Owning a bridal boutique helped and hindered this bride’s planning process

Amy Clancy & Conor Blyth

9th November 2018

Venue | InterContinental Edinburgh The George
Photography |  Ricky Baillie Photography

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“We needed a big venue with accommodation and found it in the InterContinental Edinburgh The George. We loved everything about it and it was so much easier being in the one place in November.

It wasn’t as simple when picking our suppliers. At the time, I owned LA Bridalwear in Galashiels and because of this, I know quite a lot of people in the industry. I was so worried I’d offend someone by not choosing them for my own big day. In the end, my solution was to source suppliers that I didn’t already know of. The Borders is such a small bubble. I just wanted to be a normal bride!

I always had a dress in mind – something lacy and ruffled. I didn’t want to go for a gown that we had a sample of in store, because if I’d seen other brides try it on, it would have been very underwhelming for me.

I set up a Facebook page for all the female guests to guess which gown I’d pick. There was a bottle of prosecco waiting for the winner. No one got anywhere close, though my dad did manage to pick out my evening dress!

My bridesmaids didn’t see my day gown until the big day. I wasn’t going to have the full boutique experience with my family there by my side, so I thought I’d make the dress reveal special instead. 

I was a bit too worried about timings – wondering if we’d have enough time for the photographs and fretting that our guests would be standing around waiting for us. I wish I’d realised sooner that people are in charge of making their own fun. I don’t think Conor and I were missed at all while we were away – although that might have been thanks to our crisps buffet. That was a massive talking point!

I admit I used to believe hiring a planner was a waste of money, but this experience taught me they’re worth their weight in gold. She kept me on the right track.”

Top tip:Don’t try on your dress with your hair and makeup done (after your trial, for example). The most amazing thing for me was seeing it all come together at the same time. It’s a wonderful surprise – the best you’ll ever feel and look is on your wedding day.”

Bride’s dresses Cabotine and Mori Lee from LA Bridalwear
Shoes and accessories Gucci and Topshop
Bridesmaids’ dresses
Dessy
Groomswear Charles Tyrwhitt and Next
Mother-of-the-bride outfit
Cabotine from LA Bridalwear
Rings
Taylor & Hart
Flowers 
Scent of Ginger
Cake 
Made by friend Zoe Taylor
Stationery 
Simone Russell Design
Favours
Homemade Barratts Fruit Salad vodka
Venue decor
Beautifully Covered
Filmmaker Orangetide Films
Wedding planner
Katherine Taylor
Hair
Signature Hair by Kirstie and Mckenzie Hair Design
Makeup Nikki Marshall at All About Eve

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