IIS FOR IVORY Here comes the bride, all dressed in white... or is she? While Queen Victoria made it popular for the bride to wear white, having done so on her wedding day, commitment to this tradition has, by and large, been relegated to the annals of history. More popular hues now are warmer ones such as ivory, of course, as well as Moscato, almond, rum and champagne. If you’re daring, you could even go floral or with something bold. Just be sure the colour complements your skin tone and doesn’t wash you out. J IS FOR JEWELLERY The fun doesn’t end when you order your dress, as now you can start shopping for your accessories. It’s generally recommended to do this after you’ve decided on your attire, as it’s easier to make the jewellery work with the dress rather than the other way around. The right piece can elevate your look or solve and niggles you may have. Your choice can depend on your neckline, hairstyle and dress details. KIS FOR KICK UP YOUR HEELS Once you’ve ordered your gown, it’s time to consider footwear. You’ll need to have your shoes in the bag by the time your alteration appointment comes around, as it’s important to make sure the seamstress knows the exact length the dress needs to be. Heels versus flats will make quite the difference. Make sure you’re comfortable. If you generally live and die in trainers, some gorgeous bridal options exist. Alternatively, many brides make their shoes their wedding treat to themselves and spend months saving for the ultimate Jimmy Choos. Your footwear offers another opportunity to put your stamp on your attire. LIS FOR LACE We adore lace! It has long been used in wedding dresses largely thanks to its luxurious nature, having historically been labour-intensive to produce. Once again, Queen Vic is partly responsible for its popularity, sporting handmade lace on her wedding dress. But if you’re now thinking of grandma’s doilies – stop! Modern lace is as varied as it is beautiful. MIS FOR MONEY It’s easy to get swept up in all the gorgeous gowns on offer, so how do you avoid busting the budget? Before that, how do you settle on one? There’s a general rule of thumb on the internet that says you should allocate five to 10 per cent of your overall budget to the dress. Still, it does depend on what you feel comfortable with and whether this is one of your nonnegotiable elements. We recommend, above all, that you’re realistic about what you want, and the rest will fall into place. For example, if you love lots of detailing and heavy beading, accepting that this isn’t come cheap will stand you in good stead; it’s then up to you whether you want to compromise. IS FOR NECKLINES As there are many silhouettes to choose from, there is also a world of necklines, each having its part to complement or accentuate your figure. Head to Google and research sweetheart, plunging, off-theshoulder, high, halter, one-shoulder, V, illusion, boat, empire, queen, scoop... we could go on! OIS FOR ONLINE INSPIRATION We know how stressful finding your dream gown can be, so it’s important to look online for inspiration on what features you like or dislike – Pinterest will be your best friend. Many brides go into their appointment with a dress in mind but come out with something completely different, so be open-minded and try on a few different styles to see what suits your body shape and personal style best. P IS FOR PRELOVED If you’d rather invest your cash in other areas of the wedding but don’t want to compromise on your look, you may want to consider looking at preloved gowns. Kinder on the pocket, these dresses will have been worn only once, some not at all, and may be no older than last season. N 60
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