SAYING YES TO THE DRESS

FINDING the one!

Fabulous bridal boutiques in Yorkshire. Could one of these establishments be where you discover your dream dress?

KEELY BRIGHTMORE OF LUNA BRIDE SAYS… Tell us about your boutique Our boutique is a calming and relaxing space where brides can try on wedding dresses without pressure or stress. Luna Bride specialises in ethical wedding gowns made in beautiful, natural fabrics such as bamboo silk and cotton lace. We offer a bespoke service and custom-made gowns to make your wedding dress one of a kind to you. All dresses are designed and made by our in-house team.

What key piece of advice would you give to brides when dress shopping? Do research before on styles and fabrics you like and make sure the boutique that you’re visiting is right for you.

What’s your favourite dress in the boutique? My favourite dress changes all the time but currently it’s Posie.

What are your trend predictions for 2022? I predict designs that brides can wear again like mini dresses and separates. I also expect, lots of silk, thigh high slits and big sleeves. https://lunabride.com

ww.nataliepluck.com

ttps://romanticaofdevon.co.uk

ttps://romanticaofdevon.co.uk DOUGLAS ABRAMSON OF CINDERELLA’S SAYS… Tell us about your boutique Our boutique is nestled in the town of Skipton also known as the gateway to the Dales. We’re just a stone’s throw from Skipton Castle and Holy Trinity Church, we love to listen to the bell ringing from the church at the weekend. It’s especially lovely to hear when brides are collecting their dresses ready for their big day! Every wedding dress sampled in-store is pictured online along with our very own walk-around video telling you all about each dress. This is also available on our YouTube channel www.dreamdress.co.uk

What key piece of advice would you give to brides when dress shopping? Make sure to maximise the choice of dresses you have available to buy as you’ll need to allow a minimum of eight months from the time you order to your wedding date.

What’s your favourite dress in the boutique? Emma-Claire, from the Silhouette Collection from Romantica of Devon. This is a dreamy choice for your wedding day and one of my favourite styles this season. I love the lace bodice and frothy tulle skirt, it’s just stunning.

What are your top trend tips for 2022? Boho, plain fabrics and ’50s silhouettes will be big in 2022. Sparkly skirts are still popular with brides and coloured dresses are also making a comeback! 01756 791 007 | www.dreamdress.co.uk

STEPHANIE MORAN OF STEPHANIE MORAN COUTURE SAYS… Tell us about your boutique At Stephanie Moran Couture, we offer a welcoming and individual experience for the modern bride. From all our services in the boutique, you’ll find a couture approach to bridal design as all our dresses are created in our in-house studio by myself and my team. The options available are limitless, meaning you truly can create something that fits both you and your wedding vision perfectly. Each appointment is exclusive which means you and your bridal party can truly get creative. Our dresses are stylish, elegant, and individually created with you in mind.

What key piece of advice would you give to brides when dress shopping? There are so many tips that are useful when wedding dress shopping but I think the most important thing is to do your research first and enjoy the experience. Wedding dress shopping is playing the ultimate dress up! Don’t take yourself too seriously and have some fun with it. There’s a strong possibility you’ll try on styles that’ll do nothing for you (or your confidence) brush it off and continue your journey of finding the dress that allows you to be the perfect you.

What’s your favourite dress in the boutique? I have so many favourites, especially from the bespoke bride collection, where sometimes we can create a dress with a bride that we didn’t even know existed! Our bespoke bride collection consists of dress components where you can build your dress in-store to create something which is truly original to you, and the options are limitless. However, if I had to choose, I’m loving exaggerated ballgown skirts in sumptuous silks and off the shoulder styles right now!

What are your top trend tips for 2022? The ballgown is back. If at all, lace is seen as a decorative element and plain fabrics are on the rise. Exaggerated sleeves are also going to be a huge trend and veils, especially worn over the face in a truly traditional style are becoming an increasingly popular look for brides. However, trends are there for inspiration and if it’s not you, don’t feel like you have to conform, your wedding day look should be an extension of your personality and you should feel your best self in it, whatever that may be! 07498 223 712 | www.stephaniemorancouture.com KERENSA DYSON FROM BIJOU BRIDAL BOUTIQUE SAYS… Tell us about your boutique Bijou Bridal Boutique is nestled in the beautiful west Yorkshire town of Holmfirth and offers brides an award-winning bridal experience to find their dream dress. The collections of British designer gowns focus on the bride looking for a timeless, classic but traditional style of wedding gown with a modern edge. The boutique also offers a British bridesmaid collection of mix and match styles, along with luxury bridal accessories including veils, shoes and hair adornments, all by leading British bridal designers.

What key piece of advice would you give to brides when dress shopping? As a result of the pandemic which is causing worldwide shipping problems throughout every industry including bridal, my key piece of advice for brides who are planning to start wedding dress shopping would be to start at least a year to 18 months before their wedding and perhaps to consider looking at collections by British designers who manufacture their collections on home soil, like the ones I have in the boutique. It has been reported in the press that there could be a delay of up to eight months for dresses that are ordered from overseas manufacturers. However, the beauty of shopping with a British designer whose designs are made in this country, means you can guarantee that your dress will not be delayed due to the shipping crisis as they’re all made here in the UK.

What’s your favourite dress in the boutique? It’s very hard to pick an absolute favourite as they’re all hand-picked by me for my brides but currently Melba by Alan Hannah has to be top of the collections. She’s a beautiful rose damask full skirted gown with deep V neckline and statement bow! She’s a modern, classic gown with a hint of sexiness!

What are your top trend tips for 2022? This year was the first opportunity for me to visit a bridal trade show since the pandemic started nearly two years ago to see the new trends coming through and it was apparent everywhere that sparkle is making a huge comeback! Whether you have some sparkle on your wedding gown or you accessorise with it on your headdress or veil, 2022 is definitely going to be the time to sparkle! 01484 690 454 | https://bijoubridalboutique.com

www.victoriabakerweddings.co.uk Alan Hannah

SUSAN HIRST OF BRIDAL APPAREL LEEDS SAYS… Tell us about your boutique We’re a small, family-run bridal boutique and our focus is on the experience the bride and her guests have when visiting our setting.

What key piece of advice would you give to brides when dress shopping? I explain to the bride that this day is a day to gain experience as to what dress will suit your body shape so that she’s comfortable as well as looking stunning. We always say, “Feel how you feel, before you look how you look.” This way, if you feel good, you’re very likely to look amazing.

We found that heavy, uncomfortable boning went out the day Covid came in. The bride’s mindset changed and yes, they want to look amazing but they really want something they can wear and have a brilliant day in too.

The dress has to suit the venue. I know that may sound silly but if it’s a barn or outside venue then soft flowing natural boho styles work perfectly. A church often suits something more traditional with the big train and veil.

We like to educate our brides about all the options that are open to them along with a sit-down chat for about 10 minutes to get to know the bride’s likes and dislikes.

What are your top trend tips for 2022? The year 2022 will be very mixed from what I can see from the Harrogate and London Bridal exhibitions – expect very simple dresses as well as very over the top beaded full skirts. Black is also making a comeback. We’re also doing a catsuit next year that I’m sure will be popular! 0113 250 1616 | www.bridalapparelleeds.co.uk

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Bianco Evento

Bianco Evento KATE FEARNLEY OF KATE FEARNLEY BOUTIQUE SAYS… Tell us about your boutique We’ve recently moved the business to a lovely converted station building in Stokesley, north Yorkshire. Everything is designed and made from our studio which is situated above the boutique. The boutique is light and fresh with beautiful views of the Yorkshire hills. Inside there are two separate ground floor showrooms, one for all bridal collections and the other for our occasionwear samples. The interior is a romantic and modern mix with velvet and chrome fittings. We work by appointment and offer a bespoke option to our ready to wear collections which can now be seen in selected UK stockists.

What key piece of advice would you give to brides when dress shopping? Be open minded on styles and shapes and try different looks outside of your comfort zone to find the right style for you. Don’t have too many people at your initial appointment when trying styles on so you can concentrate on what you like without too many opinions.

What’s your favourite dress in the boutique? Petal is one of my favourites as it’s fashion forward and very easy to wear. The illusion top and 3D flower cascade down the crepe satin circular skirt with pockets works really well for the modern bride.

What are your trend predictions for 2022? Less formal styles, sleeve detailing, floral and feather embroidery detailing, flowing skirts with pockets. 01642 638 477 | https://katefearnley.com