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Double trouble

September 21, 2020

Recently we got to dress two amazing brides for one gorgeous ceremony.  We chatted to Rebecca & Gemma about their beautiful wedding, their Elite Bridal experience… and just how close they came to choosing the same dress! Why did you choose to come to Elite Bridal? Gemma: “I wanted to come to Elite Bridal because friends had recommended it to us.  I also wanted to look at a wider range of dresses, and they had that.” Rebecca: “Elite Bridal was recommended to us by quite a few friends who’d also chosen their dresses from there.  It was close to home, and the prices were really good.  We’d also seen a lot of the boutiques on social media, and the huge range of styles they had on offer!” Gemma & Rebecca both decided they wanted to shop for their gown with Elite Bridal, but they didn’t want to see each other’s picks before the day – which complicated things slightly! They arrived separately for their appointments, and our bridal advisors soon realised they might be in trouble… as both brides had very similar taste! What was your experience with us like? Rebecca: “A lot easier than I thought!  I was really apprehensive before I came to choose my dress, especially as there was so much choice. “The dress I ended up buying was one I’d never have picked out for myself – my bridal advisor chose it for me and I loved it.  All the staff I spoke to were fabulous and really put me at ease.  I never felt rushed, and took all the time I needed to make sure the dress was perfect.” Gemma: “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived, but the whole experience was great!  Myself and my mum felt at ease straight away. “I quickly found several dresses I liked and randomly chose one to try on…  The first dress just so happened to be the one! “As soon as I tried it on I knew, and my mum agreed.  I tried on more, but nothing compared – so in the end, the decision was easy.  People told me ‘you’ll know which dress is for you as soon as you try it on’ – I was so surprised they were right! “The lady in the shop said the speed with which I chose my dress was record-breaking!  But after that, I didn’t want to look anywhere else.” After making our hearts flutter a little with their very similar taste in bridal gowns, thankfully neither bride actually reached for the other’s chosen style while in our boutique!  Our bridal advisors were very grateful, as they were trying to steer Rebecca & Gemma without giving the game away… The brides ended up choosing gowns which perfectly complemented each other on the day, and couldn’t believe how good their chosen dresses looked together – just one more sign that they were meant to be. Tell us a bit more about your big day! Rebecca: “It was perfect!  All the worries leading up to it were gone when the day finally came. “When I saw Gemma in her dress, I gave myself a moment to think how in tune we were with each other.  She looked amazing, and her dress was perfect… “We hadn’t chosen our dresses together, and didn’t want to see each other’s before the big day.  Elite Bridal were brilliant with this – they kept secret note of our dresses to make sure we didn’t pick the same gown, without giving it away!” Gemma: “Our wedding day was even more perfect than I could’ve dreamed.  The rain managed to stay away, so we got some lovely photos of the beautiful surroundings at Whitley Hall. “We didn’t choose our dresses together, but we were surprised how similar the styles were we’d gone for!  They could not have been more perfect. “Lots of guests commented on how amazing our dresses were, and how well they fitted with the theme of the wedding.” We absolutely loved checking out Rebecca & Gemma’s gorgeous wedding pics, and wish them all the happiness in the world going forwards. If you’re in search of your perfect gown, book your free bridal consultation now at elite.gb.net/appointments – however tricky your situation, we’ll be overjoyed to help!

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Our first Elite Bride of the year!

September 21, 2020

Cassey knew that finding her dress was going to be the most important decision she’d make as a bride… and her experience was far from normal! Cassey began the search for her dream wedding dress the second she and her husband-to-be started their planning. “Straight away I started hunting for the perfect wedding dress, scrolling through Pinterest and visiting various bridal shops.” But Cassey’s initial shopping experience didn’t go to plan. “I was shocked that most bridal shops weren’t welcoming,” she says, “and it felt far from the experience I’d dreamed of. “I also didn’t like the way the dresses looked or how they fit me, and there was nothing in my budget that I fell in love with.” Then Cassey found Elite Bridal. “The first thing that stood out to me was the pricing,” she admits.  “I Knew for sure I would find something within my budget.  But I felt very nervous that this was going to be one more failed shopping trip…” Cassey first vitied our Hull boutique, and as soon as she stepped through the door she knew this experience was going to be very different. “From the moment I walked in, I felt at ease,” says Cassey.  “I told them I’d really struggled finding anything I loved.  They really sympathised and told me they’d do their best to help me.” Cassey picked out a few different styles to begin with – and she remembers every one. “A very sparkly, blingy A-line gown… a fishtail… a big sparkly princess dress…  But none of them felt like the one,” Cassey recalls. But when Cassey chose her winner, it ended up being less about the dress and more about herself. “Then my Maid of Honour I try a strapless taffeta A-line dress, which was nothing like what I wanted.  But as the bridal advisor laced me up, I saw my waist coming in…  For the first time in years I had a tiny waist, and I fell in love!  I bought it there and then.” But Cassey’s dress shopping journey didn’t end when she said yes to the dress. Fast forward 18 months, and between wedding planning stresses, job changes and house purchases, Cassey realisesd she’d put on weight rather than losing it as intended. When she came back for her first fitting in Hull, she was nervous about the fit of her gown.  She walked past a stunning mannequin in the boutique’s window and swooned at the idea of walking down the aisle in her own dream dress… but as soon as the dress was back on, she knew it was all wrong. “I just didn’t feel the same,” Cassey remembers.  “It was partly my own fault for not losing the weight I’d wanted to, but I just didn’t feel comfortable.” Cassey was living a bride’s worst nightmare – she’d completely changed her mind. “7 weeks to my big day, I left the shop feeling so deflated.  I was gutted that I just didn’t love my dress any more.  I’d spent the last year and a half staring at photos of it and dreaming of walking down the aisle… “I messaged my sister and told her how I felt, and straight away she said, ‘I’m not having you walking down the aisle feeling uncomfortable.  Let’s go shopping and get you something you love!'” While Cassey was grateful for her sister’s reaction, it was definitely an added stress in the run-up to the big day. “Like I didn’t have enough things to sort for the wedding, I now had to find a new dress as well!” Having been to so many other bridal stores and hated her experience, Cassey knew she wanted to go straight back to Elite Bridal.  Cassey headed back to our Hull boutique, once again on the hunt for her dream bridal gown. “The second I walked in, I knew exactly which dress I wanted to try – the one I’d seen on the mannequin a few days earlier!” The style that had caught Cassey’s eye was part of our new collection, and completely different from her original dress.  But as soon as she put it on, those butterflies were back. “The idea of walking down the aisle in this dress made me so excited!  But it would need a lot of alterations to fit me perfectly…” Thankfully, Cassey had chosen a day that one of Elite’s lead designers and seamstresses was based in Hull, so she got the best advice possible on her complex alterations. She needed the dress taking out at the waist, the straps adjusted and the length of the skirt taking up.  None of these alterations are particularly complex under normal circumstances, but because Cassey’s gown was a brand new style we only had one sample size available – and our seamstresses had all on to make it the perfect fit! But for a girl who’d already lost her confidence in one dress, the team were determined to give her her second one. The seamstresses also added some extra lace to the gown so Cassey would feel more comfortable and covered. When Cassey tried on her new dress again, two weeks before the wedding, she was overjoyed – and it was one of the final touches to her big day. “On the day I felt amazing,” says Cassey.  “I got so many comments about my dress, and I knew in my heart that I had made the right decision. “I’m so grateful to the Elite Bridal team for allowing me to change my dress and not making me feel like I was a hassle to them.  They gave me so much support throughout my wedding planning, and I cannot recommend them more.” After her unusual shopping experience, Cassey has some advice for other brides-to-be: “In retrospect, my advice would definitely be to try as many different styles as you can – even ones you think you won’t like!  And it’s ok not to find your perfect dress the first time you

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A year and a day to plan the perfect winter wedding

September 21, 2020

When Lauren’s partner James proposed to her at Christmas, she knew she wanted the perfect winter wedding… James proposed on 27th December 2018, and the pair decided to give themselves exactly a year and a day to plan the big day. For Lauren, finding her wedding dress wasn’t a source of excitement – it was a source of huge worry. After having two beautiful babies in quick succession, followed by massive weight-loss, Lauren was still feeling very uncomfortable in her post-baby body. “I’m not really confident with my figure,” she admits.  “I’ve had two little boys only 16 months apart, and through dieting I’d managed to lose four and a half stone… but I still hated the way I looked.  I was really daunted by the idea of trying on dresses and looking in the mirror.” Several Elite Brides had already recommended our boutiques to Lauren, so she knew where she wanted to look for her dream dress. Despite Lauren’s body confidence issues, she had fallen in love with the image of a fishtail gown.  When she arrived for her appointment, she instantly chose several fishtail styles… but one huge, glittering ballgown caught her eye. “This beautiful, big, sparkling dress just stood out – it was absolutely gorgeous,” Lauren remembers.  “It was the first dress I tried on, and I fell in love before I’d walked out of the changing rooms.  When I did come out, all my wedding party – and other customers – just fell silent and stared!” Lauren’s confidence issues finally melted away.  “When I looked in the mirror, it was amazing.  I felt like a princess.” But she knew she had to try on the style she’d had in mind from the beginning, and headed back to the changing room to try on her more fitted picks. “When I came out in my original picks, it just didn’t have the same effect.  The room didn’t fall silent.  My mum and nana both kept saying the first dress was for me. “So I put it back on… and we were wowed all over again!  I just had to have it.” The sparkle fit with Lauren’s theme which, while not overtly Christmassy, definitely embraced the wintry vibes. Her bridesmaids wore fur shawls over their embellished dresses in silver-grey and mink, and the groomsmen wore wool chequered suits.  The flowers added another wintry touch – white roses and sprigs of lily of the valley, interspersed with snow-frosted pine cones. Lauren’s dress was the perfect final touch. So a year and a day after James proposed, Lauren found herself walking down the aisle to the sound of accoustic guitar – and to the man of her dreams – in her glittering princess gown. “Our wedding day was truly the best day of our lives,” she says. “Having the perfect wedding dress made my wedding day complete – and when people are coming up to you telling you how beautiful you look, it really is worth every penny.” Remembering her dress shopping experience, Lauren concludes, “I would love to do my whole experience all over again – and I would never visit another bridal shop! “I’m keeping my dress forever in the hopes I’ll have a little girl who might wear it on her wedding day.” You’ll find more glitter and sparkle than ever in our gorgeous new collection.  Why not visit our boutiques in Hull, Castleford or Brighouse, to see if we can help you find the one? To book now, just head to elite.gb.net/appointments And don’t forget, if you’re an Elite Bride we’d absolutely love to hear your story!  Please share it with us through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @EliteBridalUK or email us at social@elite.gb.net

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Jessica’s crafty Christmas wedding

September 21, 2020

It might feel like the festive season’s only just been and gone… even though it’s now less than a month until Valentine’s Day! But here at Elite Bridal we’re feeling festive all over again this week, as we hear all about Jessica’s amazing Christmas wedding… Some brides arrive in our boutiques with their hearts sent on one style; some are taken by surprise!  When Jessica first visited our boutique, she had no idea what style of gown she’d be walking out with – and it took a lot of dresses to get there! “Elite Bridal was recommended to me by a friend, so it was the first and only boutique I visited,” says Jessica, “and my experience was lovely from start to finish. “The fitting rooms were lovely and spacious, and they’d gone the extra mile with finishing touches.  I was also really pleased that the viewing area fit my mum and all my bridesmaids.” Jessica was grateful for her entourage, as she really struggled to make a decision!  She was also grateful for her bridal advisor’s help with styles throughout the process. “My bridal advisor was really honest, which was so helpful in finding a dress that suited my style and figure,” she says. “When I finally found my gown,” says Jessica, “it was not at all a style I’d gravitated towards.  My sister-in-law saw it first and said she loved it.  But it was blush, so I hadn’t even considered it. “When I tried it on, it was lovely and light compared to the others and showed of my figure beautifully.” And, the clincher: “My mum and bridesmaids were in tears as soon as they saw me in it!” Although Jessica didn’t exactly want a themed wedding, she got married four days before Christmas – so she and her now-husband decided to embrace the festive feel! Jessica and her partner, Michael, decided (despite the icy weather) to celebrate under a ‘magical teepee’ in a fairylit forest. They also had a visit from Santa, who handed out gifts to all the younger wedding guests! Their festive celebrity guest attended the wedding on behalf of the Denby Dale District Lions, who run a large number of fundraising and social events throughout the year.  Jessica and Michael made a charitable donation in exchange for his visit. Super creative Jessica also got crafty with the wedding. She made her own centrepieces, flower arrangements, favours and keepsakes for the guests. We asked Jessica if she ever considered designing her own wedding dress too – especially with all the custom alterations our seamstresses can perform – but Jessica reminded us how much difficulty she had making any initial decisions about her gown… “I wouldn’t have known where to start!  Originally I thought I wanted a full-length lace sleeve, ivory, and anything but fishtail… but I didn’t suit the style I thought I would at all.” Jessica’s blush, sleeveless, fishtail dress – unexpected as it was – was an instant winner all on its own! But Jessica wasn’t done there.  With her own gown and veil a hit, she’d also dressed her littlest leading lady in an Elite Bridal gown – silver and sparkling, perfect to fit in with her festive nuptuals.  Jessica finished her flower girl’s look by adding a navy sash accent to match the older bridesmaids.  One more perfect personal touch for her big day. But when she’d been looking for her own dress, Jessica knew there was nothing more important than feeling her best self on the big day. “For my dress, I was never looking for something to fit in with our theme,” she admits.  “I just wanted a dress that really suited me. “It’s amazing when you try on a dress and know instantly it’s the one!“ Was your wedding as unique as Jessica and Michael’s?  Did you get creative with your favours – or even with your gown?  We want to hear about it! Message us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @EliteBridalUK or email social@elite.gb.net And to start your own unique journey with Elite Bridal, just head to elite.gb.net/appointments Photography: Jenny Milner Photography

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New body, new dress?

September 21, 2020

Lots of brides hit the gym in the run-up to their big day.  But for Megan, her exercise regime caused some big problems! Megan started looking for her dress as soon as she and her partner had booked the venue for their big day. “It was almost two years away.  Me and my bridesmaids came to Elite Bridal just to ‘have a look’ – I had no intentions of buying so early, but I wanted to start trying because I was worried I wouldn’t have enough time to find my dream dress.” Megan and her bridesmaids chose lots of different styles to try, but Megan didn’t feel comfortable in anything.  Her bridal advisor decided to step in with a suggestion, based on Megan’s body shape. “It was perfect,” Megan says.  “We all cried.  It was the one!” That should have been the end of Megan’s dress search.  She was in love with her gown, and knew she was going to look amazing for the big day. “As time passed,” says Megan, “I decided to go on a wedding diet and start exercising more.  I was only a size 10, so I just wanted to shift a few pounds to make sure I looked my best.” Megan even requested a later fitting to make sure she’d lost all the weight she could, and came back in to try on her dress just three weeks before her wedding. “It didn’t fit!” And it wasn’t Megan’s weight loss that was the problem… “Due to exercise, I’d gained this peachy bum which just didn’t work with the dress I’d originally chosen.  I was devastated to say the least – there were a lot of tears!  I’d tried so hard with my diet and exercise, and I just wanted to feel amazing.” Megan’s bridal advisor wiped away her tears, and together they went through her options. “I could have had a corset back put into the dress to allow more room for my bum – but that wasn’t the look I’d wanted, and we were also cutting it really fine for the alterations,” Megan remembers. “Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dress twinkling away on the other side of the boutique… “I asked if I could try it on, and the bridal advisors obliged.” The dress fit almost perfectly, and Megan started to feel the same butterflies she had over a year before when she chose her original gown. “My body shaped had changed a lot over the last eighteen months.  It made sense that my dream dress had changed too. “Because the fit was so good, I only needed a few alterations.  I’d already started to feel excited again.” As it happened, the gown Megan chose was one of our newer styles, which wouldn’t have even been available when she first shopped for her dress.  “It felt like fate,” she says. Megan’s second gown was ‘princessy but not over the top’, and she paired it with a matching lace-trimmed cathedral length veil. She also paired her gown with some of our embellished navy bridesmaid dresses for the perfect wintry touch. “I’ve never felt beautiful,” Megan admits.  “I lack a lot of self confidence.  But I can honestly say that on my wedding day I felt like the most beautiful princess in the world.  It was perfect for marrying my Prince Charming. “I will never forget how the Elite Bridal team made me feel, and I can’t thank them enough.” Megan and her bridesmaids looked stunning on the big day, and we loved hearing Megan’s story of the run-up to her wedding. If you’d like to share yours, drop us a message on Facebook or Instagram! And if you want to start your own journey with Elite Bridal, just head to https://elite-bridal.com/book-an-appointment/ now.

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