Custom made dress help! Pretty please!

I think it is a good couple of hours drive for you, but Irene's in Gosport are apparently fantastic. The place where I got my dress recommended them. They don't have a website as far as I know, but if you google them, then you can get their phone number.

x

Just to say ... This time last week I was in exactly the same situation as you, I'd had enough of dress shopping, nothing was right, the dress in my head didn't exist and I was looking for a dress maker .. Then on Saturday I had a jackpot day and found at least 4 dresses I could have bought (plus the one) ... Keep looking/trying on while also looking for a dressmaker!

Don't panic! I couldn't find the 'one' either but I strongly recommend you keep trying, you never know. But if like me, you do decide to go down the customs route, make sure you at least have tried enough on to know what you would like in the ideal dress. Designing is quite difficult, I've made a Pinterest page for my dress maker and had countless meetings and dress fittings to get it right. On a positive note, my dress is actually cheaper than many that I tried on. I'm paying £1000 for a bespoke, satin covered in lace, A line with train, sweetheart neckline dress. I'm also having a lot of detailed appliqué work done around the neckline and down the back which is laced back. Unfortunately my dress maker is in derbyshire, sorry!. But be prepared I bespoke dress tends to need more dress fittings than off the peg as it's made to you, not a standard size. Hope this helps x

They are based in London, but Minna make beautiful ethical wedding dresses. They can be altered to your taste or make something entirely bespoke just for you.

http://www.minna.co.uk/shop/bridal-dresses

The website really doesn't do the dresses justice.

Thank ladies, I will keep looking!! I have only been looking online (thinking that would be the easy route, as there seems to be an infinte amount of choice) and I am yet to set foot in an actual shop.

I am having my dress made ;-) My dress maker is in Darlington though so probably a bit far for you but I met her at a local wedding fayre, so that might be a good place for you to find one?

Well, after ANOTHER search this morning, I spent a bit more time on Rock'n'Roll Bride, and I am very pleased to say that I have butterflies again! Via that site I have come across a dressmaker in Birmingham (sod it being far, ROAD TRIP)! and one in Brighton (super far, I MUST get my drivers licence)! Obviously neither choice in convenient, but an adventure none-the-less I just need to set a date before I go off designing dresses But I love the portfolios of these designers EEP! Happy Bride-to-be today I am still on the hunt for a more convenient option though, just in case!

You should definitely go and try some on. My the one was not something I would have ever tried on had the lady in the shop not suggested it. Online I was in love with thr Blue Enzoani Floro dress (one shouldered and tulle. I bough Ronald Joyce Brigitta (lace backless mermaid). You have to try them on to see what suits you. I must have tried on 100 dresses. Also you can always customise an off the rail dress if its not exactly what you want. Before finding the one I almost bought a strapless lace dress and was going to have the neckline changed to be sweetheart, and straps added to have a keyhole back and a belt which completely changed the look of the dress. You may be pleasantly surprised with what you can do x

Might have something you're looking for. My friend used this company - http://www.uniquedress.co.uk/contact - they are based in Bristol!