I’m not going to lie- one of the first things I thought about after getting engaged was how exciting it would be to go shopping for my wedding dress.
After working in a bridal boutique for five years as a teenager, I always wondered what it would be like when it was my time to buy my wedding dress, and what I’d go for.
Seeing as we booked the wedding two years in advance, I didn’t want to go dress shopping too soon, as two years is a long time, and I didn’t want to risk changing my mind, or something new coming out. So I held back (much to my impatience!) and started looking around the year before mark.
I had a good idea of what I wanted in my head; I had a Pinterest board full of ideas (of course) and had found a few styles online, that I liked too.
I booked some appointments and the dress hunt started.
The first appointment I had, was quite successful, and I found two dresses that I liked, one was a quite vintage looking dress and the other was a fitted fishtail style, that I’d been eyeing up for a year online.
However, I wasn’t convinced, I wanted that ‘THE ONE’ moment and I wasn’t getting that from either of them.
So I kept looking, and it was very hit and miss.
When I tried on dresses, I kept feeling like I was a child dressing up in an adults dress, as so many didn’t seem to suit me or just swamped me, I have never felt shorter or more petite than when I was wedding dress shopping.
After trying a mixture of styles ; fitted, a-line, ball gown, and designs ; lace, embellishment, etc… I did start to get a better idea of what I wanted.
I wanted something simple.
Classic.
I wanted something that wouldn’t date, something that I’d look back on years to come and still love, I wanted something timeless.
This being said, I wasn’t expecting to find my dress, when I found my dress.
I was actually wedding dress shopping with my now sister-in-law Tash for her dress. We were at a random shop, an hour away from home, and when she was paying, I went off to have a look at the rails- as you do.
I saw my dress poking out from a rail, and I thought ‘ooooh!’
It was simple, and had a fishtail.
I took a note of the label and when I got home, I googled it.
I found it was by a designer called Enzoani, and was part of the Blue by Enzoani range. The dress was called Katalina.
It was exactly what I’d been looking for.
I asked Tash if she minded if went back to the same shop, which she didn’t, and along with my Mum and sister – we went to go try it.
I tried on a few dresses, as I found that I loved Enzoani dresses, but when I tried on the Katalina dress, I knew.
I had previously rubbished that whole ‘you know when you know’ feeling, think it was a load of bull.
But seriously, I did get that feeling.
I suddenly felt very nervous when looking in the mirror, and that was it, I just knew it was my dress.
Everyone loved it and said how it was very me.
It was simple, but the shape was dramatic enough, it flattered my body shape, and I didn’t want to take it off.
When I went home, I unfollowed every bridal designer that I was following on Instagram, and I didn’t pin another wedding dress to my Pinterest board. I was content.
We ordered my dress in late September, as I had a local bridal boutique order it in, as it made it a lot easier for getting to for fittings and alterations.
My dress then arrived late February/early March, and I still loved it (thankfully!)
I had to have it altered on the chest (yay for having no boobs lol) and the length had to be shortened.
I also bought a belt from Richards Designs to wear in the evening, and chose a two tier full length veil also from Richards Designs.
In Henry’s words ‘ That bloody veil was almost as long as Meghan Markle’s’
But hey, if you can’t wear a long veil on your wedding day, then when can you?
My shoes were from Rachel Simpson, and I loved how they were pink, and the embellishment on them was beautiful. They were incredibly comfy, I took them off about 9pm, and that was just because I wanted to really dance around, but they lasted for a good 8 hours without causing any pain which I thought was pretty good going! I was also able to comfortably do our first dance routine in them too!
Pictured:
Shoes : Rachel Simpson
Pink ‘Treasure Me’ case : Estella Bartlett
Bracelet : Estella Bartlett
I know they’re quite pricey, but they are honestly beautiful and I’m planning to wear them again at Henry’s sister’s wedding later this year!
I LOVED my dress, and want to wear it again. It wasn’t the easiest to dance in, in fact we had to change our wedding dance routine cause I was like ‘I can’t walk backwards in this dress!’ But even though, no backwards dancing could happen, I was absolutely in love with my dress.
Henry’s verdict on my dress?
‘You looked like The Little Mermaid.’
I was definitely sad to take off my little mermaid dress, when it was time for bed!
I just need an excuse to wear it again!
All The Details :
Dress : Katalina – Blue By Enzoani
I ordered my dress at Jessica’s Bridal In Shrewsbury
Shoes : Amalia by Rachel Simpson
Veil : Richards Designs
Belt : Richards Designs
Jewellery- Hoop & Rose & Estella Bartlett
So my top tips for choosing your wedding dress are :
- Make a Pinterest Board – Okay so totally basic advice, but it does help having a bit of an idea of what kind of style of dress you like. Perhaps think about your venue, how comfortable you want to feel, etc…
- Try On EVERYTHING!– So although it is really helpful to have an idea of what kind of style you like, you should definitely try on lots of styles and dresses. Even ones that you don’t like the look of on the hanger, cause seriously they all look so different on and you may be surprised!
- Take Photos- I know some shops are a bit funny about you taking photos, but if you can, take photos of you in the dresses so you can look back on them. It can be a bit of a blur and you forget stuff so easily, so having photos to look back on really helps when choosing your dress.
- Take Your Time : This is a big deal and a huge decision, so don’t rush it. Don’t feel pressured to order something there on the day, you need time to sleep on it! Go back and try it on again, if you can, and go with your gut! I’d recommend to start looking about a year before the wedding (if you can) as some dresses can take about 6 months to be ordered in.
- Don’t Stress : If you’re struggling to find your dress, don’t be disheartened, because you will find one. Don’t worry if you’re disappointed that shopping for your dress isn’t like it is in the films, I don’t think anyone’s wedding dress shopping experience is like that, well unless you’re in an early 00s rom com.
So, I’d love to know about your wedding dress if you’ve been married, and even if you aren’t married – talk to me, what would your dream wedding dress look like?
All photos were taken by our talented wedding photographer Emma Pilkington.