SAY YES TO THE DRESS

Say yes to BRIDAL BOUTIQUES THE DRESS

Meet the talented teams behind these popular bridal boutiques

Many brides have dreamt of finding their wedding dress since a young age, and the moment they find the one will be a memory to treasure forever. With so many bridal boutiques out there, it’s important to find a team to help you through the experience while offering advice and keeping you on track. To help with the process, we dove deeper into the bridal world to learn more about the local boutiques in the North East.

Y.A.P BRIDAL

Located in the heart of Newcastle, Y.A.P Bridal is a luxurious boutique that provides the most exquisite designers from around the world. Danni Hesketh first started the multi-award-winning company back in 2010 and decided to name the store in memory of her parents, Mary and Johnny. She says, “My mum and dad were true romantics and wrote three special initials, Y.A.P, on every love letter for more than 60 years, which means You Are Precious. Our brides become part of our love story, and we become part of theirs.”

The company handpicks their gowns and stocks many well-known brands such as SAVIN London, Maggie Sottero, Rebecca Ingram, Aire Barcelona, Madi Lane Bridal and Libelle Bridal. Each dress is chosen for its special design to ensure inclusivity throughout the store, and brides can try on sample sizes from 12 to 24, which can then be ordered in sizes two to 32. The gowns are priced from £800 to £4,200, and the team also offers off-the-peg sample gowns ranging from £450 to £1,750. To finish off their look, brides-to-be can select items from the accessory ranges from Aura Eire Bridal-wear, Miranda Templeton, Richard Designs Limited and Emma Bridals.

The passionate stylists are dedicated to helping customers look and feel their best. Danni comments, “We offer a genuine and forward-thinking approach to all things bridal. Each bride-to-be will receive a warm welcome and refreshments, followed by a sit-down chat about everything wedding. We get to know our clients, their personalities and guests inside out.”

CHECK OUT: www.yapbridal.co.uk

“Our 2022 top trend predictions are that you’ll be seeing lots of gorgeoussquare necklines, shimmer and sparkle, hand-painted florals, front buttons on gowns and separate two-piece styles.” – Danni Hesketh

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RARE BRIDAL STUDIO

For those fashion-forward and modern brides looking for their dream gown, check out Rare Bridal Studio in Low Fell, Gateshead. The company first opened in July 2020 in Washington in Tyne and Wear and have since moved to the perfect spot that allows for a laid-back setting.

The talented staff source some of the coolest and stylish British designers for bridalwear, accessories and veils that are all available in store with modern, alternative and boho styles.

With an appointment basis only, brides-to-be will be guaranteed the whole studio to themselves. They’ll be able to have a stress-free experience searching through dresses by designers including, Shikoba Bride, E&W Couture and Amy Mair Couture, which range from £720 to £2,700. When it comes to adding the final touches, the business offers accessories handmade in the UK by Victoria Louise Accessories.

The boutique’s owner, Jade Johnson, has been working hard to ensure that all brides get the experience they deserve. She says, “We will not only help customers select their perfect wedding look, but we also offer an in-house alteration service for those who buy a gown from us to ensure the perfect fit.”

CHECK OUT: www.rarebridalstudio.co.uk

“Next year trends include dresses with unusual and dramatic lace patterns, sleeves and separates, which is continuing to shake up the bridal industry with more people opting for a skirt and top combo instead of a whole dress.” – Jade Johnson

SIMPLY WED BRIDAL LIMITED

Based in the heart of Monkseaton Village, Simply Wed Bridal first launched in January 2020 and offers couples a beautiful range of dresses for different body types and shapes in a selection of fabrics. The company’s owner, Helen Danbury-Trott, strives to offer an exceptional and memorable service. When brides first contact the boutique, they’ll receive a warm and friendly greeting in person, via email or through its social media channels. Helen says, “Choosing a dress is the beginning of every bridal journey and for many clients, the most exciting part of the experience.” Book a private appointment online or over the phone and take a maximum of three guests to help you with the decisions. The hard-working staff will take some time to get to know more about their brides and the desired styles they’re after. Then comes the exciting part, trying gowns on! Designers in store include Ronald Joyce, Mary’s Bridal, Jennifer Wren, Pure Bridal and White Rose Graceful. Complete the look by choosing from various veils, capes and jackets from Bianco Evento, Twilight Designs and Richard Designs Limited. Once brides-to-be have found their perfect dress, they can browse through the Linzi Jay bridesmaid collection. CHECK OUT: www.simplywedbridal.co.uk

“I have seen an increase of geometric designs, sleeves, statement trains and classic cutouts never goes out of fashion. When selecting your dress, ensure that you feel beautiful and the gown suits your personality.” – Helen Danbury-Trott

THE BLUE BOW BRIDAL COMPANY

Situated on the outskirts of Durham, The Blue Bow Bridal Company is a multi-award-winning boutique that first opened back in 2016. The owner Cheryl Ashford carefully selected the location to ensure it’s easily accessible from all areas and has direct links from the A1 and the A690.

Over the last few years, the company has welcomed so many gorgeous brides into the boutique and decided to move into a bigger space to offer an even more luxurious experience for couples.

The team offers one of the largest collections of designer gowns within the area, with prices starting from £500 up to £1,800 to cater for different budgets. Cheryl says, “We have selected some of the most amazing gowns from world-leading designers, and we’re really proud of all our collections. We can’t wait to welcome couples into our little piece of heaven and help them find their dream dress.”

When brides-to-be step into the boutique, they’re welcomed by our friendly and passionate consultants who are there to help and support them every step of the way. The team offers two-hour appointments to all new brides, so no one will feel rushed.

The stylists will learn more about the brides and what they’re looking for before helping to hand-select a collection of gowns perfect for them. The team will offer guidance and advice along the way and respectfully help clients stay within the brief and budget.

CHECK OUT: www.bluebowbridal.co.uk

“There are so many gorgeous bridal trends around at the moment, but we’re expecting some different necklines coming through in 2022. The square necklines are looking to be a popular option, and we think offthe-shoulder gowns will be around for a little while yet as well as bold prints and 3D floral details.” – Cheryl Ashford

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WEDDING WARDROBE

The Wedding Wardrobe had been in existence for around 20 years before Tracey Whelan bought the business from the owners who were retiring. She says, “We wanted to build on the fantastic reputation of the company, while adding our own personal stamp.” In 2016, the property undertook a huge refurbishment and reopened in September, ready to provid the perfect setting for brides.

Since then, the team has added new designers to the existing collections, including Maggie Sottero, Morilee, The House of Nicholas Bridalwear, The Dessy Group and Romantica Pure, as well as a wide range of accessories.

The small and friendly team works incredibly hard to provide the best service for brides when they enter the boutique right up to their big day. Each client will have a private appointment, either in the designer room or in the saleroom, and the experienced team will pull dream-worthy gowns.

After finding the one, the staff offer a dress storage facility and in-house alterations by the team of seamstresses. Then when the special day arrives, the team will be on hand to dress bridal parties and dry clean the gown after the big day. The company’s sister brand, The Sewing Rooms, is an independent bridal alterations studio that also offers this service for those who have purchased their gown elsewhere.

The year 2020 was the most difficult for the bridal industry. Tracey says, “It was amazing to see so many of our amazing brides able to get married in 2021 with more planned for 2022. Owning this amazing bridal boutique has been one of the most rewarding things we’ve done.”

CHECK OUT: www.weddingwardrobe.com

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“We’re seeing a continuation of whimsical A-line dresses with romantic lace and off-the-shoulder straps or detachable sleeves. Many brides are opting for stunning fitted dresses with gorgeous back and train detailing as well as some simple but elegant satin and organza dresses for brides who aren’t a fan of lace.” – Tracey Whelan