This weeks inspiration

#getinspired the hashtag on our TV screens during these European Championships from Glasgow and Berlin. & Sunflowers I have been excited to see the fabulous photos of the girls of flowers in our own Omagh

Bespoke Bridal Veils

It seems that brides finally get my message, 'go for what suits you and makes you happy pick something special and unique for you.' Instead of following the crowd and wearing the same as someone else it's easier and better to have something especially made for you. It's even more cost effective as you aren't paying for a dress that's finished and someone has to do extra work to make it fit or gem it so that you can walk in it. Pay once for the job to be done right first time. The other advantage is that if you suddenly decide it suits better to change a bit you can do at the right time. 

Watch out for shops who let you get carried away the first day you are out trying on and they rush you into a decision. Enjoy every second of planning your Big Day it's part of your memory if it. If you have a bad experience take care to guard yourself as you really want every second of planning your wedding to be perfect. Don't just say 'that will do' you will regret that. Take your time make sure you are making the right choice for You. 

A Christening fit for a royal.

Such a special occasion celebrating the birth of your baby. 

Today this wee one has his christening. 

So often a christening gown is passed down for generations, which for me is an exciting prospect as in years to come the thought of someone still being able to use it is perfect. 

So just like any mother it's important to get this right. 

This former bride brought her dress back to me for me to make it into two gowns for these to angels. 

A dream come true.

Sunday, 3 June 2018

A dream come true.

It's lovely when it is former customers who recommend their friends and family to come to me to have their wedding ensemble made for them.

This is us checking every exact detail is in the perfect place and the fit is perfect.  

It was even more special once I realised that the two girls who were this brides bridesmaids, both their Mums were former brides of mine. 

And thanks to them for sharing some of the wedding photos of them all on the day. 

So when at the same time a former bride came with her twins to get her bridal dress made into christening robes you can only imagine how delighted I was. 

These two cuties came to make sure I got to know them better and the fit right as they quickly grew everytime I saw them. 

I think this is Emma and not April. 

This is definitely Emma, having a fitting. 

So what more could I ask for? Without all my lovely customers and those that come back, it's like an extending family. Thank you all of you. 💕

The secrets of designing a royal wedding dress

Sassi Holford knows better than most the pressures of making a wedding dress that the world will analyse, pick over, love or hate.

The designer who’s based in Taunton in Somerset, was asked by Autumn Kelly, the then fiancée of Peter Phillips, the Queen’s grandson, to make her wedding dress a decade ago.

Sassi Holford designed Autumn Kelly's dress for her wedding to Peter Phillips. 

This week the TV visited her at her studio and workshop, a hive of activity in the midst of wedding season.

With Meghan Markle’s dress about to be unveiled on Saturday, she remembers every detail of her royal experience, and in particular, the demands for total secrecy.

Sassi could tell only a select few who the dress was really for, and they had to do their work before normal office hours, sometimes at daybreak, to avoid the rest of her employees.

She even had to give the bride a false name - they chose Kelly Winter for Autumn - and keep away from windows, and prying eyes and cameras, by working on the first floor.

The dress itself had to have covered shoulders as befitting a wedding in a royal chapel, and it had to have a design that would work in a large room, with TV cameras trained on it.

Sassi Holford recalls how the design and work were a closely guarded secret. 

Oh yes, and then there was the royal tradition of having to get the approval from the Queen. It may be more of a courtesy, but Sassi was informed the Queen always likes to see the dresses worn by brides about to join her family, before the big day. Fortunately Autumn's dress received the royal seal of approval, and the designer was then invited to take her entire workforce by coach to Windsor for the wedding.

Although Holford was already an established dress designer when she got the royal commission, her profile soared internationally.

She says she doesn’t know who’ll be going the designing duties for Meghan. Instead Holford believes it will be someone who is a good friend of hers, perhaps Stella McCartney. She also predicts the dress will be simple, with long sleeves and a high neck - though she’s hoping for some kind of Hollywood homage in the design. So it seems like this rest of us, Sassi will have to wait until the bride arrives at St George’s Chapel on Saturday.

Was this  "V" for victory & a clue?

A St Patrick's Day to remember

I few St Patrick's Day's ago a young couple got engaged and then a few years later their daughter choose St Patrick's Day for her wedding day with her fiancé. What can be more romantic?

The bride came to me , it doesn't seem that long ago with a clear idea of what she wanted to wear on her special day. She knew the shape and style and theme. Gold and sparkle were to be that touch of magic that would lift a classic ivory wedding dress to that something special for a special sparkling bridetobe.

So as I explained in my last blog and again this time we started with a lining in the shape that the bride was clear on and I started some beadwork samples for our notion for the detailing. After trying on a belt of mine in the studio we knew that something like it worked in the brides favourite gold colour was a definite detail.

The dress starting to take shape in the fabric, 

the belt a few different shapes being worked through

 and the idea of long sleeves being considered.

A few more pins to improve the fit in all the right places.

Pearls on the sleeve "V" to correspond with the pearls in the belt.

Add caption

The dress and belt ready for The Big day

Headdress, shoes and belt all made to match.

The beautiful Bride and her dad arriving at the Church.

 Veil in place ready for the walk down the aisle.

Fabulous flowers by Marie Cafolla

The magnificent Montalto Carriage Rooms

MBE Chef Simon Dougan from Yellow Door Deli making sure everything is perfect.

The starter! I managed to photo it but then I was just too happy eating to stop and photo,

 not surprised by his much deserved award.

The Happy Couple who just smiled and smiled all day and night.

The cake was by Lois from Buttercup Bakery.