Your London Wedding - September/October 2024 (Issue 97)

PIS FOR PRELOVED If you prefer to allocate your budget to different aspects of the wedding but still want to look stunning, consider exploring preloved gowns. These dresses are budget-friendly, often worn just once or brand new, and can be from the latest season. R IS FOR REVIEWS Just like you would when looking into any supplier for your wedding day team, take a moment to read the reviews of your local bridal boutique. They often showcase the lovely feedback from previous brides, so you can usually find a section dedicated to testimonials on their website. IS FOR SLEEVES Sleeves are gaining immense popularity and provide a variety of versatile choices. Numerous designs are available, both with and without sleeves, and detachable options let you effortlessly transition from a daytime to an evening look, even allowing you to select the sleeve length. This gown Lana is a beautiful flowing silhouette made from luxurious hammered silk from Julita LDN Bride. This gown can be belted or worn loose. The lightweight drape flows with divine movement. TIS FOR TRENDS County Wedding Magazines’ fashion editor Claire Ridley tells us what’s hot in the world of wedding fashion right now... •Plain dresses featuring clean-cut lines with a minimalist aesthetic. •Statement sleeves, which are here to stay with lightly puffed styles adding the wow factor. •Lace bodices adorned with beautiful beadwork and voluminous skirts made with layers of organza offering a new take on princess-style dresses. •Contoured corsetry boasting square or strapless necklines. UIS FOR UNIQUE Couples are increasingly discovering unique ways to add a personal touch to their wedding celebrations, which can also apply to your outfits. If you’ve come across a dress that’s almost perfect but needs something extra, don’t hesitate to talk to your consultant about possibilities like additional sparkles, lace or decorative buttons. VIS FOR VEIL In everyday life, accessories can truly elevate or diminish an outfit, and the veil is the bridal equivalent. You’re not obligated to wear it all day; you can always change your style with a hair accessory later and save the veil for that magical moment as you stroll down the aisle. WIS FOR WILD CARD When it comes to shopping for a wedding dress, our top tip is to keep an open mind. Focusing too narrowly on one style can create unnecessary stress if it doesn’t turn out as you imagined. Why not try a wildcard like this stunning gown by Julita LND Bride, covered in stunning sequins that perfectly capture the light? Z IS FOR X-PERT Alright, we may have taken a little shortcut, but we just had to highlight the incredible local boutique consultants. They genuinely care about your needs and are experts in their field. When you come in for your appointment, you’ll start with a consultation that allows your stylist to grasp your style and aspirations. We like to call them the dress whisperers! IS FOR ZOOM Your dress is bound to travel a bit—whether you’re picking it up or bringing it to the venue. To ensure it stays in perfect shape, invest in a high-quality, acid-free garment bag for storage. Once it’s at home, keep it away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. When you’re ready to head to the venue, try to lay the seats down in your car and place the dress flat if possible, or hang it from the garment hook if that doesn’t work. Just remember to hang it up again as soon as you arrive! We also suggest bringing a handheld steamer along. YIS FOR “YES” How do you know this is the dress for you? We have some ideas... •You don’t want to take it off. •You compare every other dress to it. •You feel beautiful and confident. •You can picture yourself walking down the aisle in it. •You’ve already started accessorising in your mind. QIS FOR QUICK A great way to save money, especially if you’re pressed for time, is to check out sample sales. Many bridal boutiques host these special events at the end of the season, offering their sample dresses at discounted prices to make space for new collections. S www.divineday.uk www.fayewildephotography.com X Unsplash via Getty Images Unsplash via Getty Images BRIDAL BOUTIQUES 51

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