ROCK THE FROCK

Rock that frock! The ultimate A-Z guide to wedding-dress shopping A

CIS FOR ALTERATIONS Once you’ve ordered your dream dress you’ll need to start looking for a seamstress to do your alterations. Even though you’ve ordered your size, chances are it’ll still need a little tweak here and there as dresses fit everyone differently. BIS FOR BODY BEAUTIFUL When it comes to knowing what’s best for you and your body, Ali Hamilton at Blue & Sixpence Bridal (www.blueandsixpence.co.uk) in Liverpool as some words of wisdom: “As women we should dress for ourselves, and wear whatever makes us feel good, expressing our individual personalities and identities. When a bride attends her appointment we spend the first 20 minutes getting to know them, and in doing this I’ve discovered that most women have some sort of body issue, regardless of their size or shape. But we need to stop comparing ourselves to the airbrushed images we’re subjected to in the media and embrace our differences. There are ways to create shape, silhouette and style without compromising on individuality. “If you have concerns about a particular area, chat with someone who understands and can advise without judging. Choose a bridal boutique and consultant who'll listen, guide, suggest and encourage. One that provides plenty of choice allowing you to explore all your options in a warm, welcoming environment.” Blue & Sixpence stocks around 450 gowns in size 6 to 36. IS FOR CATWALK We always advise newly-engaged couples to hit the wedding shows as soon as possible. It’s the best way to meet suppliers and assemble your W-day team. While you’re there, be sure to experience a catwalk show. It’ll help you find dress inspiration from silhouettes, to fabrics and designers; as well as guiding you towards a boutique you might want to make an appointment with.

My Funny Valentine Bridal © www.withloverosephotography.co.uk

EIS FOR ENTOURAGE Heather Laver from The Bridal Lounge (https://thebridallounge.co.uk) tells us, “Bring people you can trust to give you an honest answer. Bringing the entire bridal party can be fun, but it can also be overwhelming, and you might find your own thoughts about the dresses are lost in the babble going on around you. Sometimes, an intimate appointment with just yourself, or one trusted friend or family member is better than lots of people who end up making the choice harder.” DIS FOR DIARY Hanni Frankland at My Funny Valentine Bridal (https://mfvbridal.com) in Chester advises that you arrive at your appointment with some ideas of dresses you like, “Although we do suggest you keep an open mind too!”

“If possible, wear nude underwear and ideally a strapless bra if you have one, as underwear can make all the difference,” she continues. “Many stores have heels you can borrow, but just in case we’d advise to bring your own to give you that full bridal look. Do avoid wearing fake tan though as this may stain the dresses, but be sure to do your hair and make-up the way you feel best as this always helps with confidence. Above all, have fun, try not to overthink, relax and go with your gut!”

FIS FOR FABRIC Ali says, “It’s a good idea to consider the fabric of a gown in conjunction with your venue type. For example, a lightweight, chiffon gown might seem ideal for an August wedding, but if you’re tying the knot in a stately home, it’s likely to look rather underwhelming. For that reason, we always advise our brides to wait until they’ve secured their venue before shopping for the dress. “Generally, more heavy-weight fabrics, such as satins and Mikado, create architectural, sculptural shapes, which can work well in the colder months. They also complement opulent surroundings. Lighter fabrics such as silk and slipper satins evoke sumptuous, luxurious textures ideal for grand venues, and are more suitable for summer. Chiffons meanwhile create soft, romantic silhouettes and are often the go-to fabric of many a boho bride regardless of the time of year as they blend well with the theme and setting.”

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HIS FOR HAPPY TEARS Fear not, when you find the one all is not necessarily as we see it on TV with much arm flapping and tears. If you’re not the emotional sort, it’s unlikely you’ll suddenly start while you’re dress shopping, and that’s completely fine. Sometimes, it will simply be a case of weighing up your options and feeling satisfied with your decision. As long as you feel comfortable in that, there’s no reason to doubt it, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

IS FOR GOWNS There are so many silhouettes and styles to choose from, so start by having a look in your own wardrobe to see what vibe you usually veer towards for a special occasion or that you know feels comfortable. If you’re not used to something fitted, your wedding day might not be the time to try – so avoid the fit and flares and look at the A-lines.

IS FOR JEWELLERY The fun doesn’t end when you order your dress, as now you get to start shopping for your accessories. It’s generally recommended to do this after you’ve decided on your attire as it’s easier to make the jewellery work with the dress rather than the J other way around. The right piece can elevate your look or solve and niggles you may have. IS FOR IVORY

Here comes the bride, all dressed in white... or is she?

While Queen Victoria made it popular for the bride to wear white, having done so on her own wedding day, commitment to this tradition has by and large been relegated to the annals of history. Heather says, “There are so many colours to choose from, but make sure you talk to your bridal stylist, as not every dress comes in multiple hues. Poplar at the moment are champagne and sand, both slightly warmer than ivory. Another popular choice is mocha, which has a richer tone, but is darker than ivory.”

Hanni says, “If you’re looking for a gown that’s still traditional but has a bit of an edge, we’d suggest looking at the neutral hue options ranging from light almond, to dark mocha and look especially fabulous on the lining of a lace gown. Blush pink is also wonderful and gives a softer, more romantic tone to your gown. For a bolder bride, make a statement with hot pink, red or black. We’d recommend checking out Madi Lane’s new Nostalgia collection released in 2023, which we’ll be stocking. It has some wonderful colour options.”

IAllure Bridals available at The Bridal Lounge Madi Lane available at My Funny Valentine Bridal

KIS FOR KICK UP YOUR HEELS Once you’ve ordered your gown, it’s time to give your footwear some serious thought. You’ll need to have your shoes in the bag by the time your alterations appointment comes round as it’s important to make sure the seamstress knows the exact length the dress needs to be, and heels versus flats will make quite the difference. Make sure you’re comfortable. If you generally live and die in trainers, there are some gorgeous bridal options out there. Alternatively, many brides choose to make their shoes their wedding-day treat to themselves and spend months saving for the ultimate Jimmy Choos.

LIS FOR LACE We adore lace! It has long been used in wedding dresses largely thanks to its luxurious nature, having historically been labourintensive to produce. Once again Queen Vic is in part responsible for its popularity, sporting handmade lace on her wedding dress. But if you’re now thinking of grandma’s doilies – stop! Modern lace is as varied as it is beautiful. Alencon, eyelet, Chantilly, embroidered, guipure (sometimes called Venetian), soft knit, and point d’esprit are all popular with today’s designers, covering styles from chic and traditional to vintage and boho. MIS FOR MONEY Emma Page and Sophie McCoy at Bellissima Brides (www.bellissima-brides.co.uk) say, “It’s so important to be clear on your budget before your first bridal appointments. We never ask a bride their budget as there’s always a little bit of flexibility for the right one, but to fall in love with a dress that’s way outside what you expected to pay is a tricky situation to be in. So, get a ball park in mind by researching brands and boutiques. Most bridal boutiques will state their average price points on their website and socials. If you’re unsure, don’t hold back, just ask.” Sophia Tolli available at The Bridal Lounge

UNIQUE | MODERN | LUXE

NIS FOR NECKLINES Just as there are many silhouettes to choose from, there's a world of necklines, each having its part to play in complementing or accentuating your figure. Head to

Google and research sweetheart, plunging, off-the-shoulder, high, halter, one-shoulder, V, illusion, boat, empire, queen, scoop... we could go on!

PIS FOR PRELOVED If you’d rather invest your cash in other areas of the wedding, but don’t want to compromise on your look, you may want to consider looking at preloved gowns. Kinder on the pocket, these dresses will have been worn only once, some not at all, and may be no older than last season.

QIS FOR QUICK If you’re planning a short engagement or you’ve left it a little late in the day to hit the boutiques, don’t panic! Hanni tells us, “There are rush options available, as well as purchasing an off-the-peg gown, so try not to stress too much.” Heather agrees, “If you’re really lucky, your favourite dress may be in a UK warehouse somewhere! Talk to your stylist and see what options are available.”

Another budget-saving solution, or an idea if you’re short on time, is a sample sale.

At the end of the season, bridal boutiques will often hold special events where they sell their sample dresses at a reduced cost to give them room in the boutique for the new lines. You’ll be limited on size of course, so be prepared to spend more on alterations.

But they’re ready and waiting for you to take away, so no year-in-advance ordering is required. OIS FOR ORDERING Hanni from My Funny Valentine Bridal says, “We’d recommend starting the search for your dress around 12 to 18 months before the big day. There’s a lot to think about, so it’s best not to delay!

“What many don’t realise is that on top of the time it takes to find your dream dress, gowns are made to order and therefore can take at least six months to receive. On top of this, you want to incorporate time for unexpected delays, then enough to have a minimum of three dress fittings – yes, three!”

Heather from The Bridal Lounge gives us another reason for shopping so far in advance: “Looking at dresses exactly a year before the wedding will give you a feel for what the weather will be like on your big day. If it’s really hot, then think about something strapless or without sleeves.”

RIS FOR REVIEWS As you would when researching any supplier for your W-day team, check out your local bridal boutique’s reviews. They’re understandably proud of the kind words their past brides have shared, so many will have a tab on their website you can look through. Alternatively,

Facebook is a good place to see what’s hot. If nothing else, they’ll help to reassure you that you’re in good hands if you’re nervous before your appointment.

Sophia Tolli available at The Bridal Lounge

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IS FOR SLEEVES Sleeves are becoming incredibly popular and offer a multitude of flexible options. Emma and Sophie say, “Sleeves are something we’re really excited about for our brides. Over the last few years we’ve seen designers come up with new and exciting ways to update their gowns and detachable sleeves have been a huge hit. Giving you a more modest and romantic look for your aisle walk, a sleeve, be it long or a Bardot, completely updates a look, then gives you a fresh take on your gown when you take them off for the evening.”

You could even talk to your seamstress about adding to gowns that don’t already have them if you’re self-conscious about your arms or just love the look.

Blanche Bridal available at Bellissima Brides © www.thebridetribephoto.co.uk T

IS FOR TRENDS “We’re seeing a massive switch to go big or go home here at Bellissima Brides,” Emma and Sophie tell us. “Our brides are loving beautiful ballgowns and glamorous beaded fitted dresses with trains to die for. Our new Blanche Bridal range has hit the boutique recently and really does have the wow factor. If you want to feel special on your big day, these are the gowns for you!” U IS FOR UNIQUE “We make sure our brides know that we can change anything except the colour and fabric of a gown,” says Ali. “We have a full range of accessories available from straps, sleeves, appliqués and lace, sparkles and spangles, extra fabric, and ribbon and buttons too! “Often during an appointment, a bride will say: ‘I like it but...’ We’re able to customise gowns on the fly, reworking necklines, sleeves and more. By altering the smallest detail on a designer gown, you can make it a world exclusive, bespoke to you.”

VIS FOR VEIL In day-to-day life accessories can make or break an outfit, and the veil is the bridal version of that theory. Long, statement veils were popular in 2022, in part thanks to Kourtney K, and they’re so versatile. There’s nothing to say you have to keep it on all day, you may wish to switch up your look with a hair accessory later on and keep the veil for that romantic, ethereal look as you walk down the aisle. They’re not for everyone, but our best advice is: don’t rule it out until you’ve tried it.

WIS FOR WILD CARD Our golden rule when it comes to wedding-dress shopping is to go in with a completely open mind, as tunnel vision could lead to a stressful situation if the style you set your heart on just doesn’t work out how you thought. Your stylist or one of your entourage may pull out a wild card, something you never thought you’d go for. Trust us, try it on, it could be the one.

YIS FOR “YES” How do you know this is the dress for you? Ali at Blue & Sixpence Bridal has an idea: “We always say that if you can answer ‘yes’ to three questions you’ve found the one... Do I look like the best version of me? Am I confident? Am I comfortable? Nothing else matters.”

Sophia Tolli vailable at The Bridal Lounge

XIS FOR X-PERT OK, we cheated a bit, but we couldn’t finish up without extolling the virtues of the amazing local boutique consultants. They have your best interests at heart and they really know their stuff. When you arrive for your appointment you’ll have an initial consultation, which will help your stylist to understand you and your vision. We like to think of them as the dress whisperers!

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IS FOR ZOOM It’s inevitable your dress will have a little travelling to do – when you collect it and when you take it to the venue, as a minimum. To keep it in tip-top condition invest in a good quality, acid-free garment bag to store it in, and once it’s home keep it away from any harsh light or temperatures. When you’re heading for the venue lay down the seats of the car and place the dress flat if you can, or hang from the garment hook if that fails. Just be sure to hang it up again as soon as you arrive. We’d also highly recommend taking a handheld steamer with you – we speak from experience! Your seamstress will steam it for you once they've worked their magic, but it doesn’t take much for some fabrics to crumple again.

My Funny Valentine Bridal is a modern luxe bridal boutique, in the heart of the beautiful roman city of Chester. We cannot wait to welcome you to our beautiful new studio. MFV Bridal offers a stunning collection of bridal gowns and accessories, sourced from top designers across the globe including Pronovias, Marchesa for Pronovias, Evie Young, Luna Novias, Madison James, Abella and Joyce Jackson Veils.

We are passionate, dedicated and complete bridal enthusiasts. We acknowledge that buying your wedding dress is often a once in a lifetime experience and not just a purchase. We therefore ensure that we offer a personalised, luxurious and one to one bridal service for every bride coming through our door.

Our architect designed studio reflects our vision and is modern, elegant and feminine. It is the perfect bridal haven, with a colour pallet of soft greys, pink and gold to ensure every bride visiting feels totally relaxed and truly enjoys the experience.

Our aim is that every bride feels at their most beautiful on their wedding day and we cannot wait to share such a magical experience with you.

64 NORTHGATE STREET, CHESTER, CH1 2HT

WWW.MFVBRIDAL.COM | 01244 638 778 HANNI@MFVBRIDAL.COM @MYFUNNYVALENTINEBRIDAL

Rossett Hall is located in the quant Village of Rossett, just 6 miles from Chester and Wrexham. We are renowned as one of the area’s most popular wedding venues. Because of its’ age and reputation Rossett Hall creates an ambience of traditional elegance throughout.

There are two perfect function suites, offering the ideal space for a small intimate Wedding, or a larger Wedding of up to 150 guests. Boasting secluded gardens and a picturesque cast iron gazebo for those all-important photographs. Our Popular Dream Wedding Package 2024

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• Choice of either Chair Covers and Organza Bows or Chivari Chairs • Fresh fl ower top table arrangement, guest table centrepieces and cake topper • Printed table plan, place cards and menus • Resident DJ and a choice of professional up-lighting for your evening reception • Your choice of Evening Finger Buffet, Roast Bap Buffet, Pizza Buffet or Hog Roast • Our unique Bridal Suite on the night of your Wedding Based on 50 day guests and 80 evening guests

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