It feels like only weeks ago that I heard this ultra sonic sound on the other end of the phone; we’ve been friends for 18 years and even though I don’t speak “squeak” I understood immediately that he’d done the deed and proposed on a moonlit wintery eve in Prague.

Panic: What do I wear!?

So there I was sat at my desk at work, two weeks away from the big day and wondering what I was going to wear, what was I going to buy them and how I was going to help – was I the worst best friend ever?

At that precise moment the bride-to-be floated into my office with a gleaming smile embracing the most exquisite vintage wedding dress from Temperley London whose whimsical design, according to The Guardian, is also favoured by Gwyneth Paltrow & Helena Christensen. She was accompanied by another bag cradling an outstanding pair of ivory satin wedding shoes from Jimmy Choo also favoured by a variety of celebs. Dress and shoes both found in Bicester Village. Yes Bicester Outlet Village, my very own work place, I was saved!

Shamed at my lack of organisation and determined, I set out to look for a dress to wear and it was a matter of minutes before I had my first dilemma, do I get the pretty hippy-ish wedding-in-a-field long floaty dress from Temperley too a la Sienna Miller or the Luella  fitted short tailored party number? It was not long before I forgot about them both and took refuge in a childhood fave: Valentino and emerged a good hour later with my star buy – a gorgeous pale pink floaty dress with beading and little details to suit any happy occasion. Perfect!

The never-ending gift list

Triumphantly, I returned back to my desk showing off my new purchase getting approval and reassurance from my colleagues – I soon realised that I didn’t need to go much further than my own doorstep and started writing a list of things that I needed to buy:

• Shoes
• Bag
• Suit for boyfriend
• Proper wedding present
• Pre-wedding present for my bessie-mate!

OK – yes I do have to work, so it took a few lunch hours over a few days, but I couldn’t be happier at the thought of having so much to choose from at my finger tips.

I found stunning shoes from Dolce & Gabbana, a satin and gold clutch from Anya Hindmarch and dinner suit from royal dresser Gieves & Hawkes (a very proud moment – looking at him in that uniform).

For their official wedding present, I bought a beautiful butterfly teapot, cups and saucers set by Versace in Waterford Wedgwood and girly pressie for my dearest friend – a little lacy outfit from La Perla.

With only days ago and much to my secret joy, panic set in with beautiful bride “Arggh I’ve got no shoes for the bridesmaids”.

“Not to worry,” I said ever so calmly, like I had been planning this for months, “I saw some ballet pumps in Accessorise.” I knew this after having eyed these lovely little hairclips there only the day before for my outfit.

So here I am ready and waiting for the big day, all prepared, redeemed and totally overwhelmed by the ease of what started out to be a never ending task. With a little cash to spare (as right now everything is reduced by up to 80%), I got my boyfriend a gorgeous Dunhill pen.

For those who get stuck on gift giving ideas there’s always the Bicester Village Gift Card which gives the recipient the choice to shop in any of the wonderful boutiques and restaurants.

For ever and ever

So thanks and congratulations to my dearest friend who inspired me and has pretty much singlehandedly planned and organised her entire wedding on a very tight budget; May you have a very long and happy marriage filled with many joyous and memorable moments.

Tags: Anya, Anya Hindmarch, bridesmaids, Dolce & Gabbana, gifts, Jimmy Choo, La Perla, Sienna Miller, Temperley London, Valentino, wedding

This entry was posted on Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 12:46 pm and is filed under From the team. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.