Kicking The Online Wedding Dress Habit

Last weekend, the dress hunt was cranked up a notch, ie I actually got away from my computer and into the real world to try on dresses. Do not underestimate this milestone. Wedding dress shopping to date has largely consisted of buying a dress online, and then being outraged that it doesn't quite fit. So I coaxed my (despairing) mother and sister to join me.

First stop was Belle & Bunty, located near Kentish Town. The lovely Alice showed us around – the dresses are all very simple bias cut designs in a range of liquid silks and delicate georgettes, resulting in a kind of Ginger Rogers feel. They were undoubtedly beautiful, but sadly not quite right for me (for one thing I'm rubbish at tap dancing).

Second stop was The Pocket Library. My good friend Jo, the creative talent behind the brilliant wedding blog My Vintage Vows put me in touch with Rebecca Denholm, who runs the vintage archive, which is tucked away in a flat near Bayswater.

Ms Denholm has an amazing eye for exquisite high quality and couture vintage clothes and as a vintage geek, if I could steal her life I probably would.

Among to gems to catch my eye was a 1950s Lanvin black and white accordion pleat frock, and a Ciel Chapman beaded gown. After trying on A LOT of dresses, I was torn between two.

The first is a 1930s oyster pink gowns with covered buttons down the back and a huge train. Very glamorous, if not the most practical choice for a wedding taking place in a barn...

The second is a lacy dress from the 50s, which makes me feel like a ballerina in a Degas painting. In a good way. It's beautiful, easy to wear and will look ace with a huge crinoline underneath.

I'm torn. Jon has suggested that I buy both (ANYTHING for an easy life) but this seems a tad excessive.

It has shocked me (although not certain member of my family) how stressful I'm finding the dress search. As someone with an often ridiculous wardrobe (six inch Marni wedges that look like I've had a hip replacement, Alexander McQueen hobble skirts, Victorian capes, even the odd turban) I think a lot of people expect me to wear something a biy leftfield on the big day.

I'd always said I wasn't bothered about getting married in white, let alone a full-length dress, but I'm surprising myself. As obvious as it sounds, on my wedding day I do want to look like a bride.