BRIDAL BOUTIQUES 77 MARTELS BRIDAL BOUTIQUE Where Dunmow Prices £450 – £1,999 Sizes 8 – 22 The lowdown “Our bridal boutique offers exceptional customer service and great prices,” says Martels’ Karen Lambert. “For us as a team it’s important to ascertain what a bride’s priorities are, from being able to sit comfortably after a big wedding breakfast in your dress, to dancing the night away. We like to suggest a bride looks first on sites such as Pinterest and Instagram to get an idea of the styles she’d like to try, before coming in to see if those designs suit her shape and personality. Remember that too many cooks spoil the broth, bringing along just the key people in your wedding party, and don’t ever feel pressurised to choose a particular dress, instead sleeping on it, rather than being rushed into an impulse buy.” Karen’s top tip “Think about where you’re getting hitched. Although it’s only a guide, consider soft and easy for a beach wedding, and grand and gorgeous for a stately home.” Appointments 01371 871 969 | www.martelsbridal.co.uk www.hannah-victoria.com www.hannah-victoria.com BELLISSIMA WEDDINGS Where South Woodham Ferrers Prices £1,000 – £,3,500 Sizes 8 – 28 The lowdown “We operate a locked-door policy, so booking in to see us is a must,” says Bellissima’s Laura Daly. “An alcohol licence means we offer drinks inside the boutique, plus there’s an area outside for you to enjoy a tipple before and after your appointment. When it comes to trying on our gowns, we try to encourage you to choose around 10. However, quite honestly, it’s all up for grabs and we don’t set limits. What is worth noting is that before you come into Bellissima, we’ll already have had several points of contact with you, both over the phone, via email or on one of our social streams, making sure your assigned stylist is briefed about your likes and dislikes, while eradicating any concerns or worries before your appointment in the process.” Laura’s top tip “Allow plenty of time to order your dress: pre-Covid I’d have said eight months to account for delivery and alterations, but now 10 to 12 months is more sensible.” Appointments 01245 323 595 www.bellissimaweddings.co.uk SOMETHING BORROWED BRIDAL Where Basildon Prices £250 – £600 Sizes 4 – 20 The lowdown “We offer designer wedding dresses for hire, giving brides-to-be beautiful gowns to wear for a fraction of the buying price,” says Something Borrowed Bridal’s Alyson Scrivener. “Helping you feel special on your big day without breaking the budget, with us you can reserve a dress for hire in as little as a week, but for more popular styles I’d recommend three to six months in advance. We’re here to address any questions or concerns you might have, from worries over feeling self-conscious to whether or not you feel a dress really does suit you, while at the end of the day helping you choose a dress that makes you feel beautiful and happy, regardless of what anyone else might think.” Alyson’s top tip “Bring in some shoes in the height you want to wear on your wedding day, and bring a hair clip, too, to see if it makes a difference to a dress that’s caught your eye.” Appointments 07802 258 007 www.somethingborrowedbridal.co.uk
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