Читать книгу The High-Street Bride’s Guide: How to Plan Your Perfect Wedding On A Budget - Samantha Birch - Страница 53

If you’re willing to go as high with your hemline as your flavour of fashion, this online mecca could be a port of call. They do stock a bridal range, but unless you’re ready for your credit card to take a battering, I’d steer clear.

Instead, take one of my top tips: narrow your search to dresses, click on the colours you’re happy with – from white, neutral and silver to metallic, gold and pink – and arrange by price, from low to high. Then hold tight to resist temptation: be sure to only browse as far as your budget allows.

If you’re after the all-out, floor-length white designer stunner, this isn’t the way to get it (the next section is), but if you’re looking for something low-key in a cute, Bradshaw-weds-Big registry-office number, this could be for you. The trick is to find the luxe not in the length but the fabric: that short, well-cut look in jersey won’t do it, but in satin-trimmed lace you’re indulgently casual-cute.

Not convinced? Here’s some of the hot stuff I’ve found this way: Malene Birger had a cream, ruffled, mid-thigh lace number up for £310; Anna Sui debuted a daring long-sleeve mesh and satin look that was not for the faint-hearted – or strait-laced mothers-in-law – at £375; Alice + Olivia had me at “hellooo” with a slinky, beach-ready silk maxi for £395; Antik Batik went all ornate and elaborate in a silk blend with cheeky open back for £420; and there was a near-homage to Bradshaw in a Burberry London V-neck, high-shoulder style – just add sheeny bling – for £495.

Harrods and Selfridges are a similar story: more big names’ short dresses in decadent fabrics for £500 and under. Apply the search technique and prepare for some serious knee wobbles!