I promised I would do this blog post all about my wedding dress ‘near-misses’ and now that we’re so close to the wedding, I thought it was about time I did just that! I documented my wedding dress shopping journey pretty thoroughly on this blog but even then, I don’t think it showed just how extensive my search was. It got to the point that I was embarrassed to tell bridal consultants how many appointments I’d had or how many dresses I’d tried on for the fear of their judgement! I am definitely glad I held out though because I’m still as in love with my dress as ever and I can’t wait for you all to see it!
That said, I had a LOT of dresses that I very nearly bought. So here are the finalists that were very almost the ‘one’!
Oscar De La Renta V Neck Gown
This was a really early dress that I tried on and I was absolutely in love with it. For some reason though, I had a niggly doubt in my mind every time I went to put the deposit down. Just before I was about to make the call, I cracked and showed Dan a photo just to ease my mind… and he hated it. This was before I knew about his intense hatred of anything ‘net-like or only half see-through’ (seriously, men are the weirdest) and I was gutted. And of course, I wasn’t about to spend thousands on a dress that he hated so that was promptly scrapped!
Mira Zwillinger Fiona
This was an internet stalking find and one of the first few dresses I searched out and tried on (please excuse the… er…. ‘vintage’ mirror – it had a lot of character haha!). Truth be told, I think I loved this dress on others more than I loved it on myself. That said, I really really loved it on others so I kept coming back to this dress even though no one was really a fan of it! I think I must have tried this dress on 3 times because I kept wanting to love and commit it to but again – something just held me back.
Inbal Dror Plunge Gown
This one came out of left field. The fabric was just incredible and I’d not tried on anything like it before. I did NOT think I wanted anything quite that dramatic but… I absolutely fell in love. I felt like a modern day Marilyn in it and just loved the drama. Yes it was low cut but it didn’t feel crazy to me and I loved how it looked with my hair up. The only deal breaker was the pattern – this one was pretty much made for a winter wedding with the silvery branch pattern being undeniably Christmas-like. If we had gone for a winter wedding, there is a high chance this would have been my dress.
Vera Wang Georgina
This remains my favourite next to my actual wedding dress. The Georgina has been around for years and years; no shortage of brides have worn this dress and I completely understand why. Even though I didn’t think I wanted anything too form fitting, the Georgina seemed to hug everything in just the right way and I loved how clean cut it was in the front whilst hiding a little party in the back. I would have purchased this (and was actually set on doing so) had I not found my eventual wedding dress.
Even though my dress hunt went on for far longer than I wanted it to, I’m grateful I kept searching otherwise I wouldn’t have stumbled across my eventual dress. Even though I’ve always been skeptical of talk of ‘the one’ in terms of dresses, it’s undeniable that I felt differently in my dress than I did the others. Whilst I sent everyone the pics of all the other contenders, needing and wanting opinions – I didn’t have this same need with my dress. I bought and paid for it with only my mum’s 2nd opinion and even though I’ve seen countless dresses since, I’m happy to say that there’s been zero dress regret!
I’m beyond excited for Dan to see the dress (and I actually have a little story to share about it which I’ll do after the wedding!) and can’t wait for the day to be here so I can actually wear it!
I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane with me and thank you so much for stopping by!
All beautiful especially the last two! My wedding dress was a Vera Wang. Such a wonderful time in your life! Enjoy it!!!!
Vera Wang does the most stunning dresses! Definitely lives up to the hype IMO!
I love that Oscar de la renta omg!
Can’t wait to see what you picked!
aw thank you Lorena!!
I love the first four dresses!! I can’t wait for the reveal!
Thank you Diana! Excited to wear & show it haha!
Honestly, all your picks are wonderful! What a close call with the first dress. I love how you value your mom’s opinion on this, as I would do the exact same when it comes to my big day!
Haha she was pretty over it by the time we found my dress but I definitely couldn’t have done it without her!
This was a fun blog post to read
All are so beautiful, I love the Oscar De La Renta! I can’t wait to see your dress, you are going to look so stunning in it!
Chloe x
http://www.softoctobernight.com
You look beautiful in all the above dresses. My vote is for the last dress. It is so complementing on your perfect figure.
You look gorgeous in all the dresses Amie, such romantic wedding gowns! Can’t wait to see your choice, I’m sure you will be stunning. Congratulations!
OMG number two is my absolute dream!
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
They are all gorgeous and you look stunning in every single one! Nut I adore the Inbal Dror Plunge Gown and the Oscar De La Renta V Neck Gown! Can’t wait to see your final choise!!!
I loved you in all of them apart from Vera Wang. I hate straight-across necklines in wedding dresses, they are decidedly unfeminine.
Wow you look gorgeous in all this dresses ! I can’t wait to see the one you will wear on the big day ! I love the first one so much on you !
https://thefrenchiestblog.wordpress.com
Those dresses all looking amazing on you! May I ask how many different dresses did you try? I have been dress hunting and I feel like I’ve tried on so many and like so many but there hasn’t been one that I am absolutely sure about. I’m at the stage where I’m so tired and feel like I should just settle on one.
Oh my goodness, it must have been about 100 which is INSANE to think about now. I went to so many dress appointments and got myself so confused. If you don’t feel like you’ve found the one yet though, I would say keep looking. Try different styles, fabrics and silhouettes – I ended up going for something I specifically said I didn’t want to begin with (which is such a cliche I know!). I’m so glad I held out because even though I really liked the others, this one I just had a different feeling about. Good luck! I’m sure your perfect dress is out there 🙂
Beautiful! Looking forward to seeing the one you picked!
That Oscar de la Renta, though. I would have been, ‘Sorry Dan, but this is happening and there’s nothing you can do about it” 😛
Hahaha I love it!
Hiya Amie,
You looked amazing in all the dresses. They are beautiful. I’m sure “the one” dress will look equally stunning!
xDeb
Every dress looks amazing on you. I am also getting married next fall. Can’t wait to see your wedding pictures. When is it going to be your wedding precisely? Wihtin 1 month? What’s the date. We’re all waiting. Kisses
You looke ABSOLUTELY gorgeous in all these dresses! I can’t imagine what your actual dress will look like cos I bet it will be stunning! Can’t wait! XOXO
You look stunning in each dress and I can see why they were all close calls! I can’t wait to see what you chose and hear the story. I’m sure Dan will love it (but they really are the weirdest, aren’t they?) ❤️
Hi there! I’ve recently stumbled across your profile and have been reading your posts and watching your YouTube videos non stop!! 🙂 I’m currently planning for my wedding as well and was wondering if you had any recommendations on bridal shops in London to head to or any of your personal faves from those you headed to? Understand that wedding dress shopping can be v different for everyone but interested in having your take on it! 🙂