Your Yorkshire Wedding - January/February 2021 (Issue 46)

THE ONE Finding Hannah Faulder catches up with some of Yorkshire’s best bridal boutique owners and designers SAY HELLO TO KERENSA DYSON OF BIJOU BRIDAL BOUTIQUE Describe your boutique and service in five words… Special, personal, welcoming, professional and unforgettable. What designers do you stock? Alan Hannah, Ivory & Co. by Sarah Bussey, Mia Mia, Olivia Rose Bridal by Romantica and Nicola Anne. Bridesmaids’ dresses are by Motee Maids. How did you come to launch your business? Bijou Bridal Boutique was a dream come true! After raising my family, it was time to think about what I wanted to do for myself. I’d always wanted a bridal boutique, which was a nod to my family being in retail and sales. After finding the right premises and researching the market, I opened my boutique in 2014 showcasing British bridal design – and I’ve never looked back! How has the pandemic affected your customers? A small number of my brides have gone ahead with their 2020 wedding. One in particular had their heart set on a day in September as it was the date that her parents and grandparents got married. Moving to 2021 would have meant changing the date as the venue was already booked. All organised for a micro-wedding in September, the venue called them a week before to say they’d had a cancellation the day before their special date in 2021, so they’ll be partying until late to make it past midnight and celebrate on the same day as her parents and grandparents! What are your top tips for brides looking for their dream dress? ❤ Select three boutiques to visit so you’re not overwhelmed with choice. ❤ Keep guests to a minimum at your appointment and make sure they have your best interests at heart. ❤ Try on different styles and trust the advice of your bridal consultant. Visit www.bijoubridalboutique.co.uk Kerensa’s favourite dress : Mystical by Nicola Anne SAY HELLO TO DESIGNER FELICITY ABEKAH OF FELISITI GREIS Describe your brand and service in five words… Luxury, elegance, quality, authentic and craftsmanship. How did you come to launch your business? In 2013, I was commissioned by a friend to design a dress for a wedding she was attending. She looked stunning, and word of mouth soon travelled and the next commission I got was for six bridesmaids’ dresses. This saw the birth of Felisiti Greis and my foot in the door of the bridal industry. It’s an incredible honour to create one-of-a-kind bespoke dresses for brides. How have you adapted during the pandemic? We have international and out-of-town brides, so offering a virtual service has always been a part of our process. Having this in place helped us navigate well during this pandemic. We operated virtually and designed two beautifully handcrafted couture gowns for brides who wed in October 2020. What are your top tips for brides looking for their dream dress? ❤ Allow yourself and the designer room to either enhance or completely change your initial ideas in order to create something truly magical. ❤ Going bespoke means a sketch is all you have to go by before you set eyes on your completed dress. Therefore, it’s important to choose a designer who listens and takes on board your vision, and has the ability to translate your ideas into a sketch. ❤ To help you find the right designer, check out their previous designs and portfolio, look at the craftsmanship that goes into their creations and look into their experience and quality of work. Reviews from previous clients and your gut feeling will help you decide. Visit www.felisitigreis.com Felicity’s favourite dress : Callista from her Adiepena Collection https://elsie lovephotography.com 64