Join us behind the scenes at Eleganza Sposa

We headed to Eleganza Sposa to get a taster of the wedding dress shopping experience and chatted to lovely owner Anna who shared everything from her own family design history to the ins and outs of deciding what designers and labels to stock in the Glasgow boutique.

So if you're a bride-to-be planning your visit to Eleganza, or you're still trying to find the right place to start shopping – you've come to the right place.

Browse our supplier directory for even more bridal boutiques and designers to consider

Wedding dress design runs in the family

Hi Anna! Tell us a bit about the backstory of Eleganza Sposa

"My parents came over from Italy in 1955 and made Scotland their home, and I’m the first generation of our family to be born here. My mother was a stylish woman and a talented dressmaker who used to make clothes for me and my sisters when we were little – mohair coats and beautiful tailored jackets.

"My father’s mother was also a very gifted seamstress and predominantly made wedding gowns. The sewing machine was always in use in our house and bridal gowns are definitely in my blood. 

"The idea for Eleganza Sposa came to me around 1991, when I was in Italy. It rained for about four solid weeks, and I spent all my time admiring the bridal ateliers – I fell in love. The wedding gowns I saw there were completely different to what I was seeing back in the UK.

"My mum and dad ran the Bothwell Bridge Hotel, where I used to organise wedding exhibitions, and when I got back from Italy, I begged them to let me turn one of the hotel bedrooms into my own bridal boutique. They agreed and I started Eleganza Sposa with a handful of gowns. Thirty-odd years later, I am here in our beautiful store in Glasgow and I feel so grateful."

Exceptional customer service at Eleganza Sposa

What’s the core ethos of Eleganza Sposa? 

"We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service. When you walk through our doors, you’re entering a wonderland, a magical place away from the chaos of the world.

"Our stylists look after our brides and do all they can make the experience with us memorable. It’s vital for us to listen to your desires for how you want to feel on your wedding day and make that vision a reality.

"We aim to create that “goosebumps” feeling with the most beautiful transformational bridal looks, from head to toe. Our core ethos is to create something unique for every bride who walks in the door. Nothing is run-of-the-mill here, and each look is unforgettable."

Handwritten personal touches at Glasgow bridal boutique

Why do you think brides choose to shop at Eleganza Sposa? 

"Our reputation, our unique approach to styling, and our decades of knowledge and experience. People know we only have the highest-quality gowns, and that we have the ability to make the day feel magical for every bride.

"We pay great attention to the small details and always include personal touches throughout a bride’s journey with us. For example, many of our clients tell us that one of their favourite moments is seeing their name handwritten on a Love Tag, hanging on display next to those of all our other brides who are on the same journey." 

What’s your favourite part of helping brides find their perfect dress?

"That moment when I can see she loves the way she looks and feels, full of the confidence that only the perfect gown can provide. I often feel like the fairy godmother in Cinderella, waving my wand to create magic!

"The most rewarding feeling is when a bride is looking forward to her wedding day and can see the whole vision come to life."

"When I was growing up, I was always fascinated by the stories of how couples in love met each other. I describe my own experience as a “lightning bolt” moment, where I knew that this feeling of being in love was unlike any other emotion I’d experienced. Even today, I still ask brides how they met their partner.

"There’s beauty in the way their whole demeanour changes and a flood of calm comes over them. It’s so important to me that our brides reflect on that feeling of falling in love as a reminder of why they’re here in the boutique with us."

American bride finds dream dress in Scotland bridal boutique

So many brides must have found their perfect dress with you – do any in particular stand out in your mind?

"There are so many to choose from! One recent case was a bride who came all the way from California to visit us. Considering the USA is a major leader in the bridal industry, it reaffirmed for us that we are offering unique gowns that are worth travelling for!

"She hadn’t been able to find what she was looking for at home, and she trusted us to bring her vision to life despite an ocean of distance between us."

Read more: Another California-based bride who shopped at Eleganza Sposa for her wedding dress 

Can I have my hair and makeup done for my wedding dress appointment?

Is there anything you wish more brides knew before wedding dress shopping?

"I suppose I wish they knew that finding your gown is a journey, and it’s so important to take some time for self-reflection before you begin. Think about how you want to feel on your wedding day, not how you want to look. 

"Decide who you need with you throughout your bridal journey. Listen to the little voice inside of you – this quiet reflection allows you to understand what your heart truly desires.

"This is your day; a bit of self-care and pampering will help you feel your most confident. Some brides take the opportunity for a hair or makeup trial before their appointment to complete the bridal vision. Take the time for whatever makes you feel like your best self before coming for your appointment!"

The importance of reliable and ethical bridal designers

How do you choose which designers to work with?

"Quality, styles and customer care are top priorities for us when deciding who to stock. We pride ourselves on being able to create the perfect look and our designers must align with this ethos: we need them to be able to offer customisations for our clients, so the gown is everything the bride imagines.

"We always look for designers who are ethical in their practices and who value their team. Reliability is another key aspect. We need to trust them to honour the timescales we give to our brides for their gown to be ready for collection."

Exclusive in-house collection of wedding dresses

Are there any designers or collections exclusively available at Eleganza Sposa?

"Our in-house collection, Iconica, is designed by Eleganza Sposa and is exclusive to our boutique. We have just completed the design process for our newest Iconica collection, and we’re thrilled to see it coming to life.

"We are also the only stockist in Scotland of Caroline Castigliano, Ricca Sposa and Monreal, to name a few."

What are some of your current top-selling dress styles?

"We are seeing more brides requesting something unique, rather than following trends. Since those custom gowns we created for (Glasgow influencer) Ava Black’s wedding in June, we’ve seen more brides looking for a gown that reflects their personality. 

"We pride ourselves on being able to create bespoke designs just for you. No idea is too far-fetched."

See more: celebrities who have gotten married or engaged in 2024 

Makeup guru Jamie Genevieve wore an Eleganza Sposa wedding dress in 2019

"It was magical creating Jamie’s gown for her wedding in 2019. She trusted us to come up with something both unique and adaptable for her.

"It had a zip-off skirt that changed the silhouette and allowed her more movement for her reception.

"That’s a huge trend we are seeing today – brides really want this adaptability throughout their wedding day."

"Many brides are opting for second looks or gowns that can be transformed from day to evening."

Woman-owned bridal business in Scotland

What are your goals for the future of Eleganza Sposa?

"We’re now in our fourth decade, and we still want to continue to evolve with every generation of brides and continue creating the most unforgettable experiences.

"We want to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of women and what that looks like for their wedding day. We are a business run by women – we want to celebrate women and make them feel beautiful."