Finding The One (No, Not Them – The Wedding Dress)

Finding your wedding dress should be exciting, but let's be honest, it can also feel slightly overwhelming.

There's Pinterest, Instagram and approximately a million different styles to choose from. Throw in a few well-meaning opinions from family and friends, and suddenly it's easy to forget one important thing.

The best dress is the one that feels like you.

When Should You Start Looking?

Most bridal boutiques recommend starting your dress search around 12 months before your wedding. Many gowns are made to order and can take anywhere from four to eight months to arrive, depending on the designer. Once your dress is in, you'll usually need alterations, which typically take around 12-16 weeks and involve two or three fittings. Of course, if you're planning things a little quicker, don't panic. Many boutiques have off-the-peg gowns and rush orders available. But if you can, giving yourself plenty of time means you'll be able to enjoy the experience without feeling stressed or making last-minute decisions.

Keep An Open Mind

The dress you end up choosing might be completely different to the one you imagined.

Brides who swear they'll wear lace fall in love with satin. The bride who said she'd never wear a veil suddenly can't imagine life without one. It happens all the time. Sometimes the dress chooses you.

Don't Bring An Audience

Too many opinions can quickly become confusing. Your mum loves one dress, your best friend loves another, and suddenly you're doubting something you adored five minutes earlier. Keep your circle small and remember whose opinion matters most. Yours.

Comfort Is Beautiful

You'll be wearing your dress all day. You'll be hugging, laughing, eating and dancing, so being comfortable matters more than you think. Confidence photographs beautifully.

Ignore The "Rules"

Long train? Amazing. Short dress? Love it. Trainers underneath? Iconic. There are no rules anymore, and that's what makes modern weddings so much fun.

Stop Looking Once You've Found It

One of the biggest mistakes brides make is continuing to scroll after they've found their dress.

If you love it, trust yourself. Because when you walk down the aisle, your partner won't be thinking about trends or designer labels. They'll simply be thinking… "Wow." And honestly, that's all that matters.

How Should You Store Your Dress Before the Wedding?

Once you've collected your dress, it's tempting to unzip the bag every other day and admire it (we won't judge), but it's best to keep it safely stored somewhere cool, dry and away from direct sunlight. Avoid lofts, garages and anywhere damp, as changes in temperature can damage delicate fabrics. Hang your dress using the loops sewn inside rather than the straps themselves, and leave it inside its garment bag to protect it from dust and curious pets. If your dress has a long train or heavy beading, ask your boutique whether it should be laid flat instead. Then try your very best to leave it alone until the big day – although a few excited peeks are completely understandable.

Who Do I Recommend?

If you're based in Kent, two boutiques I always love recommending are Yours Truly Bridal House in Maidstone and Belle Brides in Rochester. Both are incredibly welcoming and passionate about helping every bride find a dress that makes her feel amazing. They also stock a wonderful range of plus size gowns, so every bride has plenty of beautiful options to try on.

Yours Truly Bridal House (www.yourstruly.uk.com | Instagram: @yourstrulybridalhouse) offers a relaxed and personal experience, with a gorgeous collection of dresses and a team who instantly make you feel at ease.

Belle Brides (www.bellebrides.org | Instagram: @belle_bridalboutique) is equally lovely, with a fantastic selection of gowns and a warm, friendly atmosphere that makes dress shopping feel exciting rather than overwhelming.

I've had the pleasure of working alongside both boutiques and have seen first-hand just how much care and attention they give to every bride who walks through their doors. If you're starting your search, I couldn't recommend either of them more highly.