p/s Alexys, i meant to tell you about the dress shops. it was a really laboured experience going round the shops because even though you make the appointment, very few were willing to let you actually try on the dresses. it's a catch-22 situation, where you'd have to 'sign up' with them before they let you anywhere near their rack. I chose Irene's because there was no pressure at all.
i popped in one afternoon, unanounced, browsed, spoke to the designer, asked her to show me her drawings. made an appointment and when i came back the second time, she let me try on dresses for over an hour. i went and tried to do the same thing in tanjong pagar and they were not having any of it, they were more interested in selling photography packages. it was their "see no touch" attitude that put me off, even when I asked if I could try on stuff when i called to make the appointment. So i went back to Irene's and told her she got the job.
since then, i've been back in london and been to 3 dress shops. i've enjoyed the experience here so much more. when i went to seem them, i tried to tell them what I like but they said very plainly, it's not what I like that I should wear, but what I look good in. so they dressed me up with all sorts, slim gowns, big gowns, silk ones, satin, chiffon, tulle, lace, a-line, princess, empire, mermaid, straps, no straps and each outfit with veil, shoes and jewellery. each appointment I had was over an hour long (with tea and biscuits too). shame I won't buy their dresses because I'm only canvassing ideas but it's confirmed my original decision about going with Irene's. that they've been in the business long enough to know only by not pushing and working with so many brides that they're confident of dresssing me well that I can trust them.
my advice is, keep an open mind. the styles that i really liked, i didn't look as good in as the styles that i didn't think i would.
as for how to go about doing it, simple. don't tell them what you want up front; interview THEM first - ask them what they can do, what their strengths are, what materials they work well with, what their previous clients were like (do you fit the same profile), whether they've had shows, ask them to show you their best work then you decide whether or not you can work with them.
It's pretty hard for them to work with you too if you don't trust them and keep calling to find out if their sourced that french lace or got those crystals etc.
