Finding the right dress

Hi ladies

I get married in May 2011. We've booked our ceremony and reception so far. My sisters are going to be my bridesmaids as well as, I hope, a friend of mine who I'm asking tonight. Already my sisters are excited about finding their bridesmaid dresses and are currently scouring Dessy and Alfred Angelo websites for ideas. 

Before we can decide on those however, I guess I should start thinking about my dress and my colour scheme. I'm just after some advice as to how I go about finding the right dress for me. I find some of the bridal websites hard to navigate - are there any you'd really recommend? 

I'm after something quite classic, I think. Ideally with straps, simple and elegant. Maybe some lace detailing? We're after a laid back, country garden, slightly vintage style.  I always liked the idea of bottle green or teal for my colour scheme but wonder if paler colours might work better?

Any ideas, advice or recommendations?  I'll love you all forever if you're able to help!

Thanks  

To be honest, I suggest you should just start trying a few shops with a broad range of styles; that way you can rule out elements that don't suit.  E.g. I thought I would end up with a lacey fishtail dress, but when I tried them on I look ridiculous.  I also really struggled identifying what would look nice on from the way it looked on the hanger.  It's a great help to take a few pics into the shop to show them the styles that appeal and a good assistant will help you pick out styles that compliment your expectations.  What area are you in?  The girls on here can probably help recommend a few shops as a starting point.

Thanks, JG. I wasn't sure if I could hit the shops without an idea of exactly what I wanted. 

I'm in London.  Are London shops likely to be more expensive for wedding dresses?

Try some on. Then try on some more and then maybe some more! I had NO idea what I wanted and it wasn't until I went out and looked I got more of an idea about what I liked and what suited me.

There's a real mix in London (it's where I've done all of my shopping). - from the more value side of things to the really snooty shops (and believe me I tried them all)   I would suggest hitting a couple of shops like Mirror Mirror and the Bridal Chest as they stock a range of different designers - that will help you identify a couple of designers that you like and styles.  Then, it's worth moving onto a couple of the designer's own stores if your budget stretches far enough (having checked that you like their styles online) - Chiltern Street is full of dress shops like Stephanie Allin and Johanna Hehir (as well as various studios that have a mix of dresses).  It's a great place to start.  Down towards Fulham Road there are a ton including Sassi Holford.

HTH

I would say have a look online and in magazines and get an idea of what you think you'll like/what will suit you - sounds like you might have done this already.

Then, make an appointment with a bridal shop and try not to go in blinkered.  Try all different shapes and styles on until you decide what you want - what you think you want isn't necessarily the case.  Once you have the style/shape sorted you can nail down the details and colours.

After you've got your dress you can start looking at the BMs dresses for something that will compliment your own.

Good luck and try to enjoy the dress shopping - some brides find it stressfull but it should be fun so try to relax and enjoy.

Thanks, ladies, all really helpful. 

How exciting, pretty frocks! 

hey!!  well i suggest just to make a few appts in some bridal shops!!  go in and try on, see what suits you, and then see what colours that you like in their bridesmaid shops and what colours suits the girls.  I had kind of dreamed of Gold bridesmaids, then my OH picked a tartan for kilts which gold would really not have matched that well, so i had to reconsider.  When we went looking for dresses then one of the ones we liked was in gold and when my sister had the dress on the colour did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for her!! 

Just something to think about!!

I agree with above. you really need to try different styles on as what you think might suit might not when you get the dress on.

Have fun x