FINDING THE ONE

Say ‘yes’ to the dress with help from local suppliers

Thank goodness brides-to-be can once again get up close and personal with gorgeous gowns in their search to find the one. Bridal boutiques throughout the region have opened their doors to a wave of pent-up demand. One thing’s for sure, nothing quite beats the personal experience with style-savvy boutique owners and staff on hand to help you bag your dream dress. We spoke to just some to get their top picks, trends and tips.

MARGAUX MAE BRIDAL

Little Tapnage, Titchfield Lane, Wickham PO17 5PQ 01329 550 066 | www.margauxmae.co.uk

Shop in the peace and quiet of the countryside at this newly opened boutique in the Hampshire village of Wickham. It’s the realisation of a lifelong ambition for owner Andrea Dargon who is over the moon to be helping brides-to-be find their dream dress. Offering a carefully curated selection of dresses from Lyn Ashworth, Madeline Gardner New York and Alison Webb, as well as tiaras and accessories supplied by local designer White Design Bridal and Rainbow Club shoes, you can get your whole bridal look sorted. What’s more, by appointment you can have the whole place to yourself for an hour and a half to try on gowns without feeling rushed or under pressure. Andrea says, “Margaux Mae is a luxury boutique but with a warm friendly atmosphere where all are welcome.” Looking ahead she predicts ballgowns are going to be in demand. “After the last two years of more intimate celebrations, brides are ready for a return to bigger weddings and this will be reflected in the dresses.”

❤ TOP TIP

Keep an open mind! Sometimes it’s the style you think you won’t like that ends up being the one. TOP PICK

Nadia (51834) by Madeline Gardner New York

TOP PICK

Ariel by Riki Dalal

LITTLE LONDON BRIDES

Silchester Rd, Little London, Tadley RG26 5EX 07766 806 759 | www.littlelondonbrides.co.uk

Little London Brides is a family run boutique owned by mother and daughter Shan and Steph. Located in the rural village of Little London, near Basingstoke in North Hampshire, it offers a warm welcome in a private, tranquil setting and a personal experience to help you realise your top-to-toe vision. Shan says, “We attract brides who are looking for something a little bit different and we aim to bring a fresh and modern approach to bridal, with a trendy yet luxurious feel. We only choose the dresses we love and have selected a range of international designers, which we believe are different to the traditional mainstream wedding gowns.”

Sleeves, in a range of styles are her top trend alert. “Many of our dresses have detachable sleeves, which gives that two-in-one look that will continue to be popular in 2022,” Shan adds.

❤ TOP TIP

Research and select bridal boutiques carefully before booking appointments to avoid disappointment and allow enough time to order your dress and for any alterations to be made. TOP PICK

Edison by Maggie Sottero

ROMSEY BRIDAL

The Hundred, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8BX 01794 524 324 | www.romseybridal.co.uk

Romsey Bridal Boutique is a haven for brides- and grooms-tobe. Owners Tara and Andrea have been in the bridal industry for more than 20 years and offer a wealth of knowledge and experience, which they have passed on to their consultants Julie and Annika to help guide you through every step.“We believe that your wedding gown should reflect your individuality and personality and should make you look and feel amazing,” says Tara. The boutique has a spacious showroom, private changing suites and beautiful gowns by award-winning designers including Maggie Sottero, Rebecca Ingram and Fox Bridal. For those all-important finishing touches, there are gorgeous accessories by Ivory & Co and White Designs as well as an array of stylish bridesmaid dresses by Wtoo and Dessy in a rainbow of colours. Not forgetting the boys, the Groom’s Room has outfits to hire from classic slim-fit lounge suits to more formal top hat and tails.

❤ TOP TIP

Beware, wedding dress sizes are horrible!! It is not unusual for a gown to fit that’s one or two sizes bigger than you normally wear. As awful as this may sound, don’t let it bother you – remember it’s only you and your stylist that knows! Most important of all love every minute of the experience.

LITTLE LONDON BRIDES

Big on style and gorgeous gowns

Little London Brides is a beautiful family run boutique set in a private tranquil location in the rural village of Little London, near Basingstoke in North Hampshire. A destination hotspot for brides-to-be looking to find the one, owners mother-and-daughter team Shan and Steph opened the doors to the business in March 2018 and offer a fresh and modern approach.

Shan says, “With both of us working in the corporate world, we wanted to explore something different that would give us the opportunity to work together doing something we both love and are passionate about. After Steph’s wedding in July 2016, styling brides was the perfect choice.”

The boutique stocks a range of gorgeous gowns from leading international designers carefully curated to offer brides something different to the norm. Elite stockists for Enzoani, Blue by Enzoani, ÉLYSÉE Atelier and the ÉLYSÉE as well as the amazing Israeli designer Riki Dalal, UK designer Dando London and Barcelona-based Atelier Pronovias, there’s something to suit a variety of tastes.

“We certainly attract brides who are looking for something a little bit different, with the wow factor to stand out from the crowd. Many of our brides want to not only look like a bride, but also feel sexy and glamorous on their big day. Our designer dresses offer all of this with trademark low backs, long trains, beautiful lace and a range of silhouettes that make the most of any figure with a fresh and modern feel.”

And it doesn’t just stop at the dress. “We love helping our brides realise their head-to-toe vision, covering everything from alterations, shoes, veil and accessories to how to wear your hair and make-up,” adds Steph.

“We are very proud of what we have created and have received some really wonderful feedback from our brides, who travel far and wide to visit our store. It has been really important to us to create our very own brand, combining a trendy feel with a luxurious and personal experience.

The experience means everything to us and we want our brides to not only have a luxurious and memorable time, but also to feel comfortable and special. We have considered every part of the journey, from the moment brides get in touch to book an appointment, welcoming them to our spacious boutique through to the alterations process, to make sure we offer a very personal service.

We run by appointment only and by concentrating on one bride at a time we can give them our full and undivided attention so they can relax with us and whoever they bring with them on the day and enjoy this special time.”

TOP PICK

Dora by LouLou Bridal

TWIRL BRIDAL

Charles Street, Petersfield, GU32 3EH 07581 477 501 | www.twirlbridal.co.uk

Love vintage? Twirl Bridal,boasts the largest selection of tea-length wedding dresses on the South Coast. The boutique has a strong vintage, yet modern vibe and also stocks some beautiful full-length gowns as well as accessories and shoes. Owner Mary Cox says, “We offer dresses in a range of sizes, so nobody is disappointed and appointments are relaxed, friendly and fun.

“Trends have moved towards gentle flowing dresses with big sleeves, off the shoulder, feathers and ruffles. Traditional is taking a back seat and the more natural contemporary looks are growing in popularity. Anything goes for hemlines and colours and florals will be in vogue alongside the ivory dress that so many of us love.”

❤ TOP TIP

Choose your appointments wisely and don’t book too many as it can be very overwhelming. Stay true to yourself and follow your heart but remember your budget too! Also don’t be afraid to ask questions however minor they may seem to you. TOP PICK

Mori Lee dress in ivory

THAT’S THE ONE

Chapel Lane, Farnborough, GU14 9BL 07787 181 195 | www.thatstheonebridal.co.uk

Newcomer to the local wedding scene, family run business That’s the One launched in April this year. With a background in designing and making wedding, bridesmaid and prom dresses, opening a bridal boutique had been a lifelong dream for owner Lynn Dunlop. She aims to provide an individual, welcoming experience allowing brides to take their time to find their perfect dress. “We work closely with British Bridal so customers can order their dream gown and we also have ready-to-go dresses that they can take home with them the same day. I want to make bridal gowns accessible for everyone, no matter their budget. While we currently stock up to a size 28, a big ambition of mine is to feature a whole plus-size range soon.” While vintage silhouettes remain on-trend, Lynn believes more modern styles will be big sellers for 2022, including wedding jumpsuits.

❤ TOP TIP

TOP PICK

Ladybird Sensual fit and flare mermaid dress (style 421036)

OLIVIA GEORGE BRIDAL

The Calvert Centre, Rownest Wood Lane, Woodmancott Winchester, SO21 3BN 07414 747 029 | www.olivia-george.co.uk

Located on the outskirts of Winchester in a lovely rural setting, the team at Olivia George believes every bride should be treated to the VIP treatment and enjoy a private appointment experience so they can have the whole boutique to themselves when choosing their dress. Owners Michelle and Carolyn say, “We love working with our designers all of whom are carefully chosen by us to ensure they fit into the vision we have for our brides. We put a lot of thought into our range to ensure we have dresses to fit all budgets.

Looking ahead to all the lovely weddings to come they predict, “Lace has been around quite a lot over the last couple of years and for 2022 we will see an extra softness to it, think delicate and dreamy!”

❤ TOP TIP

Be willing to try on dresses suggested by the bridal consultants as our brides-to-be are often surprised by a style they thought wouldn’t suit them but looks amazing! TOP PICK

Trinity Lynette by Maggie Sottero

CREATIQUES

Albert Road, Southsea, PO4 0JW 02392 826 662 | www.creatiques.co.uk

Multi-award winning boutique Creatiques is based in the heart of Southsea and with nearly 30 years’ experience in the world of weddings, co-owners Andrew and Robert Pearce know a thing or two about the bridal industry. Offering designer labels Maggie Sottero, Sottero and Midgley, Rebecca Ingram, Mark Lesley, Donna Salado Couture, Justin Alexander, Adore by Justin Alexander and Sincerity, there’s something to suit an array of different sizes, tastes and big-day themes.

They predict the three key looks for the year ahead are bishop sleeves, exaggerated puff sleeves and scoop bodices.

❤ TOP TIP

When choosing your gown, keep guests at the bridal appointment to a minimum as too many opinions can be confusing.

For further wed-spiration and to keep up to date with the latest news and trends check out our County Wedding Magazines’ Facebook page

County Wedding Magazines What’s more, our editors are on hand to help brides-to-be with all their planning problems:

• Ask us anything, whether you’re on the hunt for a local venue or simply looking for ideas and advice • Find local suppliers • Top planning tips from the pros • Tell us about your big day for your chance to appear in the magazine • Special subscription offers • Win wedding essentials with our exclusive giveaways and competitions

Oh and don’t forget...

Follow us on Instagram: @cwm_wedding

Follow us on Twitter: @CountyWeddings

Follow us on Pinterest: County Weddings

ONE OF THE LARGEST WEDDING SHOWS TO BE HELD IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND

20TH MARCH, 2022, 11.00AM - 3.30PM MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD, SURREY

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SPONSORED BY

• Free entry • Win a luxury honeymoon • Bridal fashion shows • Entertainment • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Refreshments • Covid-19 secure

Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a fabulous spa break worth £250 courtesy of

Hosted at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0SL

Hosted at