Can you believe I got engaged?! No me neither but it’s flown by since my
engagement in June and I’m now fully into wedding planning mode.

The lovely people at Debenhams invited me to try out a personal shopping
experience for myself and one of my bridesmaids.  I’d already figured
out my bridesmaids so me and Jodes went to see what they had.

I vaguely recall seeing a huge section of the oxford street Debenhams
but had always had this preconception that off the high street was a no
go.

Alas I decided to stop being such a snob and really start looking at my
options, after a visit to the big Oxford Street Debenhams I was
astounded by all I was seeing.  The more I looked, the more I found.

Jodes came in with me to look for bridesmaids dresses and of course one
of my first stops was Coast.  I’ve always been a big fan of the brand
since I was younger and bought my first prom dress from there, but the
lively thing is we’ve all seen it evolve into a fashionable brand.

I didn’t really and still don’t for that matter, know exactly what
colour scheme I want but I knew I don’t like oranges or reds and a
definitely didn’t want maxi dresses.

We arrived  and were greeted by the wonderful personal shopping
assistant Alan.  He gave us a quick chat (and supplied me with tea and
biscuits) by introducing himself and what this whole experience is
about. I was surprised that if you do book a personal shopping
experience you aren’t obligated or made to feel like you need to make a
purchase – a big weight was lifted off my shoulders.  Whenever we think
of personal shopping you can’t help but feel you would feel somewhat
forced to make a transaction, which would ultimately leaving you feeling
very sour about the company.

We had a nice chat about what I was looking for, a bit about me and my
person preferences and off Alan went to seek bridesmaids dresses for
Jodes and… Wedding dresses for me!

It suddenly dawned on me that me… Annie was going to be getting
married! I promise I’m not lying but I have never been one of these
girls who knows what dress she wants, in all honesty I haven’t even the
slightest clue where I would even start.  This is good that I’m open
minded but my decision making skills are diabolical and therefore could
be a long process!

Alan came back with a selection of dresses for Jodes to try and one in
particular caught my eye.  It was a maxi dress.  Could you believe it?
I’d already gone back on my word.

Jodes tried the selection on and each I would of never of selected for myself but like I was told sometimes things look better off the hanger.  The rich blue dress Jodes had on was from Coast and my goodness I loved it.  

We did go on to look at wedding dresses but to be honest for the pure fact my other half reads my blog, (Hi Nick) I don’t want to post any incase I go back and buy one! However let me just say this, that when you think of ‘highstreet’ wedding dresses you immediately associate them with being ‘frumpy’, well these were far from what you would imagine anything highstreet to be. 

The wedding dresses came in all kinds of shapes and sizes… after trying one in particular on I nearly bought it and it was only £295.00.  Bargain.  

I was honestly stunned at how cheap the dresses were and how much they cost.  I didn’t buy anything but I would certainly be back, my Mum really needs to be with me to enjoy all this so it felt a bit wrong buying a dress without her.  I did buy my wedding shoes though!  I fell in love with a pair of Jenny Packham heels which did managed to worm their way home with me… when you know about shoes… you know! 

I will be testing out all things wedding related at Debenhams so make sure you pop back to take a peak! 

Annie

xoxo