The Dress

A breathtaking dress for a tiny bride!

This dress is the much sought-after 14-03 style, by Israeli designer Berta. If you're a petite bride-to-be looking for the perfect dress to flatter your frame, this is the dress for you.

I knew I wanted a Berta dress for my wedding, and searched for several months to find the right style for me. I'm a fraction under five foot and weigh 45 kilos, so if you have a similar frame, you'll know how hard it is to find a dress that shows off your assets without drowning you. Normal dresses just don’t hang right on small frames!

The dress was ordered in the smallest size Berta do - UK size 6 - and then tailored to fit a size smaller. I usually take a UK size 4, and this dress has a 25 inch waist and fits bust size 32 A-D (I'm a C). The reason why it'll fit a variety of cup sizes is because the bodice of the dress is lace overlay mounted on a stretchy nude mesh bodysuit. So not only can it stretch, but it also won’t shift or slip when you wear it - in other words, despite the plunging neckline, you feel safe and covered.

OK, so on to the details. As I mentioned, the bodysuit is stretchy and comfortable, and the lace is mounted on a nude mesh. So the bit between the bust is actually covered by this mesh, even though you can’t see it. The lace is strewn with hand-stitched pearls and sequins, and is quite literally the most beautiful fabric you’ve ever seen.

The sleeves of the bodice flow out into a slight blouson effect at the wrists, which looks really elegant in all the hand/ring photos you'll have.

The skirt is separate but when it’s on it, the pattern matches to become one complete gorgeous piece. The skirt is fitted to the knee (although there’s plenty of space to allow you to walk), and then flows out into a fishtail and a train which extends to about a metre at the back. I wore it with four-inch heels and felt quite the fairytale princess…exactly what you want on your wedding day.

I bought this from Berta’s London stockist, The Wedding Club, based in Knightsbridge. It cost £6,800 and took seven months to make.

The amount of compliments I received about it would have filled a book! Many said they had never seen such a beautiful dress in all their lives.

It is a truly breathtaking dress, and I’m sad to part with it. But the logical side of my brain tells me it’d be such a shame for it to languish in storage forever. It’d be far, far better to make another very happy bride glow on her special day!

It’s been dry cleaned, and in great condition. There are a few tiny marks on the underside of the train, but these are the parts that sweep the floor behind you as you walk, and cannot be seen when you're wearing it.

You can come and see the dress before buying (I live in London). The price is £4,000 and you'll receive the dress after full payment. I will also give you the veil (see photos) for free. The dress is non-refundable.

Get in contact! Sally. x