Bride on the Run: Buying Wedding Lingerie

8/11/2016

I recently had a soon-to-be bride come into the shop for a rather last minute custom order. She wanted an elegant dressing gown to wear on her big day, whilst her hair and make-up were being applied. I created a wrap-style robe for her and no soon as it was finished and steamed she was in to collect and out the door! A bride on the run as it were! She has promised to send me photos (as I did not get a chance on the day of collection)

It has got me thinking about Bridal-wear and in particular Lingerie. There is a lot to think about with the dress (and what goes under it) We deal with many Bridal lingerie enquiries in the shop. Here is some little tips and things to think about when your planning...

Time of the year

'The calendar' will be a big consideration for all the aspects of wedding planning. Venue, weather, food and many other factors will be influenced by the season. You probably don't want a Garden Party reception in the middle of a December snow storm. Same as having your big day during the middle of the week, during term time (if your planning to have guests who have work commitments and children attending) This is no less important a consideration, when planning what you and your wedding party are wearing.

Cold Winter weddings: You may want to think about the practicals. Will thermals or thicker tights be appropriate? Are you going to be spending any length of time outdoors? (Maybe for photo's) Churches can be notoriously chilly. Bridesmaids, Groomsmen and other members of your wedding party may want to factor this in too.

Hot Summer Weddings: You may want to opt for cool cotton or pure silk when thinking about lingerie. If the weather is scorching and your wearing a rather extravagant, layered affair of a dress, keeping your undies cool and simple will be a smart and appreciated move.

Curves or Merangue: Shape of dress

Whichever dress you go for, the lingerie you wear underneath it is equally as important as the dress it's self. This will be a topic of discussion at any dress fitting. Things to consider:

Practical over pretty: It's important to remember that the lingerie you wear under your dress is performing a function so does not necessarily have to be a lacy piece (The bonus is that you can treat yourself twice and choose something else for the honeymoon night)

Invisibility: It's important that your underwear enhances the wear of the dress, rather than infringe on it. You want to avoid bumps from seams or seeing straps etc. For example: A fish tail, close fitting style will need to smooth you as well as support. You may want to consider a smooth seamless body and pants for something like this.

Support your size: Your shape and bust size will most certainly influence your dress choice. So think about your lingerie solution at the same time. A strapless/sleeveless wedding dress will need support on a large busted woman, and a smaller bust will want to think about uplift to fill the dress nicely.

You will lose weight before and up to the week before your wedding!

All that planning (stress!) will do wonders for your waistline. With this in mind think about options for adjustments to your lingerie. Most dress suppliers/makers will be aware of this and have you in for regular dress fittings, lingerie may not be the same deal. This would be a good argument for having your lingerie made-to-measure, so that your can apply the same 'shape changing' options when having fittings. If you buy of the rail lingerie, consider if you have the option to exchange later on if you need to.
At Keturah Brown we have been known to alter the dress just to fit the Bra, which is a stress that is not recommended - Better to get the planning right!

How can Keturah Brown Help?

We get many soon-to-be brides in our shop and have a variety of ways we can assist you in your bridal planning.

Lingerie: Obvious, but worth noting that we stock high quality, exclusive brands in the shop. If your looking for something off the rail we can fit you into something that will flatter your shape comfortable. I have got good at guessing sizes just from looking! We have various style from practical for your wedding dress to pretty and sexy for your honeymoon!

Made-To-Measure: With 40 years designing and making my own lingerie pieces, I relish bespoke projects. Often I can work form looking at an image of the dress to help find your the best lingerie solution. I can create camisoles, knickers and slips as well as do some alterations. Come and have a chat about what your looking for.

Robes and Nightwear: As in the case of the woman I discussed at the beginning of the article, We stock and I also design and make gorgeous Robes. Great for your wedding morning pictures. We stock lots of beautiful nightwear for your wedding night.

Gifts/Hosiery: We stock items that could be a great gift to members of your wedding party, such as Bridesmaids. Maybe the wedding is taking place over a weekend at a regal country House, and you would like to treat your maid of honour to some wonderful silk pyjamas! We also have a huge stock of tights, stockings, socks and leggings.

We like to help when we can so do pop in with any questions you may have. We came up with this quote today, which sums up our Ethos here at Keturah Brown...

"Confidence comes from within so get a great set of underwear, find your personal style and colour, define with perfect fit. Learn about your body before you cover it with clothes. A good and flattering fit takes time. Start with your lingerie. It is not an add on -it’s essential!"

P.S...HATS!
While on the subject of weddings, we thought it worth mentioning a little bonus that we have at our disposal.
We have an in-house Milliner! (Celyn, who also moonlights as marketing in our shop sometimes)

With her brand Itty and Fee, she has often created custom hair accessories/Hats for customers who are also having something fitted here at Keturah Brown.

Recently we dressed a lady, literally Head to Toe, who was attending a family wedding. Celyn had created a stunning red pillbox hat to go with a red camisole I was creating as part of the woman's dress. She sent this lovely message...

You can contact Celyn at Itty and Fee or pop into the shop and see if she can create for you, or anyone in your wedding party, something special for your day. She is delighted to take commissions.

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