At The Wedding Café, we spend a lot of time ogling over weddings and wedding dresses, and lately we’ve been utterly obsessed with one wedding and one dress in particular – and it’s a ROYAL one! The wedding industry has recently been buzzing with excitement about the recent engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton, and the belles at The Wedding Café have been no exception! We've been absolutely enthralled with the royal courtship, and more recently with the courtship over her wedding dress. From Women’s Wear Daily to Entertainment Tonight, there are enough articles about the supposed wedding dress of Kate Middleton to make your head spin in wedding bliss.

And for all of our newly engaged brides out there, first of all CONGRATULATIONS! You’re probably itching to run out to the nearest bridal salon and dive into the ultimate dress-up, but it doesn’t matter if you are a real life princess or just a princess to your fiancé, we know you will have questions about finding that perfect dress. So in order to make sure you feel like a princess in your fittings and eventually in your special gown, we’ve put together a few “TTC”s, (“Things to Consider).

TTC 1 :: Back to the basics.

Keep your options open and bring multiple undergarment and shoe choices to your fitting. And whether it be before your first fitting or just before your last, get a bra fitting and focus on fit and comfort. Next, make sure your shoes are a manageable height and work well with the length and style of your gown. And don’t forget to break in those shiny new shoes around the house and break out those Dr. Scholl's inserts because your wedding day is a marathon, not a sprint. And if all else fails, bring an extra pair of shoes (or slippers!), we bet no one will be looking at your feet!

TTC 2 :: What is your style?

Kate, who was a former accessories buyer, is always stylish and fashionable. Seen in Grecian-inspired draped dresses and dresses with clean lines, she may choose to reflect her personal style in her wedding gown. Some experts have noted that her love of hats and accessories may be incorporated into her wedding ensemble and thus her dress may be simple and austere. Personal style can be a huge influence on wedding dress selection, so allow your inner fashionista to tag along to your bridal consultation. And if that inner fashionista guides you to a hot pink wedding dress? Well, they don’t call the song “Here comes the BRIDE” for no reason, right?

TTC 3 :: BUT - Consider your venue.

Kate and William will marry in Westminster Abbey, and with this venue comes a certain etiquette code that calls for regal and conservative attire; even the thought of a wedding hat may be odd enough to raise some royal eyebrows. So even if Kate’s personal style steered her to a hot pink dress, she probably shouldn’t choose it – no matter if she’s the next Queen of England of not. Likewise, you should consider the space you will be married (or have your reception in) for some inspiration and some guidance. Getting married on the beach? A flowing Grecian dress or simple sheath dress will be perfect. Getting married in an ornate church? More conservative necklines and baroque beading can complement your surroundings. Mix and match with awareness and you’ll be creating your picture perfect day in no time.

TTC 4 :: Trust your consultant

The process of seeking and finding a wedding dress is the ultimate treasure hunt; and when you find the dress of your dreams, it’s magic. Our friends and wedding gown experts, Cecilia and Joyce at The Bridal Boutique are true magicians and can help you find that one, true dress. Your consultant will be your best friend and your secret weapon during your search for the perfect gown. How will you love your bridal consultant? Let thee count the ways: They are the only ones who know their stock inside and out. They can take elements of a dress you like a little and somehow find the perfect dress from the depths of their stock. Trust your consultant and be open to trying their suggestions, who knows, your “this is it” dress might be in there. The professionals at The Bridal Boutique will surely give you the royal treatment and take the time to make sure you have the perfect dress for you. The Bridal Boutique even has their very own “fairy dress-mother” and her name is Yee Mei. Because fit is equally important as design, alterations manager, Yee Mei, will make sure your dress fits like a glove and ensure you look like a princess.

And while it may seem like you and Princess Kate are worlds apart, know that all brides go through the same process, so have fun with it and feel like royalty in your dressing room. But what will Kate choose on her great white dress search? An homage to her groom’s mother, Diana, and rock the extra-long cathedral veil? Or will she modernize the royal wedding, bringing her eye from outside the royal network to shake things up with a contemporary dress? Well, we think she will go for something in between: something modern, maybe an a-line silhouette, yet still conservative for the occasion, perhaps lace detail with a high neckline and longer sleeves. We are on the edge of our metaphorical chivari chairs in anticipation!

Happy dress hunting to you and to Kate! Now if we could only get our hands on a royal invitation…