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Choosing Your Wedding Dress in Devon & Cornwall

Slim and slinky, chic and elegant, a confection of tulle? Off-the-shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti-strapped, strapless, backless? In virginal white, ivory, gold, the palest of baby pinks or the deepest of crimsons or burgundies? If you’re beginning to panic, don’t. Just get out there and start looking! Your wedding dress is the most exciting dress you will ever buy and most brides will tell you they knew they’d found the right one as soon as they tried it on. Where do you start? There are thousands of wedding dresses our there but they all fall into five basic shapes:

Ballgown

Its fitted bodice and full skirt creates the impression of curves for brides whose figures tend to be a bit straight up and down.

Empire Line

Its high-waisted style, with a slim or A-line skirt falling from just below the bust, suits brides with classic English figures – small on top and a bit fuller on the bottom.

Sheath

Slim and figure-hugging, the sheath and its sister style, the fishtail, look stunning on both perfect petites and long and leggy brides. Those with less than perfect figures are advised to avoid it!

Princess Line

Describing an A-line by means of vertical panels either from the shoulders or from the bust, this style suits brides who want disguise their hips.

Dropped waistline

The long bodice and dropped waist of the basque-style suits almost every figure and is perfect for brides who want to draw attention away from a very full bust. When it comes to necklines and sleeves, take a good look at your shoulders before you make a decision.

Strapless

this straps, halter necks and off-the-shoulder gowns accentuate pretty shoulders. If you have wide shoulders, go for a V-neck or wide straps Sweetheart, square and V-necklines elongate shorter necks. High collars and boat necklines disguise bony shoulders or prominent collarbones. Full, fancy sleeves and lace, beaded or embroidered bodices all suit the smaller figure while better-endowed brides should avoid low necklines and fussy detail on the bodice.

Should I wear white?

Nowadays, only if you have a tan to set it off – if you’re going for the traditional bridal look, creams and ivories are much kinder to the skin. But the choice of colour is enormous. Gold, silver and delicate pastels are very much in evidence and, if you really want to make a statement, there are fabulous rich crimsons and deep burgundies.

The back view

Everything you’ve ever read about the importance of the back of your dress is true. That’s what your guests will be looking at all through the ceremony. A built-in train will give you a slimmer outline while you’re standing at the altar and lend a special dignity to the occasion. Yes, they’re more difficult to handle but think of the fun you’ll have practising in front of the mirror at home. You’ll soon work out how to walk and turn gracefully and don’t forget your chief bridesmaid will be there to ensure your train falls properly on the day.

A final tip…

When you go to choose your dress, limit the number of people you take with you for advice to a maximum of two. And always include a friend whose opinion you trust and who will tell you the truth about what suits you, and what doesn’t.

ALWAYS & FOREVER

17 Market Place, Bideford EX39 2DR
Tel: 01237 479176
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.devonbridal.co.uk

This spacious, light and tranquil wedding sanctuary offers a large collection of wedding dresses, occasion wear, prom dresses and men’s formalwear, accommodating a wide range of styles, sizes and budgets.

You will be warmly welcomed by the friendly team who pride themselves on their reputation for quality, affordability and excellent customer service.

Book an appointment for exclusive use of the sanctuary, undivided attention and professional expertise in a relaxed, inclusive and unpressured environment.

THE BRIDAL EMPORIUM

105-106 Fore Street, Exeter EX4 3HY
Tel: 01392 493814
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.bridalemporium.co.uk

With over 200 lovingly made designer wedding dresses on show and collections to suit every budget, every style and every bride, The Bridal Emporium in Exeter should be on every bride’s visiting list. All the dresses are lovingly made by renowned designers, including Kenneth Winston, Mark Lesley, Romantica, Lois Wild and Phoenix Gowns, all of whom have been selected for their exceptional quality, reliability and experience.

The family-run, independent business has a fabulous team of professional bridal consultants and talented seamstresses, all with years of experience, who will look after you from your initial point of contact right up to the day of your wedding, when they will happily arrive at your venue and dress you for your big day.

Established for 27 years, The Bridal Emporium is Exeter’s longest-established bridal, prom and occasion wear boutique aqnd it has something for every bride from modern glamour to vintage chic . Whatever the look you wish to achieve, they will help you to find ‘the one’.

THE BRIDAL STUDIO HELSTON

14 Coinagehall Street, Helston TR13 8EB
Tel: 01326 560903
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.bridal-studio-helston.co.uk

Book an appointment and start the most beautiful journey. The Bridal Studio offers stunning collections, including Madi Lane, Rachel Allan, Monica Lorett, Gais and Monreal and they’ll take time to get to know you and your style, so that they can help you put together an outfit that’s perfect for you and your big day.

Over cup of tea or coffee, they’ll discuss fabrics, styles, silhouettes and create your own collection, ready for you to try on. From romantic, ethereal boho styles with soft laces, floaty skirts and plunging necklines with open backs, all the way through to the traditional bridal look with sweeping train, soft satins and subtle touch of sparkles, The Bridal Studio offers the entire gamut of bridal styles.

BROWNS OF TOTNES

92 High Street, The Narrows, Totnes TQ9 5SN
Tel: 07875 504779
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.brownsoftotnes.co.uk

Browns of Totnes stocks some of the most sought-after designers including Catherine Deane, Mikaella and Paloma Blanca, offering a top range of unique dresses you’ll struggle to find elsewhere in the region. If you want your wedding to be unlike any other, you need a dress unlike any other – and Browns of Totnes is the place to get it. They pride themselves on showcasing a wide range of styles for every bride. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or more edgy, to a boho or vintage look, there will be something for you to try in sizes from 4 to 14. They also stock Modeca Curve and specialise in exquisite sample gowns from the best designers for brides who are on a short timescale or working to a strict budget.

During your private appointment you will enjoy a welcoming and tranquil environment and be treated to a VIP experience on the most memorable and emotional day amid all of your busy wedding planning. They recognise that buying a wedding dress should be an enjoyable and unforgettable experience and endeavour to make every bride feel truly special and relaxed.

THE DRESS BARN

Suite 1, Sheers Barton Barns, Lawhitton PL15 9NT
Tel: 07881935061
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.dress-barn.co.uk

This a beautiful, rural, Cornish barn close to the Devon-Cornwall border nestles conveniently between Callington, Launceston, Liskeard and Tavistock. And it’s not far from Plymouth or Holsworthy either!

Their range of new or worn-once bridal, bridesmaid, prom and evening dresses covers all budgets from under £100 to over £1,000 and sizes from 4 to 34. The Dress Barn is open from 10am Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays for you to browse and try on . the beautiful dresses. Evening and Sunday appointments are also available.

You’ll find comfy sofas and cool refreshments, luxurious fitting rooms and a free in-house bespoke fitting service. There’s even free parking right outside the door!

LOWEN BRIDAL

12 Church Street, Launceston PL15 8AP
Tel: 01566 778989/07516 646089
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.lowenbridal.co.uk

Fabulous selection of gowns from British designers Romantica of Devon, Phil Collins and Tiffany Bridal. Also glittering range of accessories, beautiful bridesmaids’ dresses and pre-loved ball gowns, prom and party dresses. There’s also a ‘Bride on a Budget’ collection. Sizes range from 4 to 30, all at amazingly reasonable prices.
Supporting UK business is important to them, which is why they’ve chosen to stock only from suppliers based in the UK and, wherever possible, right here in the south west.

PEARL & ROUGE

Based near Bideford
Tel: 07525 718988
Email:

Website: www.pearlandrouge.com

Pearl & Rouge (previously trading as Beauty by Cathy, has now introduced a collection of heirloom and pre-loved bridal gowns and accessories. Each piece is lovingly curated for the modern romantic — brides who value eco-friendly bridal fashion, with affordable designer second-hand wedding dresses. Each piece has been thoughtfully chosen, carefully cleaned and restored, preserving its original grace and giving it a new love story, while being kind to the environment and ultimately being sustainable.

Nestled in a beautiful village on the outskirts of Bideford near Barnstaple, North Devon, you can visit the home studio to try on dresses.

PIROUETTE

The House that Moved, 24 West Street, Exeter EX1 1BA
Tel: 0101392 432643
Email:

Website: www.pirouettethecollection.com

Stocking highly sought-after international collections, including Maggie Sottero, Sottero & Midgley, Rebecca Ingram and LouLou Bridal. Intimate appointments available and there’s a bespoke alteration service for that perfect fit.

PRETTY SMITHY BRIDAL

335 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ2 3EP
Tel: 01803 362392
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.prettysmithybridal.co.uk

Pretty Smithy operates by appointment so you get exclusive access to their collection of beautiful and affordable wedding dresses. Prices start at £399 and go up to £2399 and there’s a selection of over 150 dresses in sample sizes from 6 to 36 ready for you to try on.

They have both made-to-order and off-the-rail dresses and are proud stockists of GAIA, True Bride, Brighton Belle and Millie May, alongside an extensive collection of curvy wedding dresses in sizes 14 to 36 from designers True Curve and Millie Grace.

They want every bride to have the dress of her dreams, with a boutique, special experience, at a realistic price.

ROOKERY BRIDAL

Ubnit 3, Mill Batch Farm, East Brent TA9 4JN
Tel: 01934 751111
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.rookerybridal.co.uk

Classy and elegant, with dresses at affordable prices, Rookery Bridal extends the warmest of receptions to all brides seeking their perfect wedding dress.

International bridal collections include Justin Alexander, Paloma Blanca, Mikaella, Lillian West, Casablanca and Tiffany’s, offering a world of choice for every bride’s style and budget.

The friendly team are experts at knowing what will suit your body shape and they are attentive, knowledgeable, kind and considerate.

Bridal fashion in Devon & Cornwall