About the Dress

I had this beautiful dress hand made from scratch for me in cream French Duchesse satin by the designer Angela Stone in London at a cost of £2,000.

Although she is no longer designing wedding dresses, at the time she was recognised as one of the most successful bridal and eveningwear designers in the UK, having sold her collections internationally from Selfridges Designer Rooms to Harrods, Kleinfeld in New York and Bridal boutiques through out Europe and The United States.

I am a UK size 8 with a 32c bust and I am 5 foot 5.

I wanted something elegantly simple, pure and unadorned with lace or beads, but nevertheless dramatic in terms of its structure. It hugged my shape and then flared out into a beautiful fishtail/flare, which was slightly longer at the back than front. The fishtail/flare is created by layers of tulle netting under the skirt, cleverly weighted with discreet weights so that it wouldn't ride up but would hold it's shape.

I wore 3-4 inch heels with it, and although the back certainly grazed the ground, I could still easily move and dance without having to gather it up into my arms.

The low-V back is entirely buttoned with gorgeous silk/satin covered buttons - no zip.

I felt so stunning in this dress! I loved the figure-hugging shape of it, yet had enough volume at the bottom still to 'swish' and I also felt free. It's elegant simplicity really suited my overseas wedding in Tuscany, where it was warm and sunny and everything felt more natural.

It has only been worn the once, on my wedding day, and then was professionally cleaned through the designer's cleaner and has been carefully wrapped in tissue in a beautiful white box tied with a bow ever since (sadly).

There is some faint staining at points around the bottom where it came into contact with the ground, as you would imagine, and one faint stain on the skirt, perhaps from a spill. It is creased because it has always been kept in the box. Pictures included of all these details. It would need another professional clean to address these. Otherwise, it is in very good condition.

I bought the veil off-the-peg separately and no longer have it.