High Street Bridal

The dress: the bridal element a girl dreams of the most. For many, this will be the most expensive dress they will ever wear, especially considering they only get one use out of it.

My dress was no exception, as beautiful as it is and as princess-like as it made me feel, the thought of such a costly gown hanging in its garment bag, with no prospect of seeing the light of day again, brings me a little pain.

Fortunately, brides today don’t have to spend a small fortune on that beautiful white dress, as more and more high street retailers are trying their luck at becoming part of the bridal fashion industry.

Now, you may be skeptical, and I can’t blame you, I was, but after spending a considerable amount of time browsing the current selection of high street wedding dresses, I can honestly say, I like what I see.

Have a look at some of my top picks in four different styles, with cost ranging from surprisingly affordable to high street indulgent.

Style: V-Neck

These modern yet whimsical dresses are perfect for the romantic bride that wants a daring neckline. Both feature a scalloped trim in the V-neckline, which I adore.

The Gardenia Wedding Dress (Phase Eight £750) is made of floral tulle tapework and is hand embellished with delicate sequins and beads. The slinky material results in a feminine silhouette with the godet detail creating a full skirt, which gracefully flows into the train. The keyhole back elegantly completes the dress.

The Sofia Long Bridal Dress (BHS £150) is made with delicate lace and has an empire waist and full skirt, with a V-neckline across the back and front of the dress, with satin champagne lining and a grosgrain belt.

Style: Illusion

These beautiful lace creations are prefect for the girl who loves a sweetheart shape but prefers the modesty of a higher neckline. The lace overlay of these styles makes them effortlessly elegant and timeless.

The Mariette Wedding Dress (Phase Eight £650) has intricate embellishments of shimmering beads and sequins on the lace, a delicate train and a concealed back zip.

The Début Ivory Lace Maxi Dress (Debenhams £195) is a delicate satin and lace silhouette dress with a fishtail bottom and V line back.

Style: Cover-up

For the bride that prefers a little extra fabric in the shoulder area, a bolero or shrug is a flexible way to have two looks for the same dress, wear it for the ceremony and lose it for the reception, or whatever feels comfortable. Alternatively, a dress with sheer sleeves will allow the cut of the dress to shine while maintaining a demure bridal look.

The Ellis Bridal Dress & Shrug (Monsoon £699) has a captivating sheath silhouette and scallop-edge train. The embroidered tulle has been generously embellished with beads and sequins that create an everlasting shimmer. The dress includes a concealed zip and a hidden finger loop to lift the train. 

The Elbertine Wedding Dress in Ivory (Phase Eight £650) is a stunning 1920's inspired style which boasts exquisite embellishments and beading. It also includes a detachable sequin belt with a bow at the back to adjust the waist.

Style: Strapless

Perhaps the most popular style in modern brides, and for good reason, with a choice of sweetheart, straight across or semi-sweetheart, you can pick the cut that suits you best and give your neckline and accessories pride of place.

The Imogen Bridal Dress (BHS £450 is made of organza fabric with a satin underlay and netting to allow a full skirt effect. The dress is completed by the intricate embellishments across the bodice and stunning lace-up back. 

The Esme Wedding Dress in Ivory (Phase Eight £350) certainly looks like it stepped out of a fairytale. It features a fitted sweetheart neckline and a fishtail silhouette with a lace skirt and tulle overlay to add volume. Details like detachable straps, a concealed zip at the side and train loops finalize the ethereal design.

Walking Down the Aisle...

As much of a cliché as it may be, I am a girl who loves shoes, and bridal shoes are no exception.

The journey to find my perfect wedding footwear was lengthy and a little obsessive, if I’m honest. I had a very specific idea of what I wanted and did not rest until I found it, using all the search engines and key words, browsing high street and designer brands alike.

My initial inspiration came in the form of an Australian brand called PeepToe and their beautiful MrsWhitedress design (above). A five inch ivory satin creation, with lace overlay and a scallop trim. However finding a picture of these was far easier than actually finding the shoes, and once found they were out of budget and in another continent, so the search continued.

I finally found what I was after when I came across the Odeon Lace Peep Toe Platform Stiletto Heels. Five inch heel: check; White satin with a lace overlay: check; Scallop trip: not check, but the diamante studs on the heel and toe area make up for that, because a little bling is fine by me!

I adored my wedding footwear, but if I had to do it all again, here are some of the gorgeous (yet affordable) designs I would swoon for these days…

No1 Jenny Packham for Debenhams

There is beauty in simplicity and this pair of No1 Jenny Packham sandals are simply stunning. I love the delicate lace detailing on the elasticated strap, a very romantic touch.

Victoriana Diamante Bridal Court by Monsoon

These beautiful satin court shoes offer a very classic look with some modern sparkle. I love that they have combined diamante gems with pearl beads for the trim.

Faith Ivory Sequined Court Shoes for Debenhams

If bling is your thing, then you can’t go wrong with these sparkly court shoes by Faith, which feature an all over sequined detail, very wow factor.

Lilliana Vintage Bow Peeptoe by Monsoon

These dreamy vintage style peep toe heels are just adorable, I love the crocheted lace accessorized with a statement satin bow at the ankle.

How I Married Your Mother

Another great US sitcom has drawn to a close, and with it came many surprises! But this is not a review of How I Met Your Mother’s final episode, it is a recap of the beautiful weddings and relationships that made it memorable.

Marshall Eriksen and Lily Aldrin

Lilypad and Marshmallow are one of my all time favourite couples. College sweethearts who are in no way perfect but are absolutely perfect for one another. During the show’s nine seasons we saw them overcome many a fork in the road, but they always chose each other.

At the start of episode 21 ‘Something Borrowed’ in Season 2, Ted says “The wedding you set out to have is almost never the wedding you end up with”, and as the episode goes on, the intimate wedding they wanted turns into a much larger event where many things go wrong, including an ex crashing the wedding, no photographer, late flowers, a trashed veil, a harpist in labour and a groom with a shaven head.

Despite it all, they end up having the intimate outdoor wedding they wanted as they meet at the gardens before the official ceremony, with Barney officiating their first marriage of the afternoon. In a stunning Monique Lhuillier gown, Lily marries Marshall with just their close friends present, the music of an acoustic guitar and words of love in place of written vows.

Barney Stinson and Robin Scherbatsky

The 9^th season of the series (excluding the finale) is a countdown to Barney and Robin’s nuptials, two people who through the series are portrayed as the most unlikely to marry, yet against all odds they do, with the wedding taking place in episode 22 ‘The End of the Aisle’.

Although it’s Barney and Robin’s big day, one of the most inspiring moments comes from Marshall and Lily, when they realise they have broken every vow they made to each other and decide to update them because as Marshall said “wedding vows need to be real commitments”.

“I vow to keep updating them as we go, because one set of vows, it can’t cover a lifetime of growing and changing with you, of raising children with you, falling more and more in love with you every day, which is what I vow to do for the rest of my life.”

Barney is inspired by his friends’ moment and makes only one vow to his wife-to-be: to always be honest with her, and during a ceremony at Long Island’s Farhampton Inn, which sees Robin walk down the aisle in the beautiful Monique Lhuillier ‘Addie’ dress, followed by a ring bear (yes an actual bear), they become man and wife, despite the many twists and turns in the run up to that legendary day.

Ted’s wise words at the end of the episode lingered with me: “None of us can vow to be perfect, in the end all we can do is promise to love each other with everything we’ve got, because love is the best thing we do”.

Ted Mosby and Tracy McConnell (The Mother)

Nine years is quite the build up for one wedding. Throughout the show, viewers patiently waited to meet ‘The Mother’, and with the final season offering many flash forwards to how they fell in love, the finale of the series finally sees Ted marry the woman he searched for all his adult life, the woman of his dreams, his perfect match.

Although Ted and Tracy originally plan a lavish wedding in a 17^th century castle in France, a baby bump changes their plans and the celebration is postponed, but fear not because the episode reveals that seven years and two children later, the couple finally tie the knot in a simple and heart-warming ceremony.

On a Thursday afternoon, the gang gets together at MacLaren’s Pub for pre wedding drinks, and Tracy makes and appearance to capture the moment, looking breathtakingly stunning in her elegant vintage strapless gown. The ceremony takes place during a voiceover from Ted, and I’m certain many hearts skipped beat when he finally kissed his bride.

“It was at times a long, difficult road, but I’m glad it was long and difficult because if I hadn’t gone through hell to get there, the lesson might not have been as clear. You see kids, right from the moment I met your mom, I knew, I have to love this woman as much as I can, for as long as I can and I can never stop loving her not even for a second”.

Mrs Kelly Clarkson Blackstock

Huge congratulations to Kelly Clarkson, the original (and most loved) American Idol, who on October 20th, tied the knot to fiancé Brandon Blackstock!

The happy couple celebrated their nuptials with a romantic and intimate country rustic wedding at Blackberry Farms in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

The bride donned the beautiful Jessamine dress from Temperley Bridal’s Iris collection, and accessorized her stunning lace gown with a headband from Maria Elena Headpieces and a bouquet of Sunflowers and Bluebonnets.

During her engagement shoot earlier this year, Kelly stunned in creations from Marchesa and Monique Lhuillier, and it was clear from those pictures that the wedding was going to be a beautiful and romantic affair.

Kelly and Brandon kept the details of the wedding preparations very much under wrap, and although at one point they had thought about a big wedding, they instead opted to elope, in the hopes of maintaining the intimacy of the day intact.

Kelly then shared a short but sweet video of her big day, allowing her fans to share their love and joy...

The American songbird and her talent manager husband got engaged last December, after which Kelly proudly shared her yellow canary diamond sparkler with a few extra diamonds around it, for good measure. Talk about a gorgeous ring.

And even though she didn’t have a big wedding, she certainly made sure not to miss out on the bridal experience. Back in July she tweeted an absolutely stunning photo from her engagement shoot, in which she looks absolutely angelic, even a little like a princess, one might say.

Shortly after, in August, Kelly tweeted another shot from the engagement photo shoot, this one a romantic embrace with her soon to be hubby.

And if the stunning pre-wedding photography wasn’t enough, she even released a song about getting hitched. Her video for Tie It Up was released last August and is a feel-good country blues tune that every bride-to-be will love.

Congrats again to the blushing bride and groom!

All the best, Gaby xXx

BRIDES the show: Garden Party Catwalk

Every girl loves a good catwalk, especially if there are wedding dresses involved, and the Garden Party Catwalk at BRIDES the show did not disappoint.

The white willow trees decorating the runway were without a doubt one of my favourite features, adding a romantic feel to the stage.

Gliding down the walkway, the show’s models gracefully showcased a wide variety of styles and designers. There was definitely a gown for every taste, and not just for the bride, as there were a few whimsical pieces for bridesmaids and flower girls thrown in for good measure.

My favourite designs of the show?

* Sassi Holford: 3D guipure-lace column dress over champagne stretch duchess-satin slip

* Stephanie Allin Couture: Fitted corded-lace dress with matching overlay and wide floral embellished sash

* Ritva Westenius: Organza cutwork over duchess-satin dress with beaded belt detail

* Sassi Holford: Ballgown with rose pink appliqued tulle skirt, tulle overlay bodice and duchess-satin sash

Here is what the Garden Party Catwalk had to offer…

Naomi Neoh (BOA Boutique): Smoky grey silk dress under fine lace overlay with plunging back

Emma Tindley Couture: Ivory silk-chiffon and French lace dress with illusion back and full circular skirt

Jesús Peiró (Miss Bush Bridal Wear): Dress in embroidered tulle with short puffed sleeves

Phillipa Lepley: Strapless slipper-satin gown with chiffon overlay and needlepoint draping on bodice.

Sassi Holford: Ballgown with rose pink appliqued tulle skirt, tulle overlay bodice and duchess-satin sash

Nicki Macfarlane: Pastel silk dresses with organza overlays and ivory lace and floral details

Quintana Couture: Ivory silk-chiffon dress, embellished with silk-satin organza flowers, silk and cotton layered skirt

Emma Hunt: Soft pink slipper-satin dress with Levers lace overlay and beaded tulle waist

Ian Stuart: Satin and sequined tulle dress embroidered with dragonflies

Lace top sweetheart dress 

Maids To Measure: Ivory chiffon dress with long sleeves. Pastel chiffon dress. Short tulle dresses with pastel sashes

Katya Katya Shehurina: Empire-line dress of champagne tulle and gold French lace 

with shoulder detail and handmade brooch

Amanda Wakeley: Silk-crepe dress with full skirt and Swarovski-crystal beaded bodice

Miss Bush Couture: Silk-satin dress and sheer capelet with tulle overlay, 

and hand-embroidered leaves in lace and organza

Ritva Westenius: Organza cutwork over duchess-satin dress with beaded belt detail

Stephanie Allin Couture: Fitted corded-lace dress with matching overlay and wide floral embellished sash

The State of Grace: Oyster silk and gold lace applique gown 

with plunge front and low cowl back adorned with back jewels

Sanyukta Shrestha: 1930s-inspired bias-cut organic silk dress with detachable embroidered bolero

Anita Massarella: White French corded-lace dress with cap sleeves and silk-organza double circle skirt

Caroline Castigliano (The Designer Bridal Room): Antique pink satin-faced organza dress 

with corded-lace cups and cummerbund 

Nicki Macfarlane: Nude silk dresses with gold sequined trim

Phillipa Lepley: Fine lace blouson-type gown over slipper-satin underlay with V-neck and spiral-detail skirt

Twobirds Bridesmaid: Pastel-coloured jersey-blend dresses

Quintana Couture: Sheer French lace and silk-georgette jacket with silk-crepe and silk-chiffon dress

Katya Katya Shehurina: Trumpet silhouette dress in ivory French lace 

and blush pink tulle with microfiber underdress

Louise Selby: Oyster satin dress with silver metallic and cream lace top with cap sleeves

Sanyukta Shrestha: Soft A-line silk gown lined in hand-loomed bamboo with pleated silk-chiffon overlay

Mirror Mirror Couture: Silk-satin-backed crepe bias-cut gown with detachable chiffon cap sleeves

Angelina Colarusso: Soft oyster silk-crepe dress textured with silk tulle, organza and lace

Emma Hunt: Ivory silk-satin and chiffon dress worn with long-sleeved jacket with beaded lace-applique hem

Anita Massarella: Sequined tulle 1920s-style mermaid dress with Swarovski-crystal straps

Ritva Westenius: 1920s-inspired pure silk-slipper-satin dress with hand-beaded bodice

Sassi Holford: 3D guipure-lace column dress over champagne stretch duchess-satin slip

Phillipa Lepley: Lilac corded lace bias-cut gown with tulle overlay

The State of Grace: French Chantilly lace Nehru-collared coat over gold silk-crepe bias-cut 1930s-style slip dress

Katya Katya Shehurina: Ivory floral French lace and white tulle dress 

with hand-embellished brooch over pastel underdress

Little Bevan: Olive silk under ivory lace;ivory silk under lace;pastel silk organza and lemon lace

All the best, Gaby xXx

* Special thanks to my Husband/Photographer for the night, for getting these great shots.
* Dress descriptions courtesy of Brides Magazine