The most common dilemma facing brides when looking for their wedding dress in London, is deciding what style of dress they want and where to get it from? Unless they have done their homework, it can take considerable time to figure this out.

Brides don’t particularly want to waste time going to the wrong stores and the bridal boutiques certainly do not want to waste time on brides, who are not really in their market. So the following advice should help brides decide on which stores to make appointments to visit.

Firstly brides need to understand that the vast majority of bridal gowns sold in the UK today are from big bridal dress manufacturers, most of whom manufacture out of the Far East. These dresses are usually ordered for the customer by the bridal stores in the closest standard size and then altered to fit the bride. This is not ideal fit wise, but it is the only way to keep prices down.

Unfortunately some bridal stores attempt to pass this off as “made to measure”. Do not confuse “made to order” with “made to measure” and don’t forget to ask if the price quoted includes alterations? As these usually cost extra and can add several hundred pounds to the price of the dress, depending on what needs doing.

There are also a number of designers who mistakenly describe their dresses as “couture” when in fact they are really made to measure. These are all rather cynical attempts to take advantage of the bride’s lack of understanding and to persuade her that she is getting more for her money than she actually is.

Made to measure is where the bride chooses an existing design, that is then made up to fit her. The price quoted normally includes a number of fittings. Made to measure dresses typically start from £1500 upwards. In the ideal world, if price was not an issue, all brides would have their dresses made to measure, to ensure a perfect fit.
Couture is where the customer sits down with the designer and the dress is designed from scratch to the customer’s specification. With couture, there is usually always a toile fitting, (to check the fit of the pattern), before the dress is cut and made up. Couture dresses typically start from £3000 upwards, as they are very time consuming and expensive to manufacture.

Brides can now understand why wedding dresses vary so much in price and also in terms of what you get for your money. For example, you can purchase a perfectly adequate off the peg dress, from the larger bridal chain stores, for as little as £300. But at this price, you have to accept that the dress will be mass produced in the Far East, and is unlikely to be in silk fabrics or particularly unique.

On the other hand you can also purchase famous brand name, designer dresses for £2000 or more (which are also manufactured in China and then altered to fit you) from some of the West end’s top designer bridal stores. Admittedly the service is better and you should expect silk fabrics, but one could argue that if you are paying £2000 or more, for a dress which is altered to fit, then you are simply paying for the name. There is a popular misconception, that as with anything to do with weddings, brides ordering made to measure designer dresses are somehow being over charged. This is simply not true for the following reasons;

Firstly made to measure dresses are generally hand made in the UK and labour costs and overheads are obviously a lot higher than for dresses manufactured in China. Designer stores also offer a much higher level of service and have a major investment in sample dresses for brides to try.

Secondly brides are paying for the experience and expertise that British designers have acquired over many years in the business. Dealing with designers who actually make their own dresses should give brides confidence that the dress will fit properly and be ready in time, which is not always the case with imported dresses, which often have to be altered to fit.

Some brides decide to use a dress maker to copy a designer dress to save money. Dressmakers can often under cut designers on price, because they have much lower overheads. But brides considering this option would be well advised get references because this can often prove to be a disaster. Very few dressmakers have the necessary skills or experience to manufacture a comparable dress for less money.

Once the potential bride has decided which stores she should make appointments to visit, the next problem is working out what style of dress will suit her figure and the type of wedding she is having?? Looking through bridal magazines will help, but the quickest way is to go and try dresses on. It is also helpful if the bride is able to get some professional advice on what styles suit her figure, her budget and her venue.

Thankfully, there are a reasonable number of reputable west end bridal designer stores, which offer a good selection of styles (at prices from £1500 to £10,000) These can often be altered to fit, made to measure or couture dresses, depending on the bride’s budget. Luckily for brides looking in London’s West end there are a number of designer own label bridal stores, which offer a personal made to measure service on many of their designs, unlike the majority of stores outside London.

Bridal etiquette: Getting the best from your appointment.
Before proceeding it is worth noting that most reputable West End bridal establishments are busy and usually see brides on an appointment only basis.

Ideally one should make appointments at a number of these more reputable stores to try on styles and hopefully get some intelligent advice of what styles will suit the bride’s figure, her style of venue and budget. It is best to be honest about how much you are prepared to spend. There is little point is trying on £3000 dresses, if your budget is £1500.

This advice is normally given for free, but brides should be aware that it is extremely frustrating for the bridal stores, (and unfair on other brides), when brides fail to show for their appointments.
The best bridal stores always have a waiting list for appointments and when brides do not bother to turn up or cancel, this effectively deprives other brides of that appointment slot. For this reason, many of the top designer bridal boutiques charge a cancellation fee if you do NOT give them advance notice of cancellation.

Saturdays and week day evening appointments are generally in high demand for obvious reasons, so it pays to book well in advance.

Bearing in mind these small courtesies makes for a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable experience!

Johanna Hehir is one of London’s top wedding dress Designers specialising in made to measure designer wedding dresses and evening wear. She has one of the largest selections of different wedding dresses in London

When selecting the proper or correct bride’s dress for you, many factors come into play. First of all, one has to take into consideration the body shape of the bride to be when choosing your dress. Are you short, tall, slim or a bit on the chunky side?

Let’s say you are short, a sexy dress in an empire style is always a good choice because the illusion of height is given. Give careful attention to not having too much width of the skirt to the bottom of the hem, otherwise it will take away from the effect of the height that you want to achieve. Better yet, choose a straight skirt.

The empire style is also a great choice for someone who is a little stout; although a bell skirt style with just a little bit of flare gradually widening to the bottom of the hem is the better choice. Just enough fabric, to fit nicely over the waist without the the dress being neither too tight nor having too much fullness so as not too give the look of added weight to the waistline.This style of bride’s dress will divert the eye of the beholder toward the upper part of the garment. So why not choose a lower cut empire sexy dress that is embellished with some lace or beads. Enhancing your best asset, be it a beautiful face and or bosom is the way to draw the eye away from the waist. Never wear a waist fitted gathered gown.

This style will cut the body in half if you are either short or stout or both and leaving you with just the opposite effect that you are trying to achieve. For the tall person, you can wear just about anything your heart desires. The tall bride can select any sexy formal dress be it hour glass, box, bell or gathered from a natural waistline, even a cheap designer wedding dress because her body can carry it off , providing she is not too stout. She will look stunning in just about anything. The only style that the tall bride may want to avoid is the long thin straight wedding dress, as this will emphasize her height. That is fine if her husband to be is equally tall.

Secondly, where you are planning to be married is something else that needs to be considered. Will you be married formally in a church or informally on the beach? If you have chosen a beach wedding, a more casual wedding gown or beach wedding dress can be chosen. It can be any length, whether short, in between or long and flowing. It can even be a cheap wedding dress.
Bridal lingerie is always a personal matter. How much or how little is up to you. Just make sure that it is sexy. Perhaps you may want to get away from wearing a layered slip or any slip at all..
Whether getting married in a church or on the beach, your wedding day should be special and a day you will always want to remember. So ladies,choose a bride’s dress that that has a cut and style that is right and proper for you. If you do so, you will be picture perfect.

June huffman is the owner of http://www.yvonnesdesign.com where she specializes in bride’s, bridesmaids, mother of the bride and prom dresses.