BRIDAL BLISS

Discover some of the region’s most talented beauty and fashion experts

Many couples have dreamt of their special day for years. They already have an idea for their desired look, so it’s essential to have a team of reliable suppliers to bring that vision to life and make any last-minute touches. Here at Your North East Wedding, we’ve gathered top suppliers from around the region who would be the perfect addition to any wedding day.

JOSEPHINE BIRKETT MAKEUP ARTIST

RARE BRIDAL STUDIO

https://rachaelfraser.photography

Top tip “Have the wedding day that you both want, don’t let other peoples’ opinion change your mind!” – Josephine

Top tip “Don’t be afraid to inject some of your personality into the day rather than making decisions to keep others happy.” – Jade

www.clairemcgowanweddings.com

Rare Bridal Studio opened its doors back in July 2020, after realising there’s a gap in the bridal market in the North East. After moving from its previous location in Washington in Tyne and Wear, the company has since moved to Low Fell in Gateshead earlier this year. The new store is the perfect location for those searching for the one.

The boutique offers cool, modern, alternative and bohostyled wedding attire and accessories by British designers, which couples can’t find anywhere else in the region. The studio provides a private, laid-back setting for brides and is open on an appointment basis only – meaning that clients are guaranteed the whole studio to themselves and the full attention from the experienced team. Once customers find the perfect gown, they can ensure the perfect fit using the companies in-house alteration service.

The owner at Rare Bridal Studio, Jade Johnson, loves helping brides look and feel their big-day best. She says, “I leave the studio on such a high knowing that someone has gone home over-the-moon with their look and knowing that I was able to help them on their journey.”

The team are currently seeing a huge demand for unusual lace patterns and dramatic sleeves; their boho-style gowns are the perfect option for this!

Discover more about the company: www.rarebridalstudio.co.uk Based in Northumberland, Josephine Birkett Makeup Artist has provided a bespoke make-up service to clients across the North East and the UK for more than ten years.

After completing a make-up degree, owner Josephine Birkett was asked to work at a few weddings by loved ones and took part in editorial work with other industry professionals. The wedding side of the business took off and the rest is history!

When brides book the supplier, they can expect a one-toone service from Josephine, who will manage the booking from initial contact right up to the big day where she will create the perfect wedding look. She says, “I love seeing a bride all ready with her dress on, hair styled, make-up completed and a beaming smile on her face – that’s the best part of my job.”

The business specialises in classic, soft-glam make-up looks and the team will work with clients to create any dream look. Josephine comments. “The most popular make-up look at the moment is a soft gold or bronze-smokey eye with a glowy base.”

Check out www.josephinebirkett.com

www.ameliajanephotography.com

www.ameliajanephotography.com

ALL DOLLED UP

Top tip “Remember you’re marring your soulmate, so make the run up to the wedding just as special as the day.” – Amy

ROSA BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

Situated in Newcastle, Rosa Bridal Boutique offers fabulous designer dresses significantly reduced from their recommended retail price. After opening its doors back in 2019, the team ensures that brides-to-be have a positive shopping experience while giving an honest opinion.

The boutique’s owner, Susanne Shah, started the business after wanting a different pace of life with more time for friends and family. She loved her previous career as a lawyer but no longer wanted the long hours. Susanne decided opening the boutique would be perfect, especially after seeing a gap in the market. She says, “There was a need for brides to have somewhere that would still give them that personal one-to-one experience, without needing a top-end budget necessarily.” She adds, “My favourite part of the job is the actual appointments themselves. Living in a house full of males with my husband and two boys (even the cats are boys), I love being in the shop and having some real girly time. I don’t see my job as work because I enjoy it so much. Seeing my brides blossom before my eyes in confidence and demeanour when they find the one is such a joy.” The shop stocks a fantastic selection of gowns in different sizes (six to 26) and price ranges to cater for even more couples.

Many customers who visit the boutique at the moment are asking for long sleeves, which is trending right now and works well for autumn/ winter weddings, and some clients are after general arm coverage. There’s also a demand for Bardot off-the-shoulder gowns, which is a sexy style that shows just a little bit of flesh while remaining relatively modest. When it comes down to finding that dream dress, it’s all about personal preference and style.

Discover more: www.rosabridalboutique.co.uk After having a passion for hair styling since a young age, Amy Tombling created All Dolled Up eight years ago after creating hairstyles for herself and her sister for their cousin’s wedding. She says, “I styled my hair into a loose chignon and for my sister, I created a bow using her hair. We received plenty of compliments and that’s when I realised I could make a business from this!”

A week after the wedding, Amy created three different looks and within a month of posting the pictures on social media, she had a booking every week. She decided to enrol in a part-time beauty college alongside her job at a doctors surgery and a few months later, All Dolled Up was born.

The Middlesbrough-based business offers hair styling for bridal parties and can create amazing styles. After arriving before dawn, the company starts the wedding day prep and will stay until the last minute to put in the veil and add any finishing touches. Amy says, “There’s nothing better than seeing a bride’s vision come to life on her wedding day; I love to see the whole look come together with the hair, the make-up and the dress.” Over the last year, messy-fairytale hairstyles have been popular, but there’s been a demand for elegant and simple looks at the moment with many asking for a loose chignon or a wrapped knot – of course Hollywood waves are a big thing this year. The team can create each one of these looks flawlessly

while adding a special touch.

Amy says,“I love it when someone allows me to be creative, I let the hair flow naturally into a style and I see where the look leads me. This is a massive benefit because I’m not creating the same look over again.”

The business has plenty of experience in the industry and can help point couples in the right direction for other suppliers, share top tips and create new ideas.

Discover more about the team: www.alldolledupamy.co.uk

www.djmphotography.co.uk

Top tip “Go dress shopping with an open mind as most brides end up picking a style they didn’t consider when they first visited the store because they don’t know what will suit their figure until they try different ones on.” – Susanne