I went to the sales day in October. They opened 10 minutes later with kind apologies. We (brides and friends and moms) were let in and measured. I was told that I was size 14 for the bridal gown (street size 12). Myself and my friend were browsing through the rows of dresses, and we were offered some to have a look at. There was a feeling of rush, but it was understandable because it was a sales day.

We were allowed to try 5 dresses in one go. I never thought I was going to have a strapless dress with the long trail, but when I was shown and dressed in it, I understood that it was MY dress - I did not want to take it off. The sales lady at Berketex bride in Caring Cross did not want to give me the veil in the beginning, which I found quite upsetting, but later it mysteriously appeared on my head, together with a bouquet. It really made a big difference!

In the end I am very happy with my wedding dress, although maybe it was a bit too early to buy it (11 months before the wedding on my first wedding dress trial), but I love it to bits.

I didn't buy a dress from Berketex Bride Charing Cross, but I'd like an opportunity to explain why. Firstly, I felt I was subject to considerable hard sell, in an attempt to make me panic buy a dress. My wedding is in nine months time and while other dress shops have said that this time line is fine, the saleswoman at Berketex told me I had practically left it too late to find a dress that would suit me and that I really needed to choose quickly. Secondly, despite my having quite a clear idea of what styles do and don't suit me (it's my body and I've been dressing it quite successfully for over thirty years), she insisted on my trying on styles that I didn't want to try. I do understand that many brides may end up buying a dress somewhat different from the style they originally envisioned. However, despite my saying that I don't look good in strapless, and then agreeing to try on a strapless gown which did, indeed, look awful, she still persisted in bringing me another five strapless styles to try on. I felt that she was trying to impose her idea of what a bride (with a capital B!) should look like, rather than listen to my own ideas. Thirdly, she made several disparaging comments about my body shape (in particular, I'm quite petite in the bust department). I left feeling thoroughly depressed and as though all the fun had gone out of dress shopping.