Sorry in advance if I ramble a bit but I'm so excited at the moment I have to tell someone.  I know my fiance doesn't read this board so I'm safe here...

I found my wedding dress, and it's absolutely perfect (IMHO).  Before I started looking I had nightmares about finding a dress that would suit me as I'm an odd size.  I'm a size 6 but not particularly short (5'6") so petite ranges are almost always too short.  I also have a very short body (ooh, that makes me sound freaky).  What I mean is my legs are long for my height.  Before anyone thinks "Well that doesn't sound too bad" it creates a problem as I can only wear really really low hipsters without looking out of proportion and the waistline on dresses never seems to sit in the right place on me.  I also have quite bony wrists and ankles and narrow hips.

Anyway, almost all the "Choosing The Right Dress For Your Figure" type articles I'd read concentrated on hiding what women consider their "problem areas", usually hips, thighs or bum.  I tried on one traditional shaped dress - a fitted bodice with a full princess-type skirt and I nearly cried.  It was the type of dress that I'd always associated with weddings (let's face it, when else would one wear that?!) and I looked so hideous.  Imagine a young boy in Princess Diana's wedding dress and you're not far off!  To make things even worse, the assistants were so false and kept saying how lovely it was when it clearly looked dreadful.  The shops all seem to be in Chelsea and the assistants all have names like Bianca or Fenella.  I'm not usually intimidated by shop assistants but for some weird reason I felt really vulnerable (probably because I looked so vile).

So to get to the point, before the meringue disaster I had made an appointment at a shop in South Ken, but I had to wait 3 months for an appointment (isn't that ridiculous!)  I'd seen some Vera Wang styles in magazines and thought that they might suit me better.  This shop is the only place in Europe to stock her range which is why the waiting list is so long.  I went along with 2 friends and it looked so intimidating from the outside.  I'd slept in so I'd just pulled on jeans and trainers and I thought that the assistants would be snooty and unfriendly as in the other shops. 

I was so amazed at how nice the girl who helped us was.  She didn't rush us or try to steer me towards the most expensive dresses.  She was actually really honest if something didn't suit me and suggested that I'd be much better with the simpler (therefore cheaper) styles.

I tried on about 5 dresses which were all lovely but not quite *it*.  Then I found the dress, and that old cliche is true - the minute I put it on I knew it was "The One" (and it took me 2 years to realise that about my fiance!)

It's a really simple raw silk ivory dress with spaghetti straps.  It has a cowl neck and quite a low back with crossover straps.  It's cut on the bias and fitted to the knee, then flares out gently.  It also has a small puddle train.  It's not at all what I'd imagined but it's the nicest thing I've ever worn, and I'm just so relieved that I found it.  The other dresses, although lovely, seemed to wear me rather than the other way round, if that makes sense, whereas in this one I still look like me, just a better me!  The only issue is what to wear underneath.  I won't be able to wear a bra which is fine, but I could see a definite VPL.  I asked the assistant who assured me that Harrod's sell knickers which "are laser cut" - her exact words.  Apparently these will do the job.  I have absolutely no idea how one would use a laser when making pants, or indeed what laser knickers are.  I'll let you know, or if anyone has any ideas...

We spent over an hour and a half in this shop but the assistant didn't pressure me to make any sort of decision.  I explained that my mother isn't in the country a lot but that I'd like her to see the dress before a final decision, and they were very accommodating in that they managed to squeeze us in a short appointment on the one day she was here.  They also suggested another designer whose designs are similar to Wang and said I might like to visit her shop.  I assume they are on commission so I was surprised at this suggestion.

To sum up (finally), my mother came and saw the dress and I've now ordered it.  It has to be made then shipped from New York so I won't get it until March but I can't wait to try it on in the correct size.  The sample was a 12 so I didn't really get the full effect as it had to be pinned quite a bit.

The one fly in the ointment is that now I hate all my other clothes!  Putting my jeans back on was very depressing!

Anyway, sorry for going on, I just wanted to share my excitement.  I'm getting very nervous about the whole wedding (the organisation bit not the marriage!) so if anyone has any tips to share on any aspect of their wedding I'd love to hear them.

Mary-Caroline

P.S. I've organised a small surprise for my fiance.  He was disappointed when I said Cashie couldn't come to the wedding, so I've tried to make up for it a bit.  Someone we know makes those little bride/groom models for cakes.  They're making models that look just like us, which sounds ultra-naff but they actually look quite cool.  Anyway they've made a secret whippet model which will also go on top of the cake, but I won't tell Ian until he sees it at the reception!

Lol as my hubby would say " he loves how my legs go and make *sses out of themselves lol :D

Wow congrats on your dress and your upcoming marriage and wife to be.... You dress sounds lovely...

When I went to get my dress my mom came with me and she said how pretty I looked, well at my wedding we soon realized it was the same dress my sister wore for hers :D She also went dress shopping with my sister.

You ramble away, don't worry !.

So exciting for you and you'll have lots of happy memories about this time - everything about the build up to a wedding is exciting (I was with mine anyway !). It was hard picking a dress though, I was at the time, very big busted (had some help since !) and with very little confidence about my size. If I was choosing a dress now the style could be so different - I always struggled to get a dress that fitted at the top but still gave shape around the waist etc. In the end a tiny little shop in Marlborough helped me and even though I'd choose differently now, at the time I felt beautiful...................mind you, my waist has since disappeared, sort of joined up with my tummy to make a sort of thick tube so I'd be back to square one finding a dress to suit !!!.

Have a wonderful wedding, congratulations.

I bet you'll look a million dollars! Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage.

Dee

Wow your dress sounds gorgeous - very stylish!  Hope you have a great day when it arrives.  The only advice I can give about preparation is to use recommended/well established companies for everything and then you can just relax and enjoy the day knowing they've done it hundreds of times before.

Fiona

congratulations,i am tying the knot for the 2nd time on 13th august this year.i walked past my local bridal shop after we had spoke of getting wed and saw IT.it is a beaded fitted top with full tulle skirts with diamontes and pearls i always thought i would go for something totally different.i told OH and he gave me money for it (in sale £100)i said we havent even set a date yet,but he wasnt bothered cos i kept going on about it,went got the dress fit perfect except bust which i need about a yard taking off :) when i went back to get my shoes the assistant told me a lady had been in 15 minutes after i left crying cos the dress was sold,i know it sounds awfull but i didnt care cos i had it.so approx 5 weeks ago he said lets do it book where you want for august time,we managed to get a cancellation date and now its full steam ahead.i would say trawl the net,i have had so many helpful people from net sites,we ordered our rings from switerland,titanium £200 the pair,they were handmade and we were told to expect them in a month,they we here in a week,i ordered my limo,and photographer from the net as well..we have spent approx £3000 in total,including outfits for 4 bridesmaids,3 page boys and our own outfits.the wedding reception and evening do are all at the same hotel so we are saving money this way as well.
anyway sorry for going on,it is a very exciting time,i wish you every luck for the future
melanie

It's such an exciting time - planning your wedding.  I too got married for the 2nd time last September, and it was the most wonderful day.  The only advice I could give you is don't panic about things.  I worried for days that the colours of the ties didn't match the bridesmaid dresses, and when it got to the wedding day I couldn't have cared less if they were bright pink with yellow dots on - all that mattered was that I was getting married and my husband-to-be was waiting for me!

You enjoy every single second of it, and good luck for the future.

PS, your dress sounds beautiful.

The dress sounds absolutely gorgeous, the way you describe it I can almost see it :)

I would guess laser cut knickers are ... I don't know, maybe cut with a laser from one piece so that the edges are totally flat and sealed, so no need for elastice etc. If not, maybe consider French knickers, nice shorts style or a thong thing :P

Lindsay
x

If you really want to get him excited why not a grass skirt and present him with a pair of shears.

Sorry girls just couldn't resist it.

Congrats on the wedding thing anyway.

Bazza