Dress by Barclay
By Sharon Irvine
As I write this I look forward to the wedding of one of my friends who I have known since primary school.
Karen, our friend Rachel, my sister Ellie and myself were always joined at the hip growing up and as Karen walks down the aisle on 26th April it is only me left on the shelf.
Karen’s wedding kicks off the beginning of a very long summer of weddings for me. I have always loved weddings but have never had more than two in a year until everyone decided to choose this year to get married.
The one thing I used to always dread about weddings or in fact any formal event was turning up in the same dress as someone else. This has never happened yet and I make sure that it will never happen by either making my own dress or going for something vintage or unique. Weddings can be so expensive not only for the bride and groom but also for the guests especially if you have more than one wedding in a year and the chances are in Fermanagh when you get to a certain age all your friends start to marry off around the same time.
This year I have around five weddings to attend so it’s going to be an expensive year for me. I always try to cut costs a little by either making my own outfit, up styling or altering one I already have or by buying vintage. If this isn’t an option for you then why not try up styling an outfit you already have with new accessories, brooches or a new shawl or wrap.
If you are worried about turning up in the same outfit as someone else why not try some of our local boutiques who will usually keep a note of local weddings to ensure that this doesn’t happen. You could also go for something plain and or in a solid colour and accessorise with contrasting colours. People are more likely to notice two people wearing the same print than the same plain dress and it’s unlikely that you would go with the same accessories.
If you haven’t opted for a new outfit but are instead merchandising and styling up one you already have then why not go for a statement necklace or fascinator that will really make you stand out from the crowd and make it feel like a completely new outfit.
It is also worth noting that due to the unpredictable Fermanagh weather you never know quite what to expect so even if it starts out being a lovely warm morning chances are you could end up soaked or frozen by the end of the day so always have some kind of jacket or wrap to keep yourself warm and always have an umbrella on standby, especially when you’ve gone to the expense of getting your hair styled.
Whatever your outfit choice at the end of the day at a wedding everyone will be looking at the bride so if you do end up wearing the same outfit as someone else just laugh it off and enjoy your day because at the end of the day it’s not about you it’s about the couple you are there to celebrate.
