I am just finishing off the last few little jobs before I take some time off for the festive period and I could not end the year without my annual festive round-up!
2020 has been a year of adaptability and although it means that I have not seen as many of our brilliant brides walk down the aisle as planned, I have been inspired by the positive approaches our brides-to-be have taken, either through rescheduling or by updating their wedding plans to fit within unexpected guidelines.
So I wanted to take a moment to focus on some of the positive moments throughout the year both at my little boutique and at home, which will hopefully make you smile and give you a hopeful look for 2021.
We have started painting dresses!
Yes, really!
It all started with a visit from our bride Hayley and I have to say, I never thought I would be wrapping my workshop in protective sheeting and grabbing a paint brush while standing next to a brides gown, but I did and the results were just brilliant. (You can read all about the creation of Hayleys dress in more detail on our blog).
I found this experience so stimulating and inspiring that it is now an option for any of our brides who want to push the creative boundaries and truly transform their dress into a work of art…which is exactly what Lauren decided to do!
Inspired by the possibilities that seeing Hayley’s dress opened up for her, Lauren wanted a gown that combined her love of Japanese design and Origami. So taking this idea one step further, Lauren’s dress combined painting and the use of embroidered patches to create a textured, 3D design that added such depth and detail to her gown, I truly fell in love with it! I will be putting a more detailed blog together about this in the new year, but for now I can give you some fun peeks at her work of art in progress!
PHOTOSHOOT COLLABORATIONS
This year has been a year of photoshoot collaborations which has been a wonderful way to spend time with fantastic wedding suppliers from across the region.
2020 has meant that I have got to work with old friends once again as well as with new friends and every time I am blown away with the results of these styled shoots. So although I was unable to host my own new collection photoshoot, which is my normal Summer commitment, I have been challenged to respond to different bridal themes and created new designs especially for these shoots!
To make this all the more fantastic, some of these shoots have already been featured in West Midlands Wedding Magazine, on Unconventional Wedding Blog and we even made the FRONT COVER of Bouquet & Bells Magazine in the Autumn, which is brilliant! You can see each of these shoots in detail along with details of all of the different suppliers involved on our PRESS page.
I NOW HAVE A VEGETABLE GARDEN!
One thing that 2020 has given me is a little more time at home to work my way through the huge lists of jobs that updating an old cottage brings. Some of you may have heard me ramble on about my lovely little cottage and the fact that my husband and I are (very) slowly renovating it ourselves. So although I have gone another year without a ceiling in my bedroom, the weather lured us outside and I have completely re-designed my lower garden and now have a vegetable patch! This has been something I have wanted for some time and although we were a little late planting some things (my Brussel sprouts are still too small to be part of my Christmas dinner!) I very proudly had a mini harvest of sweetcorn, runner beans and leeks, which has been brilliant! Next year, I hope to manage even more!
GEORGINA’S NEW DIRECTION
Some of you may already have seen that Georgina decided to have a change of career back in the Summer and is now working for an interior design company. This has been one of the biggest changes of the year and it has been sad to not see her every day but I could not be more proud of how well she is doing (promoted already!) and we still see each other out of work hours when allowed!
Georgina has been a big part of the boutique for the last few years and it was fantastic to see her develop from a work experience placement - to an apprentice - then to a qualified dressmaker. We share a love of film and many things ‘nerdy’ so it is strange not to have random discussions around ‘Why didn’t the Eagles just carry the Hobbits to Mount Doom?’ and ‘If you could have a superpower, what would it be?” , but I am sure you will all join me in my congratulations to Georgina as she embarks on this new journey.
What was lovely is that the last dress Georgina worked on was for her sister who was married in October, so there was no better way for Georgina to finish her time with My little Wedding Shop!
WE GOT THE BUILDERS IN!
During the first lockdown back in April, we made the most of being closed by stripping out the shop and letting the builders come in and make our little boutique, even more beautiful! Some major renovations were made to the front of the shop, while I made the most of the time to re-paint, replace carpets and lighting…no more knocking the chandelier in the fitting room…hoorah I hear you say!
I am so pleased with the results that it was a joy to re-open and if you are one of our brides who has not had a chance to see the re-vamped space yet, just you wait. The boutique feels so much lighter and brighter and may I say, just a little bigger?! (or as Georgina would put it…a lot less cluttered! Let’s hope I can keep it that way!)
TIME IN THE WORKSHOP
During the time over the year that I have had to close My little Wedding Shop due to lockdown restrictions, I have been fortunate enough to carry on creating beautiful bridal gowns (as well as a few personal projects) in my Bridgnorth workshop. It has actually been quite inspiring to spend the time experimenting with some fresh ideas and exploring new cuts and materials, which I will be revealing in 2021.
The workshop is full of all the beautiful dresses that I am creating for all you brides-to-be who have had to postpone your weddings or had planned for a 2021 wedding anyway. It has been difficult not being able to share some of these new creations in progress, as they are all so unique and beautiful but I am excited as the year progresses, that each of our brides will see their dress completed and the wait will be worthwhile! This year I have been working with 3D laces, pearl embellished tulle and some of the sparkliest fabrics you have ever seen….so make sure you are following us on Instagram to see sneak peeks and big reveals once we are allowed to share…no spoilers for our brides-to-be of course!
I would also like to take a moment to thank all our brides this year for being so understanding when we have had to close and for working with me on the new safety procedures I have put in place during fittings. You have all coped with this so brilliantly and with big smiles, so thank you!
Making music
18 months ago I was inspired to take up the double Bass, due to some incredible performances at the Upton Blues Festival by Ma Polaines Great Decline, Jenny Wren and her Broken Wing and Swampcandy. (3 wonderful bands that are worth investigating if you like blues, Jazz and a little Americana!) 2020 has given me the chance to get a lot of practice in and I have dedicated some time (nearly) every day to practicing the basics and pushing myself forward. I am loving every minute I get to play my outsized instrument (which barely fits in my low ceiling-ed cottage….but who thinks of the practicalities?!)
I am fortunate that my husband Westley is very musical and is there to push me forward and play along with, which makes it even more enjoyable. so this Christmas we will be playing a range of Michael Bublé and Motown Christmas tunes to pass the evenings away…because It is Beginning to Look A-lot Like Christmas!