Wedding planner and venue owner Alison Rios McCrone helps solve your dilemmas, no matter how big or small, in a weekly agony aunt column.

Dear Alison,

I bought my wedding dress a year ago when I first got engaged and I’m having serious doubts about it.

My mum and bridesmaids were with me when I first tried it on and when I came out of the dressing room, they all burst into tears and told me how lovely I looked. 

I wasn’t 100% sure about it at the time, but I liked that it was elegant and simple, because our venue is quite low-key, and thought it would look really classic in the photos.

However, now my wedding is in two weeks time, and at my final fitting I put the dress on and thought: ugh. I don’t hate it, but I’ve been seeing big, princess-y dresses everywhere and now my big day is almost here, I wish I’d had the courage to go for one of those.

I really want to feel special on my wedding day but I’m worried I’m not going to. Is it way too late to try and get another dress? Or should I just try and accept what I’ve already got?

Thanks

Suzie

Dear Suzie

Firstly, congratulations on your upcoming wedding!   

Feeling anxious about your dress is normal, especially as the big day approaches, and you are not alone; other brides go through the same experience.

You say you don’t ‘hate’ the dress but are unsure because you have seen other styles you also like.  

Are you feeling this way because of outside influences, like seeing other dresses, or is it a genuine change in your taste? 

It could be the former – sometimes, the pressure and stress of wedding planning can make us second-guess even our best decisions, and there’s a chance that this is one of those times. 

There was obviously a reason you felt this dress was ‘the one’ when you picked it – try to reconnect with that initial excitement and remember why you chose it. It made your mum and bridesmaids emotional and happy, so it clearly does have an impact. 

You will have seen different aesthetics and other dresses over the last year but trends come and go and like you already worked out, simple, less fussy dresses remain classy over time. 

Plus, in my experience, a bride embracing what makes her unique makes more of a statement than following trends.  

I suggest you start by having an honest conversation with your mum and bridesmaids about your feelings. They know you well and, more importantly, have seen the dress on you; their reassurance might help you see it in a new light.

That said, if you feel strongly about changing your wedding dress, get in touch with the bridal shop. 

Some stores offer ready-to-wear options that can be tailored quickly, from sample sales dresses to off-the-rack options. 

Their seamstress may also be able to suggest alterations or additions to your current dress to make it feel more special and aligned with your current vision. Adding lace, beading, or a more dramatic veil can transform your look.

They might also have suggestions for accessorizing your current dress. A statement necklace, a beautiful headpiece, or a unique pair of shoes or jewellery can make your outfit feel more ‘you’.

If finding a new dress in such a short time is not feasible, focus on why you are getting married and why you picked that dress.

Your wedding is about celebrating your love and commitment. The dress is important but brides often feel their most beautiful when they are happy and comfortable, and how you feel in your dress will have more of an effect on your wedding day than the dress itself.

Whatever you decide, you will look stunning because you will radiate joy.

Wishing you all the happiness and confidence for your wedding day and beyond!

Best wishes

Alison

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

Sign up to our guide to what’s on in London, trusted reviews, brilliant offers and competitions. London’s best bits in your inbox

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.