The Wedding Shop Blog

What is Wedding Etiquette?

When it comes to weddings, like many significant events, we find that everyone is different… and what’s more, ‘the big day’ is a wonderful opportunity for couples to express themselves and their style. That said, the concept of tradition is never far from weddings, and you may find that couples, their family, friends and guests can ‘come to the table’ with certain expectations – that can be incorporated, or not. Weddings as events have never been so customisable and non-traditional but undeniably there are some ‘rules of etiquette’ in place that guide the approach of couples themselves and their guests to certain factors throughout the day.

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a wedding – you might find yourself asking ‘what is the etiquette’? While this might be anything from what others expect from you, what is polite, what you’re comfortable with and more in between, etiquette need not be an overly formal or restrictive factor, but you may find yourself guided by some popular ‘dos and don’ts’, whatever your role in the celebrations.

For the majority of guests at a wedding, your job on the day is to turn up and enjoy. Unless you are part of the wedding party or have been assigned a task, you’re there to celebrate the day and the love of your friends; they’ll want you to relax and have fun, but etiquette still applies to guests – ways to, and not to, behave at such an occasion.

Here’s some considerations we still believe are relevant to even the most modern or non-traditional of weddings:

Dress the part

What to wear is a common consideration when attending a wedding and can range from strict black tie, to ultra-casual, to a specific theme. If there are any ‘special instructions’ to work to, chances are the couple will have made you aware, perhaps on the invitation. If that is the case, do your best to meet the brief if you can. If that’s not the case, and you’re not sure what’s best, a good rule of thumb is to dress semi-formally. Some simple and well-known (for good reason!) ‘no-nos’ include, unless you’re advised otherwise, not wearing casual clothing like jeans and avoiding white/ivory/off-white dresses to prevent any potential clashes with the bride or wedding party. Take a look through our stunning range of wedding outfits for some inspiration.

Attendance and arrival

A lot of work goes into planning a wedding and chances are the couple have spent a fair amount of time considering guest list, budget, and more – it is extremely helpful to couples that you play your part. If you’ve received an invitation, we’d suggest RSVPing as soon as you can and remember: letting your friends know you are NOT attending is as important as confirming that you are. Invitations should specify which parts of the day you’re invited to, as well as whether plus-ones and children, are welcome – every couple’s preference and budget will be different – but bringing extra people or arriving early unexpectedly on the day is always to be avoided. Respect the wishes of your friends, arrive on time and enjoy the day.

Sharing the fun

Photos are a huge part of an event like a wedding and there will be no shortage of them after the day. If you snap your own during the afternoon or evening, be mindful that the couple may not wish for them to be shared on social media straight away, especially of elements like the dress, cake, decorations, venue etc which they may wish to ‘reveal’ themselves later, or that guests attending for the evening may wish to see only once they arrive. If you’re unsure, or have not seen any specific guidance, we’d suggest holding off for a day or two – or at least until the end of the evening – to be safe.

Be positive!

A wedding is always intended to be a joyful occasion and you have been invited along to join in the celebrations. The day itself is the time to be happy and positive; while you may have views or opinions on some aspects of the wedding – perhaps you don’t agree with marriage, have had a hard time with love, would have chosen a different venue, menu or dress, or perhaps even one of the couple is not your favourite person – today is not the day to make those opinions heard. There will always be time for a ‘debrief’ later – show your support and love for your friends in the moment.

What to wear to a summer wedding

In keeping with all the best fairy tale scenarios, every mother of the bride or groom is expecting the wedding day celebrations of the happy couple to be a once in a lifetime moment. It is a landmark in time for family and friends, joining two families together in marriage and also marking the fresh beginning for an entirely new family.

The summer of 2022 is set to be one of the busiest ever for wedding celebrations, as couples finally feel that full freedom to book their dates with confidence after the disruption of the global pandemic. Estimates suggest that 2.6 million couples will get married this year, with approximately 80% of weddings taking place between May and October.

Partner this with the growing trend for non-traditional venues and the rise of the ‘festival wedding’ and there are two significant considerations for anyone planning what to wear to a summer wedding. Firstly, plan well in advance to make sure you avoid the disappointment of your dream outfit being unavailable. And secondly, keep in mind how your outfit might work with the location and theme of the wedding – there is a big difference between what to wear for a function suite in a hotel compared to a yurt in a wildflower meadow.
Naturally, the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom will each be a focal point of attention at the wedding. From those proud moments of sharing the good news of an engagement with far-flung members of the family through to those emotional farewells as the couple leave for their first night of wedded bliss, both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom will be at the heart of all the key activities and preparations. And on the day of the wedding itself, all eyes will be on these doting parents, with special attention given to their outfit choice.

When deciding what to wear to the wedding, etiquette dictates that consideration is given to the themes and designs of the key members of the wedding party, such as the bridesmaids and closest family members, while it’s usually prudent to get an indication of the bride’s preferences too. But none of this should daunt you. This is your chance to be bold, be proud and be yourself. Don’t be afraid to find an outfit you fall in love with and that shows the real you on this most special of days.

There are some practical aspects to determine to ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable in what you wear throughout the day of the wedding. Will you have to move around a lot through the duration of the wedding day? How warm is it likely to be, in terms of weather on the day and when you are inside the venue for the ceremony and celebrations? Are you expecting to dance the night away in the same outfit as you arrived at the ceremony or is there a stylish wardrobe change planned?

For a summer wedding, look out for lightweight and breathable fabrics which will be forgiving should you find yourself out of the shade on a hot and humid day. If you are planning for a more formal look, blended suit fabrics are another good option. Wool-linen provides a lighter weight while a wool-silk blend affords an extra softness.

In terms of colour, wedding attire is traditionally the home of bright hues, but there has been an uprising in shiny metallics like gold and silver. Florals are another popular choice for summer weddings and can work in harness with earth tones, such as beiges and light greys.

Whatever you choose for this celebration of love – love what you wear.

Can you wear red to a wedding?

Red can be a surprisingly controversial colour to wear in the context of a wedding. Traditionally different colours carry different meanings and inferences, and red is a colour that holds particular significance for guests at a wedding.

As a very bold colour, red has a history of association with the notions of being sexy, confident and striking, all the things a guest should avoid when she is wanting the focus to be exclusively on the bride during her wedding day.

That being said, the fashion police are unlikely to make an arrest if you incorporate an aspect of red in your outfit in a way that is still in keeping with a modest, elegant and respectful overall appearance.
So when is it appropriate to choose red for a wedding outfit and when is it a step too far? Get it right and you’ll be stylishly on trend. Get it wrong and you could cause a few awkward silences and the occasional strange look.

One thing to consider is the significance of certain colours in different cultures. For example, at a Chinese wedding the bride is the only person who can wear red, as in the context of this ancient culture the colour is an expression of luck and happiness. This means that if the wedding you are set to attend has a reference to Chinese culture, red may be a colour to avoid.

Just in the same way that the season of the wedding is likely to influence colour schemes, floral arrangements and perhaps even choice of venue, whether your wedding is a summer or winter wedding may well make a difference to the colours you choose for your outfit too.

A red outfit can be a beautiful complement to a winter wedding with a colour palate of richer, darker colours. If you are considering wearing red for a winter wedding, it is certainly worth looking more towards a deeper tone such as wine, berry or burgundy. For an autumn or a winter wedding, burgundy can be a particular popular colour choice for an outfit and is very complementary to the seasonal colours that may well feature in the wedding’s overall colour scheme.

Of course, red as an accent colour to your outfit can elegantly complement the colour scheme of a wedding too. It’s wise to remain open-minded to the colour red being an integral part of dress design you decide upon as finding the perfect outfit for you on this most special occasion is the most important thing. Don’t be afraid to pick the dress that you will feel most comfortable in and that will give you that sense of confidence to be at your best on the big day.

Ultimately, every wedding celebration is unique and reflects the special characters of those getting married and those that are nearest and dearest to them. In this more accepting modern age, many of the older traditions have been thrown to one side with the very purpose of allowing us to express ourselves, which is a fabulous thing to celebrate. And that’s what is at the heart of this after all – a celebration of family, of love and of sharing a life together with someone special.

What does the mother of the bride wear?

Once the boundaries of tradition and convention often constrained choice when it came to fashion at a wedding. Pastels and shades of beige were the order of the day for the mother of the bride or mother of the groom, as each was required to express an elegant subtlety to reflect attention towards the glowing bride.

But times have changed. More than ever, a bride’s wedding day is an individual celebration of her personality, the nature of her relationship with her partner, and the influences of friends and family on her life to that point. This has opened up many more opportunities for a freedom of expression that allows everyone at the wedding to have a greater sense of being themselves and to express themselves, particularly in what they wear. This has allowed the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom to break free from those reserved shackles and really strut her stuff.

Of course, you’ll still want to strike the right tone, so before you start shopping, take some time to really think about what is going to suit you and the sense of occasion in this most special of life landmarks. Start to understand the plans in place for the big day, as these are going to shape some of your decisions. What time of year is the wedding taking place? Is the wedding breakfast in a hotel, in a field or on the beach? How are you travelling to the ceremony and then on to the reception? What are the colour schemes of the wedding and what will the bridesmaids be wearing?

Working out the answers to all of these questions will start to help you determine what type, colour and style of outfit will prove to be the best fit. Once you are armed with this information, it’s never too early to start your shopping search. Naturally, with any wedding there will be plenty of things on the jobs list the closer you get to the big day, so anything you can plan early is a benefit. Equally, the earlier you start shopping for your mother of the bride outfit, the more choice you are likely to have. Seasonal collections change and you don’t want to see the perfect outfit and then be panicking as you wait for stock to come in. Also, the sooner you have your outfit in the (shopping) bag, the more time you will have to find the perfect accessories to complete the look. And there is no need to worry about any last-minute tweaks to your outfit, as the team of seamstresses at The Wedding Shop will ensure you look and feel at your perfect best on the day.

So what should you actually be looking for to get the right look for you? In this day and age you can certainly be more daring, rather than continuing on your search with just one colour in mind. The wedding day of your son or daughter is a landmark occasion and a moment to celebrate, so try not to feel a compulsion to play it safe. Shop with an open mind and don’t be afraid to look at bolder colours or patterns, even if that means stepping out of your usual comfort zone.

Shopping in store with an experienced team like the one at The Wedding Shop, you will find helpful advice and exactly the expertise you need to point you in the right direction of the perfect outfit. Our team can remember countless times when a gentle push to try something different resulted in a joyful surprise as a customer suddenly discovered ‘the one’.

Not only will our team be able to offer tips and advice on the styles and colours that might work for you, but they will also talk you through making the right choices to ensure you stay comfortable throughout the day – making sure you are ready to dance the night away rather than desperate to kick your shoes off.

Whatever outfit you choose, you will be wearing it all day – and it’s likely to be a long and emotional day full of fun and laughter. We will help you find that balance between looking stunning and feeling comfortable. When you try on different outfits, particularly those that end up on your shortlist of

possibilities, take a moment to understand exactly how the outfit might feel to wear for the whole day, and make sure you try sitting down.

We understand the need to make you feel relaxed and at ease as you try on different outfits. This might not always be easy with other members of the wedding party around. While it is nice to get some advice from those closest to you, it can be quite daunting to be the centre of attention, particularly if shopping with other people around is an unusual experience for you or if you are lacking in body confidence.

Having dressed thousands of mothers of the bride and groom over the years, Suzy and her team know exactly how to make women feel amazing from head to toe, and completely spoilt as they take the time to pick out the outfit for them. Our experienced assistants will dress you to flatter all body types, whether introducing a stylish jacket to conceal arms or find the perfect dress length and style to suit your shape, so browse our collection online now or book an appointment at our store.

Make Your Dress Shopping Experience Amazing with The Wedding Shop!

Congratulations! You’ve set the date, booked the venue and now comes the really fun part… choosing your wedding dress.

Even just the thought of booking an appointment and stepping through the doors of a bridal boutique can be pretty daunting and cause a few sleepless nights, never mind actually making a decision on what dress everyone will see you in on your big day! Here at The Wedding Shop we want to instantly calm you nerves and make your experience special every step of the way.

From the moment you book an appointment, whether on the phone or through our online booking system, you’ll feel at ease and excited about visiting our store! Our talented and friendly team of consultants are some of the loveliest girls you will meet and are passionate about helping you find a dress that wows and when you walk down the aisle, you are wearing a gown that not only looks sensational but makes you feel amazing and confident.

Your first visit to us is all about luxury and being made to feel like the most important person in the room. We are dedicated to making your time with us as special and enjoyable as your wedding day! You’ll be greeted by your own bridal consultant who will look after you and your bridal party for an hour and a half. You’ll be taken to a stylish fitting room and comfy sofas where your consultant will get to know you and your needs for the wedding day, from your favourite designers, budget and time frame, then show you our beautiful gowns where she will help you choose a selection to try on. Remember that our consultants help brides-to-be’s find their dream dresses every day, so relax and trust their suggestions and be prepared to try on the occasional wild card!

You may feel most nervous about stepping behind the curtain and trying on the actual dresses. Many ladies worry that the dresses may not fit, if they are wearing the right underwear and fret about losing weight, but please bear in mind that our dresses are all sample sizes and it’s ok if they don’t fit just right. Your consultant is a pro at nipping, pulling and helping you visualise how the same dress would look in your size using clips and clever tricks. Plus, once you’ve tried on a couple of our dresses you will soon feel like you are with a friend shopping.

When you’ve found The One and toasted your decision with a glass of fizz and taken plenty of snaps with your bride tribe, we’ll go through the ordering process and explain exactly what the months ahead will involve. This is the perfect time to ask lots of questions and make sure you are 100% happy about signing on the dotted line. Once your dress arrives in our shop, it never leaves the shop and we will store and insure it for you too, so you don’t have to panic about finding somewhere to keep it or hide away from your fiancé!

We also offer an in-house alteration service so your dress can be tweaked and fitted to perfection. Our fantastic team of seamstresses have many years of sewing experience and working with brides and are here to make sure you feel totally wonderful and without a care in the world when you step into your dress on your wedding day. Your dress will be quality checked, fitted, altered to your specifications and customised if you would like, whether it’s extra sparkle, new straps or a gorgeous lace jacket, we will work with you to achieve the look you’ve been dreaming of. We’ll also steam your dress ready for collection on the week of your wedding day.

After your incredible ceremony, the reception and hopefully a well-deserved honeymoon, we want your gown to be stored and treasured perfectly, so we offer a specialised cleaning service for your bridal gown all year round that can be boxed beautifully afterwards. We feel honoured to be part of your journey and hope you will remember your experience from start to finish with a smile and for many years to come!

Ready to come and visit us and feel the magic? We can’t wait to meet you so book your appointment today by calling 01206 767359 or book online at theweddingshop.uk/book Saturdays and Sundays get very busy at TWS, so booking in advance is always advisable.

6 Steps to Finding Your Dream Mother of the Bride/Groom outfit

6 Steps to Finding Your Dream Mother of the Bride

Being part of your daughter or son’s wedding day is one of the most incredible and special life events that you’ll remember forever. There’s so much excitement for the planning and months ahead but one of the first questions you may ask yourself is ‘what am I going to wear?’.

Dressing for your daughter or son’s big day can be both exhilarating and stressful. It’s a momentous occasion where all eyes will be on you as the mum of the bride or groom, photos will be taken all day and understandably you want to look your very best! It may feel like the pressure is really on and you may already have had a few sleepless nights over finding your dream ensemble.

It can seem daunting knowing where to start when first shopping for occasion wear with so many styles, colours, designers and accessories on offer. Luckily, gone are the days of mother of the bride and groom occasion wear being traditional, safe and in boring colours only. We are so happy that Mums today are encouraged to express their own personal style and choose an outfit that’s individual, trendy and will make you feel fabulous. Now is the time for mothers of the bride and groom to truly shine!

To give you a helping hand and take away stress leading up to the big day, follow our top shopping tips:

  1. Consider the wedding details

Before you get ready to shop, have a chat with the bride about her day and how this could influence your outfit choice. Bear in mind how formal the wedding will be, the time of the day of the service, colour schemes and what the bridesmaids will be wearing. This could all help narrow down your selection and ensure you are on the right track.

  1. Shop early

It may be months away till the wedding but give yourself plenty of time to find the wow factor outfit as forward planning will make your experience relaxed and enjoyable. With so much focus on helping the bride find her dress, it’s very easy to keep putting off finding something to wear for yourself and you may procrastinate saying that you want to lose some weight first or leave it till nearer the event. By shopping and buying your outfit well in advance, you’ll have plenty of time to find the right accessories and we can make sure your outfit fits you perfectly – if you need a slight tweak, our team of seamstresses at The Wedding Shop will ensure you feel your absolute best.

  1. Think about comfort

Whatever you wear on the wedding day, remember that you will be in it for a full day and possibly an evening of dancing too! Obviously, you want your dress to look amazing, but it also needs to feel comfortable. Try on a selection of outfits and make sure you stay in each one for at least ten minutes to get a good feel of the fabric and fit.

  1. Try and relax

It can feel nerve-wracking the thought of trying on different outfits in front of the bridal party, especially if you maybe haven’t shopped for occasion wear in a long time or are lacking in body confidence. Our specialised team of consultants at The Wedding Shop have dressed hundreds of women in every shape and size and are passionate about making women feel amazing from head to toe. They know every trick to flatter all body types, from stylish jackets to conceal arms to the ideal dress length for your shape.

  1. Be daring

It’s very easy to play it safe when shopping for outfits or walk into a store with only one colour in mind that you’d be happy wearing on the big day. Be prepared to maybe try on some bolder colours or patterns and step out of your comfort zone – you may surprise yourself how wonderful they look and feel transformed!

  1. Don’t forget accessories

In addition to our stylish selection of occasion wear, we also have a gorgeous selection of hats and fascinators to give your new outfit an unforgettable finishing touch! Whether you want to make a grand entrance in a show-stopping hat or prefer the more subtle appeal of an elegant fascinator, you’re sure to find the perfect one.

We’re delighted to tell you about an exciting event we have coming up this month in store. Occasionwear designer Veni Infantino will be visiting The Wedding Shop on Saturday 25th January. Come and enjoy a glass of Bucks Fizz and be styled by the acclaimed designer herself!

You can also check out our latest fashion show video on the 100 Top Wedding Outfit Styles for mother of the bride and groom wedding outfits, perfect for 2020 weddings. With designers including Veni Infantino, Condici, Gabriela Sanchez, Irresistible and John Charles, you’ll be able to view the most beautiful dresses we currently have in store.

Come and visit The Wedding Shop today to see and try on our beautiful collections or you can also buy online at www.theweddingshop.uk/mother We also offer a 14-day money-back guarantee on all orders bought online (return your online order within 14 days for a full refund).

100 Top Wedding Outfit Styles for 2020

See our fashion show of over 100 mother of the bride and groom wedding outfits, perfect for 2020 weddings.

Designers include:

Carla Ruiz
Casandra
Condici
Forever Unique
Gabriela Sanchez
Invitations by Veni
Irresistible
John Charles
Lewis Henry
Luis Civit
Veni Infantino

#MotherOfTheBride #Weddings #WeddingOutfits

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How to Shop for Your Dream Dress in the Christmas Sales!

12 days of Christmas sale

Do you have an event coming up and run out of time to find an outfit? Getting married in the New Year and looking for a gorgeous wedding dress that you don’t have to wait months for? Need a sensational outfit that won’t blow the budget and you can take away the same day? Whatever the occasion, a Christmas sample sale is the best place to solve all your shopping needs.

To celebrate the end of the decade and make way for fabulous new 2020 collections, we are ending 2019 with a special event this December at The Wedding Shop – our 12 days of Christmas Sale. With up to 70% off on all departments, they’ll be some unmissable bargains to be snapped up, from designer wedding dresses and party outfits to chic occasion wear for Mother of the bride/groom and stylish bridesmaid dresses.

Sample sales can be a treasure trove for bargain hunters, with some true gems to take away, but with so many discounts on offer, it can be easy to splurge just because the price is right. The last thing you want is to regret your purchase, but by following our sales shopping tips, we promise you’ll find outfits and designer bridal gowns you’ll truly love…

Set out with a plan

The buzz of a sample sale is hard to beat and it’s easy to get carried away when faced with unbeatable offers but try to narrow down what it is you are hoping to find and have a wish list in place. Note the styles you love and do your research on your favourite designers first. This will enable your experience to be fun rather than frantic and our consultants can guide you to the right rails.

Stick to a budget

Before you hit the shops, establish how much you are prepared to spend on your dream wedding dress, mother of the bride outfit or bridesmaid gowns. Not only will this help when you are looking through the rails on the day, but our consultants will be able to choose the perfect suggestions based on your budget and save valuable time! Most bridal stores will request full payment for samples in the sale, so bear this in mind at the start of your shopping experience.

Trust your instincts

Only go sale shopping when you’re prepared to say yes. Sample sales are places for speedy decisions and if you ponder too long, it is likely to get snapped up by another eager customer! If you find a wedding dress or outfit you don’t think you can live without, you’ve tried it on and you don’t want to take it off, go for it!

Be realistic with sizes

The biggest advantage of sale shopping is amazing discounts, so it truly pays to buy dresses in the right size, to avoid costly alterations. Being tempted by a size 6 dress when you’re a 16 will only lead to disappointment when it can’t be made to fit, so stick to samples that are close to your current size. If it is only one or two sizes smaller or bigger, this is much more achievable and less expensive to alter.

Less is more

Sale shopping around the Christmas period can be extremely busy, so try to bring just one or two friends or family members with you on the day. As much as we love a bride tribe, too many people can take the fun out of what should be an enjoyable day out!

Be 100% happy

Before you pay for any outfit during a sample sale, make sure you are totally happy with it before you leave the store as sale items are non-refundable. Inspect the dress for any damages and be prepared to have the dress or outfit dry cleaned at your own cost if there are any small marks.

Our 12 days of Christmas sale promises to spread festive cheer and help save hundreds of pounds on your dream outfits. Book today for an appointment with our friendly team of consultants who will be ready to share their advice and help you find that wow factor dress. To snap up an appointment for this unmissable event call 01206 767359.

5 Ways to Find YOUR DRESS at a Designer Weekend

5 Ways to Find YOUR DRESS at a Designer Weekend

You’ve set the date, now the fun can start… finding your dream dress! Wedding dress shopping can seem like a daunting prospect, so many styles to choose from, so many photos you love on Pinterest and Instagram – it can seem like a minefield.

Not only are there so many stunning gowns around but the pressure is on to find THE DRESS. One you adore, can’t live without and feel absolutely fabulous in, plus it has to be within budget. It can feel like an impossible task!

Then you hear about designer events or trunk shows and feel even more confused!

So, what exactly is a Designer Weekend and why should a bride to be make a must-attend event in her calendar?

Most bridal boutiques stock a comprehensive selection of dresses from each of their labels, but it’s impossible for them to stock all of the designer’s collection in one go, we just don’t have enough space!

A trunk show or designer weekend is a special event in a bridal shop where they invite a designer to showcase their whole collection. It’s usually a two or three-day event held over a weekend.

These VIP events can make your bridal experience even more memorable with the chance to meet the bridal gown designer or stylists, try on brand new collections and view exciting wedding gowns that the store may not usually have on their bridal floor.

So, if you’re drawn to a designer and love following them, attending a designer weekend is the perfect opportunity to view a large selection of their dresses in one appointment.

Here are The Wedding Shop’s top tips for a bride visiting a designer event for the first time:

1 – Work out your budget

Before you attend your designer weekend, have a clear idea of budget so you can stay on track when trying the new collections and save valuable time during your appointment. Staying focused on gowns that are affordable to you will make the process stress-free and more fun!

2 – Bring a trusted family member or friend

Picking the dress you’ll walk down the aisle in is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make, so choose one or two close family members or friends who will give honest encouragement and make your wedding dress shopping experience enjoyable. While bringing the whole bride tribe can seem like a good idea – too many contrasting opinions may leave you feeling bewildered!

3 – Have an open mind

Most brides have done their research on wedding dresses, styles and silhouettes they like, but we always recommend trying on a dress you may not have initially selected. That wild card could end up being your dress!

4 – Know your dates and time frame

Some designer dresses need up to eight months to be made so shop earlier rather than leave it till the last minute! Ask your consultant when your dress will be ready and allow for any alterations to be carried out too.

5 – Be prepared to make a decision

It’s advisable to go into your appointment at a designer weekend with the mindset that you could say yes on the day to a dress. Most events offer a 10% discount off gowns ordered on the day from the designer, so to get a great deal, these are the best times to buy as they are only available during the event. Now is not the time for hesitation, if you fall head over heels in love with a gown, go for it!

So now you know everything about these exciting events, why not book today for our TWS designer weekends. We feel privileged to be hosting two great events this month – our Kenneth Winston Designer Weekend 22-24th November, plus an Essense Tester Weekend 29th November – 1st December.

Book today by calling 01206 767359 or book online. We can’t wait to see you there!

Being Confident with Colour and Pattern

Wearing colours & patterns

How do you feel about wearing colour, pattern and prints? While many ladies dress in a wonderful array of rainbow shades, prints and patterns without giving it any thought, others may need a confidence boost in order to try something different. If you feel drawn to colour and pattern on the rails but find the idea of taking the plunge daunting, follow our simple steps to embracing an exciting new look:

• For a gentle introduction to colour and print, increase your confidence gradually by taking baby steps. Start with some bold funky earrings in a colour you’ve never worn before, next move onto a bright lipstick, then treat yourself to a scarf or handbag in a vibrant shade. You’ll soon feel happier about going bolder and will be ready to move onto a whole outfit.

• To find out which colours suit you, you first need to determine whether you are a cool, warm or neutral. You can do this by holding a piece of plain white paper next to your face. You are likely to be cool if your skin tone appears pink, rosy or blue next to it and colours that will complement you are blues, blue-greens, purples, magentas and reds with a blue base. If your skin looks brown, yellow or green, you are probably warm and yellows, oranges, yellow greens and orange reds are likely to suit you. Neutral skin tones are in a lucky position to suit most colours but experiment with the intensity as some can pull off bright shades, while other ladies look better in more pastel shades.

• Colour not only makes us look more vibrant, youthful and glowing, but it can also have a positive impact on our mood too, making us feel happier, uplifted and energetic and reflecting our personality. Here at The Wedding Shop, we love to encourage our customers to step out of their comfort zone and although initially, it may feel a little scary, once you try on colours and see how amazing they can look on you, you’ll want to wear more!

• When it comes to pattern, how daring you go is up to you. If you prefer a subtle look, choose a dress with a delicate floral print. For more of a statement piece, outfits with a large motif will truly pack a punch.

• Our glamorous new Gabriela Sanchez range combines the prettiest florals and vibrant tones, perfect for ladies looking to stand out from the crowd in an outfit that’s fresh, fun, fashionable and super flattering. Whatever the occasion, whether you are the mother of the bride or groom and want that ‘wow factor’ on the big day or simply need a stunning dress for an upcoming party, come in store and let our specialist team help choose the perfect ensemble.

• Going on your own journey to discovering colour and pattern and bringing brighter shades into your wardrobe is an exciting experience. Have fun with it and get ready to receive lots of compliments!

What Can You Expect From Your Bridal Appointment?

Wedding Shop Appointment blog

Congratulations, you’ve set the date, booked the venue and have a gorgeous sparkly ring on your finger, now comes the truly exciting part – shopping for your wedding dress, one of the most important purchases of your life! At this fun time, it’s very tempting to rush to every single bridal shop in the county and try on every wedding dress that has gone into production. Before you make those bookings, breathe and take a moment to read what to expect from your first wedding appointment and a few tips to help you prepare and get the very best from your appointment.

While not essential before you head into a bridal boutique, it can be helpful if you have a look at the store’s website to look at the style of dresses you are drawn to or any designers you specifically like or save some images on Instagram or Pinterest to show to your consultant.

Deciding who to bring with you when trying on dresses needs some careful thought. While in principle it’s a great idea to bring your entire bride tribe with you, bear in mind that too many conflicting opinions can make your experience a little overwhelming and confusing, when what you really need at this time, are one or two people who know you really well, who you trust and can help you in making this decision. You may decide you want to come solo and that’s great too!! Every bride is different.

As soon as you walk into The Wedding Shop, you will be greeted by a friendly face and introduced to your lovely bridal consultant who will take you and your party to a luxury fitting room and comfy seating area that will be all yours for the next hour. Your consultant will first sit with you and chat about your needs, then lead you to our gorgeous dresses where she will guide you on making choices, based on your style preferences, budget and how much time you have till your wedding day. Remember, she is well versed in finding the ideal dresses to complement all body shapes, wedding themes and personalities. Keeping an open mind is key – that wild card that you may not be wowed by at first sight could be ‘the one’!

Once those dressing room curtains are drawn, it can feel a little daunting, especially if it’s your first visit and one of the most common questions we are asked is ‘will the dresses fit me?’ Wedding dresses in bridal stores are all sample sizes, because we are unable to stock every dress in every size (can you imagine how big our shop would need to be!). This means that some of the dresses you select might not fit your perfectly – but our consultants are masters at showing you how the same dress would look in your size using clips and tricks!

During the appointment, you will go through the fun process of comparing and eliminating dresses. Saying no to stunning gowns may seem an impossible task, but keep in mind that you can only get wed in one. You will probably love more than one or two – that’s why your consultant is there to help narrow it down and find ‘the dress’ for you.

When you know you’ve found The One, the sooner you can place your order, the more stress-free the whole process will be. We recommend a nine-month time scale to cover ordering the dress through to alterations. Once your dress has arrived, it never leaves our shop and we can store it right up to your wedding date, giving ultimate peace of mind.

Are you ready to visit us and find ‘the one’?

We can’t wait to meet you so book your appointment today by calling 01206 767359 or book online. Saturdays and Sundays get very busy at TWS, so booking in advance is always advisable. When you call, we like to have a quick chat with you to get to know you – we’ll ask you your wedding date, venue, if you have any particular wedding dress styles in mind or have a favourite designer. Similarly, if you book online, we ask you to fill in a questionnaire so we can be fully prepared and have some stunning dresses in mind for you when you arrive for your visit!

Shopping tips for the Plus-Size Bride

How to buy plus size wedding dresses

You’ve set the date, now it’s time to find THE DRESS! For some brides, embarking on finding your dream gown can be a slightly daunting experience, but shopping for plus-size dresses can seem even more intimidating. You might have heard stories of limited styles and sizes, a special section or room in a bridal store that you are pushed towards and consultants who just don’t understand what you need or want. Here at The Wedding Shop, we’ve made it our mission to embrace real women and bodies and we want every bride who walks through our door to know they are amazing and beautiful the way they are and please don’t change!

We stock a comprehensive collection of plus size dresses up to size 30, with many of our samples 18+, display promotional adverts and posters of brides of all sizes and last year we were delighted to take on the Every Body Every Bride collection from Stella York, with sensational gowns that are getting a massive thumbs up from plus-size brides across the globe. In fact, we have an exciting Stella York EBEB event coming up on 1st-2nd June where you can try the newest designs and receive a 10% discount if you order on that weekend!

Here are a few shopping hints that will put your mind at rest before you go wedding dress shopping and ensure you walk away knowing you’ve ordered a gown that makes you feel amazing, beautiful and unbelievably excited to wear!

Call the store first

Before you book an appointment to try on dresses, call the bridal shop first and check what sizes they stock when it comes to plus size. This will avoid disappointment on the day if they only had your favourite dress in a size 12 and will give you the opportunity to find a store that does meet your needs.

Ignore the labels

The majority of bridal designers adopt couture sizing which means their dresses tend to come up at least a size smaller than high street shops. If you’re usually a size 20, you may find yourself in a size 22 or 24 when trying on wedding dresses. We know it’s hard but try to disregard the size on the label and instead focus on how great the dress looks and fits and remember that nobody on the day will be looking inside your dress to spot what size you went for!

Be open to different styles

It is very common to arrive at a bridal appointment certain that you want a particular silhouette or style – this could be because of photos you’ve seen online, dresses you normally go for or family member’s advice, but try to keep an open mind and try on a variety of styles and trust your consultant when she pulls out a wild card or a gown completely out of your comfort zone. Also, don’t let anyone ever tell you that a style is not suitable if you’re plus-size, it’s simply not true!

Remember the alteration process

If you’ve fallen in love with a dress but the strap isn’t wide enough or the neckline is a little low, don’t be hasty in letting it go. Here at The Wedding Shop, we offer an alteration service and our team of seamstresses can adapt your dress to suit your specific needs and we will work with you to perfect those little details, so you feel relaxed and radiant on your special day.

Buy the size that fits you now!

Many brides are tempted to order a smaller wedding dress thinking that it will motivate them to lose weight before the wedding. This can add a lot of pressure and stress to the lead-up to your big day, so we advise that you order the sample size that fits you on the day of your appointment and it can always be taken in if necessary.

To book an appointment for our forthcoming Stella York EBEB event please call 01206 767359.