People are often a little intimidated by the idea of buying a bespoke wedding dress, to take the stress out of it I've outlined here the three basic steps towards having a bespoke wedding dress made for you.

I've got all sorts of tips on how to pick the right dress for you, from getting involved with the design to picking the right dress for your shape. The first stage of the process is picking someone you're happy working with and then having them design you your perfect dress. This is usually done in one complimentary meeting, but you may need a follow up to go over specific colour or fabric swatches, particularly if you're not getting married in Ivory or you're picking lace. Once the design has been finalised a 50% deposit is taken.

To me, this stage is the most fun part of the process but it actually scares a lot of brides off bespoke, and they end up choosing off the peg something that is almost  exactly what they're looking for, or in the worst case scenario (like my sister) picking the least bad option available. My advice with bespoke is to stay the course and have a little faith- there will be plenty of opportunities to amend details as you go along.

The next stage is for me to go away and make the pattern for your dress, and then to make it up in cheap fabric for you to try on. This process gives me an idea of how much fabric I'll need to buy, lets me see how well the pattern I've made fits you and gives you the chance to really visualise how the finished thing is going to look on. When you try on the toile it can be difficult to see past the cheap fabric, but if there are any big problems (you've completely changed your mind about the neckline etc) now is the time to raise them!

I will require you to attend several fittings, usually in the 2 months leading up to your wedding. At the first, the dress is made in the final fabric in order to check the fit again. Often the stress of a wedding means brides change size slightly, and this fitting allows me to accommodate for that. Once we are happy with the fit, the final details will be added, such as lace applique or the scallop on your hem, and the dress will be ready to take away.

I recently started working with the West Country Wedding Planners based in Exeter and they asked me to write down my top five tips for their brides on buying a bespoke wedding dress. It was hard to narrow it down, but to me these are five ways to get the most out of the dress buying journey.

My top five tips for buying a bespoke wedding dress

1. Get inspired

Unlike walking into a shop and picking something out, with bespoke you have a real opportunity to be involved in the design of your dress. Get inspired by wedding magazines and Pinterest, start collecting images and see if there's a common theme - maybe they all have sleek skirts or use a lot of lace. Remember that inspiration can come from anywhere and you have the chance to be very personal - maybe you could include details from your mum's dress or from what you wore on your first date? Think about your favourite thing to wear and why you love it.

2. Consider what you want to be able to do in the dress

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life - you do not want to be uncomfortable. If being able to run up the church steps, dance, or cycle away on a tandem is important to you, make sure you're picking a dress you can move in. This also applies to choosing your undergarments and shoes. It might be a good idea to skip the tightly laced corset and killer heels and opt for Spanx and shoes you can comfortably walk down the aisle in- remember that it's a wedding day and you're likely to spend more than 12 hours in your outfit.

3. Chose your designer carefully

It is important to find a designer who you like personally and whose style suits your vision for your wedding day. You will have quite a few appointments with this person, and spend a fair amount of time together in the run up to your special day. Look at their previous work online, and definitely meet them before committing. Once you've found someone you want to work with, trust them. It can be a challenging process waiting to see your dress finished, be patient and trust that you chose this person for a reason.

4. Leave plenty of time

Ask your designer what the turnaround for their dresses typically is. From most bridal boutiques the order time is about 6 months. With dressmakers it can be shorter, but too close to the wedding they may charge a rush fee. It's also not unusual to be charged a little extra if you lose or gain a lot of weight in the run up to the wedding; since the dress is being made specifically to fit you it can cause a lot of extra work. Remember to go to fittings in the underwear and heels you plan on wearing on the day, as they can also have an effect on your posture and body shape.

5. Take one kind, trustworthy friend

In your first meeting with a designer you should be getting a sense of what they do, what you want, and maybe trying on a few samples. It is likely that you will walk away with a pretty clear idea of what dress you will end up with. The temptation is therefore to bring along all your bridesmaids, sisters and mum. This will mean that rather than focusing on what you want for your day and from your dress, you are worried about their opinions and them getting bored. There are plenty of fittings which your bridesmaids can come to, and the final fit (where you pick up your dress) is the most fun one for them to attend. Leave them at home and bring only your kindest, most trustworthy friend.