Fross Hockley of Fross Wedding Collections in Uckfield East Sussex gives her tips for choosing your wedding gown – and picks favourites from her boutique’s designers
Fross Hockley, owner of award-winning Sussex boutique Fross Wedding Collections believes choosing your wedding gown can be as baffling and overwhelming as it is joyful and exciting – in fact, she says it can bring up a lot of the same kind of emotions, insecurities and anxieties as choosing a partner for life! So how do you know when you’ve found ‘the one’? Here, Fross provides expert advice on making the right choice, and picks five favourite gowns from her boutique’s collection.
1. Be a cool-headed bride
While it can be tempting to try on every fabulous dress in the boutiques you visit, it’s important to keep a cool head. So the first and most important rule is to only try on dresses that work for your wedding theme, venue, budget and the season – that will ensure you don’t fall in love with an unsuitable gown. Do get a second opinion – a trusted friend or family member – but don’t compromise or let other people’s opinions override your own instincts. Trust your own judgement as this is your gown and your wedding.
2. Wait for that little intake of breath
When you first try on ‘the one’, you’ll invariably know because of a little intake of breath, accompanied by a flutter in your stomach, when you look in the mirror. You may also hear people around you – family, boutique stylists, maybe even a couple of strangers, ooh and aah. These involuntary reactions are among the first clues that you could be onto a winner.
3. Spend time apart
When you have found the dress you think is yours, the right thing to do is to walk away. Not forever, of course, but with the understanding that your dream dress will still be there tomorrow if you want it. A little time apart – think of it as a ‘will you still love me tomorrow’ test – will help you figure out if it’s the real thing or just a short-term crush. If you decide to go back to review the dress in the cold light of day and you get the same rush of excitement when you try it on for a second time, then you know for sure – you’ve found the one for you.
Fross Hockley’s top picks
Working with brides all the time, Fross Hockley has developed an instinct for the dresses that have star quality. Here are five gowns from her designers that she believes pass the forever test because of their style, comfort and photogenic qualities.
Wendy Makin: At Fross Wedding Collections we adore the Wendy Makin collection because of her gorgeously soft fabrics and stunning cuts for both style and comfort. This Renee gown has an organza skirt cleverly cut to offer fullness without the weight of lots of layers, which means it suits everything from a rustic setting to a chic hotel with a simple change of belt and accessories.
Mori Lee: This gorgeous lace bridal gown from Mori Lee has an open neckline, giving the bride freedom with her accessories as well as offering an extremely flattering shape. There’s a stunning long train and illusion back detail – both of which ensure incredible wedding images from all angles.
Stella York: This Stella York gown offers her trademarks of comfort, style and elegance. The beautifully detailed illusion back is breathtaking, while the lightness of the gown makes it perfect for a destination wedding or those brides who want to dance the night away.
Justin Alexander: This silk dupion ballgown from the leading New York designer is a firm favourite with the team at Fross Wedding Collections. We love its elegant simplicity and the scope it offers to change the look – taking you from day to night with a few simple accessories. This gown also has an incredible train and we love the quirky pockets.
Sincerity: The off-the-shoulder neckline, and beautiful structure of this gown by Sincerity make it very flattering. The dreamy tulle skirt offers what I’d describe as a truly bridal feel – it also looks wonderful in pictures.
