Bridal boutiques to know.

The wedding dress hunt begins, you have the perfect image in your head, you don't have an image in your head, your mum has an image in her head, too much, where to start!? For me, it was all about research. I hit the wedding blogs and Pinterest hard and created a little collection of images of styles of dresses I knew were me. I think that's the most important thing isn't it? You need to 100% feel amazing, but 100% feel like yourself. I then started googling the designers. Honestly, what did brides do before google and Pinterest!? The black hole of lost hours. I then kind of knew what vibe I was after and came up with a short list of boutiques that stocked some of the designers I loved, and had great reviews of chilled out experiences that got the totally non bridal me excited and ready to shop. Below is a hit list of some of these places and I would completely recommend each and everyone. Enjoy the bubbles people......and tea.

No.1 The Mews Bridal, Notting Hill | 202 Kensington Park Rd, W11 1NR

Specialists in French Bridal Couture and the place I've actually bought my own dress from. Step into a chilled out space, scented with Diptyque candles (yum), try and stop yourself touching every single one of the amazingly distinctive French lace gowns and just enjoy the experience. Their relaxed approach totally gets you in the zone and was a match made in heaven for the "panicking about being in my pants with strangers" me. Designers to know: Laure de Sagazan, Rime Arodaky, Lora Folk, Delphine Manivet and Donatelle Godart.

No.2 Halfpenny London, Bloomsbury | 10 Woburn Walk, WC1H 0JL

Beautifully tucked away down a Bloomsbury cobbled street, Halfpenny London is "vintage inspired design for the modern bride". A truly, lovely experience, the shop interior was heaven for a vintage treasures geek like myself and the dresses are beautifully romantic. Stylist Izie really looked after us, made me feel totally at ease (in my pants) and if you find your dress here it just feels like the start of a really magical tale. Choose from their latest seasonal collection or go bespoke.

No.3 La Bespoke, Worcestershire | Mill Farm, WR6 6SP

Finally the answer to bohemian wedding cool. Sadly this amazingly hip new bridal boutique is not open in time for my own wedding, but with appointments from May it truly is THE place to head to if you're pouring over an Aussie boho dream of a gown (they do it so much better don't they?) and wondering why the heck we can't get designs like that in the UK. Designers to know: Daughters of Simone, Odylyne the Ceremony and Anais Anette.

No.4 Churchgate Porter, Brighton | 101 St George's Road, BN2 1EA

The completely lovely store owner Louise will be on hand to help with all your dress needs, think wooden floorboards, a roaring open fire and tea....lots of tea, as the most wonderful accompaniment to wedding dress try ons. Designers to know: Charlie Brear, Cymbeline, Temperley, Claire Pettibone and Flora Bridal.