My maid of honour and I were in jolly spirits for the first wedding dress appointment we went to. Christmas was in the air, the was snow on the ground, the salvation army band was playing ‘once in Royal David’s city’…. What happy campers we were as we knocked on the first shops door. I’m not sure what I was expecting, probably that it was going to be answered by Gok Wan or Vera Wang, who would sweep me up in a sea of taffeta and love… instead, the girl opened the door, asked who we were, and said ‘You’re too early, go away and come back’ and shut it again.
We both kind of stood there gobsmacked, not knowing what to do. We shuffled away and ten minutes later we came back, gingerly knocking the door. We went in. There were several tall skinny model types sipping champagne and walking round in their underwear. A neurotic woman bundled me into a changing room with a wrap around curtain and started handing me dresses, saying things like ‘this is more your shape’, and repeatedly opening the curtain while I was topless (yes the shop looked out onto the street). I was appalled. Where was my champagne? Where was my cosy shop assistant who would sooth my fears and help me through the minefield of a-line or princess or fish tail or lace?! Where?
When I did finally pluck up the courage to find a dress I liked, she said ‘you don’t have time left now, maybe you want to come back another time’. Like hell I did!
So, defeated and dejected, first shop down, 4 to go.
The next few shops were ok, but because of my figure (big boobs and curvy), all the shop assistant steered me towards A line gowns, because these were the best for my shape. Now I’m not going to deny that these dresses made me look and feel fabulous, but they just weren’t… me. After each appointment I went home and googled Larissa again and anything I saw just couldn’t match it.
One of my appointments was at Morgan Davies in Angel. I can massively recommend that anyone who is looking goes here. I had Michaela who was as cute as a button with her retro hair and make up, and she was fantastic. She showed me designs from Lusan Mandongus and from Novia D’Art. I can honestly say that if I wasn’t so obsessed with Larissa I would have got one of these gowns. Novia D’Art in particular was stunning – the dress was called Fremmy, and looked like something out of the Great Gatsby. Go to Michaela immediately!
Here are a couple of dresses from the Novia D’Art Collection. Fremmy is on the left. Images are copyright Novia D’Art.
Back to my saga. Soon the day was here! We tripped off down to Blackburn Bridal Couture in Blackheath and tiptoed into the shop. I felt dizzy with excitement just looking at all of the Claire P gowns, even if I couldn’t afford them! Mandi (who is a star), brought out Larissa and I tried it on. And it was…..
Ok.
That’s all I could say. It was a beautiful dress but it just didn’t suit me! My boobs were too big and I looked top heavy. That was it. The Claire P dream was over. I explained to Mandi that I had tried to find a dress that suited me but struggled as everyone put me in A line, and she said ‘You need a dress that suits your personality , because when you walk in and your husband – to – be sees you, you want him to see you, not a dress.’
She understood! She understood ‘the look!’
She walked over to a rail and said ‘this is the ‘warning triangle’ rail, because these are dresses that aren’t carrying over to SS10, so if you want one, you have to get it today. But I will say, that these dresses as a result are all within your budget.’
Within the budget?!?
I was over and beyond the most excited I have ever been as she pulled out the most amazing dress I have ever seen. It looked like fairies had made it in the night! I put it on. I cried. My mum cried. Hell, I think the lady who had come in to get her hair dried because there was a power cut at the salon next door cried. My Claire Pettibone dream had come true.
Never give up on a dress if it’s the one you want. Listen to your own gut feeling about what is right for you. Ring for samples. Check when designer sample sales are. Find out what season it is and whether or not it will carry over to the next. But most of all, be open to other ideas, because you just don’t know.
Massive big up to Mandi at Blackburn Bridal Couture for being the person who listened – and for making my wedding dress experience fun again. More Claire Pettibone pics coming soon!
And which dress did I get?
You will have to wait and see!……….
)!
