The dresses

The dress I wore was a variation of Bardot, from Blue Bridalwear. The original dress had a very plain silk Cymbeline skirt, with modest train and sculpted bodice. It had a bow belt and a lacy overlay that buttons up the back. I loved the simplicity of the lines of the dress and the feeling of quality of the material. As I stepped into it I knew it was the one. However I didn't feel that the overlay suited me as it detracted from the simplicity that I loved and that seemed to suit me. Thus the overlay was out and in its place I designed my own straps, which were beautifully crafted by the seamstress at brides of Winchester. The straps were inspired by the wedding dress in sweet home Alabama. I didn't like the dress but the moment I saw the straps, way back in 2003, I fell in love with them and knew that that was exactly what I wanted. The bridal shop printed out pictures of the dress in order to work from them. 

The dress has needed to be synched in by 5 inches since I was first measured but this has been done beautifully. Many little details have been added behind the scenes to make sure that my underwear is concealed and that the dress stays exactly where it should for the duration of the day. 

I accessorised with a beaded tiara which highlighted my long two-tiered veil encrusted with Swarovski crystals. I chose not to wear the blush down as I walked down the aisle. 

My shoes were very simple cream satin heels with a rounded toe and a strap to make sure they didn't come loose. I felt like an absolute princess for the whole day. 

Of course I didn't wear the Bardot for the whole day though... 

Wedding dress refitted

Saturday saw me back at the beautiful brides of Winchester to try on my gorgeous dress once more. Thankfully this time I was in a much better mood than last time and was also on time! The appointment started a little late but mum and I happily whiles away the waiting time. Then it was mums turn in the spotlight as she helped me in to the dress, as she will on the day. 

Then the accusations started flying. It seemed I've lost even more weight in the month since I was last fitted. This is an assertion that I strenuously denied as I hadn't weighted myself in a week and had been gorging fairly determinedly. However there was no doubt that the dress, which has already been sinched in by 4 inches, was hanging loose and a further inch was pinned out of it. I can't say I was disappointed. 

It was an appointment full of giggles and smiles, not to mention a tear or two from mum when the veil went on to complete the look. I dread to think what she, or I, will be like on the day itself. Even thinking about it right now brings a tear to my eye, or possibly that's just the kitten digging his claws in! 

18 days. That's all!

The second fit

Monday saw me back at brides of Winchester for another fitting of my dress. Unfortunately horrendous traffic put paid to my relaxing morning and meant that I only just made it on time. Combining that with being pre-night shifts meant I wasn't my usual chatty self. 

The dress fitted much better this time. The bodice had been taken in by 2 inches meaning that it didn't fall down and made for a more flattering silhouette. This time the hem was taken up and some adaptations were made to cater for my bustier. The bespoke adaptations were also mocked up. 

All of this took almost two hours during which I felt more like a mannequin than a bride to be and my ankles went to sleep in the shoes. After all that we've had to schedule in another fitting aside from the one already down for September just to make sure that everything is perfect for the day. I suppose that unless I win the lottery the dress is the most expensive item I will ever wear so it may as well be perfect :-). 

Only 57 days to go...