A trio of names is poised to help you find your dream dress. We caught up with their owners to discover what makes their shop stand out
Bridal Atelier, Tarbet
Who’s on the rails?
Diane Harbridge, Eliza Jane Howell, Maggie Sottero, Paloma Blanca, Pollardi, Sottero & Midgley, Tanya Grig and Watters, plus Wtoo by Watters for bridesmaids.
What price range are the gowns?
Around £850 to £3,000.
What sets you apart?
“The journey to our boutique along the shores of Loch Lomond is magical at any time of the year,” says co-owner Christine Fyfe. “We want our brides to have a memorable journey when it comes to choosing their wedding dress too! On arrival, you’ll be welcomed into our Audrey Hepburn lounge, where we get to know you, your vision and your personality. After some light refreshments or afternoon tea (if booked in advance), you’ll visit our designer room for a one-to-one personalised consultation and will select a choice of gowns with the help of one of our bridal stylists. It’s not all about the dress – we are here to style you top to toe. Our collection of shoes, veils, boleros and fur wraps can all be tailored to suit individual styles. Our hair accessories are all handmade here in the boutique at Loch Lomond so each headpiece is unique. We can also incorporate family heirlooms into headpieces or other jewellery pieces, making your wedding ensemble extra special.
What’s coming up in 2017?
“We are constantly improving the quality of our bridal service, as well as looking for fresh designs at affordable prices from new and existing designers. We predict contrasting styles will do well in 2017, so mixing clean lines with an un-tailored look. Expect to see a definite boho-festival-bride vibe with long sleeves and high necks too.”
Any insider advice?
“Don’t shop too early! Give yourself plenty of time, but remember styles change. If you are planning your wedding two or more years in advance then it’s best to go along to a few wedding fairs first. The same goes for accessories: don’t buy these on impulse. They are there to enhance your look but also have to compliment your dress, so only purchase them once you have your dress ticked off.”
www.bridalatelierscotland.co.uk
Alison Kirk Bridal, Dundee
Who’s on the rails?
Justin Alexander, Justin Alexander Signature, Sincerity Bridal and Sweetheart Gowns, plus B2 by Jasmine and Kelsey Rose for bridesmaids and a selection of Richard Designs flowergirl styles.
What price range are the gowns?
Around £790 to £2,410.
What sets you apart?
“We based our shopping experience on the formula that works so well in our original boutique in Perth,” says owner Lindsay Brown. “We pride ourselves on our personalised customer service so a bride will have a dedicated bridal consultant to help chose gowns to try on, and help dress and style you throughout your appointment. Our bridal suite is private and comfortable for the wedding party to relax in while you are trying on gowns. It also has a catwalk for you to walk down so you can see how the dresses move and flow.”
What’s coming up in 2017?
“We hope to be very busy in the new boutique and to help even more brides find their dream dress. Over time, we hope to add more designers to our collection, giving us an even wider selection of dresses. In 2017, off-shoulder dresses will continue to be popular, as well as ruffles and tiered skirts. There is a growing trend for more simple classic dresses, so look out for luxurious fabrics coupled with a hint of embellishment to give them the wow factor.”
Any insider advice?
“Although you might have a style of dress in mind, try on some different options – even if just to rule that style out. Take advice from your bridal consultant – they are passionate about their job and know what works. If they pull out a wild card dress for you try, go for it! You might just be pleasantly surprised.”
www.alisonkirk.co.uk
The Bridal Courtyard, Glasgow
Who’s on the rails?
Adriana Alier, Christina Wu Love, Luna Novias, Kenneth Winston and So Sassi.
What price range are the gowns?
£999 to £2,500.
What sets you apart?
“At The Bridal Courtyard, brides are treated like VIPs and have the whole shop to themselves during the appointment,” says Jennifer Gilbert, who owns the boutique along with her cousin Jackie Hall. “We want to ensure that our brides feel relaxed and comfortable in the shop as we understand that choosing your wedding gown can be a nerve-wracking experience. We love chatting to our brides to find out all the details of their wedding and this allows us to carefully hand-select gowns that will match the bride’s desires and expectations.”
What’s coming up in 2017?
“We are excited about the introduction of our own collection Courtyard Couture. We have listened to what our brides are looking for and have created this collection to enable them to tailor their wedding gown to their exact tastes.”
Any insider advice?
“Be open to trying on different styles and you will be surprised at what you fall in love with! The dresses that some brides presume they won’t like are the ones they eventually buy. Different wedding dresses suit different shapes and, more importantly, lots look entirely different on the rail.”
www.bridalcourtyard.com