Your Name?
Laura
What is the name of your wedding venue?
Didsbury House Hotel
Name of your wedding dress boutique?
130 Atelier
Name of your dress designer and style?
Willowby By Watters, Heartleaf 51706X
Before you started shopping for your dress, did you have an idea of the type or style of gown you wanted?
Yes, I saw 'my' dress online after researching and couldn't get it out my head 😂 I knew I had to try it on before looking at any others and that's where you came in...
How long did you spend shopping for your wedding dress?
I browsed online A LOT! Many hours, many screenshots, but only two wedding shops visited.
How many months out from your wedding date when you "said yes to the dress"?
I said yes to my dress in August 2023, and my wedding was October 2024 - so 14 months.
Did you have an idea of the wedding dress designer / label you wanted?
Yep. The one I got was the one I wanted 😂
How did you find out about your boutique?
I was looking for places which stocked the dress brand I was after (Willowby by Watters) and then saw your shop, and then found your Instagram!
What made you decide to go with the boutique you did?
I adored the friendly and welcoming feel of the shop - as well as the luxe vibe - yet also inclusive and body positive! Everything I could have ever wanted! It was also located well for my family and I to get to and the website and social media pages were really clear and informative.
How did your boutique make you feel special?
The contact leading up to, during and after the appointment was incredible. Seamless communication. The fact Sophie got in the dress I was lusting after especially for me. The sign on the door with my name, the pink lemonade, the wedding keepsake, the warm smiles, kindness and laughter. Sophie and her Mum made me feel SO special and I'll always hold the experience of saying yes to my dress so dear.
What were your favourite parts of the wedding dress shopping experience?
Trying the sample of the dress on in the shop and instantly knowing it was the one. Nothing feels as good! Until trying it on again and it being YOUR dress and it not feeling quite real. Also the genuine care and emotion Sophie has for you and your wedding.
Was the experience of shopping for your wedding dress as you expected, or was it something totally different?
It went above and beyond my expectations. I was worried I would feel self-conscious and insecure but Sophie made me feel really good about myself which made me feel comfortable and relaxed.
How many other shops did you visit?
Just one other
Can you tell us about any experiences you had or why you were put off buying your dress from another boutique?
I went to another shop and the dresses I tried on available in my size felt extremely traditional and I did not feel myself or good - instead felt like I was dressing up?! This made me feel sad and down. I am a UK size 16 and in the shop I went in there were few dresses available to me 😞 Thankfully, 130 Atelier is incredibly size inclusive which was really important to me.
What is your advice to other brides who are about to start dress shopping?
Enjoy the process! Do your research before to find your vibe! Be open minded but most of all, be kind and be true to yourself. Remember, you don't need to lose weight for your wedding dress shopping or for your wedding - you are perfect as you are 🩷
Any additional advice about planning / wedding day?
As much as you can, follow your and your partner's heart. Try to do what YOU want, it is YOUR day. You don't want bridesmaids? Don't have them. Don't fancy a first dance? Don't do it. Really think and visualise things on the day - how would you feel about X, would you be comfortable about X? Are you doing this because you want to, or because you think that's what you should do? I found this really helped me when wedding planning. For example, we chose to have a vegan wedding as I am vegan and my partner is vegetarian. This was important to us and we did worry people would complain or be upset but no one did, in fact, people were very happy with the food! Another example is we had a sweetheart table instead of a top table - so just me and Jack sat together and this was a lovely way of ensuring we spent time just the two of us and we were able to relax in the presence of one other. Which leads me to end with the advice to spend as much time on your wedding day together just you two as you can 🥰
Vendors Tags;
Photographer - @jenniferdavydayphotographer
Hair and makeup - @stephanieswainbridal
Venue - @didsburyparkhotels
Flowers - @indiebloomuk
Alterations - @pearls_sewing_room_uk
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