BRIDAL BOUTIQUES 63 TO THE DRESS Say yes We caught up with seven North East bridal boutiques to find out why you should head to them to find the one – your dress, that is; you’ve already nabbed your significant other… THE BLUE BOW BRIDAL COMPANY 0191 386 4444 | www.bluebowbridal.co.uk Where? Durham Prices? £800–£1,900 Sizes? 8–34 The lowdown: “We’re an awardwinning, family-owned boutique, dedicated to every brides’ dream for their big day,” says owner Cheryl Ashford. “We offer the very best in customer service, in gorgeous surroundings, plus a selection of beautiful and affordable luxury gowns. It’s a true treasure trove of wedding dresses and accessories to complement every bride on her ever-after journey.” The trends: “A-line gowns are extremely strong for 2023,” continues Cheryl. “We are seeing lots of simple yet striking silhouettes with exaggerated necklines or large bow detailing. However, regardless of trends it’s important that every bride feels confident and loves her gown. It’s always a personal preference when it comes to your dress, and all that matters is that you love everything about your design, so you have the confidence to wear it and shine on your big day.” Ordering your gown: “Especially in the current climate, delays are inevitable, so we suggest ordering your gown nice and early. It’s best to pick your dress 12-18 months before your wedding, but it’s really just when you feel ready to find ‘the one’.” Cheryl’s top tip: “Come to your appointment with your hair roughly in the style you’re thinking of for your big day, to give you an idea of necklines. You could also bring along a comfortable pair of heels in your preferred heel height if you wish, but this isn’t essential.” KATE FEARNLEY 01642 638477 | https://katefearnley.com Where? Stokesley Prices? From £1,500 Sizes? Bespoke so made to measure The lowdown: “I’m a regional and national award-winning bridal designer based in the North East,” says owner Kate. “We now stock our collections in a selection of fabulous bridal boutiques across the UK, plus we also offer a bespoke service from our North Yorkshire studio. This exclusive service lets you come and try samples for ideas, but you can then combine styles together, tweaking certain parts, and also choose from a vast collection of fabrics and colours.” The trends: “I’m loving seeing the more modern and relaxed trend for the fashion-conscious bride,” continue Kate. “Our designs offer all of the above, and we’ll be bringing more of this into our new collections, as well as our signature detailing, embellishments and fashion forward silhouettes.” Ordering your gown: “Order 12 months before your wedding, but start enquiring beforehand. We design and make everything from our studio, which enables us to have control over the schedule and production. It’s better to plan ahead to ensure plenty of time.” Kate’s top tip: “Trust your gut! I’m here to listen to your needs and to guide, help and advise you to discover your perfect style. There’s no pressure or obligation, and I guarantee you’ll leave feeling sometimes surprised, always excited – and that you’ve had a great experience.” www.nataliepluck.com www.djmphotography.co.uk www.djmphotography.co.uk www.nataliepluck.com
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