February 24, 2025

Finding “The One” – An Unforgettable Wedding Dress Experience

Choosing a wedding dress was one of the most exciting (and surprisingly challenging) parts of my wedding journey. Like many brides, I had a vision in my head of what I thought I wanted—something simple, classic, and understated. But as I quickly learned, what you picture and what actually makes you feel special can be two very different things.

While the overall experience was fun, I did find it difficult to settle on a style. I tried on so many dresses that matched the aesthetic I had in mind, but none of them felt quite right.

finding "the One"

Then came the dress—one I almost didn’t even try on!

When I first saw it on the hanger, I thought, There’s no way this will suit me. I have a bigger bust, and I assumed the structure wouldn’t work for my shape. But as soon as I put it on, my shoulders instantly relaxed. I felt comfortable, beautiful, and most importantly, like myself. That’s when I knew—it was the one.

The dress I chose was Dando London’s “Rebel Without a Cause” from their Movie Classics collection at Bridal by Tamem Michael. It was the perfect mix of romantic and structured, with:

  • An ivory boned corset bodice, decorated with 3D floral appliqués and delicate spaghetti straps
  • Tulle shoulder bows, which added a soft, whimsical touch
  • A lace fit-and-flare skirt with a small train, creating an elegant but comfortable silhouette

One of my favourite details? The removable shoulder bows. I loved how they gave me two looks in one—I wore them later in the evening when we walked into dinner, after taking off my veil.

bride

Wedding Dress Alterations

The dress was already stunning, so I only made a few small alterations. I removed the cups from the bodice and added extra boning for additional support. The real magic, however, came from Paula King, who handled my alterations at Tamem Michael. She ensured the dress fit like a glove, and I loved that everything was done in-house.

At my final fitting, I even asked for a small petal to be moved on the bodice, and they adjusted it on the spot—it was such a seamless, stress-free process.

Even if you don’t purchase your dress at Tamem Michael, I can’t recommend their Dress Doctor service enough. Their expertise and attention to detail are second to none.

Wedding Dress Accessories

I wanted my wedding dress to shine on its own, so I kept my accessories minimal:

  • Jewellery – I wore Dior Tribales Pearl Earrings, a meaningful gift from Andrew for our legal wedding. They were the perfect balance of understated elegance.
  • Shoes – Comfort was a must! I chose block-heeled sandals from ASOS, knowing I’d be walking on grass and steps. It was the best decision—I stayed comfortable all night, even though they were a bit worse for wear by the end of the night!
  • Veil – A simple raw hem tulle veil added just the right amount of drama for the ceremony without competing with the dress.
  • Bag – Just weeks before the wedding, I found a pearl-shaped bag at Mango that perfectly matched my aesthetic. My mam kept it for me, and it was so handy to have my lipstick on hand for touch-ups throughout the day.
wedding accessories - bag, shoes and earrings

How I felt on the day

Seeing myself fully dressed as a bride for the first time was surreal. After all the searching, doubts, and indecisiveness, I finally felt like me. It wasn’t just about how the dress looked—it was about how it made me feel.

And Andrew’s reaction? Pure magic. He looked at me with so much love and emotion—it was one of those moments I’ll never forget.

My Wedding Dress Shopping Advice

If you’re a bride-to-be, my #1 piece of advice is to keep an open mind. Try on different styles, even ones you don’t think will suit you. The dress I thought I wanted wasn’t the dress I chose, and I would have completely overlooked my actual dress if I had stuck too closely to my original vision.

Sometimes, the one isn’t what you expect—it’s the dress that makes you feel at home in your own skin.

Looking back, I’m so grateful for my experience at Tamem Michael and for staying open to different styles. I walked into my wedding dress shopping journey thinking I wanted something sleek and simple, but the moment I stepped into my Dando London dress, I knew.

It’s true what they say—you don’t just choose the dress, the dress chooses you. 

For more wedding content, check out The Wedding Collection.