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.

Our first 2016 wedding....

We are thrilled to announce that the beautiful Naomi and dapper Kurt tied the knot at the end of January with Naomi being our first bride for 2016. We would like to share our congratulations to the happy couple and we know you will be incredibly happy together!

Naomi came to the boutique with very clear ideas about her wedding ensemble and the feel that she wanted it to have, so we were thrilled to work alongside her to create her perfect gown and accessories.

Naomis' gown was created in three pieces starting with a beautiful ivory silk corset by the very talented Sacred Realms.  We then designed an elegant bias cut skirt in ivory silk crepe backed satin to create the flowing silhouette that Naomi wanted. This skirt featured an extended train that flowed from the back seam and silk covered buttons and loops. 

To complete the bodice, we created a stunning lace top with full length sleeves, laser cut flowers and silk covered buttons and loops finishing the back. This bodice sits just off the shoulders and the lace is embellished with silver thread and miniature clear and silver beads to add an extra sparkle. 

We had a wonderful time during Naomis' fittings, getting the fit just perfect and creating the detailed finishing touches. This included a cathedral length veil  hand embellished with laser cut flowers designed & created by our very own Georgina while I hand beaded a bespoke hair garland in pearl, swarovski crystal and teardrop diamantes. 

On every visit to our boutique, we had the pleasurable company of Naomis' mother who was there through all the decision making, supporting Naomi on every step of the journey and giving them a little time together to make those memories before Naomis' big day. 

I think you'll agree that Naomi looks truly stunning and is the pure essence of the timeless bride.

We would like to thank Bethany Stanley photography for sharing these images, Bethany was present during Naomis' fittings, capturing the process as well as the wedding itself. Bethany Stanley has a beautiful eye for capturing those perfect moments along with her talented husband and photography partner James, we can highly recommend them for capturing your special day.

As always, this is not the end of our journey with Naomi & Kurt and we look forward to them popping back into the boutique and telling us all about their day and their new adventures together!

Wedding Dress Shopping at Bridal Boutiques…. a quick guide!

Shopping for your wedding dress should be a fun and exciting prospect for Brides-to-Be although the experience may be a little daunting for some and often the concept is a trip into the unknown. Here is a quick guide to wedding dress shopping and visiting bridal boutiques. 

Make an appointment - Visiting a Bridal Boutique to look at wedding dresses is normally possible if you happen to be passing however, the majority of boutiques require you to make an appointment if you would like to try gowns on. This is not to put you in a high pressure sales situation but enables the boutique to welcome you in and give you their full attention without interruption.  For example, at My little Wedding Shop we work with one bride at a time ensuring they have our full attention, have the time to try on different styles and discuss their own ideas for their day and their bridal ensemble. 

Who to take with you? - When planning your visit try and book your appointment at a time when you can be accompanied by people who you would like to share the experience with.  Many Brides-to-Be may be tempted to invite all their friends with them when wedding dress shopping, however, this can be confusing and chaotic and you risk trying on dresses purely to please your friends rather than because you love them yourself. The best advice we can give is to choose people whose opinion you value and who understand that they are there to help you choose a gown that is perfect for you. This also helps keep the final choice of dress a surprise for your wedding guests who will get to see you on your wedding day, in your perfect dress and chosen accessories, looking simply beautiful.

What to expect on your visit? - So, once you have booked in your appointment and chosen who will accompany you, what can you expect when you arrive at the boutique? At My little Wedding Shop the first thing is to make you feel settled and take the time to get to know a little bit more about you and your ideas for your wedding day over a cup of tea or possibly something bubbly!  A great recommendation is to bring with you any pictures of gown styles that you like as well as general background ideas for you wedding day as this can really help us know more about your style. However, do be flexible and open. Use the ideas you have gathered in a Pinterest board or scrapbook as inspiration and as a springboard for identifying gowns to try on to see how you look and feel in them.

How long will it take? - Allow a good hour and a half to two hours if this is your first time visiting a boutique as this allows you to try on a selection of gowns and re-visit your favourites without feeling pressured or rushed. The experience of trying on dresses is not just about putting them on and taking them off, but taking the time to see how you feel in a particular style , how you would compliment the dress with your hair ideas and accessories. The big question now-a-days is Veil or No-Veil and how will this look with your chosen dress. If you feel a dress is a contender take the time to relax into it, try sitting in it and even try some dance moves to help decide wether this dress may be right for you and your planned day!

What to wear on your visit? - It is important when looking for your wedding dress that you don’t get embarrassed. Wedding dresses as a rule are not the kind of thing you can put on unaided and you will be helped to dress in the fitting room by your bridal wear consultant. This is important as each dress may have its own ways of fastening and is also important for the boutique that the dresses are not damaged when trying them on.   When preparing for your visit, it is a good idea to dress for the occasion….and in this we are talking underwear! There is no need to have your bridal lingerie already picked out and on when you visit the boutique as your choice of dress will affect your lingerie choice. However, a simple strapless bra and plain knicker set can be very useful. Don’t be tempted to wear an overly padded bra as these can often fight against the structures built into the gowns and give a false impression on how the dress will fit you.  At the boutique we are here to help you find a dress that not only compliments and flatters your figure, but also reflects your personality and character, so be open and honest about what you like and dislike and we can ensure you get the most out of your time. 

Can I take pictures? - It is very tempting to want to take lots of snaps of you in the sample dresses when you walk out but do be careful. Many boutiques will not allow picture taking so it is always best to ask first. At My little Wedding Shop we are happy for you to take pictures for reference and to help remind you of the dresses that you have tried, however, we do issue a word of caution. Try and use these images purely as a reminder to how you felt in the dress; too often brides will decide against a style because of a snap taken on a camera phone of them in a sample dress that has been pinned to fit. If you feel stunning in a gown this will shine through, you can re-visit a gown that you have shortlisted to see if you still love how it makes you feel. 

How to order the perfect dress. - Once you have chosen ’The Dress’  it is very rarely a case of walking out of the boutique with it as your dress will be made for you. The bridal consultant will take your measurements, confirm the design and any design specifics with you and most will require a non refundable 50% deposit at the point of ordering. In general, boutiques will require a 3-6 month lead in time to get your dress made, fitted and altered, so do check with the boutique that this fits in with your planned wedding date. At My little Wedding Shop all gowns are made to measure at the boutique, so at the point of ordering, we will book in your fitting times which will be planned against your schedule in the run-up to your wedding day. These fittings are also a deadline for you to be making other decisions as you will be required to bring your bridal lingerie and shoes with you to each fitting.  The majority of brides will have at least 3 fittings of their wedding dress to ensure the perfect finish and fit and this can be an opportunity to dedicate a little ‘me time’ when a lot of brides become increasingly busy getting everything in place for the big day.

Are there any hidden costs? - Dress fittings and alterations are requirements to ensure the perfect fit when buying your wedding dress. If you purchase your gown from a boutique who orders their gowns in, your dress will arrive in a standardised size and will be fitted to you. It is worth mentioning that many boutiques will charge for this service so do ask what the boutique charges for fittings and alterations.  At My little Wedding Shop all our gowns are made to measure so we like to make sure there are no hidden costs for the bride. All fittings and alterations for our dresses are included in the ticket price.

The important thing to remember is that wedding dress shopping should be fun. It can be confusing, strange, exciting, revealing and emotional. We are here to support you though that journey and ensure that the experience of choosing your wedding dress becomes a fond memory and a vital part of your wedding preparations.

We hope this has been useful and we look forward to seeing you at the boutique to help you on your journey!

If you would like to book an appointment, please use our contact page and we will get you in the diary.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

As Christmas draws near, we come to the end of our 4th year, here, at My little Wedding Shop….and what a wonderful year we have had.  2015 has been a transforming year for the boutique as we welcomed Georgina to the team, George has brought youth, enthusiasm and raw talent to the boutique and I know that all of you who have worked with her this year, recognise her fantastic potential and skill as well as her ability to fit in different sized boxes, (as inspired by the very large box that our first delivery of Irregular Choice Bridal Collection shoes arrived in…it was her own idea!)

Box challenge 1...it was DEFINITELY her idea!

George hard at work!

I was treated to a fantastic surprise this year as my husband whisked me away for a romantic visit to Paris for our anniversary. I got to stay in a real Parisian apartment thanks to Airbnb (who I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for their own private get-a-away!), visit Mountmatre and have a coffee in the Amelie cafe and take a look at the Eiffel Tower, (I was not brave enough to go up but I had a fab view from my safe bench in the park!).

Our first sighting of the Eiffel Tower!

Amelie was filmed in here!

This Summer saw the launch of our latest Jane&Edward bridal collection, which was inspired by the beautiful, lush Shropshire countryside. We were very privileged to be allowed to hold our photoshoot at the Dower House in Morville. With such beautiful gardens and a vast array of flora, I just wanted to move in with my tent and spend the whole Summer in those wonderful surroundings. We were very lucky that the weather stayed dry until 15 minutes after we finished shooting, which we were very relieved about and we got to work with the incredibly talented Omie Megan make-up artist for the first (and hopefully not the last) time! 

Omie putting the finishing touches to Sophie's make-up ready to start shooting.

Our Summer ended with a grand family event as my wonderful Sister-in-Law tied the knot and we welcomed Tim to the family. It was such an amazing day with so many friends and family gathered together and the rare occasion that I actually get to see the bride walk down the aisle in one of my own creations. Cassie smiled so much all day and danced all night, we even got footage of her hola-hooping in her tea-length gown and Daisy crown.  I was so proud to be a part of Cassie & Tim’s day and I havewonderful memories to make me smile. 

Out National Wedding Show team!

As many of you know, we were thrilled to be a part of the National Wedding Show for the third year running, featuring in their Designer Zone. We really look forward to this event as despite being incredibly busy, it is a real adventure and I get to spend some quality time with my Mum and my Aunty who travel all the way from The Forest of Dean and Cornwall to help on the stand.  It has been such a pleasure that so many of the Brides-to-Be that we met at the show have now visited us at the boutique to book in theirdresses for 2016 & 2017, with some wonderful ladies travelling from as far as London and Yorkshire. We are so lucky that Bridgnorth is such a great place to visit, ensuring that our brides not only get to have their private fittings but can then celebrate in one of our highly recommended restaurants or tea shops!

This year we have been working hard on our window displays which can be a real challenge to be inventive and inspiring; we have been very touched by the responses to many of our windows, notably our Remembrance Day window for which George created 45 handmade poppies to decorate our Primrose wedding dress, the result being a striking and moving display.

Throughout 2015 we have been blessed with beautiful brides, all with their own ideas and themes for their wedding day. I am honoured that we have got to work with you all, creating your perfect, unique, bespoke bridal gowns. 2015 has brought us inspiration from the sea, bohemian tee-pees, Victoriana and even Heavy Metal…let’s see how 2016 can compare!

Just a few of our amazing who we have been incredibly privileged to work with this year!

Merry Christmas to you all and we wish you a wonderful 2016 and beyond.

My little Thank You

As it is nearing to the end of my first year here at My little Wedding Shop, I thought it would be a nice idea to revisit some of my favourite moments in the shop and share them with you. 

One of the best things about working in our shop is that we get to know the brides that come into our shop and get the honour of making such beautiful dresses for them for their special day.

From making bespoke hand beaded embellishments to origami flower window displays, their is never a dull moment in the shop and this year has been a bit of a whirlwind adventure for me.

Finally, thank you very much to all our brides over this year. Make sure you all stay in touch and here's to the years to come!

George x

Congratulations Cassie & Tim!

A huge congratulations to Cassie & Tim who ties the know this weekend and to celebrate, here is a little video of how much fun you can have on your special day!

We were thrilled to make Cassies dress which is in silk Dupion and ivory, beaded lace. Cassie's dress is a tea length dress with a net underskirt and a matching lace bolero.

Cassie has finished her trousseau with lovely ivory satin gloves, a blush short veil with pearl detail and a stunning hand made tiara.

We love Cassie;s simple bouquet of daisies, the perfect finish!

And of course, Tim looks very dapper too!

National Wedding Show 2015

Hello all, we are now starting the preparations for attending the national Wedding Show at the NEC, Birmingham this October 2nd - 4th.

We are thrilled to be part of the exclusive Designer Zone and will be on stand J40 once again, right next to the catwalk. This year we will be taking our new designs for you to view and try and we event have a few special offers running during the show, so make sure you pop over and say hi!

In prepping for this year I have stumbled across this video that we took of the NEC catwalk show last October featuring our very own 'Blossom-Tea' and 'Yasmin' dresses!

We hope you enjoy the video and we look forward to seeing you at the show! Click on the image to take you though to the National Wedding Show website and book tickets!

Shropshire Review Bridal Feature....Featuring...

We are thrilled to discover that our boutique and our Jane&Edward Couture designs have been featured in the latest edition of the Shropshire Review & County Woman Magazine! Not only have the review opened their August bridal feature with our very own 'Honey Honey' but 'Pretty Petunia' even made it to the front page!

Jump to page 21 to see the feature and see how many of our designs you can spot!

Also, on page 31 you can win tickets to the National Wedding Show at Birminghams NEC this October. My little Wedding Shop will be at the show in the Designer Zone at Stand J40 (next to the Catwalk) so if you win (and even if you don't) pop by and say hi!

Our August 'look of the month'

Our feet haven't touched the ground in the last couple of months but while we have some time to spare, I thought I would introduce you all to our August 'look of the month'!

Honey Honey is part of our 2015 Jane&Edward collection and to be that little bit different, we have actually made it up as a top and skirt! The top is made from silk crepe backed satin and features lace sleeves, while the skirt is made from deluxe silk dupion with matching lace motifs at the waist and pockets! The soft, floaty feel to the top is great contrast to the skirt which really keeps it's shape perfectly! 

To accompany our look, we have chosen these beautiful Irregular Choice shoes from their new bridal collection! We are thrilled to have recently become a stockist of their bridal collection and 'Baby Love' go wonderfully with Honey Honey. The hint of gold also go perfectly with this parasol from Naysmith Umbrellas! This is also the last gold parasol that we have in stock so don't hesitate to come and have a look. We hope you love this look as much as we do and here are some pictures of Honey Honey taken at our last photoshoot, have a lovely day!

Jane&Edward Photo shoot 2015!

Good Morning everyone! We are really sorry about the lack of blog posts recently, but we have been working non-stop on our new Jane&Edward collection which we are really excited to unveil to you all very soon! Thankfully the weather held out for us and we managed to get every shot we wanted. Here are some sneak peaks!

We decided to have the shoot outside this year and what better place to have it than at the Dower House Gardens in Morville! These are just a few pictures showing the beauty and tranquility that accompanied our dresses so well. So we would like to say a huge thank you to Katherine Swift for hosting the shoot. She made us feel incredibly welcome and I am sure when you see the pictures from the shoot, that you will agree that the gardens are absolutely stunning. (www.facebook.com/TheDowerHouseGardenAtMorville)

We would like to say a big thank you to the extremely talented make-up artist, Omie Megan (www.omiemeganmake-up.com) who managed to capture the exact look we wanted for every dress perfectly. Georgina Bowen at Salon Blue, Bridgnorth who created a beautiful boho look that went so well with every dress (www.facebook.com/thewhiteroom.bridgo). Dan Haworth-Salter photography, Shirley Salter and our model Sophie Thorpe. We had an absolutely brilliant day and we can't wait for you all to see the pictures. Have a lovely week!

THE SUN IS OUT, TIME TO RAISE THOSE HEMS!

It's official, the sun is finally here! So in honour of the lovely weather, we have chosen Blossom for our April 'look of the month'!

Blossom is part of our Jane&Edward collection. It is a take on the classic 1950's tea length style, made with blush silk dupion, which holds the beautiful shape created by the box pleated skirt.

We've used a very lightweight, Chantilly lace to cross over the sweetheart neckline and the waistband. We've created a lace drape over one shoulder which provides a little cover for the bride during the day as well as making a bit of a statement!  The lace drape, which is also detachable, is embellished with a matching blush silk flower created by the wonderful Sugar Butterfly.

A raised hemline means you can definitely show off these beautiful Harriet Wilde shoes. Crafted with an intricate floral laser cut design, Peony is a dainty sandal style tied neatly onto the foot with a pretty ribbon tie. Making them the perfect accompaniment to any dress!

Don't forget, as we mentioned in our previous blog, Ruth from Harriet Wilde will be in our shop for our designer event on Thursday 30th April! From 4-8pm you will have the chance to meet Ruth and make the most of our special offers we have on Harriet Wilde shoes for one night only! If you have any questions or want to RSVP then just call us on 01746 768968. 

Last but not least, to accessorise this look we have chosen a one-off pearl necklace and this beaded rose tiara by Rachel Hyde. Sticking to our floral theme, the pink roses in the tiara go perfectly with the Sugar Butterfly flower on the dress and the warm shade of pearl in both of the accessories really compliment the whole look.  

If you want to try this look or any of our other inspirational ideas for yourself then don't hesitate to get in touch on 01746 768968 to book your appointment.

Harriet Wilde Designer Event announced!!

We are thrilled to announce our Harriet Wilde Designer Event to be held at My little Wedding Shop on Thursday 30 April from 4pm until 8pm.

We will be opening into the evening to allow brides to meet with legendary designer Ruth Shaw, the name behind Harriet Wilde, view the full collection of Harriet Wilde designer footwear & accessories and even benefit from some extra special offers!

We will of course be providing plenty of bubbles and sweetmeats to finish off the event, so if you are looking for the perfect shoes for your perfect day, contact us to book in your visit.

Our March 'look of the month'!

Spring is in the air and as the flowers are starting to appear, we thought our ‘look of the month’ for March should mirror this beautiful time of year.

The wedding dress we have chosen is called Bluebell and is from our Jane&Edward collection. Based on the Victoriana look, Bluebell’s fitted bodice and ballerina skirt are both made from deluxe silk dupion and create the perfect silhouette. As the skirt just skims the ankle it is the perfect length for dancing and showing off these beautiful lace shoes,  ‘Dora’ from Harriet Wilde.

We’ve kept the blue theme throughout this look so as well as the velvet blue ribbon which accentuates the waistline, this stunning, one of a kind, Nigella Necklace made by Rachel Hyde and blue Sugar Butterfly flowers make a perfect accompaniment.

We also appreciate that March still isn’t as warm as we’d like it to be so we’ve included a fitted lace jacket in the look. Made of the same beautiful, bold Chantilly lace that is on the dress, it will give you a bit more warmth and is even finished off with a matching blue velvet bow. 

The veil echoes the Victoriana look because of its rectangular cut and the sheerness of the tulle still allows the intricate details of     the dress to show through.

Last, but not least, I hope you don’t think we’re trying to be too twee but we’ve included a parasol from Naysmith umbrellas in the March look. It looks fabulous with the dress and it’s there just in case the sun comes out!

If you want to try this look or any of our other inspirational ideas for yourself then don't hesitate to get in touch on 01746 768968 to book your appointment.

The Vintage Wedding Fayre at Birminghams Council House

We had a wonderful day last Sunday meeting the wonderful brides of Birmingham at the Vintage Wedding Fair. Birmingham Council House hosted the fair in their stunning hall with beautiful Arts & Craft detailing.

We met some amazing exhibitors who are incredibly talented and we can share some shots of their stands below. 

Introducing our 'Look of the Month' Feature!

Seeing as we love all our designers here at My little Wedding Shop, we thought we would launch a 'look of the month' to give inspiration to all you brides to be.

It is amazing how much the choice of accessories and shoes can change the whole feel of a dress and by creating a 'look of the month' hopefully we can show you how versatile a wedding dress can be. 

The wedding dress we have chosen for February is from our Jane&Edward collection and is called Violet. Violet is a bias cut dress in silk crepe backed satin and features silk button and loop detailing at the side of the dress. The lace, which is handmade by Kate Slater, is specifically for My little Wedding Shop and incorporates splashes of pastels linked together with a deign inspired by feathers and art deco scallops. We've matched it with a Swarovski Crystal Wedding Necklace and earring set by Rosie Willet which echoes the elegance of the dress whilst adding a little sparkle for the evening. 

We think these Daisy shoes by Harriet Wilde work really well with the Violet dress as the sophisticated design and use of leather compliments the plain silk whilst the cut-away tulle mirrors the lace panel in the back of Violet.

If you want to try this look or any of our other inspirational ideas for yourself then don't hesitate to get in touch on 01746 768968 to book your appointment.

'I Do' in Vintage Wedding Fair at the Hotel Du Vin

Here’s a little photo montage of the I Do in Vintage Wedding Fairs that we have attended over the last couple of weeks. Some fab ideas!

We had a great time this Summer with Little Button Rose, Nikki Cooper photography, Sarah Russell hair & make up and lovely ‘bride’ Kate on this shoot at the custard factory.

Kate is wearing Primrose by Jane&Edward couture, exclusive to My little Wedding Shop. 

The mask is made by the lovely Lisa at Little Button Rose.

A beautiful veil for a beautiful bride! Our latest creation here at My little Wedding Shop is a bespoke veil hand embellished with lace motifs and pearl effect beads. An heirloom in the making!

Until the sun comes out again we have the perfect accessory for all brides to be! We have increased our rage of wedding umbrellas to include some beautiful styles from Lisbeth Dahl, Totes  & Chrysalin among others.

You can even kit out your bridesmaids in your wedding colours to create some incredible photo opportunities on the day!

So bring on the rain and have some fun accessorising for your extra special rainy day!