It can be difficult to know when is the right time to start shopping for your wedding dress. Every wedding and every bride is unique but it should be one of the most fun parts of the wedding planning. The ideal time to start looking seriously for your wedding dress is 12 months ahead. First set your budget and then do your research.

Start by looking at wedding websites and magazines to gain inspiration. Keep an open mind when you start looking and take someone whose opinion you trust with you when you visit bridal boutiques.

A year may sound like a long lead-in time but even if you are buying from a boutique you will still need to allow time for your dress to be ordered, altered and fitted which could easily take six months or more. And if you start looking well ahead of the wedding date, you will have enough time to keep your options open and go down the couture route if you decide this is right for you.

Elizabeth Bessant Couture wedding dresses at The National Wedding Show

If you are considering couture, there are many reasons for choosing a wedding dress specially made for you:
1. You will be able to choose a designer who you have a rapport with and who understands what you are looking for.
2. There need be no compromise – the right designer will be able to create your dream dress whatever your budget. But be clear about your budget at your first meeting and have a clear vision of your dream wedding dress – take photos of dresses that you like with you.
3. A couture wedding dress will fit and flatter your shape perfectly.

4. You will be able to choose your fabric and colour but take the advice of your designer because they will be able to advise you on the best fabric for your chosen design.
5. Couture involves fittings at each stage of garment construction. This gives you the chance not just to see your dress evolving but also if there is something you are not happy with you can ask for adjustments to be made to design and fit along the way.
6. Best of all your wedding dress will be unique, a one of a kind made especially for you!

When Claire came to see me her motivation for choosing couture was rather different. She couldn’t wait to marry the man she loved but was overwhelmed by the idea of a wedding day and all the preparations. She did not enjoy the idea of being the centre of attention and going into a bridal boutique and trying on an array of different wedding dresses was too daunting to even contemplate.

Instead Claire came to see me for a private consultation on recommendation from a previous client who assured her I would be very patient and understanding. Over a cup of tea, Claire gradually opened-up and explained that she would like a ballerina length dress with a lace bodice for her country wedding set in an old barn.

She collected Royal Dolton porcelain jewellery and asked if I could incorporate some of these pieces into the design of her dress. I made a wide pleated band to go around the waist of her 1950’s style wedding dress and attached the flower brooches, stick pins and earrings to create a floral feature. I was lucky enough to be invited to Claire’s wedding and saw first-hand how much she enjoyed wearing her wedding dress especially for the choreographed first dance.

If you would like a free no obligation consultation email [email protected]