Bring someone you trust, keep an open mind and only try on what you can afford: Designer behind Princess Diana's iconic wedding gown reveals his advice for modern-day brides

  • David Emanuel, 64, is best known for designing Princess Diana's wedding dress
  • The Welsh designer has been in Australia recently promoting his jewellery line
  • Mr Emanuel revealed several tips for finding the perfect wedding dress for you
  • These include bringing just one person you trust, and keeping an open mind
  • Mr Emanuel also spoke about how he would style Meghan Markle at her wedding

By Sophie Haslett For Mailonline

Published: 20:43 EST, 2 February 2017 | Updated: 20:54 EST, 2 February 2017

As the designer behind one of the most iconic dresses in history, you could say David Emanuel knows a thing or two about wedding dresses.

Speaking in Australia, the Welsh designer of Princess Diana's wedding dress revealed a few tips about how modern-day brides can get the perfect gown.

The esteemed designer's number one piece of advice? Keep an open mind.

Classic: Speaking in Australia, the Welsh designer of Princess Diana's wedding dress, David Emanuel, revealed a few tips on how modern-day brides can get the perfect gown

Height of fashion: Mr Emanuel was hand chosen by Princess Diana to design her wedding dress in 1981 (pictured on her wedding day) after he graced the pages of Vogue

'Are you flamboyant, fun, reserved, classical, low key? Be open to it,' the 64-year-old designer told Mamamia. 

'Listen [to those who know]. And only try on gowns within your budget.'

Mr Emanuel was handpicked by Princess Diana to design her wedding dress in 1981, after he graced the pages of Vogue magazine.

 Bring someone with you that you trust and trust their taste

While he said that these days women often come with an 'entourage' of between six and eight people when they try on wedding dresses, Mr Emanuel said Diana came with one person - her mother.

'Enough. She didn't need the world there. Bring someone with you that you trust and trust their taste.'

The designer added that if you bring your best friend, they will most likely only like the things that would suit them - they won't necessarily think of the bride.

Top tips: Designer David Emanuel (pictured) shared his tips, which include keeping an open mind, bringing along just one person you trust and only trying on what you can afford

Special: The Welsh designer revealed that Diana only brought one person along to buy her wedding dress - her mother; he said you don't need an entire entourage

Prepared: Mr Emanuel's other tips for wedding dress shopping include buying in a physical shop rather than online, and shopping for your gown some 12 months before your wedding

Mr Emanuel's other tips for wedding dress shopping include buying in a physical shop rather than online, and shopping for your gown some 12 months before your wedding.

'Start with going through your closet and seeing what styles you've got that you like,' he said. 

'Look at various bridal magazines, go online. Look at your friends' wedding gowns when you go to their weddings.'

The designer also warned against the dangers of over-shopping. Rather than trying on 40 gowns and feeling confused, he said it's best to go with your instinct.

Expert advice: Mr Emanuel also spoke about how he would style Prince Harry's girlfriend, Meghan Markle (pictured), on her wedding day 

Mr Emanuel also spoke about Prince Harry's current girlfriend, Meghan Markle, and how he would style her were she to wed the young British prince:

'I'd make her look really polished and elegant, but I'm not saying a silhouette either,' he said.

'She is an actress so she'll be very aware of her look because she can see herself on the screen, she'll have learned what looks good...'

David Emanuel is in Australia to promote his new jewellery collection. For more information about the designer, click here. 

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