The main Amanda Wakeley “collection” in the Chelsea store is on the ground floor so while we waited for the bridal consultant to meet us my Mum and I had a good old look at all the fabulous evening wear.
I absolutely adored the shape and cut of the gowns, really elegant and contemporary and I immediately had a really positive feeling about the dresses that awaited us upstairs in Amanda Wakeley Sposa.
And they didn’t disappoint. For the first time I marvelled at nearly everything on display, these were really beautiful feminine classic dresses, not overtly fussy but with enough subtle detail for maximum impact.
I tried on several ….beaded, tulle, chiffon, strapless, backless ….. loved different aspects of every single one.
It was my Mum in the end who picked out “the one”, a mermaid backless beauty with straps and a long train – made from mikado panelled silk – AW 143.
I had looked at the website but not seen it on there, the assistant explained that particular rack of dresses were brand new and had not even been on the catwalk yet.
So I tried it on and loved it, and probably just as importantly knew that James would love it too. From showing him thousands of dresses in magazines (We played the “dress game” – as in “rate this dress out of ten please” – did anyone else play this with their H2B? I found it really facsinating – and useful!)…. I knew he preferred straps and a fishtail/mermaid shape and didn’t like lace or lots of decoration/sparkle and that he thinks flashing a bit of back is sexy so….I guess if I could have designed his ideal dress, this wouldn’t have been far off the mark.
Of course as I imagine everyone who tries on a sample – they don’t fit considerably well but I could see how it would look when it was was nipped and tucked and taken in and I just felt like ” me” in it but obviously an improved far more glamorous version of me …. just what I was after.
I didn’t put a deposit down straight away, I had made so many rash panicked wrong decisions over the last 8 months I was determined to sleep on it and definitely make an appointment to at least try it on again before parting with any significant $$$$$
The following week I had a look on the web for more local suppliers of AW, in reality trekking down to London was taking it’s toll and I didn’t fancy doing it several times leading up to the wedding for fittings and collection.
I found “Quello” bridal in Kenilworth, website was lovely and easy to use and the pictures of the boutique looked chic and sophisticated. I sent an email to the “info” link and received a speedy and helpful reply from Claire who turned out to be the owner of the store. We then spoke on the phone and she explained she had a wide selection of AW and that she would be getting some of the brand new collection in fresh off the catwalk in the next few weeks.
So I made an appointment and took along one of my best friends ( and bridesmaids) Melissa, who is brutally honest ( and one of the reasons I love her actually)
I tried on a few different types of gowns first for comparison and then tried on “the one” ….
Melissa was actually agog for a few seconds ( I was temporarily concerned by this reaction) but quickly said “Oh.My.God. that is the most stunning wedding dress I have ever seen in my life, when I eventually find the man of my dreams….. I am sooooooo getting an Amanda Wakeley!”
I know this should have nothing to do with the dress itself but I immediatley liked Claire as well, she was just honest and lovely and not at all OTT and as a result I felt totally comfortable ordering my dress from Quello and that they would do a great job of the alterations.
So I had the perfect man, perfect ring and perfect dress so….why was there something niggling in my sub conscious that made me feel like everything wasn’t rosy in Weddingville?
Some non-professional pictures:
