there’s any particular dress names you’d definitely wish to try on whilst there. Some do email the store ahead to make sure it’s in, not to be disappointed.
4) Point of sale. Please don’t get always caught up in the loveliness of it all. You know if you get that it’s the one feeling then fantastic. But sometimes stores don’t, and I hate to say it, understand if a dress alteration is actually possible. You have seen from the front the vision of the dress in the mirror and it looks great, but often the back isn’t noticed and then at a dress fitting realise it doesn’t actually do up or the want to retain certain elements of the dress isn’t possible as the dress now requires a new back design. All alterations are pretty much possible but the budget will be different. Standard alterations (hems, side take ins, strap lifts, adding a bustle) may cost £200-300. Needing customising and the dress tweaking to new design can be an extra £100-200. So if you are happy with what you see and it’s the one, just remember to factor in a budget to get the work done to the dress to make it into the final dream dress look. Just because you’ve found a bargain dress doesn’t mean your alterations costs should match that. A good bridal service is a highly skilled role. Then there’s VAT, remember if you’re being quoted a price some will charge VAT on top which can make the total quite a surprise. Here with myself there is no VAT on top. Something to consider.
5) Be organised. I’m sure most of us are, but some just aren’t that way and being a bit disorganised can lead to disappointment. Once you have bought your dress please don’t hesitate. Keep up with the bridal momentum and get your preferred bridal seamstress booked in. Most have their diaries open 1 year ahead and can get booked up quite quickly. This goes for all the other items of your special day. Many I speak to keep a spreadsheet list of vendors and suppliers with costings. That way you don’t risk getting caught short for paying out and it keeps your mind a lot clearer. Anything to have a more simple life hey.
6) Finding your suppliers. I personally think word of mouth is something you can’t beat. When you personally know someone who has used that supplier in the past and can tell you first hand is priceless. But if you are say the first of your gang to get married then searching through Google and using reviews as a good start basis is good too. Take time to read a few and the details they mention mattered to them. It may also come down to who’s closest to you. Location can really matter, on ease to get to them esp if you need to visit them 2/3 times such as your bridal seamstress. Also to get a 2 or 3 quotes are sometimes a good thing to do too. Especially if working towards budget goals, but like most things in life, you get what you pay for. A skilled service and experience is something really to consider. If its something they are specialist in then the price may not be worth considering as you know the service and result will be fantastic and no disappointment. For example going with myself here you get 100% one to one service experience, personal to you.
7) Relax and enjoy the ride. Easier said than done at times but it hopefully be the only time in your life you get to be a bride, so try to enjoy it. From the many congratulations you’ll receive, to getting to spend more time with the ones close to you that you love, shopping together, planning together, having a hen party maybe and feeling on top of the world. Watch the days flyby as you reach your wedding day. From popping the question to it’s arrival will flyby so have the time of your life and lap up all the love.
8) Remember no question is a silly question, feel free to message me and ask away. Even if it’s would I attend a bridal shopping trip with you as you’d love that reassurance, or to attend your wedding venue the morning of your wedding to help with all dress elements so the stress is out your hands (distance within 1hr of Bristol at cost £20ph or an agreed package deal).
9) Finally stuff the lot of that and come directly to me for a bridal gown consultation to discuss your dress ideals, see sample fabrics, sketch together, gain a quotation that has no extras or hidden costs and have a bespoke made to measure wedding dress made by me for you. Let me take all the stress away and make you love your bridal dress experience a unique one and leave with a unique dress that’s only yours. Budgets can vary, most are £1200-2000. See Sarah Shepherd Bespoke Bridalwear and complete a contact form.
Much love. Sarah
Here to help you on your bridal journey
Sarah Shepherd x
