“I would like to thank Wedding Trader – as I am sure many other readers will – for producing an issue during lockdown that let us get our viewpoints over and be able to share our concerns as well as our more positive thoughts. I must say, being at home and using my ipad more than usual, I thoroughly enjoyed accessing the magazine online. The round up of some of the new collections, which obviously I haven’t been able to see first hand, was really helpful, too”
“Now that we are open for business again, I am curious if other shops are finding an increased interest in quite formal, classical gowns, and far less in easy-going destination dresses, which were big business for us before Covid 19 hit. Quite a number of customers have told me that they were planning to marry abroad next year but are no longer considering that, in case there are spikes elsewhere and then quarantine rulings in place, and are making up for it by spoiling themselves here. One bride of mine is planning three weddings for herself, a sort of series of parties with small numbers over a two week period and the opportunity to wear her dress again and again! A great idea methinks.” ALLURE
“Isn’t it amazing! We have had a rush of appointments from the first day we re-opened, with brides falling over themselves to find that dress. Interestingly, more than half of the girls we have seen weren’t planning to marry this year anyway but want to make up for lost ‘searching’ time caused by lockdown. Have to say, I haven’t had any brides-to-be who have said they are worried about budgets – they are just after realising their long-held dream.”
...and finally Everyone, it seems, has so much so say but the one thing shared is the joy of being back at work and seeing customers again
“I have to say, there was much about lockdown that I actually enjoyed. More time with the kids, more conversation with my other half, more opportunity to reestablish relationships with old friends and more distant family. And yes, more time to cook! My values have definitely changed... and changed for the better, I think.”
“Reading about the frustration and fears of others in your last issue made me feel better able to cope with what I was going through and has encouraged me to communicate more with fellow retailers. I was brave enough (well for me, that is) to make contact with some of those who had written in Wedding Trader and feeling there is someone there to ‘share’ with makes such a difference. It was also great to find out what others were doing relating to staff and also shop revamps. When I opened again it was with more confidence than I had before.” 96 ♦ W E D D I N G T R A D E R ♦ J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 0
