Merry Christmas! Where has 2018 gone...

Our new Christmas window displays are glistening away and Christmas has definitely arrived in the boutique. We can’t quite believe that it is this time of year again! We have been scrolling through all of the wonderful (and some embarrassing) pictures from 2018 and we thought it is about time we did our annual sum-up of our year at My little Wedding Shop. So find a comfy chair and grab some chocolate to nibble on while we tell you how lucky we are to have such wonderful customers.

As many of you may know, back in May there was a big event as my cousin Robbie got married! This was a fantastic day full of smiles and laughter and as we hear all about so many weddings it was so lovely to actually go to one!

I was given the honour of creating a bespoke waistcoat for the Groom and I think you will agree, he does look rather dapper!

I was also commissioned to dress the rest of the ladies in our little family, so it turned into a bit of a showcase for beautiful dresses on the day!

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Last year we had the honour of making our lovely bride Tamar’s wedding ensemble and in May this year we had the lovely surprise of Rock n Roll Bride Magazine featuring Tamar’s wedding! We had amazing fun last year designing Tamar’s outfit which included a Sacred Realms corset that we embellished and appliquéd onto; bias cut skirt in crushed satin; matching lace gloves and a crinoline skirt that we built, embellished and layered with fabric that Tamar had found herself.

We were so pleased with the article as it really showed Tamar’s creativity and attention to detail. She wrote “I had always known I had wanted a ‘different’ dress, one which expressed my personality, which felt like a work of art, was colourful and combined colour, texture and quirkiness… I met Jenny at a Wedding fair and we discussed how to make the dress I loved a reality.. and she was excited at the idea of working on something different”

Thank you for your lovely words Tamar and it really was one of our highlights of the year reading about your wonderful day in Rock n Roll Bride Magazine.

Here is the feature with images Captured by Jem Photography.

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We had lots of fun creating the new collection for our Jane&Edward couture label this year. We are always looking out for new ideas and materials throughout the year and we are very fortunate that there are so many new lace and fabric options for us to choose from. We usually have a few dresses in each collection that have a splash of colour but this year we thought we would let the lace do the talking!

Our new collections are always an adventure. Changing and adapting every day until we find what works, which is the amazing thing about dress making. Wether it is manipulating a fabric in such a way to make a feature of it or hand cutting and sewing lace to create an effect like the one opposite, we are always experimenting with what works best and adapting each year.

We have already started picking out fabrics and drawing up designs for our 2019 collection which is turning into one of our My little Wedding Shop December traditions.

So watch this space…

In August we had our annual Jane&Edward collection photoshoot. The wonderful wedding venue Davenport House hosted it for us and it was everything we wanted it to be and more! Situated just outside Bridgnorth in Worfield, the house and grounds provided the perfect backdrop for every shot we wanted to capture.

We wanted to stay with the literary theme that has always been such an inspiration to us but also trying to make the most of the historic rooms, abundance of flowers and the amazing view looking over the Shropshire countryside. Stephanie Butt, our photographer, new exactly the feel we wanted to capture and went above and beyond (as you can see in the pictures) to make sure we got that.

It was a wonderful experience collaborating with such a creative group of people. We were able to carry on our tradition of a ‘Ladies in Business’ collaboration with the amazing Omie Megan working her magic with make up and Hair by Ellis giving us hair envy all day.

A photoshoot that Charlotte Bronte herself would be proud of!

For the launch of our Davenport Collection, we also got to collaborate with the superb papercut artist Lisa Jay on our new Jane&Edward Logo which was hand delivered this Autumn. We are so thrilled with the logo artwork and how it combines our literary and dressmaking themes. You can find out all about the logo inspiration and how it was created on out Jane&Edward Couture website…

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The big news of 2018 is our new workshop!!! It became apparent to us at the start of the year that we were getting busier and busier and our workspace in the boutique seemed to be getting smaller and smaller! We made the great decision of keeping the boutique as the cosy bridal haven that is always has been but decided to move our manufacturing into a spacious room that is in fact a 1 minute walk away. As you can tell from the pictures of us attempting manual labour for a few days, it took us a little while to make it the space that we had been dreaming of…

So you can now imagine us cutting and sewing away on your beautiful bridal outfits surrounded by inspiration and lots and lots of dress stands. Oh and we do spin around quite a lot because, well, we have the room to!

We have carried on trying to plan new and exciting window displays throughout 2018. One of our favourites being a poppy display to commemorate the centenary of WW1 armistice. The whole of Bridgnorth got involved in the remembrance with every window being adorned with poppies. It was really lovely to see our town covered in handmade poppies that local residents had knitted and crafted together.

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It has been wonderful to end the year with another published feature, this time in Your West Midlands Wedding Magazine who have included a spread on the Mad Men themed shoot. This includes some fantastic images of our Gilded Grace gown and our Marigold mini cape, all beautifully styled by The Blusherettes and captured by Indie Love Photography.

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As we say every year, the best moments of 2018 have definitely been working with such amazing and creative brides and designing their perfect gowns. Every appointment we get to know you a little better and it’s a privilege for us to be part of the lead up to your big day. Each new dress we make gives us a new idea or new perspective on dress making and we are so glad that we have you to keep us on our toes!

From George and I, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope you all have had as much laughter and inspiration as we have had and here’s to next year!

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A Splash of Champagne, a Hint of Blush, a little something blue?

When I was a little girl I was certain that wedding dresses were white. I didn’t know why, that’s just how they were drawn in my story books. When it came to choosing my own wedding dress, I realised that wedding dresses are not always white and for a good reason, I look terrible in white!

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What excites me as a bridal wear designer, is the fact that colour is being brought back into bridal wear and when I hear the thud on the doormat of the new fabric swatches from my fantastic fabric and lace suppliers, I can’t wait to start playing with ideas!

Having colour in your wedding dress does not mean that you have to opt for shocking pink! Using subtle colours in shades of gold, blush or blue can be much more flattering for a brides complexion and brings a softness and depth to a gown, that cannot always be achieved if we stick to the one flat colour.

Personally, I love combining a little soft colour with an ivory lace as this difference in shade can really make the lace ‘pop’ and become much more of a feature on a gown.

As an example, this delicate ivory Raschel lace has been captured on ivory, champagne & blush silk. You can really see the difference in the effect.

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You can really see the effect in our Rosemary Rose design. The blush silk crepe backed satin has enough colour to enable the ivory leaf design of the lace to be a lot more prominent.

Some of our favourite laces have a little colour within the lace design and these have a similar effect when laid over ivory silk

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This ivory lace has a gold filigree thread running through the design which gives a sense of depth to the design.

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This lace has a vintage silver thread accentuating the embroidered floral design ensuring the lace really stands out against the ivory silk.

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This delicate Guipure lace in blush pink stands out against the ivory silk beneath resulting in a lovely feminine detail.

It is these wonderful combinations that are being selected by more and more brides and the results are simply stunning!

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Helen chose a beautiful Sandwash silk in champagne to set off the ivory, beaded lace of her bohemian inspired gown. This silk was so soft to the touch it draped beautifully and the warm tones really set off the bold symmetry of the lace. This colour was softened using layers of ivory tulle in the train and the ivory veil. Having the coloured silk base overlaid with layers of tulle gives a real sense of depth to a skirt while keeping it lightweight.

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Deborah’s incredible gown was created in blush pink slub silk overlaid with a striking ivory lace with a gold thread running through it. The pink background really makes the lace stand out and we pulled out the gold in the lace through using a gold busk and eyelets on the corset. We softened the pink colour on the skirt through creating an ivory silk Organza overlay to support the lace and create a bustle effect over the pink silk. This creation was perfect or Deborah’s Victorian themed wedding and the gold in the lace added a real sense of decadence!

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Carole’s 1920’s inspired gown used a lightweight silk crepe backed satin in champagne to set off the elegant Chantilly lace of her gown. The colour was pulled through more strongly by having the sash in just the Champagne silk. The lace was cut a little fuller so it stood away from the silk, allowing the light to shine through the lace layers and add a real sense of movement.

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Hannah is such a colourful person that the idea of wearing a plain dress just didn’t seem right for her, but she still wanted to have that little nod to tradition. Hannah chose a wonderful tiffany blue satin for her gown which we then overlaid with ivory tulle, ivory silk polka dot organza and a heavily embellished ivory lace. The contrast of the colour shining through the sheer ivory layers meant that Hannah still felt like herself in her beautiful wedding dress.

So the possibilities are endless and we are thrilled that our fabric suppliers are keeping up with this move, adding beautiful subtle shades to their silk and lace options.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of a splash of champagne, a hint of blush or a little something blue (or any other colour for that matter) for your perfect wedding dress, please do not hesitate to get in touch!

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New workshop space!

It has been an exciting couple of months here at My little Wedding Shop as we have been investing time in setting up our new workshop as part of our little expansion!

As many of you know, I love our little boutique, but we have struggled for space over the last couple of years and our beautiful shop has started to look very full! So earlier this year Georgina and I made the big decision to take on a new workshop where we could focus on creating beautiful gowns for our brides and gain back a little space in the boutique!

So at the end of August we finally got the keys and started getting the place ready!

It took a lot of paint, cleaning products, elbow grease and the incredible commitment of Georgina and my Mum, but after a few days we had the new space cleaned, painted and ready for carpet!

We are incredibly indebted to George’s father Graham for insisting on laying the carpet for us. As much as I advocate a DIY approach to most activities, I can genuinely say, I was not confident I could lay carpet effectively! George and Graham made a super team and the end result was simply perfection!

Our new workshop is approx a 70 second walk from our beautiful boutique so moving our materials and equipment across was much quicker and simpler to do as pedestrians than it would have been by car, even if we did get some odd looks when it came to walking our tailors dummies down the street!

So our new workshop space is up and running and it is perfect. Light, spacious and with room to race our wheelie-chairs should we so wish! We have even been able to get new recruits to our tailor dummy army as they have their own space in the workshop.

We are thrilled that we have found a space so close, so all our gowns are still very proudly Made in Bridgnorth!

So a huge thank you to everyone for your patience while we get this space ready and we have been a little backwards and forwards. But we are back to normal opening and our little boutique is suddenly feeling quite spacious…time for a little re-vamp methinks!

Guest Blog from photographer Extraordinaire - Stephanie Butt

Hey everyone, I'm Steph, a little Brummie photographer! To briefly sum up my photography for you, it's full of colour, fun and style! 

I've been my own boss for 2.5 years now (overall I have 10 years experience in photography) and I am just as excited, if not more, than when I first started. I have met amazing couples and photographed many beautiful weddings! Every wedding I shoot, the better I become as a photographer. I love to capture those fun, cheeky moments of your day along with the beautiful, emotional ones. My style is relaxed and unobtrusive, being 5ft makes this a walk in the park for me! I make sure all my couples are relaxed, enjoying themselves and spending as much time soaking up their day with their nearest and dearest! I'm also a barrel of laughs, this helps couples feel relaxed in front of my camera, although it's usually laughs at my expense...so there's enough about me! 

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Jenny, owner of My little Wedding Shop, got in touch to see if I'd be interested in a styled shoot for her new collection. She found me through a beautiful bride we both worked with and after seeing my images Jenny got in touch. I had no hesitation in getting back to Jenny and arranging a chat to see if I could help out! Our bride, Corinna’s, dress was beautiful. The way it moved on the day and the attention to detail... I couldn't wait to see more of Jenny's work! 

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I went to My Little Wedding Shop in Bridgnorth (that place is so beautiful, definitely worth a visit) and met Jenny and George. Straight away we got on like a house on fire (sorry for the grim analogy there). Jenny and George are so friendly, positive and just a joy to speak with. Jenny was telling me how she envisioned the shoot and from her ideas and seeing the dresses I was getting ideas straight away! Our ideas bounced off one another and we knew from that moment, we worked perfectly together!

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As a photographer, doing styled shoots is a great way of reigniting my creative flare! Yes, they are staged, but this is a positive! At weddings, I avoid this like the plague! You want to capture the special moments as they happen, which means very little posing. Being able to pose in a styled shoot helps you assess what works for the subject you're photographing, in this case, The Davenport dress collection. I experimented with movement, positioning and natural light. Jenny and I wanted to showcase the gorgeous dresses in a way that when future brides see these photos, they can imagine themselves wearing them.  

Jenny rounded up a fantastic team of makeup artist, hair stylist, florist, venue, model and photographer. To be honest, these ladies were all so fantastic and professional, it made my job a doddle! Being a female small business owner, having the opportunity to work with other female business owners was a dream! I admired their professionalism, their creativity, their passion and most of all how strong they were! The feminist in me was very happy that day! 

On the day I wanted to make sure I was capturing everyones work. I captured some behind the scenes; some closer shots of hair and makeup; some fantastic movement of the dresses, the beautiful model and the setting of the stunning Davenport Manor! The images speak for themselves in terms of the passion and hard work that went into this collaboration styled shoot. I was so proud when editing these photos, not only of what I achieved, but seeing such amazing work from the team. On the day, it really was a team effort and you would never have guessed it was the first time we all worked together! 

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You're probably thinking, 'why has this styled shoot made such an impression on you? You photograph this kind of stuff all the time at a wedding?' and you're right. I do photograph all these elements at weddings, but I only really get to meet the make up artist and hair stylist while they're busy at work so I don't like interrupting their concentration and rarely the dressmaker or florist.

Working with your fellow businesses in the wedding industry really makes you appreciate their fields too. I have more of an understanding of what they do, the effort that goes into it and just how amazing they are! I now look at my brides in their dress and notice the way it moves and I capture it creatively, that results in a beautifully natural and fun photograph for the couple to cherish! 

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As a wedding photographer I am constantly developing new skills and ideas for my photography. Every couple is different, so I have to adapt my style and skills with them. This shoot in particular has sparked a new creative approach to how I shoot couples. How I can create your wedding story through different locations. How to use the natural light in different locations. Most importantly, how to support my fellow small businesses! 

Weddings are once in a lifetime. People forget how special this day is. Having a team of wedding suppliers who are professional, knowledgable and just hands down amazing is what every couple needs! Being a wedding photographer is a competitive part of the wedding industry to be in. I don't see this as a negative. This means I push myself to be the best I can be and provide a service that my couples will appreciate. I help my couples as much as I possibly can.

Doing styled shoots means I get to see how other suppliers work, I see their passion and dedication. These people are the people I know will provide an amazing service to my couples, so of course I will be recommending them as I know they're just as hard working as I am!

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So, to celebrate our partnership with Jenny & Georgina, I am offering any bride who purchases their gown from My little Wedding Shop the following added extras when they book me for their wedding day. 

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100 free personally designed thanks you cards worth £75, when you book package 2 

Or

a 16x12 photo chosen by you,  professionally framed worth £225 when you book package 3

A huge thank you to Stephanie for putting this blog together, we hope you have enjoyed reading it as we much as we enjoyed working with Stephanie. George & I found her to be professional, creative, fun and very hard working and we are over the moon with the images she has captured. 

If you want to get in touch with Steph, here are her contact details:

w: www.stephaniebutt.com

E: steph@stephaniebutt.com

T:07791 629 583

If you would like to contact any of the suppliers from our shoot, here are the credits!

Dresses: Jane&Edward Couture www.janeandedward.co.uk at My little Wedding Shop

Photography: Stephanie Butt: https://www.stephaniebutt.com/

Venue: Davenport House: https://davenporthouse.co.uk/

Make-up: Omie Megan www.facebook.com/omiemeganmakeup

Hair: Hair by Ellis: http://www.hairbyellis.co.uk/

Florist: Blooms of Bridgnorth: https://www.bloomsofbridgnorth.co.uk/

Jewellery: Julieann Bird: https://julieannbird.co.uk/

Behind the Scenes - Davenport Collection Photoshoot!

Well, we are well into the Summer season and we have had such a wonderful year, working with fantastic brides on their bridal gowns and we are so excited to see all the wedding photos!

But, once again we like to keep extra busy and alongside creating gowns for our Summer brides we have been busy behind the scenes designing and crafting a new collection of Jane&Edward Couture gowns ready to release later this year. 

All this hard work came together yesterday at the stunning Davenport House, just down the road in Worfield, who generously hosted our Jane&Edward Couture new collection photoshoot! 

Set in beautiful Shropshire countryside, Davenport House is such a welcoming and beautiful space and we all felt incredibly honoured to be able to have access to the house for the day.

The latest Jane&Edward Collection has drawn inspiration from the individual characters of our wonderful brides, introducing some new silhouettes along with some re-imaginings of our signature designs. 

The choice of materials and laces are always an inspiration to us as we design and craft each dress and once again we have used incredible laces and flowing materials to accentuate and flatter the vintage inspired silhouettes of our gowns. 

Each gown reflects a different era this year with silhouettes and fine details taking inspiration from the 30's, 50's, 60's & 70's and combining these with contemporary twist! We are so proud of this years collection and we hope you all find your favourite in the mix!

So, after carefully pressing and packing each gown, yesterday we packed up the car and headed out,  excited to meet our team of incredibly talented ladies who made this shoot extra special.

From Left to right- Georgina & Jenny (yes that's us and I can't be photographed with my eyes open!), Model Ash, Omie Megan & Steph Butt. Ellis had had to leave before we took the end of shoot snap, so Steph has added her in for us!

Georgina and I were thrilled to be joined once again with our model Ash Millman, who some of you may recognise from our Doone Valley Collection photoshoot, and Omie Megan who is always our first choice of make-up artist! Omie has worked with us for the last 5 years and has the ability to bring out the natural beauty of every lady she takes her brushes to!

We were also joined by wonderful Stephanie Butt Photography. Steph first came to our attention after capturing our bespoke bride Corina's wedding day and we were so impressed with her eye and ability to catch the moment, that we couldn't wait to work with her ourselves. 

We were also joined by Hair by Ellis who, as I think you will agree, has a very special way with hair! Ellis started the day with a vintage wave, before creating two totally different yet both amazing up do's which perfectly complimented our gowns. 

The beautiful work of Ellis and Omie as modelled by Ash!

The one chap in the mix is Will from Blooms of Bridgnorth who created a stunning bouquet especially for us and reluctantly posed for a snap when we collected the bouquet!

Will has such an eye for creating beautiful arrangements and we were blown away with his combination of flowers and colours.

Steph takes a moment to peruse the beautiful collection of illustrations we discovered in this original portfolio of H.M.Davenport. 

The new Jane&Edward collection images will be launched in September as part of an exciting development here at My little Wedding Shop, so in the interim, here are some sneak peeks and behind the scenes shots to keep you going!

A little furniture re-jig so we can make the most of the beautiful wood and original wall coverings of the drawing room. 

Ash takes position on the main staircase of Davenport House ready to start shooting.  Ellis styled Ash's hair into a beautiful vintage wave which really shows off Ash's beautiful hair!

Ellis checks over Ash's hair while Steph and I practice poses!

As well as the sumptuous interiors, Davenport house is positioned in the most stunning landscape and reflects the key message of our Jane&Edward Couture designs....Inspired by & Made in Shropshire!

The team head through the beautiful drawing room into the sunshine filled gardens beyond!

Ash & Steph get ready to shoot in the grounds of Davenport House. Steph has such a natural and fun rapport,  it was such a joy to see her at work!

Ash posing on the beautiful stone steps at the back of Davenport House, an ideal photo opportunity. Ash has such natural grace that she makes it very easy to get the perfect shot!

And lastly, a little fun while we shoot as Ash shows off the movement in one of our new gowns!

A little fun from our new Jane&Edward Couture collection photoshoot at Davenport House!

So, we hope you like these snaps! Watch this space and keep an eye on our social media channels, our Jane&Edward 'Davenport Collection' is on it's way!

If you would like to contact any of these highly recommended and talented people for your special day, here are their contact details:

• Stephanie Butt Photography - Stylish, Fun & Beautiful Photos - www.stephaniebutt.com
• Omie Megan, Make-up Artist - www.facebook.com/omiemeganmakeup/
• Hair by Ellis - www.hairbyellis.co.uk
• Blooms of Bridgnorth - Beautiful Florals
• Davenport House - The wonderful wedding venue! - www.davenporthouse.co.uk

Combining ideas - The Making of Charlotte's Dress

"Thank you so much for creating the most beautiful dress I could have ever imagined. It was perfect. Every visit to your shop was such a pleasure, you are both so lovely and amazingly talented. 
Thank you so much."
Charlotte

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We first met Charlotte at the National Wedding Show at Birmingham's NEC and we had a lovely time trying on dresses at the show. Charlotte was very taken with our Jane&Edward 'Gilded Grace' gown with its striking beaded lace hem. She had planned her wedding to be outside in the countryside near her home, so initially she loved the idea of having the short gown with a twist.

Charlotte booked an appointment to visit the boutique and try 'Gilded Grace' on again, however, it was during this visit that she tried on our 'Dahlia' fit and flare gown and she was torn between the two. Charlotte loved the fit and feel of 'Dahlia' but was torn due to the lace on 'Gilded Grace'.

So a new design was created especially for Charlotte!

Charlotte's stunning gown is based on our Jane&Edward Couture Dahlia design but uses the beaded ivory & gold 'Jessica' lace on the dress panels and extending the train for a little extra drama! The gold thread that runs through the lace really pops against the ivory silk Dupion and the soft scalloped edge that runs along the dress panels really accentuates Charlotte's beautiful figure. 

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The original 'Dahlia' design featured a sparkly crystal trim along the sweetheart neckline and around the waist. Although we had originally thought we would stick to this idea and find a gold trim, as the dress progressed we decided that the lace was actually embellishment enough and any added trim would detract from the elegance of this gown. So we cut two lace motifs from the body of the lace and hand appliquéd these onto the silk creating a symmetrical detail that just broke the line of the silk to soften the neckline. 

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Charlotte wanted her dress to transform easily from day to evening and as the majority of her day would be outside, we decided to create a matching lace jacket, just in case it got chilly! In addition, we created detachable lace straps in the same lace, giving Charlotte the choice to wear straps, a jacket or to even go strapless on the day, that's three dresses in one....like a kinder egg!

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Charlotte's finished gown is truly beautiful, Georgina and I were thrilled with the result and more importantly, Charlotte was too! 

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Charlotte completed her look with our 'Plain Jane' soft ivory tulle veil with Champagne Swarovski drops. Just enough to set off her dress without detracting from the beautiful detail. 

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Thank you so much to Charlotte for sharing these wonderful photographs from her wedding day. It was a joy to work with Charlotte and her bridal party, we always looked forward to their visits and these smiles are our perfect reward. 

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Bohemian & Beautiful, the making of Sarah's bridal gown.

"My Little Wedding Shop was recommended to me by several local people who knew that I wanted something unique. When I met Jenny and George I showed them pictures of designer dresses that I loved and they came up with my wonderful dress by combining ideas. The service was great from start to finish and I ended up with the perfect dress that complimented the theme of our wedding perfectly. " Sarah

We were absolutely over the moon to be commissioned to create a bohemian version of our 'Love in Amber' bridal gown last Summer for our beautiful Bridgnorth bride Sarah. 

Sarah had collected together images of different bohemian style wedding gowns which we used to create a mood board of Sarah's style.  Sarah had tried on 'Love in Amber' from our Jane&Edward couture label and had fallen for the soft champagne Sandwashed silk and the vintage rose ivory lace with it's delicate gold thread. However, Sarah wanted her gown to reflect her wedding day which was to be relaxed and informal. With this in mind we started to develop a design for Sarah's perfect dress. Initially we looked at having more lace in use, covering the shoulders and making use of the beautiful scalloped edge of this lace. 

This design was lovely, but it did not feel right for Sarah's wedding day. Georgina and I went through the design influences and felt that the gown needed to have a softer feel. Also, to get the Boho styling that Sarah loved so much, we felt we needed to incorporate different laces which could be layered to introduce texture and variations to the detail of the dress. 

From here I developed the second dress design, which became the foundation of Sarah's bridal gown. 

The final design that we all agreed would look perfect for the boho feel had a bias cut skirt in champagne Sandwashed silk which gave a beautiful slinky silhouette. This silk was then overlaid with layers of soft tulle, cut fuller so they draped over the skirt. We kept one panel of the vintage style lace that Sarah loved at the front of the dress and also used some of this on the bodice, using the soft scalloped edges to draw the eye into the waist. 

We finished this front lace panel with a heavy corded and beaded lace edge which added weight and detail to the hem of the dress. 

The bodice of the dress was in the sandwash silk and was fitted but not structured. The front was hand finished with a small piece of a delicate, nature-inspired Guipure lace which complimented the style of the dress perfectly. Originally we had planned to make thick lace straps which would sit wide on the shoulders, however, during the making process we opted to shrink these down to a narrow scalloped edge that we hand cut from a wider lace, leaving the leaf detailing to keep the influence of nature and to break the line of the straps. 

These straps then fed through loops in the back of the dress, forming the criss-cross lace feature which fastened the dress together. 

The back of this gown is the real feature with the original vintage style lace forming a bustle. We edged this lace bustle in a heavily beaded Chantilly lace to add texture and sparkle to the dress. We then used a vintage lace motif with drop pearls to form a feature at the waist of the dress. 

Georgina then hand cut additional delicate lace trails which we attached to the back of the dress and extended down into the train. 

Sarah's completed dress ready to wear on her wedding day. 

Sarah completed her look with a Pendent necklace and bracelet from Julieann Bird and the beautiful Marlow lace shoes from Harriet Wilde. 

I know you will agree that Sarah looks absolutely beautiful and Georgina and I were so proud to be a part of Sarah's preparations for her wedding day. 

A huge thank you to Sarah for sharing these images with us and for her lovely comments.  We wish Sarah and Si every happiness.

Mary's Secret Garden Collection Video

We are thrilled with this wonderful video put together by Bethany & James Fine Art Photography & Filmmakers. This video showcases our 'Amazing Grace' dress & veil from the latest Jane&Edward couture collection.

The 'Mary's Secret Garden collection' features classic silhouettes with a twist, feature laces and a focus on simplicity & the perfect cut. We hope you love this video as much as we do!

A huge thanks go out to Rachel Adams Bespoke Florist, Mary Ragg Hair Stylist, Omie Megan Make Up , Tanners Wines Bridgnorth for the location & our model Hannah Taylor.

What it really means to have your Wedding Dress made for you...

There are certain questions that we get asked quite a lot here at My little Wedding shop, like "how long does the process of making a dress usually take?", "what happens if I am trying to lose weight?" or our favourite "so I really can have anything I want?" and yes, you really can have anything you want!

The beauty of what we do here is that every brides dress is created by us from scratch. From taking measurements, pattern development, fitting to your shape and hand sewing on the last finishing touches, we work with you every step of the way to create your perfect outfit. 

So here are a few answers to the questions we are regularly asked..

How long does the process usually take?

We usually work with brides over 6 months to a year, but it really does depend on your time frame. We can accommodate for most brides whether you are getting married in 2 months or 3 years so all you need to do is ask!

You are very welcome to visit the boutique at any time but we  do advise you book a private appointment at the boutique if you wish to try on any of our in-house label Jane&Edward dresses or  discuss a bespoke design with us. If you then decide to go ahead and order with My little Wedding Shop we will book your fittings into the diary to fit into your schedule.

We usually recommend 3 fittings. In each appointment you will see your dress progress more and more until your final fitting when you will get to try your gown on with your chosen accessories and see your full bridal trosuseau all together. We also offer an additional 'dressing lesson' when you can bring along your designated dresser to have a practice run at dressing you before your big day!

Can I make a change to the design throughout the fittings?

Yes! We understand that it can be quite difficult to picture what your dress is going to look like on you from a design, so if you wanted to make slight changes to the design throughout the fitting process then you are more than welcome.

One of the lovely things about having your wedding outfit made is that if, for example we have designed your dress with long sleeves and you decide that you would rather have 3/4 sleeves then we will be able to change that for you! Or if you decide on a different belt design, more/less embellishments or beading then we can mock up options for you to choose from in your fittings. Any big changes may incur an additional charge but we would warn you of that before we make the discussed change. 

What if I lose weight?

Before we start work on your dream outfit, we take all of your measurements (it's quite painless, don't worry!) and from there we order in your fabrics and develop your pattern for cutting.

If you have lost weight then that is why we have your fitting appointments. In each appointment we make sure the fit is right, you are comfortable and feel as amazing as you should feel on your Wedding day. If however you are still worried about how much weight you will lose before your big day, then we can book in your fittings closer to the date so that we can make 100% sure that you are happy with the look that you want for your special day. 

What do I need to bring to my first fitting?

We recommend that you bring any shoes with you that you think you may wear on the day. If you have not already decided on shoes then we have a super collection of different styles & heel heights for you to try here at the boutique. This allows us to hem your dress to work with your chosen heel height and ensure you have the confidence to dance the night away!

If you are planning on wearing certain underwear on the day then that will make fitting the garment to you a lot easier or if you have yet to decide then just plain light coloured underwear will be fine and we can advise on what undergarments would be appropriate. 

We stock a wide range of accessories in the boutique including shoes, lingerie, jewellery, hair pieces and veils. We recommend that you wait for your second fitting before deciding on veils & accessories to match your outfit, as by then, your outfit will really be taking shape and you will be able to try different accessories on to see what will pull your look together. 

When do I collect my dress?

We are more than happy to keep your dress here at the boutique up until your big day free of charge! Many of our brides collect their order the week before their wedding or if you would rather collect it before that,  we are more than happy to package it up for you to store at home.

Usually we enclose your garments in plastic and then cover that with a dress bag (so that prying eyes can't see in). However if you are looking to get married abroad then we can pack your dress into a travel box. Just as a little note, if you get in touch with your airline and explain that you will be transporting your wedding dress with them, your airline will often have a specific bridal gown box you can order which will ensure your outfit can be stowed away in an overhead compartment.   

So I really can have anything I want?

Yes! We work with you so that we can transform an idea that you have had in your head into a beautiful outfit that works for you on your perfect day.

The process that we offer is different for everyone. Whether you have a specific idea in your head, Pinterest boards full of pictures, a colour theme that you want to compliment, or you lack inspiration altogether, then we can help you try to figure out what suits your shape and theme of your wedding day.

We have books of lace designs, a range of fabrics in different weights and shades and our own in-house collections to give lots of inspiration and we are always here to help. 

Early Design Version

Updated design

Final Design

Finished gown

The design process for a bespoke gown is really fun and you can really start to open your mind up to the possibilities.  Once you have chosen the silhouette and overall 'feel' that you would like, we can then start to explore fabric options, lace choices and personal embellishments that make a design truly yours. During this design phase, we will sketch up your design with the different options we have shortlisted and provide you with a quote. We are happy to keep updating this design until we have it just right!

Design Version 1

Final Design

Finished Gown

Here at My little Wedding Shop we believe you really can wear anything you want to on your wedding day and we would love to help you make your dream outfit a reality, so feel free to book an appointment with us to start the process of creating your one of a kind outfit. 

A Unique & Wonderful Commission!

Many of you may have seen this particular creation as a work in progress in our boutique over the summer and it is definitely a talking point, so we thought we would share the creation of this bespoke bridal gown and the journey we took with the beautiful Tamar. 

Tamar visited us early in 2017 after we met at a wedding fair in Birmingham and Tamar fell in love with our quite dramatic Marigold Lace cape. So... how did we evolve Tamar's ideas from this cape to her unique bespoke gown?

Tamar collated quite a portfolio of images, fabric samples and ideas which she brought with her to the boutique so we could start to pull together these different strands into her perfect gown. 

The key element was that whatever her gown, Tamar wanted to be bright and dramatic for her day look but needed to transform for the evening so she could wear her lace cape!

As many of you who have had worked with us on your bespoke gowns know, I like to maintain themes from day to evening. Why have two different dresses when we can make your gown work from day to night? So, with this in mind, George and I started to pull together the elements that Tamar loved and decided to create a gown under a gown to make Tamars' transformation simple and comfortable so she could enjoy every moment of her wedding day. 

Tamar had sourced some incredible materials and there was a definite theme of bird motifs, bright pinks and teal colours that she wanted to incorporate into her gown. Tamar also wanted to keep an antique and steampunk feel to her gown alongside the theatrical and artistic. We decided to incorporate these elements through using a mix of laces, the individual motifs from the fabrics she loved and adding 3-D elements in the form of beading, buttons & brooches. So Tamar went off to start collecting brooches from anywhere she could find them while George and I started on part two of her gown. 

Tamar is a confident 'corset wearer' and managed to get a plain silk SparkleWren corset from her sample sale which she brought to us to transform. 

One element we needed to consider, was that Tamars' cape worked with a slinkier, fitted silhouette, but she did want a full skirt for her day look. With this in mind, we created a bias cut skirt in patterned, crushed satin which pulled in the antique gold and ivory colours we had focused on in Tamar's corset and would also be a comfortable yet elegant finish to her night ensemble. 

The final piece of the puzzle is the piece that many of you may remember! Tamar wanted a very theatrical, restoration inspired skirt for her day look and had sourced a range of different materials, many of which were quite heavy upholstery fabrics. My concern with the size of the train that Tamar wanted and the materials she had chosen, was the weight of the skirt if she wore this over the more traditional layers of net. I decided to take inspiration from the Victorians and my theatrical costume background. We opted for creating a crinoline from corset steels that would create the full silhouette Tamar wanted, without having to have layers of underskirts to support this. 

This frame could then be overlaid with pieces of the materials Tamar had chosen to create the layered, decadent effect without having to use excessive amounts of materials. The frame was wrapped in champagne satin ribbon so it would compliment the satin skirt beneath. This frame also provided the support we needed for the brooches that would finish off the skirt, while allowing us to have a swept back effect, revealing the skirt beneath. 

To lift the skirt a little, we added ivory silk organza flowers to the outside of the skirt which we first dip dyed to give them a more antique feel. George then hand beaded inside each of these flowers with teal coloured beads for an extra bit of sparkle. 

The final detail was the train. We decided to feature one of the fabrics as the main focus of the skirt and created a full bustle and long train from lengths of this material. For those of you who have been to our little boutique, this train was quite a show stopper, filling most the shop when laid out!

We were thrilled when Tamar arrived with her Irregular Choice 'I Love You' shoes with a twist. Tamars' friend Jenny had painstakingly remodelled the heels to become a miniature Tamar & Mick. Our design being immortalised in a pair of shoes!

Tamar even used motifs cut from wedding dress fabric to create her beautiful, handmade invitations, which we were thrilled to receive!

Tamar & Mick were wed on the 2 September this year and their fantastic day was captured brilliantly by Jem's Photography and I hope you will agree, this is one very special and perfect dress for this unique bride!

Congratulations Mick & Tamar!

Mr & Mrs Pumkinhead's Holiday adventures!

Mr & Mrs Pumpkinhead are once again waving to passers by from our window as they fulfil their contractual obligations as our Halloween window models. It has been lovely having them back in the boutique with us and hearing all about their Summer adventures to Transylvania. They have even brought in some pictures for us to share with you.....so here are some lovely holiday pics from their Romanian adventure!

On arrival in France & remembering to drive on the right!

Being the adventurers they are, driving across Europe was the best form of travel and it looks like they took the weather with them! Although they were a little eager and arrived before anyone else.

On arrival at their apartment they were thrilled to find their hosts had left them some flowers, a lovely snap of the two of them for the album!

Mr & Mrs Pumpkinhead decided to stay in Sibiu, which is a beautiful city full of stunning squares and churches.  The couple even climbed the tower of the cathedral, although Mr Pumpkinhead found the views a little scary, being sooo high up!

The tower houses these incredible bells, fortunatley they didn't ring while they climbed the tower. 

Mr Pumpkinhead spent time listening to this wonderful organ. 

It looks like they had a wonderful time in their very cosy apartment! Even bringing their own record player so they could dance the night away!

They did take a trip over to Bran to see Dracula's Castle, but the queue was very long, so here is a shot from the car!

Relaxing in their apartment with a fresh G&T, this is the life!!

All packed up and ready to cross the channel again! It looks like they had the most amazing time!

Mr & Mrs Pumpkin have been watching old movies to get in the Halloween mood and reminisce over their holiday.  

If you want to find out more about their holiday, Mr & Mrs Pumpkinhead are modelling in our window over Halloween and I am sure they would love to hear from you!

Exclusive behind the scenes look at Our Mary's Secret Garden Collection

We have been working hard on our in-house design label 'Jane&Edward' collection for 2017/18. Each of these gowns has been designed and created here at the boutique and we are (nearly) ready for the collection photoshoot this Friday!

In the interim, we thought we would share some sneak peeks of this new collection before the formal unveiling at the National Wedding Show at Birmingham's NEC at the end of this month. 

This years collection combines distinct lace designs with natural forms along with the finest silk fabrics. We have added a splash of colour to most of our dresses this year with blushes and subtle golds but don't worry! We have still used ivory to highlight the colours even more!

Every collection features at least one bias cut design and our Mary's Secret Garden collection does not disappoint...this year we have combined Champagne silk and ivory lace for a statement gown with a twist!

Every one of our gowns is hand crafted at our Bridgnorth boutique and (not to brag) but the attention to detail in every dress that we make here at the boutique is paramount to both myself and George. 

This latest collection uses the distinct designs within our chosen laces to accentuate the female form. It usually takes us quite a while to position every pattern piece onto the lace so we make the most of the design or to use particular bits in the lace that we love. This ensures that every seam and lace pattern are matched perfectly. Precision is key!

Our 'Belle of the Ball' gown, pictured below, is no exception to this. We have cut the lace so that design is trailing up. This makes the most of the design at the hem and peters out towards the bodice. This means all the attention is on the beautiful hem and train that is finished with a scalloped edge in the same lace. 

We do love our silk covered buttons which are sewn on by hand to ensure they are secure for your wedding day. 

So watch this space! If you would like to see this new collection close up then pop over and visit us at the National Wedding Show, Birmingham's NEC from Friday 29 September - Sun 1 October. Find us in the Designer Zone, Stand J40 right next to the catwalk, we look forward to seeing you there!

Our super sewing Summer!

Here at My little Wedding Shop we have had a wonderful and very busy Summer working with our unique and beautiful brides! This has kept us a little quiet on the blogging front but very busy creating very special and very personal bridal gowns which we are now at liberty to share with you all!

Sally chose a variation of our "Splash of Champagne' gown choosing a blush pink silk and a beautifully delicate, beaded Chantilly lace for her gown. Sally knew that she wanted a hint of pink in her dress, as it is her favourite colour, as well as ivory to keep it traditional so we think this design was a great compromise! By overlaying pink silk with ivory chiffon and ivory lace, the pink is very subtle but is definitely there!

This stunning bridal gown was made for our beautiful bride Sharon who tied the knot this summer. For Sharon's gown, we focused on the natural elegance of bias cut silk with a few delicate touches to make it her own.

We have been so privileged to create such diverse yet stunning gowns for our brides this year. Wether we use soft silk crepes and vintage inspired laces or colourful upholstery fabrics and steel frames, every gown we create receives our full attention and complete commitment ensuring all our brides have the dress of their dreams!

For Rebecca's gown we hand cut individual lace motifs and hand appliquéd them onto the layers of tulle that formed Rebecca's train. This allowed us to cascade the motifs down from the body of the dress to the elaborate lace edging at the hem. 

At My little Wedding Shop, we like to use lace in a way that creates a beautiful silhouette or accentuates certain parts of the design. This bohemian inspired creation for our bride Sarah is no exception! By combining the finest sandwash silk with 5 different laces, we ensured that Sarah's gown was not only truly unique, but even more than she had dreamed of! In this close up shot, it really highlights how the lace draws your eye to the smallest point of your figure and back out again over the hips. 

Deborah's dream of a Victorian inspired gown became reality combining soft blush pink silk with Ivory silk organza and the beautiful gold embellished lace. This gown was created in four seperate pieces ensuring that Deborah can use elements of her bridal gown for future special occasions!

The elegant simplicity of Corinna's gown says it all. With a hint of pink brought in at the waist, this stunning silhouette was enhanced by the delicate lace that Corinna chose. 

Sharni's princess inspired gown was designed to transform into her evening look, combining hand appliqued lace motifs with a beautiful crystal embellished belt. The ballgown skirt is detachable and came off for the evening so that Sharni could dance the night away in a lace skater skirt that was 'hiding' underneath. We loved the way Sharni's dress glistened in the light and how everything came together perfectly as we used the same lace throughout the design. We suppose that's the beauty of choosing your own lace that you love!

Photo Shoot Fun!

What else would we be doing on a slightly sunny March morning but carrying large pots full of beautiful plants as we dress the set for a super collaborative photo shoot!

Georgina & Beth directing Jamie...this photoshoot malarky can be such hard work!

Not sure what my hair is doing...I have been moving plants!

Brought together by Gilly Page & Bethany Stanley we converged on the beautiful setting of Lees Farm for a wild woodland inspired shoot out in the stunning Shropshire countryside.  We were hosted by the fabulous Emma Cantillion  from The Barn at Lees farm, new luxury accommodation nestled in the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, yes really!

Outside the yurt......saving the wonders of the inside for the full shoot pics...You'll just have to wait!

The week before saw some late evenings as I played with ideas for the shoot and our gown, created especially to compliment Gillys' flower crown and the woodland setting....

Considering initial ideas on the stand

Adding the detailing to the front of the bodice.

Quite pleased with my efforts, I am sure you will agree!

I love this lace with its Cameo style edging.

Excited about the extra tulle pieces in the train to add a free, boho feel to the back of the gown. 

And here is Tor in the finished gown...Our models for the day were the fab Tor & Jack, super fun and perfect for the day.....and yes, we were joined by a horse!

Gilly Pages's wonderful floral creation adds the finishing touch to the lovely Victoria's gown for the day.  I just love these beautiful; pastel colours, the perfect Summer combination.

Very proud of my carefully arranged wood pile...I am taking the credit for that! 

Sneak peek of Jack & Tor inside the Yurt. 

Once the set was all dressed it was time to introduce the additional models for the day...

Tor & Jack meet the Horse model for the first time! Isn't he lovely!

Bethany & Jamie start shooting

Much more interested in the stick than all the excitement going on around.

The idyllic setting all dressed & ready for the day. 

Trish from Cameo Creative Stationary & George wait on the sidelines..... snug as a bug in a rug...literally!

Having fun with Strawberries!

Tor looking beautiful in our bespoke gown in Champagne & Ivory silk, lace & tulle with Gilly Pages Flower Crown.

We are really excited to see the final imagery from Bethany Stanley Photography and I will share this with you all as soon as I can.

A great day had by all and it was fab to work with such wonderful people. 

Let the wedding planning commence!

Happy New Year everybody! We hope you had a lovely 2016 but this year will be even better...we promise! What better way to start the New Year than to start planning your wedding right here in Shropshire!

Over our 5 years here at My little Wedding Shop we have met some very unique and extremely talented suppliers all right on our doorstep and it is a privilege to have collaborated and stocked some of their amazing wedding must-haves! 

So here are My little Wedding Shops recommendations for 2017...

We have worked very closely with Bethany Stanley Photography and we can honestly say that he is our favourite photographer who is also only a short walk away from our shop. It's almost fate! Ever since we met Beth a few years ago she has wowed us with her beautiful work and unique style that matches so well with the feel of our boutique. If you don't believe us then our Doone Valley Collection photoshoot speaks for itself... 

Contact Bethany Stanley Photography: www.bethanystanley.com

We met Julieann Bird only a year ago and we could not recommend her more! She is one of the happiest and friendliest people you will ever meet and her attention to detail is incredible. She runs a family business and all of her accessories, ranging from headpieces to wedding gifts, are all handmade by her just down the road in Shrewsbury. The combination of her beautiful jewellery and customer service makes her a delight to work with and we can highly recommend her for all of your wedding sparkle. 

Contact Julieann Bird: julieannbird.co.uk

Late last year we were invited to both exhibit our dresses and take a tour around the newly opened Wedding Venue, Henley Hall. After the initial 'wow factor' that Henley Hall's beautiful 18th century exterior has to offer, we looked inside and found the rooms to be just as awe inspiring. In addition, owner Helen Phillips is one of the loveliest & welcoming ladies you could meet. With plenty of beautiful spaces and lots and lots of character, it's the perfect setting for your special day and it is also set in the south of Shropshire, surrounded by countryside. Need we say more? 

Contact Henley Hall: henleyhallludlow.com

Last but not least, is it cheating if we recommend ourselves to make your wedding dress? Not to blow our own trumpet too much, but our little boutique is incredibly friendly & full of character & brings high-end couture dressmaking to this wonderful Shropshire Market Town....winner of Great British High Street 2016 no less!

Not only do we feature our very own Jane&Edward couture collection but we also specialise in creating stunning bespoke wedding dresses.   So if you have no idea what you want to be wearing on your wedding day or you know exactly what you want, we can definitely help you make that important decision and feel amazing on your special day. Don't take our word for it though...you can hear from our brides on our testimonials page.

Bespoke creations to fit your perfect day. 

Subtle details & elegant lines

Hand embellished bespoke veils

We love the fact that you can find the solution to all of your wedding needs right on your doorstep so if you are still looking for ideas then come down to the Wedding Fayre taking place at the Castle Hall in Bridgnorth on Sunday 22nd January. We will be there along with a range of local wedding suppliers, pop by & say hi!

Merry Christmas & Hoorah for 2016!

The first of December has ticked by so festivities may commence we cry! Apologies, there is something about this time of year that puts me into the rhyming mood. So it is time to gift you all with our second annual sum-up of the year along with embarrassing pictures of the team, so put the kettle on and take a moment to catch up with our mini-adventures.

A huge 'Thank You' to all our brides for choosing us in 2016!

New Carpet....It's lovely!

Firstly it is worth mentioning that My little Wedding Shop has passed the landmark 5th Birthday and and to celebrate….hold on to your hats…I have rewarded us with….new carpet (partially!) Its green and fluffy and simply lovely! Who knew we could be so extravagant!

The big news of 2016 has been the graduation of Georgina from Apprentice to a qualified, full time member of the team. I can’t thank the super Chris from KTL enough for his support of George and pushing the academic side of her qualifications. Georgina has been a part of My little Wedding Shop since her work experience back in 2013 and it has been wonderful to see her develop her skills and confidence, George has a bright future ahead of her and I am thrilled that she has chosen to contribute her skills to My little Wedding Shop.

Chris from KTL our Apprenticeship saviours!

Georgina...now all grown-up & official!

Ruth from Harriet Wilde and her very stylish shoes....of course!

Back in February we were thrilled to host the ever smiling Ruth from Harriet Wilde shoes here at the boutique in Bridgnorth.  Ruth was wonderful with our brides, Mother of the Brides and even our Grandmother of the Bride who all chose Harriet Wilde shoes to compliment their special day outfits. It is always fun hosting these events and transforming our little boutique into a designer shoe shop for the weekend so look out for new events in 2017!

This year has brought a few additions to the designers available through our boutique. I met Julieann Bird at a wedding fair in Lichfield and was very impressed by her beautiful accessories and her incredibly generous nature. I was over the moon when Julieann accepted our request to stock her jewellery and with every piece hand crafted in Shrewsbury, just down the road, what could be better? We have also welcomed Victoria Millésime, London based bridal accessory designer whose new GoldDust collection just blew us away. Victoria creates stunning handmade pieces with a delicate style that have tied in perfectly with our latest Jane&Edward couture collection, we are very excited to see her work here at the boutique. 

In 2016 we welcomed Maudette to the team. Maudette has worked hard to ensure our veils have been displayed perfectly and has beed a dedicated member of the window display team (despite the incident with her thumb) so thank you Maudette for joining us here!

Maudette joins the team.

Maudette can hold a pose very well...

George Thinks she's a bit creepy...I just don't see it!

I am thrilled with our latest Doone Valley bridal wear collection, after working out the designs in early Spring it is always wonderful to see the ideas come together and transform into the finished gowns. 

Working out the pattern...can look a little strange!

Developing a design...the fun of preparing a new collection!

Setting up for the shoot. 

This Summer brought us new collaborations as we worked with local photographer Bethany Stanley on our Doone Valley collection photoshoot. After many hours of looking for the perfect location that would reflect the hand crafted, Made in Shropshire, ‘romantic window light-feel’ that Beth and I wanted for the shoot, we finally realised that the best location was actually right here at the boutique! During this time we were on the hunt for the perfect model which led us through a convoluted route to discover the beautiful and witty Ash Millman, which in a twist of fate, it turns out used to work at the Winding House Tea Rooms just up the street and used to walk past the boutique every day!

From left to right:

Natasha Caldecott, Hair stylist. Ash Milmann our lovely model Me then George, the boutique team. Omie Megan, make-up wonder woman. Kate Slater, lace creator & Beth Stanley, our amazing image capturer!! 

This amazing day enabled us to feature a completely ‘Ladies in Business’ collaboration bringing in Jewellery designer Gilly Page with her statement flower crowns; Natasha Caldecott hair stylist who created the perfect styles to match our gowns with Ash’s flame red hair; Kate Slater with her unique hand crafted lace hair accessories & once again, Omie Megan, our favourite and amazingly talented make-up artist who accentuates the natural beauty that is shining through! An amazing team and I think the resulting images speak for themselves!

This Summer I did take a day off (just the one!) to take my Dad out as a Birthday surprise to visit the Rolling Stones Exhibition at the Sachii gallery in London followed by an afternoon tracking down locations from his childhood. A great day and a few fab discoveries for him and me…did you know I share my Birthday with Keith Richards? Well, now you do!

Me & My Dad...fellow music lover

Yet to perfect the 'Selfie' moment

Now that's a spin!!

I was thrilled that I finally managed to take a moment to make myself something that I have wanted for quite some time and I finished my coat ready for Winter. I love wearing this coat and I get so many comments on it, it makes me feel very special when out and about!

George and I are quite familiar with working under pressure and the responsibility of the commissions we undertake, none more so than the request by my 4 year old niece Trixie-Ann for a new skirt for her favourite doll!  As a little twist I created a matching outfit for her and her doll which has proven so successful that the Christmas commission for more of the same has just been accepted!

Super cute!!

The beautiful Jenny in her custom veil. 

Yes, yes we are!!

2016 has brought a few lovely surprises and our custom veils have received some lovely recognition, being featured on ‘Love My Dress’ and also ‘Hello’ Magazine! 

Jo & family with the unique and very tasty marshmallow tree!! Thank you!

The best moments of 2016 have, as always, been working with our incredible ladies creating bridal gowns and bespoke creations for your wonderful wedding days. Both George and I are so privileged to work with each and every bride. From first visits through to final ‘Best Wishes’, it is a joy and I am incredibly proud of the work we have achieved this year. From Bohemian field weddings, vintage tea parties, destination spectaculars and rustic barn weddings every gown we have created has inspired us. To see how happy our brides are has brought smiles to our faces and when we are also presented with very unique ‘Thank You’ gifts, there is definitely laughter too!! 

Congratulations to all our 2016 brides, you are all marvellous!!

So here’s to the wonders that 2016 has brought us,we continue to go from strength to strength and we are very excited about 2017’s adventures!

Have a fabulous festive season and a Happy New Year to you all!

National Wedding Show 2016

Well we are back in our boutique and after putting everything back together, we have the post National wedding Show grins again for another year! We were super excited about showing off our new ‘Doone Valley Collection’ at the NEC this year and the show did not disappoint. We met some fantastic brides who loved our dresses just as much as we do and the feedback we got is still bringing a smile to our faces after a week of being back. 

Why do I feel like a giant?!

Once again George & I were joined by my Mum and my Auntie who travelled all the way up from Forest of Dean & Cornwall respectively. It is wonderful to be able to spend time with them and have fun and silly times whilst at the show! We couldn't do the show without them, they are the core of our team...can't you tell?!

There are many great things about the National Wedding Show with the list growing every year! From the Champagne Bar to the music acts echoing through the hall, there is always something to give you inspiration and keep you entertained. For us one of the most amazing things about the experience is learning about everyones different weddings and managing to find the perfect outfit for their big day, starting from a twinkling headpiece and bespoke veil all the way down to the perfect footwear....even wellies!

This year we were really lucky to be surrounded by such talented exhibitors at the show, each of them just as passionate to help couples find the perfect addition to their wedding day. After meeting them last year, it was lovely to see Cart&Carriage Events again and hear about their adventures and success over the year! We also had great fun chatting to Hannah Weeks whose illustrations look incredible and would be a great keepsake… definitely want one of her fab illustrations for our boutique!

We also had a lovely visit from Gilly Page whose flower crowns were the perfect addition to our photoshoot!

It was also great to meet Sue Ann Simon whose photography is brilliant and we even had the honour of having our dresses in some of her pictures that she took at the show. She has a real eye for catching the moment....as demonstrated below!

Whatever aspect of your wedding you are looking for, the National Wedding Show has it all and what better way to find all your wedding needs than under one roof and have a great day out at the same time!

So even though we are sad the show is over, we are left with great memories and smiles on our faces and we cannot wait to work with all the beautiful brides that we met at the show.....Lets get to work!

Give George a balloon and she's happy for hours!

Our 'Doone Valley' collection photoshoot

July has been another busy month at My little Wedding Shop! With wedding season flying by, we have been inundated with ‘thank you’ cards and flowers from all our summer brides who are now happily married. However, we have also been super busy sewing away and creating our new collection of Wedding dresses for 2017! 

Image by Bethany Stanley

This year our collection is showcasing a kaleidoscope of colours from the bridal palette. As most brides that we have designed for this year have shown more interest in coloured dresses, we decided to experiment with fabrics in blushes, golds, champagnes and deeper ivory’s and we think (well we hope) that the dresses look amazing!

Inspired once again by the romance of my bookshelves, 2016 has seen me turning to Lorna Doone for inspiration and I feel that the romance on Exmoor is reflected in our choice of silk organzas, silk chiffons and golden tones which infuse this years 'Doone Valley' Collection!

To capture the feel and to showcase our gowns we turned to the incredibly talented Bethany Stanley for our photoshoot! Set in our own boutique, we collaborated with a team of incredibly talented local ladies and the resulting imagery is simply stunning!

From left to right:

Natasha Caldecott (Hair); Ashleigh Millman (Model); Me looking a little dishevelled! The wonderful Georgina, Omie Megan (Make-Up); Kate Slater (Lace hair accessories) & Bethany Stanley (Photographer)!

Omie & Natasha st work on Ashleigh!

Omie starting Ashleighs' make-up

Beth starts shooting!

A few touch ups.

Assessing the set-up!

As we design & create all of our bridal gowns in our boutique, we decided to use this as a theme for our photoshoot, which gave us a great excuse to flaunt our beautiful Singer sewing machine…

We were very kindly loaned this beautiful Duck Egg rustic table from local wonder shop 'This, That & The Other' which fitted perfectly with our shoot.

This fab vintage chair was hand delivered by the lovely Wendy from 'That's Nice' the perfect addition to our minimal sets!

We finished our stripped back sets with splashes of flower colour  which I think compliment our new collection and enhance the glimmers of colour in our dresses, Ash's hair and the amazing make-up. This little hand tied bouquet is made up of local wild flowers and the striking flower crown is from the super Gilly Page jewellery.

Some little details as a sneak peek!

Image by Bethany Stanley

Stunning Ashleigh, just perfect!

Image by Bethany Stanley

So, to keep you excited, we will be releasing the imagery from our new collection, one dress at a time! All the dresses are now available to try on at the boutique and we will be featuring the new collection at the National Wedding Show at the NEC, Birmingham this October!

Watch this space and keep an eye on our social media channels,our 'Doone Valley' Collection is on it's way!

If you would like to contact any of these highly recommended and talented ladies for your special day, here are their contact details!:

• Bethany Stanley, photographer with a very romantic eye! http://www.bethanystanley.com
• Omie Megan, Make-up Artist - http://omiemeganmake-up.com
• Natasha Caldecott - Bridal & Occassion Hair: Wedding & Occasion Hair By Natasha Caldecott - shropshire
• Kate Slater - Lace bridal accessories - http://www.kateslater.co.uk

Kate Slater's new Collection is here!

We are full of excitement here at My little Wedding Shop after being hand delivered Kate Slater's new Wildflower Collection of handmade lace headpieces. 

Kate Slater is a contemporary textiles designer specialising in lace embroidery. Each of her pieces is handmade in Shropshire and she is continually developing new ideas and working with different materials to create innovative designs. 

We have been working closely with Kate since 2012 and have been repeatedly in awe of her beautifully delicate designs. We have collaborated with Kate to make 'Violet' from our Pemberley Collection which includes lace cap sleeves, back panel and flowers inspired by peacock feathers. 

The beauty of working with Kate is that our customers can also work with her to design their own lace for bespoke handmade pieces which create a completely one off wedding look. 

We absolutely love the feel of Kate's new collection which incorporates warm pearls, shimmering pinks and little splashes of deeper colours to match every occasion and Kate has even ensured that each design is available in miniature to make the perfect finishing touches  to your Flower Girl outfits!

Kate's new collection is definitely the perfect accompaniment to the array of dresses in our boutique so make sure you peruse through her Wildflower collection to find the one-off headpiece to transform your bridal look. Her pieces are available in our boutique or on our website so please don't miss out!

Not just a veil....the right veil

Wearing a veil on your wedding day has been a custom for a very long time and even though it is steeped with tradition, we think that wearing a veil can be the perfect finish to your contemporary wedding look. No matter what style you go for (and there are so many to choose from) there’s nothing that says ‘bride’ more than wearing the perfect veil. 

For our brides wearing a veil is a completely personal decision. Some brides do not believe it will go with the feel of their wedding but others base their dress around having the veil that they've fallen in love with. For many of our brides this decision is not made until the moment when their dress is finished, they stand in front of a mirror, try on the perfect veil and realise their bridal look is complete.

Here at My little Wedding Shop we work with you to design your perfect veil that compliments both your dress and the theme of your wedding. Whether you go for a completely plain veil, a lace edged cathedral length veil or even choose a veil made of chiffon or organza, we can help you pick a look that will go perfectly with your dress. 

We have many styles of veil here at the boutique  for you to try on to see what shape and style suits you, wether you choose a cute little shoulder length veil (as chosen by me on my wedding day!) or a long veil that fits perfectly over the train of your wedding dress.  Your veil can be edged with lace, hand embellished with beading, have Swarovski embellished hand cut scallops or be left plain. You can also choose to have a coloured veil to tie in with the theme of your wedding or you can match the lace on your dress so that your veil becomes an extension of the beautiful lace underneath.

With so many options it can be confusing, so our biggest tip is to make an appointment, bring your gown and take the opportunity to try everything on together before you make your decision.  You may find the perfect finishing touch you've been searching for.