Are you just beginning the search for your wedding dress with a very clear idea of what it will look like?

So, did the three brides in our latest series, who all chose to marry at Tythe, an elegant estate on the edge of the Cotswolds. Only then to wear something completely different on the day.  And that’s OK! Here are their rules for a successful bridal fashion switch-up…

1. Choose a venue that is versatile enough that any style will suit it. From Tythe’s historic 17th century party barn with its glamorous vintage chandeliers and twinkling fairy lights, its pretty farmhouse gardens and the sweeping English countryside beyond – nothing will feel out of place here. 

2. Go shopping with an open mind. When the vision you had in your head just doesn’t feel like your dress in the changing room, see it as a brilliant opportunity to try on lots more. 

3. Trust the experts. Whether that’s the stylist at your boutique or a loved family member with a talent for dress making, the chances are they understand the movement of different fabrics and how they will look on your specific body shape better than you do. 

Sharing her story today is Anna… 

I didn’t grow up dreaming about my wedding dress like some women do. The idea of spending the whole day in a boutique trying on dresses sounded hideous to me. I wanted to feel good in what I wore but I didn’t want it to crash our budget. I was very aware I’d only be wearing it once.

For me, it was far more important to spend our money on the entertainment and the band. Paul had a clearer idea of the dress than I did. I’d show him pictures of dresses and would get a straight yes or no. In a way that made it even harder because I worried I’d choose something he wouldn’t like. 

I had a Pinterest board with five dresses on it. I was looking for something with a very simple bodice, maybe a lace back, no sparkles or tulle and not a full princess skirt. I thought I’d probably spend £500, maybe £1,000 at a push but I didn’t want to go that high.

I had one wildcard dress in the mix – the one I imagined I might wear if I was a model and had the body for it – and that was the one that inspired the dress I did eventually wear. I’m not sure why it was on the board, I didn’t think I’d ever wear a dress like it – it had a see-through tulle skirt for a start. 

My godmother had made my mum’s wedding dress back in 1989 (a classic 80s gown with big puffy sleeves), they’ve known each other since they were six years’ old, and so she stepped in and offered to make mine too, just after we had set the wedding date.

I did say right from the beginning that it couldn’t look anything like mum’s! I was a little hesitant because I knew it would be a lot of work for her and a lot of pressure to get it right. 

When I first showed her an image of the wildcard dress, I said that would be my dream dress but obviously you wouldn’t be able to make this. And she immediately responded saying she would give it a go.

After sending me lots of different material samples, I spent a week at her house in Essex, some of it with my mum too, refining what my dress would look like.

That felt very special for all of us, particularly as Paul and I didn’t really involve lots of people in the planning of our wedding. 

She had a bamboo silk that she was going to use for my evening dress – and we decided that would be wonderful for the day dress too – as a base for the bodice and skirt, plus layers and layers of tulle with wildflower lace appliques trailing downwards and finally a sparkly overlay. 

The most special part is that there is a layer of lace in the bodice that was taken from my mum’s wedding veil.

We did a lot of remodelling as we went, making sure it was just right. There were four appointments in total. 

The night before the wedding we all stayed at the farmhouse at Tythe. I’d asked my Godmother to make one final tweak to the day dress and make it a little tighter.

When I tried it on that evening, I had that Oh my gosh, I love it moment. I was in awe at how beautiful it was. I wasn’t sure I would ever want to take it off. 

The knee-length evening dress was fifties style with a swing skirt, little polka-dot organza puff sleeves and a big organza bow on the back. I kept the accessories largely the same for both looks.

I had a silver necklace made with a circular pendant that says ‘always’ on one side with our wedding date and our initials A and P. This was made to order from Muru Jewellery.

wore Hermione Harbutt pearl and floral earrings and a pearl tennis bracelet, plus a delicate pearl hair vine, all bought online from Lace and Favour, that was woven around my bun.

With my day dress I wore shoes from Rainbow Club with a white velvet bow on the toe before I switched into a pair of white plimsolls from Next which Paul and I customised with pearls, flowers, our wedding date and our surnames. 

We had a wildflower hanging arch which we added mini disco balls to for the evening and that seemed to almost mimic my dress perfectly.

When I switched into the evening dress, Paul and I came through Tythe’s incredible wisteria arch with sparklers and that was such a fun moment. 

We chose Tythe because it’s very us, very down to earth. There is a simplicity to it, but it also feels incredibly special and glamorous. We did a two-night wedding and that meant we were able to relax the night before with our close family and friends – we were all chilling out in the hot tub.

Then the morning of the wedding, the boys played tennis. We knew the day was in their hands, and we didn’t have to do anything. Tythe is a very well-run operation. It meant I was the most relaxed on my wedding day than I was at any point in the planning process.’