3 minute read
Bridespeak
Now what about the dress? With a new year ahead, new stock in stores and new social media searches starting, we asked brides to define their dream dress
“So here am I, an outgoing, confident career girl who always reckoned I’d go for a drop-dead gorgeous filmstar number when it came to my wedding dress. Well, I am right about the outgoing and confident bit, but once I started looking online at the dresses from the different designers I’d come across, I realised what I really wanted was a beautiful, classical dress with a high neck, long sleeves and, I suppose, rather Catherine, Peter GrimesPrincess of Wales, who is my style icon. What has delighted me is finding a store which carried a really good Publisher of American number of gowns that fitted the description, and a sales consultant who instantly understood what I wanted.” trade magazine VOWS Kailani
“Can’t afford two dresses but now that I’ve been investigating the possibility of add-ons, that’s put a whole different opportunity in place. Have decided, though not started looking yet, that I want a simple, short, sheath-like dress, plus a big overskirt and detachable sleeves. I’m going to end up with three looks and that is so exciting. I am hoping we can find the same for my three bridesmaids, so we can be short and long together.”
Toni
“I have only just got engaged and the wedding will be in Spring 2024, which seems like an eternity from now. I am the first of my group of friends to be tying the knot (and yes, I am saying all the predictable things right now!!!). We have talked about a small wedding so I think – but I am not sure yet – that I want a short and very plain dress for that and, for a big party a month or so later, a really party dress in a great colour, that I will be able to wear many times over.”
Emily
“Me? I am a jeans and bomber jacket girl when not at work, so for my wedding it has to be tight white trousers, a lacey top and a leather or leather-look white jacket with lots of zippers. I’ll find white boots or trainers to complete the look and add a few glittery bits here and there. It might not be everyone’s taste, but it is mine.”
Barbara
“With all the pressures of work and this recession, I have to be especially budget-conscious right now – though I always have been – so I have looked around, and especially online, governed by price. And it has not been a terrible task. Not at all. Once I stated what my budget is, I was really surprised at how much is available, and the very good advice offered by the designers, like the choice of fabric, for starters. I am looking for an A-line dress with a strapless top and a detachable sleeves and I feel very positive I will find what I want at a price I can afford.”
Janine
“I thought I knew exactly what I wanted, having looked over and over again at social media sites and read what the various designers and influencers had to say. So then I went to a local bridal boutique that had won an award and others were talking about, and within less than half an hour the lady there had me trying on completely different styles – nothing like what I have envisaged. And she was right, every time. I couldn’t believe how far away they were from the dresses I had loved online. I think I have decided now on a lace curvy dress with see-through panels and lace motif things on the sleeves. I couldn’t be happier.”
