Getting married is an exciting time for EVERY SINGLE BRIDE and there should be no barriers to this. This is something that means a great deal to us personally here at TDR Bridal and we are dedicated to doing everything in our power to ensure that our brides feel included and valued.
Every bride deserves to be celebrated, every bride deserves to feel incredible, every bride deserves these life moments, without exception!
Shopping for your wedding gown can seem very daunting for brides, with an industry that was once very insular and old fashioned, with set rigid unwritten rules, an industry full of what some may say were traditions and an industry not always great at considering the whole or expanding any further from what they deemed to be “right”.
However, TDR has never thought that way. We have always recognised a need for change in the industry and we have always tried to lead the way for our industry to become more inclusive.
We are proud to be Purple Tuesday members. Purple Tuesday is a programme created and co-ordinate by Purple, a disability organisation that encourages businesses to make changes and to improve the customer experience for individuals with disabilities.
We believe every single bride should have the opportunity to have a wonderful experience when buying their wedding gown, regardless of ability, race, gender or sexuality.
In just the last two years we have:
Installed a downstairs disabled bathroom.
Added ramps to our entrances for easier access.
Increased the size of our changing rooms to accommodate wheelchair access.
Given extra support and training to our staff.
Extended appointment times for individuals with disabilities
BUT WE WILL NOT STOP THERE!
We want to celebrate with everyone, inclusively. We really felt we needed to address the less obvious disabilities too, such as autism, dementia, hearing, or sight. In 2021 TDR Pledge for at least two team members to learn sign language so that we can Say Yes To The Dress and celebrate with every single bride! We also pledge to add the written word to any video we post online so that our content can be enjoyed by a wider audience.
We are making it our goal to take every step we possibly can towards becoming an inclusive environment for our brides, an environment where they feel safe, secure, and most importantly, celebrated.
Because that is what truly matters. For every single bride. No matter what.
We would love to hear any suggestions you may have on how we can be more inclusive, so please feel free to leave us any feedback or suggestions you may have!
Here are some gorgeous gowns we thought were perfect for the prettiest season…
When we think of Spring we think soft, floaty and delicate, blue skies, warm sun so you will most certainly want a gown to match all these things and more!
Ronald Joyce Spring Style £1,650
We love this boho style, with heavy lace detailing and 3D florals, we think this is the perfect spring wedding gown!
Sottero and Midgley Spring Style £1,345
The perfect ‘less is more’ style… we LOVE! Simplicity ALWAYS wins!
We can see this gown as the perfect spring option, paired with lots of green foliage and rustic decor.
The White One Pronovias Group Spring Style £1,155
Unsurprisingly this gorgeous gown is named SPRING! What more could you ask for?! Fitting to her name, this gown is the perfect spring option. A darling dress with art deco influences in it’s butterfly sleeves, gently gathered bodice and daring front split. Made of soft, swingy chiffon, perfect for the glorious spring weather!
Justin Alexander Spring Style £1,779
Floaty, flirty and FUN! The PERFECT Boho Spring Style! Dance the night away in this sparkle, A Line gown… so dreamy, so beautiful! TDR LOVES!
Lillian West Spring Style £1,035
We are picturing this gown for a rustic, boho bride, woodland, teepee or barn setting… rustic weddings have never looked so chic! SLEEVE GOALS! Flutter sleeves of dreams…oozing femininity and romance, again, the perfect less is more style for any bride searching for the perfect sleeved boho gown! One of our favourites!!
Enzoani Spring Style £1,485
For a more modern, romantic, versatile style… Evangeline is PERFECT! We love this style, with detachable off the shoulder straps and a soft, stretch jersey lining for comfort and security, this gown is the PERFECT option for a Spring wedding! Not to mention the GORGEOUS floral detail, we are LOVING this colour way – Ivory/Nude/Nude, the perfect pop of colour for Spring!
Mori Lee Spring Style £1,215
Sweet, soft and feminine, the perfect delicate Spring wedding dress style! We love the lace detail.
We hope you loved these Spring wedding gown styles, ALL IN STORE NOW! Guaranteed to take your breathe away!
We are re-opening on the 12th April and could not be more excited, our diary is NOW OPEN!!!
Looking forward to seeing all you lovely ladies very soon!
Lots of love
Team TDR xxx
You may be very aware by now, that weddings come with their own terminology. Some of which you may have heard time and time before, but others you may be thinking ‘what on earth does that mean?!’. If you have found yourself experiencing the latter throughout your wedding journey thus far, do not panic, that is what we are here to do for you!
We have put together an A-Z run through of all things weddings and all things bridal, in the hopes that you won’t feel in the dark again when discussing your big day! If anything, we want you to feel like a wedding pro!
1. Aisle
Whether you are planning an extravagant church ceremony, or an intimate destination celebration, it is more than likely that you have thought incessantly about the moment you walk down the aisle, to marry the love of your life! Some would say it is one of the most exciting and memorable moments of your big day, walking down the aisle as a fiancé and back up the aisle a newlywed, with lots of smiles (and maybe even tears) in between. There are countless ways that you could decorate the aisle to compliment your big day, from a candlelit walkway to a stunning, simplistic aisle runner or even an abundance of bold and beautiful bouquets, the choice is yours and is definitely something to think about to set the tone for the rest of your celebrations.
2. Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids. Now we know this will be a term you’ve all heard of, you may have even been planning who you were going to ask to be your bridesmaids long before you were engaged (I know I have!) or you may be finding it difficult to choose just a few! Your bridesmaids should be the friends or loved ones that you feel you couldn’t do the most important day of your life without them by your side, through every tear, laugh and celebratory glass of champagne! The people that you can rely on to calm you down through every potential bridezilla moment and to pick you up if wedding planning becomes slightly overwhelming. The people you can trust to tell you the truth when dress shopping and to squeeze your hand that little bit tighter before walking down the aisle! Then, of course, the bridesmaid’s dresses! Finding your loved one’s beautiful gowns to compliment your dream dress adds to the list of endless wedding planning excitement! Whether you have a colour scheme in mind and wish for your bridal party to wear matching gowns, or even having them in entirely different dresses, it all helps your day to be unique to you!
3. Bouquets
Choosing the right bouquet to compliment your dream dress can be the final touch to complete your look, the cherry on the cake! Bouquets can come in so many different styles, colours and sizes which makes them all the more unique and therefore all the more beautiful. You may be more of a simplistic bride, who loves the neutral tones and delicate flowers, or you may be a bride who is all about the drama and LOVES the bright, bold and colourful tones. Either way, having a bouquet to match the theme and/or colour scheme of your day is a touch so beautifully subtle, but one that everybody will notice!
4. Bridal Boutique
Pictured at TDR Bridal Halesowen
Pictured at TDR Bridal Halesowen
(Pictured at TDR Bridal Halesowen)
One of the biggest and most important decisions to make when on your journey of becoming a bride is 100% finding a bridal boutique that you can whole heartedly trust to take care of you and your dress every step of the way! It’s one thing finding a boutique that provides endless stunning gowns for you to try on before experiencing the big ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ moment but it’s another to know that you are in safe hands when it comes to the storage of your dress, the aftercare of your dress and having an overall relaxing and enjoyable experience from start to finish, with never-ending support from the bridal shop team who helped you along the way!
5. Confetti
Picture this, you have just walked back up the aisle, hand in hand with the love of your life, as newlyweds (finally!). You walk out of your wedding venue and are greeted by the smiling faces of your loved ones, dad subtly wiping a tear away in the background, and you are filled with a degree of happiness you never knew possible. Suddenly, your friends and family cheer, throwing confetti in the air, celebrating your love and the love they have for you! Confetti on your big day is, of course, optional but is definitely a beautiful way to start the celebrations as you mean to go on, not to mention the stunning photos!
6. (Say Yes to the) Dress!
The Dress. The majority of us would be lying to ourselves if we tried to say that finding the DREAM wedding dress didn’t slightly take the edge of being the most exciting part of the wedding journey (other than tying the knot of course!). Finding the perfect dress for you is it’s own experience entirely, and should be one you look back on in delight for the rest of your life, where you shed tears of joy with those you love the most, and where you truly start to visualise yourself as a bride for the very first time! If you are approaching your first appointment, it is likely you have had that little worry of ‘how could I possibly find a style that I will fall madly in love with, when there are so many styles to choose from?’, but one thing I can assure you of, is that you will! Your stylists will be with you every step of the journey, working through all styles, colours, designers (you name it!) to find the PERFECT dress for you, and the saying is true, when you know you know and you will never look back! The magic you will feel when finally saying ‘Yes to the Dress’, is a once in a lifetime feeling and you will cherish that moment forever!
7. Enzoani
If you are a bride who has done her research on dress designers, then the name Enzoani will likely be very familiar, if not, I am here to give you an insight into the wonderful mind of an unbelievable designer! Enzoani released their first collection in 2005 and have since catapulted onto the bridal scene with a bang, providing high end quality gowns that combine traditional and modern styles, from the more simplistic satin numbers to gowns laced with flirty and romantic applique. High necks with sweep trains, to low backs and trains so long they take your breath away. All styles oozing with sex appeal whilst still finding the balance of elegance and class – the perfect combination! The attention to detail Enzoani provides is next to none and is 100% worth trying, you will not be disappointed! Enzoani have 4 different collections within the brand: Enzoani, Blue by Enzoani,Etoile and Élysée. All the individual collections put their own stamp on the dresses, from boho chic to sleek & sultry – the list is endless, and you will be sure to find a dress perfect for you!
8. First Dance
The First Dance. Nerve-racking for some, and a chance to show off their dance skills for others, but all in all a beautiful, personal moment between you and your new hubby or wife! The chance to showcase your love to a song that has strong meaning to the both of you and which will forever remind you of this special moment! Some couples choose to go for the more romantic, slow dance, arm in arm with their loved one, swaying along to the music and taking all of the love in. On the other hand, there are couples who may opt for a more upbeat track with a thought-out routine, to really get the party started (which often goes horribly wrong, but that’s part of the fun hey!). The first dance is a moment that you will cherish forever, so make sure to do it as elaborate or laid back as you want to, and most importantly, have FUN!
9. Guest List
The Guest List. Start by writing a list of everybody you had once thought you should invite, because this can be the one topic that causes a little bit of a difference in opinion when wedding planning. Understandably, you want to keep the price to a minimum, whilst not offending people you may have to give the chop! It can be tricky, because it is guaranteed that combined you and your partner know far more people than you had once anticipated, but, our biggest advice here is to ask yourselves ‘who could we not celebrate our big day without?’ and then slowly but surely, go through the list and ask yourself why they should be there.
If you met them in the pub 3 years ago and haven’t seen them since, that’s probably a good enough reason to save yourself a little bit of money and space! Don’t let making your guest list put a dampener on the experience, because at the end of the day, it is your celebration and therefore, entirely your decision (plus, you could always just invite them to the evening do!).
10. Hair Trial / Hair Accessories
Of course, one thing every bride wants on their big day, is to feel and look the best versions of themselves! This means that trialling out exactly how you want your hair and makeup to look on the day is a must! Whether that be doing it by yourself or leaving it to the professionals. A hair trial is your opportunity to work with someone who knows exactly what they are doing, to perfect the look you’re after. If you are between minds on hairstyles, this is no problem, trying multiple out helps you to narrow down the perfect look for you and means you can feel at ease and put your trust into the hair stylist as now they know exactly what you want – and they will deliver! A little advice before going for your hair trial – firstly, be completely transparent and honest, if you do not like the way something turns out, tell them! I can assure you, your hair stylist wants to make you feel amazing as much as you want to feel amazing, so making sure to tell them where you want changes is vital! Also, if you are planning on wearing hair accessories on your big day, for example, a tiara or veil, it is a good idea to take sample pieces for your stylist to try out with your desired look! Being able to practice different layouts of your accessories will 100% help to top off any look, then come the big day, you will feel on top of the world!
11. Invitations
The style of your wedding invitations is one of your first opportunities to really set the tone for your big day! If you are planning to stick to a colour theme, incorporating these colours into invitations / save the dates is a lovely, subtle way to give your guests a sneak peek into the beauty of what is to come! Adding floral details which match your bouquet would also be a lovely touch! There are so many ways in which you can make your wedding invitations unique to you, from handwritten invitations to add your own personal flare to even electronic invitations (because you can do anything online these days!).
12. Justin Alexander
Justin Alexander. ‘Classic, Refined and Timeless!’. Justin Alexander’s label first started all the way back in 1946 in New York City and has since expanded to over 1500 retailers across the world! Justin Alexander gowns embody luxury at its finest, with 4 different collections within the brand, all of which display the true array of the designer’s talents! Justin Alexander gowns ooze pure elegance and class whilst incorporating hints of Hollywood glamour, every single dress is a hit and if you hadn’t considered their gowns before, we strongly recommend you do. Pure bliss!
13. (Sealed with A) Kiss
The kiss! Your first kiss as newlyweds, and the most perfect way to put an end to a beautiful ceremony! The moment you have waited for for so long, to finally get to kiss your new husband/wife! The term sealed with a kiss actually originated in the war time, where servicemen would write the phrase on the back of envelopes that they would be sending home to their partners, to indicate that they kissed it as an act of sending their love back home. Romantic then and romantic now, an all-round beautiful moment, sure to stick with you forever – so make it last!!
14. Low Back
Low Backs? yes, yes YES! This gorgeous dress feature is delicate, elegant and sexy all in one! Whether it be a cut-out back, a completely bare low back or even low cut lined with stunning illusion lace detail, it is a yes from us! Low Backs can be a feature on absolutely any style of dress, fit and flare, princess, a line – you name it! So if you are a bride who has always dreamed of wearing a princess dress whilst finding yourself attracted to the beauty of a low back, you won’t have to make any compromise because that dress is out there for you! Low backs can also work with absolutely any neckline, from a structured sweetheart neckline to a fully embellished sleeved gown, the options are endless! Finding a boutique that offers (what appears to be) an endless array of styles for you to try is key when searching for THE ONE.
15. Moodboard
When starting to plan your wedding, you may be faced with a little moment of panic in thinking ‘where do I even start?!’, and you will find there is a lot you need to think about, but starting with creating your own pinterest/handmade moodboards can be a perfect way to begin putting the foundation of your big day together, to make the whole journey feel that slightest bit easier! You could make as many as you feel will help the process! Things to include could be different colour schemes, table decorations, bridal gowns – the list goes on! Moodboards on one hand, can be greatly beneficial on the organisation front, as it can help you to work your way through the jobs that you know need to be done. On the other hand, if you are finding yourself to be quite indecisive, having different options and comparing them side by side can be a good way to help you narrow down to your favourites! So, if you haven’t thought about starting your own yet, it is definitely worth giving it a go!
16. Mori Lee
Mori Lee. This stunning brand was founded in 1953 as a family business. Each Mori Lee gown starts as a hand-drawn sketch in NYC and is developed from that moment on, and it has been this way for generations! Mori Lee is a brand who specialise in both unbelievable bridal gowns as well as a stunning array of bridesmaid dresses! The versatility within Mori Lee’s collections is out of this world, designing dresses of all styles, materials, colours and prices! No matter what style of dress you are looking for, Mori Lee will be sure to have something to offer you! At ‘The Dressing Rooms’ in Birmingham, we are a premier stockist of Mori Lee bridal gowns, meaning we hold the best price point in the UK, as well as having the ability to get any dress from the collection into store. So, if you are finding yourself drawn to Mori Lee, we are definitely the boutique to visit!
17. Nerves
It’s the morning of the first day of the rest of your life. You’ve just woken up, your bridesmaids are singing with joy and preparing to get you ready for your big day, but you can’t shake that crazy feeling in your tummy, so take a deep breath, have a celebratory glass of champers and enjoy the ride, because one day you will look back on this feeling with so much love and so many beautiful memories of the day that followed. Pre wedding jitters, every bride gets them, as does every groom, so if you’re ever feeling like a bit of a lemon with those constant butterflies fluttering around, the one thing to remember is you are not alone! Throughout the day, those nervous butterflies will change into feelings of unbelievable love and happiness as everything you have planned for the big day has worked out exactly as you had hoped, if not even better. You will eventually realise that what you thought were flutters of nerves, were not about the day running smoothly or whether the food will be as good as you remembered, but were more so feelings of delight and overwhelming excitement to finally be marrying the love of your life, so cherish them!
18. Officiant
A Wedding Officiant is any person who performs the role of officiating a legal marriage ceremony. This can include all types of people, from friends or family members who have never performed a wedding ceremony before and will likely never perform one again, to professional wedding officiants who perform hundreds of ceremonies a year. If you are planning to get married in a church, it is likely your wedding officiant will be a priest, however if you are planning a more intimate service, and want to add your own personal flair, having a loved one officiate your big day could be such a wonderful memory to share and reminisce on for the rest of your lives. Either way, the officiant of your wedding is the person who makes your marriage to the love of your life final, so whether they are a loved one or not, you will forever be grateful for the part they played in your special day!
19. Photographer
The photographer. The person who captures all of the raw, beautiful moments that your wedding day holds, from photographs of the dream dress, the first kiss as newlyweds, to the cutting of the cake. The person you can rely on to display all of the memories of your big day to you in picture form, that you will look back on and cherish for the rest of your life! Finding a photographer you can trust is so important, as well as finding one who works in a style that will compliment the finest details of your day perfectly! Every bride says that their wedding day flies by in what feels like the blink of an eye. You are so distracted by the endless hugs, kisses and glasses of champagne the day has to offer that you wish you could do it over and over again, just to be able to witness all of the moments that you may have missed! That is exactly what the photographer is there to do, they capture all of the memories! Of course, you will have the planned photographs of you and your new husband/wife, which we all LOVE, but what often goes unnoticed is the candid moments they can capture too, the moments of pure joy, laughter and fun, and being able to look back on the wonderful memories of your loved ones celebrating your love story, is something you will be forever thankful for!
20. Place Setting
Place Settings. You walk into the reception following the most beautiful ceremony you could ever have hoped for, to the room decked out with the finest table decorations and place settings for your guests. This is another aspect of your wedding that you can make completely unique to you and your big day. Even down to the most subtle details, such as the font used, the colours and even the party favours! When it comes to place settings, the options really are endless, from beautifully handwritten name cards and menus, to personalised napkins or crockery, nothing is too big or too small and your guests will love it regardless because they love you – so make it your own!
21. Questions
Throughout your wedding planning journey, you will likely find that you have hundreds of questions running through your mind every day, and we cannot stress enough how important it is, whether you think it may sound small or silly, that you ask them all. The main reason for this is that, your wedding journey should be an exciting and joyful experience from start to finish, and you don’t want this to be tarnished with worry, or the feeling of being in the dark regarding any detail of your big day! The suppliers you use will want to be there for you every step of the way and are the people with all of the answers to anything playing on your mind, whether it be the dress, the cake, the venue – anything! So, to keep your mind at peace, get them off your chest. We promise it will help!
22. Reception
Your wedding reception! Now ladies, if you have always loved the idea of planning how your reception will look/feel, this really is your time to shine and to go to town on the planning front! The attention that you pay to all of the subtle details and features within your wedding reception really can take your big day from a 10/10 to an 11! This doesn’t have to refer to just the aesthetics of course, but also to features such as having a DJ/band, a dancefloor with a playlist so good you never want it to end, maybe even including a photobooth / polaroid camera book where guests can leave messages!
The list of possibilities to really make your big celebration unique to you, is endless and it is always so exciting to see how couples add their own flair to their day! It is the time where your loved ones can truly rejoice in your love, with dancing, singing, laughing, drinking (sometimes a little too much!) and overall showing overwhelming feelings of happiness. Memories to last a lifetime!
23. Seamstress
Seamstresses. When we say that these people are miracle workers, we truly mean it! The seamstress you choose is the person who will take your dream dress, which of course we are already madly in love with, and make it yours. When you first find the one, your stylist can manipulate the dress to show you how it will eventually look but you still have the most exciting day to come! The day that you get to see the most stunning gown, tailored to fit you like a glove, hugging every curve and enhancing your gorgeous shape! Brides often worry that when it comes to alterations, it’ll mean that they have to compromise parts of the dress, such as the shape, or pattern of applique but we strongly advise you put all of your trust into your seamstress! They are trained in this field and will not finish a job until they know that it is perfect and until they know that you are over the moon with it! Being completely honest with your seamstress is so important, this is your dress and therefore you want it to be everything you have always dreamed, and your seamstress can make those dreams come true!
24. TDR Bridal
Accept nothing less than perfection! We have mentioned previously, how important it is to find a bridal boutique that you can wholeheartedly trust when on the journey to finding THE dress and The Dressing Rooms in Birmingham is 100% that place! At TDR we pride ourselves on the experience our brides receive. To us, it is not just about the dress (although obviously that is extremely exciting), it is also about the service that we can provide, from start to finish. We are there for every single bride, every step of the way! We have a group of wonderful stylists that we can assure you, you can put all of your trust in! We aim to make the experience as blissful as possible for every bride, from a glass of fizz on arrival, to cheering in celebration when you find the one (we would be lying if we said we don’t shed a tear every now and then as well!). With over 400 gowns in store, you have the opportunity to try on as many styles as you need, to put your mind at ease that the dress you have chosen truly is the best of the best and is perfect for you! After 13 years of business, we grow stronger and stronger every day, as a team and as the TDR family. We love each and every one of our brides and are so lucky to play a part in so many incredible women’s journey to becoming a bride!
25. Underwear
‘What underwear should I wear for my big day?’ – a question we are repeatedly asked, and we completely understand why! Firstly, when dress shopping, if you feel you could easily visualise what a gown would look like without a VPL, it isn’t that important what underwear you decide to wear. However, if you want to see how the dress will look in its truest form, we would advise wearing seamless, skin toned underwear, because we appreciate it can be difficult to imagine yourself wearing a dress down the aisle when you are distracted by a bright pink pair of pants! In terms of wearing a bra on your wedding day, you won’t need one! Seamstresses tailor the dress to fit you so perfectly that you will be 100% secure in your gown! We like to say you could do a cartwheel and nothing will move (but maybe don’t try that one!). Despite all of this, it is all personal preference and the most important piece of advice we can give is that comfort is key! Ladies, wear whatever makes you feel the most comfortable and what makes you feel amazing! There is no right or wrong, as long as you are happy in your decision, that’s the most important!
26. Veil
The Veil. Wearing a veil, although very traditional, may not be for everyone! For others, it can be the finishing touch to top off your look! Veils come in all styles and designs, similar to dresses. If you are set on the idea of a veil but aren’t sure of the style you’d like, it is definitely worth trying a load of different styles out whilst wearing your dream dress, to see which one makes you feel the most amazing overall! Veils come in several different lengths, from shoulder length to cathedral, and even longer than that! You can also get veils in either a single tier or 2 tiers, depending on the desired look you are after! Veils can often be completely plain, so if you want all of the attention to be on the dress, plain veils are definitely an option to consider! On the other hand you can also get veils with a satin edge, a lace trim or even beaded all over, so if you have a little bit of glitz throughout your gown and want the veil to match, there will definitely be one out there for you! At ‘The Dressing Rooms’, we have over 30 different styles of veil to try on, so it is 100% the place to visit!
27. Wedding Planner
Some brides may love the idea of planning their big day themselves and have looked forward the opportunity for years! Whilst others may prefer to hire a wedding planner! There are several benefits to hiring a wedding planner. First and foremost, they’re experts! This is the career they work in day in, day out, so when it comes to planning a wedding, you can rest assured they know exactly what needs to be done! On top of this, they will have all of the best resources and connections to really bring your vision to life, the right planner will turn your dream wedding from a fantasy to a reality, so it is important to find somebody you trust! On the first initial meeting with a planner, it is important to make sure that the two of you are on the same page and share the same vision. Whether you’re envisioning an elaborate church ceremony or a rustic barn celebration, the right planner will have access to all of the best venues and suppliers to make it perfect for you! So, if you feel that planning a wedding yourself could become too overwhelming, hiring a planner could definitely be an option to consider!
28. Your Special Day
Something many brides tend to focus on when planning a wedding, is making it perfect for all of their loved ones, as of course, you want it to be a celebration that everybody looks back on with the fondest of memories. But ladies, you must remember that this celebration is all about you and your Mr/Mrs! Make sure to take a step back every once in a while, even if it is for just 5 minutes of the day, and really relish in the moments with your new husband/wife! This is your special day and as much as we all want to please other people, the most important people to please are yourselves! You will adore your wedding day regardless but allowing yourself to take in every beautiful moment you can, will make your big day all the more special! Trust us!
29. Zander
Dare to be different with Zander. Oh WOW Zander! Now, we know this isn’t necessarily ‘wedding terminology’ but, I am sure you can all appreciate that this beauty deserves her own moment in the limelight! Zander is one of many incredible gowns, created by the wonderful minds of designers, Sottero & Midgley! In 3 different colours, black, ivory and champagne, this beauty of a gown could be fitting for absolutely any bride! With an unbelievable illusion lace bodice, fully embellished sleeves and a plunge neckline and back, this gown embodies elegance at its finest and will hug you perfectly in all the right places! Not to mention the full skirt, a mix of heavy lace applique, with a stunning, delicate under layer of traditional Chantilly lace. There is no better word for it, but outstanding! The attention to detail in this gown, is heavenly. There is not one part of this dress that won’t blow your mind. If you are a princess bride, you do not want to miss out on Zander! A DREAM!
30. Zip, Button or Corset? – Fastenings
The fastening on your dream dress is most likely something you haven’t thought too in depth about, as understandably we are more focused on the overall look and the way the dress makes us feel! However, the fastening of your gown is another design feature which can add such subtle beauty and can really finish off the look! Often, with zip backs, brides feel that the dress speaks for itself already, and doesn’t need any extras. For example, if there is already an abundance of beautiful detail, you may not want to add buttons or have a corset back put in as you don’t want anything to detract from the beauty the dress already holds! Button fastenings, they can add so much elegance to a gown, and are a fantastic addition if you want to achieve a delicate, romantic look! From satin covered, to glitzy jewelled buttons, they can really enhance the back of a gown – any style, size or combination! Corset backs, not only do they look stunning and ever so classy, but the true bonus is the structure they can provide! They really allow for flexibility and if you are looking to be cinched in at the waist, with a tight-fitting bodice, then a corset back would be a great option for you! Of course, no fastening is more beautiful than the next, they simply have different benefits and uses, so whichever you go for is 100% going to make for a beautiful feature on your PERFECT dress!
We hope you are all ok and have had a happy, but mostly importantly healthy Christmas break.
Well… where to start?! For us, we are beginning 2021 by looking forward and positively hoping, praying and projecting a successful year all round.
We truly have some very very exciting things planned for 2021 that we are NOT letting COVID interrupt!
We are counting down the days until we are back open, doing what we love most… finding our brides the perfect wedding dress.
But for now, it’s time to put all our 2021 plans to action, so here’s what we have planned for you this year…
Trunk Shows
EVERY month we have organised a 2021 Trunk Shows for EVERY designer. (except January)! Including Mori Lee, Enzoani, Elysee, Badgley Mischka, Ronald Joyce, Sottero and Midgley, Justin Alexander, Lillian West and more!!! This means you could be one of THE FIRST Brides in the UK to try on the BRAND NEW 2021 gowns! We will be offering exclusive discounts at each of our trunk shows, so if you’re looking to bag a bargain, ladies, these shows are for you!
FISRT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – Mori Lee 2021 Trunk Show: 6th-7th February 2021
The Mori Lee wedding dresses collection has been at the forefront of the bridal fashion scene for more than 17 years, with the head designer Madeline Gardener sharing over 25 years of bridal fashion knowledge.
Mori Lee has a dress to suit every bride encapsulating their soft romantic flair which is at the heart of every design. Madeline Gardener is known for her obsession with the perfect fit taking pride in the concept that how a dress makes a woman feel is as important as how it makes her look.
TDR Bridal Birmingham are Premier Bridal Stockists of this amazingly affordable label and we have literally 100’s of styles in store. All our Mori Lee wedding dresses are on our website with prices because we believe honesty and transparency is just what you brides deserve. Mori Lee dresses are classy and elegant. Traditional styles and fashion forward influences are combined by using on trend colour pallets, fabrics, and embellishments. This seasons collection has chic and modern silhouettes accented by delicate laces and soft tulle nets to flatter and complement each brides style. A collection of wedding gowns made for the true romantic, Mori Lee’s intricately crafted dresses combine embellishment and lace like no other, including modest styles for those with a simpler taste with stunning crepes and satins.
At TDR Bridal, we can confidently say that Mori Lee gowns are a brides favourite when looking to feel more body confident, feminine and modern whilst keeping an eye on tradition. From Fishtail to Ballgown, all Mori Lee wedding dresses at TDR Bridal Birmingham are designed to complement every brides body shape.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your Mori Lee Appointment booked for 6tth or 7th February to find your perfect dress and grab an absolute steal of a deal!
In other news…
We have Brand New Designer!!
TDR Bridal have a brand-new Designer joining their collection… Badgley Mischka!! We are SO excited to have these gorgeous gowns in our store. Truly forward-thinking fashion designs for any modern bride wanting to stand out. Far from ordinary… truly extra-ordinary!
Badgley Mischka Coming Soon
Plus…we have just had THE MOST EXCITING NEWS! About THE MOST INCREDIBLE DESIGNER wanting to join the TDR Family! We cannot say JUST YET! But WATCH THIS SPACE!!!
Competitions
We will have a variety of competitions running all year long, across our social media and through everyone we (hopefully!) get the chance to meet this year, whether that be at wedding fairs or the national wedding show etc.
Giving Back to Our Planet
We are working hard this year to give back to our planet as much as possible! We will be promoting our Purple Tuesday campaign that we support wholeheartedly and our National Forest Trust promise, to plant a tree for every TDR Bride. Giving back is extremely important to us, to become as sustainable as possible and look after our planet. We are working hard to find every opportunity possible for us to support this, so 2021 is again dedicated to giving back as much as truly possible!
NHS Front Line Exclusive Discounts
Look after our NHS! We know 2020 was an extremely tough year for everyone, but we know that our NHS staff have worked harder than ever before, and we want to say THANK YOU! In 2021 we are giving back to our NHS key workers, offering exclusive discounts to them!
Social Media
We are working hard to create social media platforms for our brides to LOVE! Full of positivity, inspiration and fun fun fun!!! In 2021
“Let go of what’s gone. Be grateful for what remains. Look forward to what is coming”
We are looking forward to a happy, healthy, positive 2021! To all our past, present and future TDR Brides… let’s do this!
See you very soon for a socially distanced hug and a cuppa!
Lots of love
TDR Bridal xxxxx
Whimsical Winter Wonderland, oh how wonderful it is to finally be sharing our recent Christmas Weddings Styled Shoot at Davenport House, with a team of incredible suppliers. We are completely and utterly in love with this style, it has made us fall completely in love with all things Christmas Weddings!!!
Winter is becoming a popular time for couples to Say Yes and why ever not?! From fur shawls, to mulled wine shots it creates the most luxurious feel for any wedding day.
What a day we had creating these gorgeous images. Winter and Christmas Weddings are perfect for capturing dark, moody images with rich colour palettes, getting cosy by the fireside, how perfect!
The first gown pictured is one of our favourite sparkle ball gowns, Allen! Isn’t she GORGEOUS! With a wonderful voluminous tulle skirt, a heavy beaded bodice with embellished sleeves and a low back, this ball gown sure does create the most glamorous, sophisticated feel for any bride to be!
“She who leaves a trail of glitter is never forgotten…”
The second gown pictured is one of our newest, full beaded, art deco style wedding dress with accented beaded fringe sleeves. We are OBSESSED with everything to do with this gorgeous sheath gown!!! The colour… LOVE!! Isn’t Rose Gold just THE perfect colour for any winter bridal gown?! And when paired with this much beading… it’s simply described as bridal heaven!
The final dress pictured is another one of our favourites (yes, I know…we’re a little biased!) but we love this gown for it’s pure simplicity and clean line structure, it is set to flatter any brides curves and for this… TDR LOVES! How perfect does it look paired with our dramatic, horse haired edge veil, which gives this gown even more structure.
If you have decided to opt for a winter or Christmas wedding, embrace is wholeheartedly! Embrace and adapt your theme, go scenic and keep a strong winter wedding theme. Look for deeper colours, similar to our recent wedding shoot, choose shades such as rose golds, deep red lipstick, burgundy bridesmaids and sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!
A huge thank you to the wonderful suppliers involved in this shoot
Davenport House
Still Moving Media
TDR Bridal
Make up by Ruth
LilyFee Floral Designs
Lucy Choi
Honor Gold
Anja Potze fie Jewllery LTD
George Cleverley
Anderson & sheppard Bespoke
Oh how we have LOVED our recent Christmas Wedding styled shoots with a team of absolutely amazing team of individuals!!
Just wait until you see what we have created…
We are incredibly proud of the look ‘the dream team’ created! It was a nippy one, but so worth it…my gosh! Aren’t there pictures gorgeous!!!
We had the most amazing time at the venue, Hogarths Stone Manor in Kidderminster, what a beautiful venue and what amazing hospitality!
Molly is pictured in one of our brand new 2021 gowns, the most amazing 1920’s style fitted, sleeved gown. This gown has a real art deco feel, with beaded fringe detailing on the sleeves, the open back detail gives this gown a modern feel, styled with a fur shawl to achieve the perfect winter bride look!
We also styled Molly in one of our new 2021 Enzoani gowns, with a classic, simple, elegant mermaid gown, perfect for extenuating any brides curves!
The gowns we chose for this shoot, are not your typical ‘winter’ style gowns, but when styled correctly, for example, with a fur shawl, the right colour flowers, shade of lipstick and hairstyle, you can achieve the perfect look.
Thank you to the amazing Dream Team!
Dresses: TDR Bridal
Suits: TDR Menswear
Photographer: Bohemian Rose Photography
Venue Decor and Flowers: The Wedding House Droitwich
Makeup & Hair: CG Hair and Makeup
Videographer: Through The Lens with Marvin Marius
Male Model: Adam Martin
Female Model: Molly Brown
Wedding dress shopping is like nothing you’ll have ever done before. It’s exciting – it’s totally unique and special to every single bride. It can be a rollercoaster, a liberating and an emotional experience. And when you find your dress you WILL know. Just please, lovelies – look in the right place. A good wedding dress shop is worth its weight in gold for the support you get along the way and for the amazing experience you’ll have finding your wedding dress. The lovely girls from TDR Bridal Boutique Halesowen have shared their advice with us today, to help YOU choose your perfect wedding dress shop, wherever you are in the country!
1 Do your homework
It’s always worth being prepared – and hey, from the very beginning looking for wedding dress inspiration is an AMAZING experience! So dive in. Do your research online, with wedding blogs and in magazines. See what’s around, think about how far you’re willing to travel (or do you want to support a local boutique?). Here’s a few things to consider when choosing the right wedding dress shop for you.
2 Look at bridal boutiques’ websites
A good bridal boutique will have a lovely website. It will be professional, up to date and supported by busy Facebook and Instagram feeds. Photographs on there will be inspiring and fresh, and the words they use will balance a friendly tone with professionalism, inspiration and advice.
3 Look at styles of wedding dresses
So many brides on the blog say they had one idea in mind for their wedding dress and ended up falling in love with a completely different style! Have an open mind, but look at what’s out there. If floaty boho, whimsical or classic and minimal is your thing, find a dress shop which stocks a good selection for you to try. It helps to have an idea in mind of what you like… but don’t worry if you’re undecided: a good bridal boutique will help you choose!
4 Look at prices
Wedding dress shops always have a good price range for you to choose from, but you’ll find some are very high end and expensive, others are more affordable luxury and some are on the cheaper end of the scale. Look for the best you can reasonably afford – our article about what’s underneath your wedding dress is an eye-opener and helps explain why!
5 Ask your friends for bridal shop recommendations
… and ask for more than just ‘where did you get your wedding dress from?’ Ask what the salespeople were like. Ask how the first appointment felt. Ask if everything happened on time, and if they communicated well throughout the whole dress shopping experience.
6 Look for online reviews
Google and Facebook reviews are brilliant for wedding dress shopping. This is an emotional journey – and when women have found that amazing support, they WILL write a review of the bridal boutique online. You can tell the genuine ones – and if you find yourself scrolling through reams of happy, grateful reviews on a bridal shop’s facebook page, you’ll know you’re onto something special.
7 Check out the shop
Bridal boutiques can be anywhere: on a busy high street, in the middle of the countryside or a couple of towns away from where you live. Go for a sneaky peek at the outside – a casual fly-by with your mum or besties – to see if you like the look of the place. If the paint’s peeling off the windows, or if it’s in a dodgy area, avoid!
Once inside your wedding dress shop (on your first appointment) you can really get a feel for the place. You should be welcomed straight away with a smile. You should expect a clean, fresh smelling, fun environment with happy, helpful staff. Ideally there’ll be onsite parking, because at some point you’ll be picking up a wedding dress and you don’t want to be trudging through town with it to your car!
8 You’ll know when you’ve chosen the right bridal shop
Once inside the wedding dress shop on your first appointment, you should expect a great selection of wedding dresses, you should expect refreshments, and you should expect professionalism.
You should expect your guests to be welcome, you should expect your children to be welcome, you should expect honesty and transparency, you should expect to feel comfortable and at ease, you should expect support and most of all you should expect kindness and a feeling that you are in safe hands.
You should feel you’re in a safe environment to speak and to share any concerns you have. Bridal shop staff aren’t meant to be salespeople – they’re going to be a part of the most amazing day of your life. So you should feel comfortable and cared for. I’ll never forget the first chat I had with Rebecca from TDR Bridal, when she told me she didn’t recruit “her girls” for their selling skills, but for their compassion and supportiveness for other women.
I hope this blog post has been a real help for you. Do pass it on to any friends who are about to start looking for their wedding dress. The experience of buying THE dress should be truly special – and I’ve heard too many stories of massive wedding dress chain stores feeling impersonal, rushed and “like a cattle market”… so find somewhere special to buy your wedding dress, and fall in love with the experience.
There’s nothing like that feeling, on your wedding day, of wearing your once-in-a-lifetime dress and saying ‘I do’ before all of your family and friends. It’s the most incredible, dream come true kind of sensation – absolute bliss and joy and love. That’s why your wedding dress won’t be “just a dress”. It’ll be so very much more. And you just can’t buy something this precious from any old dress shop – you have to find somewhere where they know it’s a million times more than just a dress!
At TDR Bridal, you will be welcomed and looked after. You’ll be treated kindly and with genuine care. Buying a wedding dress can be daunting: it’s a huge purchase, a new experience and for those of us with insecurities about our body shape, it can even be a little scary. TDR understand all of that – it’s why brides will travel for miles to come and see them, and its why they’ve won multiple awards over recent years.
Finding your Wedding Dress should be one of the most enjoyable, happy, and memorable shopping trips you will ever experience. For some though, it can become quite stressful and not enjoyable at all. So, with that in mind we have written you a few of our top tips to help avoid stress and ensure that you not only find your dream dress but have an amazing experience too.
Decide right at the very beginning who you want to take with you.
This is so important, ask yourself, do you trust them to be honest with you but kind and sensitive too, towards your feelings? It’s lovely to have advice from family or friends but if you have the slightest doubt that the people you choose to share this occasion with, will not listen to YOU and what YOU want or won’t take your feelings into consideration when being brutally honest (in their opinion) then they are not the people you should choose to share your buying experience with. It is hard to please everybody because we all have different ideas and personal choices and buying a wedding dress is a totally unique experience because of the emotion attached to it.
Choose the shops to visit carefully, in a planned and constructive way.
Ok so here’s the thing… every bridal shop has a radius of exclusivity on each dress label they carry. Depending on the Label, it can be as little as a five-mile radius up to a 25-mile range on more exclusive brands. So, based on that, it is much better to choose to visit shops within a five-mile radius of each other. That way, you get to see lots of different designers, labels and brands & styles.
Check out each bridal shop’s reviews.
Reviews are absolutely necessary for the bridal industry, and EVERY shop you visit MUST have reviews somewhere on the internet. If you have planned to visit a bridal shop that has no reviews anywhere on the web, then you MUST ask yourself why? Do not be fooled by glossy websites and lots of google listings if there are no genuine reviews online to back that up. Honesty and transparency are absolutely imperative when it comes to your wedding dress.
Are the bridal shops you are choosing in any association or affiliation?
There is only one association in the bridal industry which is worth its salt, and that is the Retail Bridalwear Association or RBA. This is the only association that inspects its member’s stores & accounts, has a strict code of conduct, checks out the shop’s suppliers and credit status, plus has the added bonus of the Brides Protection Scheme. It’s the same as buying your honeymoon from an ATOL or ABTA registered travel agent. Don’t get hoodwinked by other “Associations” such as the BBRA, this is absolutely NOT the same.
Visit no more than three bridal shops.
An excellent bridal shop should have at least 150 different styles in store (we have around 300), so if you visit three good shops, then you have had access to at least 450 and potentially 1000 different styles. Be careful, you don’t want to become “dressed out” or “desensitised” by visiting too many shops and becoming utterly confused and probably a bit deflated.
Check the location of your shops and their opening hours.
Will the locations work for you later on, once you have ordered your dress? Is it easily accessible for fittings? Is there a car park? What days are they open, do they offer a late-night appointment? You need to know all this information BEFORE you go into a bridal shop. If the location and opening hours are not going to work for you, then there is no point visiting. Find shops which are convenient for you and your lifestyle.
Don’t be frightened to make your decision.
Most brides instinctively know when they have found “the one”, pretty much the same as the man! You just know it’s right. However, if you are indecisive and worried about committing to buying, you really shouldn’t be. Statistics show that only over 70% of all brides find their dress in the first bridal shop they visit. We have so many brides who LOVE LOVE LOVE the dress, then say, oh but I can’t buy just-in-case I see something else. The fact is you will always see something else, of course, you will, but there has to come to a point where you say “you know what, I’m sticking with this one” just like the man, there are millions out there, and you could just keep on looking… forever!
Know your finances.
If you are going dress shopping, be prepared to buy. Don’t treat wedding dress shopping as just a happy day out because that mindset will not help you to find “the one” you will only become confused, disheartened and ultimately stressed. So many brides are amazed when they see their dress at the first shop they visit, but why? For instance, if you are going to Jimmy Choo London to buy a pair of shoes, why would you be surprised to find them at Jimmy Choo? Have a clear understanding of your budget and discuss this if you need to with each shop before you book to visit them.
After Service.
Again, this is about doing your homework on each shop you plan to visit. Do they offer free storage? Do they have an “in-house” alteration service? Will they steam, prep and pack your dress for you? Do they offer a delivery service? These are all essential things you need to know.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Above all remember this is a once in a lifetime experience which should be the most enjoyable, happy experience you could ever imagine, with a good splash of luxury and top-quality service thrown in for good measure. Enjoy and cherish every second.
What’s underneath your dress to make you look amazing?
What’s more important to you right now: the outside of your wedding dress, or the inside?
Whether you’re a perfectly proportioned beauty or a curvy girl like me, your wedding dress has a very important job to do – it has to make you look your best all through your wedding day. Maybe that’s showing off all your best bits, perhaps it’s hiding some little insecurities. And yes, fabric and embellishments and finish and straps and sparkly bits are what we fall in love with when it comes to wedding dresses. But there’s more. And it’s what’s inside a dress that will make you feel amazing on your wedding day.
I had the loveliest chat with Rebecca from TDR Bridal the other day, and learned about a million things about what’s inside a wedding dress, from boning to seams and how it all works to hold your dress in place and to make you feel incredible every second of your wedding day. Grab a cuppa – I want to share Rebecca’s passion and knowledge about wedding dress structure with you, and we’ll be here a few minutes!
What’s inside your wedding dress?
Rebecca explained how much expertise and experience goes into crafting a wedding dress. You’d only really see this if you turned your dress inside out twice: because it’s the other side of the lining of the dress where the magic happens. The thought and expertise is all there: all the clever craftsmanship you’d never have known about.
A wedding dress can be beautiful on the outside, but to be worn it has to do its job – it has to be more than a beautiful dress on a hanger, it has to be perfect for you as the beautiful bride wearing it. This is why a designer dress is worth every single penny you pay – and Rebecca told me Morilee wedding dresses excel when it comes to structure and beauty.
A designer wedding dress will basically have boning to hold the dress in place and prevent any bunching up of fabric or sagging. It’s the way the boning is constructed which makes all the difference: what it’s made of (usually plastic, but it has to have the perfect balance of strength and flexibility), where it’s placed and of course whether it’s comfortable for you!
This is why the seams and linings are so important too. A designer has to use the right linings and fabrics to keep the boning in place. Imagine a strapless dress with no boning in the bodice. It might be comfy, but will give no support: the dress will flop. A well constructed and well fitted strapless wedding dress won’t.
Imagine wearing an everyday summer dress: you put it on over your favourite bra and pants, it looks pretty and off you go. Through the day you’ll sit and stand, and the dress will bunch up a bit as you sit; over lunch it will crease and after a few hours it will flop.
An ordinary, unstructured dress will look entirely different as your posture changes: hunch your shoulders a little and the front will ruche up, and as the dress gets warm while you’re wearing it the fabric will stretch and sag around your boobs and bum.
On an ordinary summer’s day that’s fine – it’s comfortable! But when it’s your wedding day, you’ll want your dress to look as stunning for your golden hour portraits and the first dance as it did when you had those first photos taken with your bridesmaids in the morning. This is why the structure of a wedding dress is so important: it takes care of all of this for you!
What does the structure of a wedding dress do, to make you shine inside?
I feel as though I’m writing a technical blog post about wedding dresses – but that’s absolutely not what buying your dress should be about. All of the boning and structure is for one thing: to make you feel incredible in your dress.
Rebecca told me it’s a wonderful thing to watch brides coming into the boutique and finding their dress. She said brides often have a subconscious image of themselves in a wedding dress which they’re not aware of. And the moment they try a certain dress, something falls into place, takes them by surprise – it’s almost a revelation.
Plenty of brides often aren’t expecting to find ‘the one’ when they’re dress shopping. If this is you, you’re not alone, I promise. Maybe you’ve had a bad experience in another boutique, or you’ve tried on loads of dresses and you’re feeling a little disheartened. But Rebecca told me at TDR Bridal she’s seen countless brides try a dress, fall in love with it and just know. And it’s wonderful to watch – all of the staff feel the same (and if you cry happy tears, you might just set them off too!)
Finding the perfect wedding dress for you is about more than just the dress. It’s like your marriage – it’s more than just a piece of paper, right? It’s a representation of you and the person you’re marrying, of your lifelong promise to each other. And just as you wouldn’t compromise in your choice of partner, don’t ever feel you should compromise in your choice of wedding dress. It’s an emotional purchase – and the experience of buying a wedding dress should be as amazing as the dress itself.
On your day, when you’re wearing your dress you’re going to feel on top of the world from morning until night. Nothing will dull the way you glow with love and happiness as you say your ‘I dos’, as you hug your guests, as you take to the dance floor and shine. And your perfectly structured wedding dress will shine with you; fitting your figure, moving as you move and staying beautiful all day long.
Why alterations are essential
There’s a little more to buying your perfect wedding dress than simply trying one on, ordering it in your size and slipping into it on your wedding day. Alterations are an essential part of buying a wedding dress. Please – don’t skip this part, and remember to budget for it too.
We’re all different shapes and sizes: being a size 14 doesn’t mean you’re identical to all the other 14s out there. I’ve seen many a dress which is too loose or tight on the bust – and plenty more which are perfectly fitted and look beautiful.
At TDR there are three highly skilled, specialist seamstresses with years on experience in wedding dress alterations. They can add or remove material, sleeves, straps, insert lace up backs, add extra detail, you name it, they can do it! Most importantly, they’ll ensure your dress fits perfectly – and their understanding of that inside inside out structure of your wedding dress is key to their skill. Altering a wedding dress is highly skilled and specialist work – it’s not like hemming! Alterations have to allow for the boning and everything around it; and once complete, the inner lining has to be altered neatly from inside so it’s perfectly smooth, with no lumps or bumps and looks pristine.
Alterations start from £200 or so, and should be a part of your wedding dress budget from day one. TDR Bridal stocks Morilee dresses starting from £750, and they’re a leader in fit and construction – and with specialist skilled seamstresses in house, they are well worth the investment.
A word of warning: high street dresses aren’t the same
More and more of us are buying wedding dresses from massive high street chains now – and we’d like to add a little word of warning to those of you who are considering this. Often these dresses are beautiful on the outside, but have little or no internal structure. Buying off the peg means your dress could potentially have been tried on by hundreds of brides before you – and with each try it becomes a little more stretched and distorted. Major high street chains will ship dresses from store to store around the country to fill gaps in stock, meaning your dress might have been around the block a good few times before your wedding day…
In contrast, when you buy from a boutique, they order in your very own dress which will be made from new, and tailored to fit your measurements. Wedding dresses are designed to be worn once, and you’ll know that a designer dress is 100% yours and has been worn by you and only you.
It’s a little like buying an Etch a Sketch because you can’t afford an iPad.
The experience of buying your wedding dress
I’ve heard a few things about the big high street chains: that the ‘experience’ was rushed, sweaty and crowded, and that it felt really impersonal. I’ve also heard from quite a number of brides we’ve featured recently that they ended up buying two dresses, because their first just didn’t feel like it was their dress (and reading between the lines, I believe they’ve bought an off the peg dress and changed their minds near to the wedding day).
Lovelies, choosing your wedding dress can be the most wonderful adventure. Please visit TDR Bridal’s website and read the reviews on their facebook page from their amazing brides. There are so many heartwarming stories about these ladies online, and I truly believe it’s because they care. Rebecca is absolutely lovely: down to earth, genuine, kind and with a heart of gold. She doesn’t hire salespeople to sell wedding dresses, but people who lead with their hearts and can empower women.
At TDR Bridal, you will be welcomed and looked after. You’ll be treated kindly and with genuine care. Buying a wedding dress can be daunting: it’s a huge purchase, a new experience and for those of us with insecurities about our body shape, it can even be a little scary. TDR understand all of that – it’s why brides will travel for miles to come and see them, and its why they’ve won multiple awards over recent years.
So I had been watching this cruel, incomprehensible disease rage through the World, slowly at first then gaining momentum hoping and praying it would never, surely reach the UK? How wrong was I? On Saturday 21st March, at the end of a very busy day, I remember looking at my girls and thinking, I can’t honestly say for the first time ever, I’ve got your backs, you’re safe with me, I am doing my best for you. I went home that night, knowing I had to make a decision, probably one of the hardest I have ever had to make as a Bridal Shop owner, but sometimes doing the right thing can also be the hardest thing. I knew, that Sunday 23rd March 2020 was going to be our last day of trading for some time.
Coping with Covid-19 as a Bridal Shop
The task ahead was daunting to say the least, with so many brides booked in to try their own dresses on for the first time, so many new brides wanting to come in and have the TDR experience, so many brides booked in for fittings with our seamstresses; All this needed planning, re-planning, debating, decision making, co-ordinating, re-organising, strategizing and a whole lot more; So on my big girl pants went and they’ve enabled me to have the courage to plough through this with an iron will and sheer determination that no TDR bride will be left in the wings. We are in this together.
Our private Facebook group which we started in May 2017, has really come into its own in recent weeks. It’s a safe place where our brides can go to and vent their upset and grief without fear of reprisal. It’s been tough, really tough emotionally, at times but you know, it’s also been heart-warming and soul searching, encouraging and reassuring too. These brides are made of strong stuff, they’ve all been truly beautiful throughout this crisis. They have supported and counselled each other, consoled each other and helped each other to see that there really is a positive to find in all of this. Many brides have said to me how they feel selfish getting upset over a wedding, but that’s just it isn’t it… this is not “just a wedding”. A wedding epitomizes everything that this vicious virus has taken from us all, human contact, family, friends, the need to love and be loved.
I truly believe that weddings will take on a whole new deeper meaning for many in the coming years as people now understand what it is to not have that basic human need fulfilled and many will have gained a more meaningful understanding of what family and ultimately marriage, is all about. It is love
