What’s your wedding dress style? Flirty and fun? Classic and chic? Bold and beaded? Get to know the credentials behind some of the most covetable bridal labels in Scotland…you might just meet your perfect match!
WONÁ Concept
Timeless, luxury, chic
Left: Atelier – Signature Edition Spenser V-neck mermaid gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a statement necklace-bolero, £POA; Right: Atelier – Signature Edition Ayleen beaded mesh V-neck gown with flowing off-the-shoulder sleeves, £POA, both WONÁ Concept
A Ukrainian brand from Lviv, WONÁ Concept is first and foremost a family business. It made its start as a small home-based atelier, gradually growing into the brand we all know and love today.
WONÁ’s latest atelier line, Signature Edition, shows how the brand has continually gone from strength to strength. It is filled with sophisticated and intricate designs, decorated with tiny hand-sewn accents. Incredibly stylish yet crafted with comfort and adaptability in mind, the collection is set to become a firm favourite with brides-to-be.
Ayleen, a standout from the current collection, is made from exquisite beaded mesh. It boasts a daring deep V-neckline, complemented by elegant off-the-shoulder sleeves – a true embodiment of grace and glamour.
Left: Single-tier tulle veil with ‘I said Yes’ inscription (style NV2206), £POA; Right: Atelier – Signature Edition Rio sweetheart neckline mini-dress with bead, pearl and feather appliqué, £POA, both WONÁ Concept
Speed round
with Ilona Shramko, WONÁ Concept’s founder and designer
Wedding at home or abroad?
Abroad – somewhere warm, by the sea.
One dress or more?
Two – a minimalist one for the ceremony, and a short, playful one, ready for the party.
Veil or alternative accessory?
A minimalist veil for a touch of simplicity and elegance.
Where can you find WONÁ Concept in Scotland?
Amy King Bridal, Kirkcaldy;
Anne Priscilla Bridal, Glasgow;
Opus Couture, West Kilbride;
Sophia Grace Couture, Haddington
Rewritten
Effortless, modern, luxe
Left: Dolly bias-cut round-neck wedding dresswith ostrich feather-trim sleeves, £695; Right: Sienna satin bridesmaid dress in Terracotta with cinched waist, capped sleeves and leg slit, £165; both Rewritten
After struggling to find contemporary, affordable bridesmaid dresses online, Rewritten’s co-founders Katie and Fran started their brand in a small North London studio in 2016.
Between them, the duo have a background in fashion design, marketing and retail – so decided to give it a go. Eight years on, Rewritten has a presence around the world, and the team are constantly thinking of the next goal they can tick off their list.
Rewritten’s designers are passionate about comfort; they’re adamant that there is no point in a dress that looks brilliant but gapes open or is too tight to sit down in. Want a sneak peek of what’s in store for 2024?
Spring sees the launch of a range of limited-edition printed pieces – think bold florals in muted tones and ultra-flattering cuts.
And if you’re a bride, not a bridesmaid? You’re in luck! From the sparkly square-neck Nancy top to the feather trimmed Dolly dress, Rewritten’s selection will have something to suit.
Left: Nancy squareneck sequin bridal top, lined in recycled satin, £325; Right: Cyndi bridal camisole in 100% sustainable bamboo satin with strap adjusters, £275, both Rewritten
Speed round
with Frances Cookson, Rewritten’s co-founder
Wedding at home or abroad?
At home.
One dress or several?
Several, obviously!
Veil or alternative accessory?
We’re loving bows right now.
Where to find Rewritten in Scotland?
Ivory Grace, Aberdeen;
Melle Cloche, Glasgow;
Mirka Bridal Couture, Kirkcaldy
Maggie Sottero
Romantic, timeless, comfortable
Left: Fortune strapless corset ballgown £POA, Maggie Sottero; Right: Sarah A-line spaghetti-strap gown with boned bodice, £POA, Rebecca Ingram
Maggie Sottero offers three distinct bridalwear collections: romantic, personalised dresses from core line Maggie Sottero (MS in stockists below); couture statement looks by Sottero and Midgley (SM); and flirty, budget-friendly gowns courtesy of Rebecca Ingram (RI).
The people behind them are super-fans of the bricks-and-mortar boutique, proud to be partnering with hundreds of bridal salons in over 70 countries.
Personalised experiences with friends and family are at the core of their ethos, as they believe every bride deserves to feel exceptional – whatever their style, budget, timeline or wedding vision.
A love for all includes Mother Earth, they say, pointing out that a tree is planted for every gown sold – at the last count, that works out at an incredible 20,000 trees. Looking ahead to autumn 2024, the team are thrilled to embrace the nostalgic charm of the ’90s aesthetic, infused with chic and simple features.
Including delicately feminine elements and classic opulence, from artful ruching to standout pearls, the styles are ready to help brides make a bold statement, worthy of their big day.
Left: Yesenia shimmery gold cowl-neck dress with leg slit, £POA; Right: Talitha corset style multi-tiered ballgown with front-tie strap detailing, £POA, both Sottero and Midgley
Speed round
with Kelly Midgley, Maggie Sottero’s CEO and creative director
Wedding at home or abroad?
At home.
One dress or more?
Two – one for the ceremony and one for the reception.
Veil or alternative accessory?
Why not both!
Where to find Maggie Sottero dresses in Scotland?
Annarose Bridal, Dundee (premier stockist; all three collections);
Emma Roy of Edinburgh (premier stockist; all three collections);
Aimee Bridal Couture, Glasgow (RI);
Amy King Bridal, Kirkcaldy (MS, SM);
Avorio Bridal, Fochabers (all three collections);
Bijoux Bridal, Hamilton (MS, SM);
Brides of Scotland, East Kilbride (RI);
Etiquette Bridal, Aberdeen (MS);
Kudos Bridal Boutique Dunfermline (MS);
Limitless Bridal, Dunblane (RI);
Opalily Bridal, Turriff (RI);
Opus Couture, West Kilbride (MS);
Wedding Belles, Alness (MS)
Essense of Australia
Timeless, romantic, modern
Left: Chic crepe satin column sheath wedding dress with sparkle embellishments (style D3823), £POA; Right: Classic satin ballgown with pockets and off-the-shoulder sleeves (style D2761), £POA, both Essense of Australia
The Essense of Australia bride appreciates tradition with a twist and the label’s designers like to keep brides, their traditions and their love stories at the forefront of their creative process.
For 2024, this will see a wide variety of incredible features taking shape – look out for hints of soft colour and pearl details, bold statement sleeves, head-to-toe lace, voluminous skirts, clean and chic silhouettes and much more.
Stella York
Glamorous, dreamy, sexy
Left: Modern luxe ballgown with deep V-neckline (style 7755), £POA; Right: Modern strapless satin ballgown wedding dress with bow detail (style 7729), £POA, both Stella York
One of Essense of Australia’s sister brands, Stella York brides are all about glitz and glamour. They want to make a statement on their special day, and aren’t afraid of a little sparkle and shine.
The hottest runway trends and red-carpet looks inspire the brand’s collections, with 2024 seeing special attention devoted to plunging necklines, pops of colour, statement sleeves and detachable accessories. For Stella York, the big day can never have too many striking pearl embellishments.
Speed round
with Martine Harris, Essense of Australia and Stella York’s head designer and chief creative officer
Wedding at home or abroad?
At home.
One dress or several?
Several.
Veil or alternative accessory?
A veil plus some extra sparkle!
Where to find Essense of Australia and Stella York gowns in Scotland?
Diane Honeyman, Ayr;
Eleganza Sposa, Glasgow;
Kudos Bridal Boutique Dunfermline;
Kudos Bridal Boutique Edinburgh;
Perfect Bridal Rooms, Aberdeen
Wendy Makin
Simple, elegant, sophisticated
Left: French Collection Sasha tulle overdress with lace appliqué and high-low hem, £855; Right: French Collection Celina strapless tulle and lace floral appliqué A-line dress with detachable puff sleeves, £1,995, both Wendy Makin
The archetypal Wendy Makin dress is a blend of contemporary silhouettes, classic styling and versatility, all brought to life using sustainably sourced materials.
Finding her inspiration through first-hand contact with the brides that visit her Brisbane studio, Wendy designs collections that align with modern brides and an ongoing vision of adaptability, wearability and meticulous craftsmanship.
The label strives to embolden brides and allow their unique styles to blossom with its creations. It advises taking an equally bold approach to the dress search itself. With so many gowns out there, Wendy believes research is the key to understanding what you like and how to confidently communicate that to your stylist.
Left: Erin full V-neck mikado A-line dress with leg split and deep waistband, £1,485; Right: Gwen fitted crepe dress with Bardot neckline and crepe sleeves, £1,350, both Wendy Makin
Speed round
with Wendy Makin, designer
Wedding at home or abroad?
At home in a Wendy Makin ready-to-wear dress, or on a beach in a French Collection by Wendy Makin gown.
One dress or more?
Two dresses in one – Lexi, a party-ready shorter hemline, waiting beneath Addison with its statement-making skirt.
Veil or alternative accessory?
A simple pearl headband.
Where to find Wendy Mackin gowns in Scotland?
Kudos Bridal Boutique Edinburgh;
Reflections Bridal, Kelso
Patricia Barclay Bridals
Classic, structured, unique
Left: Edith delicately beaded dress with plunging V-neckline, low back and long fitted sleeves, £POA; Right: Rose soft satin and beaded lace overlay gown with delicate cap sleeves, £POA, both Patricia Barclay Bridals
With internationally renowned bridal fashion designer Patricia Barclay at the helm, Patricia Barclay Bridals prides itself on providing a truly personal experience from start to finish. You will always be talking to the person who holds the pencil, the one actually sketching the design that, in turn, becomes the dress.
With so many gowns on the racks nowadays, brides-to-be have the opportunity to discover a dress that really ticks every box, from the form to the feeling it gives you. A Patricia Barclay bride, says the designer, is a strong, independent woman who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go out and get it, but who is also feminine and demure and believes in fairytales.
Following an official flagship launch at Dalbeattie’s Isobel Florence Bridal boutique in Dumfries and Galloway, Patricia Barclay Bridals is looking forward to building a strong brand and an even stronger following of its four beautifully varied labels.
Left: Virginia full-circle skirted dress with pleated bodice, bishop sleeves and a soft silk organza overlay, £POA; Right: Halle boned corset satin and lace gown with V-neckline, low back and delicate sleeves, £POA, both Patricia Barclay Bridals
Speed round
with Patricia Barclay, Patricia Barclay Bridal’s founder and designer
Wedding at home or abroad?
Home, every time.
One dress or multiple?
One dress, two looks.
Veil or alternative accessory?
A unique family heirloom accessory.
Where to find Patricia Barclay Bridal gowns in Scotland?
Isobel Florence Bridal, Dalbeattie
Rosa Clará
Minimalist, elegant, on-trend
Left: Couture Miras sexy sleeveless mermaid dress with halter neckline, crafted in beadwork lace, £POA; Right: Couture Marvin elegant sheath-style dress with long sleeves and built-in train, £POA, both Rosa Clará
Rosa Clará’s innovative style and commitment to the highest quality in fabrics and finishes has seen the brand go from its first store opening in Barcelona nearly 30 years ago to now selling in over 80 countries.
What sets it apart from other labels? Alongside dedication, innovation and a highly motivated team, founder Rosa Clará believes that a consistent ethos has been crucial to her brand’s success. For a Rosa Clará bride, less is more; a high-quality classic look is always adaptable to current trends.
In 2024, the brand encourages brides to be truly themselves – whether that means a minimalist crepe number complete with knot details and cut-outs, a sophisticated mermaid-style gown, or a short guipure lace playsuit.
What do all these pieces have in common? As well as pure lines, high-quality fabrics and trend-setting designs, they’re all crafted to shun artifice and accentuate the bride’s personality and figure.
Left: Euron princess-style strapless A-line dress with detachable jacket, £POA; Right: Elita sexy mermaid dress with plunging neckline and georgette cape, £POA, both Rosa Clará
Speed round
with Rosa Clará, Rosa Clará’s founder and designer
Wedding at home or abroad?
Wherever carries the strongest connection for the couple.
One dress or more?
One dress, two looks – I love a removable overskirt.
Veil or alternative accessory?
Veil! They’re just magical.
Where to find Rosa Clará gowns in Scotland?
Kudos Bridal Boutique Edinburgh;
Ivory Grace, Aberdeen;
The White Collection, Glasgow
