A year and a day to plan the perfect winter wedding

When Lauren’s partner James proposed to her at Christmas, she knew she wanted the perfect winter wedding…

James proposed on 27th December 2018, and the pair decided to give themselves exactly a year and a day to plan the big day.

For Lauren, finding her wedding dress wasn’t a source of excitement – it was a source of huge worry.

After having two beautiful babies in quick succession, followed by massive weight-loss, Lauren was still feeling very uncomfortable in her post-baby body.

“I’m not really confident with my figure,” she admits.  “I’ve had two little boys only 16 months apart, and through dieting I’d managed to lose four and a half stone… but I still hated the way I looked.  I was really daunted by the idea of trying on dresses and looking in the mirror.”

Several Elite Brides had already recommended our boutiques to Lauren, so she knew where she wanted to look for her dream dress.

Despite Lauren’s body confidence issues, she had fallen in love with the image of a fishtail gown.  When she arrived for her appointment, she instantly chose several fishtail styles… but one huge, glittering ballgown caught her eye.

“This beautiful, big, sparkling dress just stood out – it was absolutely gorgeous,” Lauren remembers.  “It was the first dress I tried on, and I fell in love before I’d walked out of the changing rooms.  When I did come out, all my wedding party – and other customers – just fell silent and stared!”

Lauren’s confidence issues finally melted away.  “When I looked in the mirror, it was amazing.  I felt like a princess.”

But she knew she had to try on the style she’d had in mind from the beginning, and headed back to the changing room to try on her more fitted picks.

“When I came out in my original picks, it just didn’t have the same effect.  The room didn’t fall silent.  My mum and nana both kept saying the first dress was for me.

“So I put it back on… and we were wowed all over again!  I just had to have it.”

The sparkle fit with Lauren’s theme which, while not overtly Christmassy, definitely embraced the wintry vibes.

Her bridesmaids wore fur shawls over their embellished dresses in silver-grey and mink, and the groomsmen wore wool chequered suits.  The flowers added another wintry touch – white roses and sprigs of lily of the valley, interspersed with snow-frosted pine cones.

Lauren’s dress was the perfect final touch.

So a year and a day after James proposed, Lauren found herself walking down the aisle to the sound of accoustic guitar – and to the man of her dreams – in her glittering princess gown.

“Our wedding day was truly the best day of our lives,” she says.

“Having the perfect wedding dress made my wedding day complete – and when people are coming up to you telling you how beautiful you look, it really is worth every penny.”

Remembering her dress shopping experience, Lauren concludes, “I would love to do my whole experience all over again – and I would never visit another bridal shop!

“I’m keeping my dress forever in the hopes I’ll have a little girl who might wear it on her wedding day.”

You’ll find more glitter and sparkle than ever in our gorgeous new collection.  Why not visit our boutiques in Hull, Castleford or Brighouse, to see if we can help you find the one?

To book now, just head to elite.gb.net/appointments

And don’t forget, if you’re an Elite Bride we’d absolutely love to hear your story!  Please share it with us through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @EliteBridalUK or email us at social@elite.gb.net