My first favourite thing about owning a bridal shop is the sense of privilege (and satisfaction) that I feel from dressing Brides and Grooms for their big day.  It’s such a rewarding industry and helping Brides with their preparations is a real honour.  I absolutely love seeing the pictures after the big day - I don’t think I could ever tire of this job!  My second favorite thing is the buying!  Selecting styles for our future Brides is lovely, sometimes it’s hard to choose which Designers and which dresses to have on our rails (mainly because I love them all) but again, it’s a really fun aspect of what we do.  This year saw the launch of a new designer wedding dress trade show in London called the ‘White Gallery’ and Kirsty (our shop Manager) and I went to check it out …. I didn’t exactly have to drag her along she too shares in a relentless passion for bridal and loves buying as much as I do. Out of earshot of my husband Rob (Menswear) I plotted with her, ‘look; I know it’s only 45 minutes on the train to London but it’s an excuse to stay in a posh London hotel I’ve found us.  I’ll tell Rob it’s absolutely critical that we stay over and do two days …Oooo and let’s see if we can pop and do a little shopping in Zara whilst we’re there!’ ….  So we got our way and our plan worked, lol!  We packed faaaar to much!!  The Porter who welcomed us had to use a wheelie luggage cage (a frequent side effect of my ‘shoe-bag-itus’).  We checked in early and our rooms were not available so they allowed us to use the spa facilities before we went off to the show.  Within ten minutes of being in the spa I sufferred two hideouesly embarrassing experiences … Firstly I walked into the loo where a lady had omitted to lock the door!!  Oh God, it was awful!!  Self consciously I made a quick exit and proceeded to freshen up, I’d been wearing flip flops across London and decided to wash my feet in the shower cubicle.  So, fully dressed, flip flops off, I selected the switch for the handset I was then holding.  It was the wrong switch!  Instead of the hand held shower head delicately spraying on my feet all three super power body jets hit me in the face!!!  I got drenched, my make up ran and I suffered further humiliation as afore mentioned toilet lady helped me to switch it all off!  She and I agreed it was not a good look, although worryingly I’m not sure if she meant mine or hers!!!!  Anyway.  The show itself was a huge success, we really enjoyed the fashion shows and meeting new Designers.  We took on a new designer called Pepe Botella, new to the UK market, these dresses are dramatic and romantic, gorgeously stylish and I know that our Brides are going to love them.  They’ll be available - from September!

Sometimes it feels as though our building is literally bursting at the seams with our lovely Customers!  On Saturday at one particular point I counted 31 customers in store at once – which, (with our existing set up) sure is a bit of a squeeze!  We’re really passionate about our high level of customer service, our unique shopping experience and of course our little pampering touches which I why we’ll all be thrilled to have more room for everyone very soon!  Our menswear department is currently on our top floor and they’ll be relocating down to our new bit in July.  We’re currently busy designing the new areas and instructing Builders on where we’d like walls put and what kind of lighting we want …. so far they’re coping well and are patiently coming to terms with my bossiness!!  Moving the Lads will come as a huge relief for many reasons; most critically it will mean customers won’t have to wait as long for an appointment with us and we’ll also have more comfortable plush waiting areas in-store too.  Rob can’t wait to move into the new part of the building - he thinks he’ll get some peace and quiet from me and Kirsty (no chance, I’ll only be upstairs Darling! – You’d have to move Counties for that and even then if I shouted you’d probably hear me!!).  And I can’t wait because it means that the men wont have to share our toilet which, (sorry Gents) can be a little frightening on occasion for us girlies….. arrr, heaven …. calm serene lovely ladies in our bit and not a beer or an extreme sports dvd in sight, soon that will all be downstairs.  Of course The Groom’s Room will continue to offer our menswear hire  and made to measure suit service but along with our extended new look menswear department we’ll be unveiling one or two more lovely surprises including a new and first exciting own label range (Oooooo????) and a gorgeous new style special room for our Brides (arrrrrr????) … I’m in heaven shopping for chintzy bits and bobs to decorate the new ladies rooms and can’t wait to start planning our little July launch do too.  Finally, whilst on the subject of our Gents a special congratulations to Mr Stephen Midgley and his wife who wed on Saturday - Everybody looked fabulous and Stephen’s Dad sent Rob and the team a lovely photo and e-mail; …….. ‘Your professional advice and attention to detail, as well as the service you provide is second to none.  The groom looked fantastic as did both fathers, as well as all the ushers, they looked so smart, it made the day perfect.  I most certainly know where to come to for future events and will recommend you to all my family, friends and work colleagues.  On behalf of myself, and my family, thank you…… ‘ , What a lovely e-mail, thank you Sir!  We’re delighted that you all enjoyed a wonderful day together – please send the happy couple our best wedding wishes once again and we hope to see you sometime soon.

Well it certainly feels as though it’s been a long winter!  I think that customers and staff alike are feeling the benefits of the long over due Spring sunshine.  Personally I love Spring and not just for the sun but for the sense of ‘newness’ that it brings.  Spring’s all about growth and development and Abigail’s Collection is defintiely in full Spring mode!!…  Just a few weeks ago Lauren sadly left to have major foot surgery.  The first of this year’s (two maybe three) operations has gone well though and she’s being nursed by her Mum (and dog Clover).  Everyone wishes her well.  We miss Lauren already and Rob sarcastically says he has no one to tease anymore!!  Lisa and N’swana have been working like troopers this month (well done and thank you girls) and we’re all ready to welcome our new Manager ‘Kirsty Vaughan’ who joins tomorrow!  With 5 years industry experience and a natural passion for all things bridal we’re really excited that she’ll be working with us.  It’s certainly a busy time to be joining because the business is expanding with an additional 1500 sq ft, yes I said an additional 1500 sq ft!!!  Watch this space for news of our swanky refurbishment and exciting July launch.  Customers are really positive about the expansion and we’ve had some lovely feedback from Brides.  On Saturday amidst the usual bridal buzz we welcomed back two previous Abigail’s Collection Brides with their Sisters for whom this time, it was their turn for a wedding dress; Hayley (was) Hart and Claire (was) Ferris came to see us with their lovely bride to be Sisters Claire and Kirsty.  Many congratulations to Claire (was Ferris) who is now Mum to a little girl called Grace (we love that name) ….. and thank you to Hayley for the beautiful Aruba wedding day picture, we loved it so much we decided it was a perfect pic for this sunshine themed blog …. just looking at it makes me want to book a holiday, maybe I could squeeze into Claire Hart’s suitcase when she goes off for her St Lucia wedding abroad, she’ll need someone to get her into her dress after all?!… Mmm, I think Rob may have something to say about that little trip, if only because he doesn’t trust me and my airport shopping reputation!

Wow!!  My Goodness, it’s been hectic!  Do I always say that at the start of every blog post???…..  So, firstly; Rob and I visited the British Bridal Exhibition just a few weeks ago and we had a such a brilliant time, especially at the awards ball!  It is with thanks to our wonderful customers for their votes that we made the finals for the 2010 ‘Bridal Retailer of the Year’ award, we made it to the top six in the country!  Sadly we didn’t win but that’s okay, we have many business awards  under our belt and ever the optimists, there’s always next year!  Harrogate plays home to the exhibition twice yearly and it’s where we select and buy our styles for the forthcoming season.  I’ve chosen some absolute stunning dresses from a new label called Mark Lesley.  We are so thrilled to have taken on this gorgeous range and along with their signature label we’ve also taken on their couture and paradise collection which will be in-store from September…. Last weekend I flew to Madrid for the exciting launch of the 2011 San Patrick collection, they are totally stunning!  I love this years collection and found it hard to whittle it down from the 100 styles shown on the catwalk.  Next year’s trends are set to continue with even more elegance…. beautiful lace, fabulous layering, romantic ball gowns, sleek fit and flare fishtails and wow factor glamourous ball gowns!!!  I went alone (which was a real bonus beacuse at Stansted I nipped into the Mulberry handbag store and brought myself a black Mulberry clutch, a huge treat for me and a special purchase which wouldn’t have been allowed had my adoring husband been with me, he just doesn’t get the ’shoes & handbag’ thing!)…. Business is (as usual) booming and we have received so many wonderful thank you cards and photographs and we were so thrilled to see the video highlights for Chris & Cally’s wedding – we were lucky enough to look after the beautiful Cally for her bridal, bridesmaids and menswear needs and they all looked stunning on the day.  I’m so soppy and literally wept through this mini video.  I hope you agree that it certainly looks like there was a lot of love and laughter on their big day, everyone looks amazing! Cally & Chris’s wedding day video highlights  thanks so much for sending this in and many congratulations from us all.

We’ve got gorgeous new dresses, had some beautiful new shop pictures taken and we’re enjoying welcoming lots of new Brides & Grooms.  It certainly looks like it’s going to be another fab and busy year in the world of weddings!  Christmas has been and gone and as lovely as it was we are all relieved that the snow has finally melted.  Thank goodness most of our Christmas Brides and Grooms report that their guest lists were (mainly) un-disrupted, six newlywed couples report that it snowed on their actual wedding day which I’m sure made for some stunning winter wonderland pictures.  And talking of stunning; we’re thrilled to be an exclusive Essex wedding dress stockist and have the new ‘Eglantine’ French label now in store.  This delightful collection features classic pure silks and vintage lace styles delicately adorned with pretty crystals.  Also new in are some striking designs by our gorgeous White Rose wedding dress label and the sought after 2010 designer dresses by San Patrick have also arrived too! New for the Grooms Room at Abigail’s Collection is another 6 waistcoat designs, a staggering 100 new fabulous fabrics for our made to measure suit service and a grand new total of 400 cuff-link options!!  Newest staff member N’swana has completed her three month ‘trial & train’ period with us and is officially welcomed to the Team (N’swana we love having you around, keep up the good work) and the lovely Lauren is congratulated on her promotion to ‘Senior Consultant’, well done Lauren we’re very proud of you and hope you enjoy popping the champers in celebration.  Here’s to a lovely year and to customers past, present and future we hope that all of your 2010 new year wishes come true!  Happy New Year from us all!

Wedding Fair season has been (and nearly gone) which means we’re nearly at Christmas! I can’t believe it’s only ten weeks away!! It seems like only yesterday Rob, Lauren and I were having to psyche ourselves up for onslaught of the September and October early morning Sunday wedding fairs and now we’ve nearly finished them which means (for Rob & I), back to a lovely routine of Sunday morning doggie walks, bacon sandwiches and relaxing Sunday evenings with the X Factor! …. Wedding fairs are great fun but can be hard work loading, unloading and setting up (Rob would argue that I mainly chat whilst he unloads the cars, I keep telling him it’s called ‘networking’) …. Anyway, we love catching up with our friends (other industry exhibitors) and the best bit of course is meeting new Brides and Grooms and stealing chocolate fountain profiteroles from melting chocolate moments! Charter Hall was a success, lots of brides came to see us at the stand and booked appointments and we’ve seen some of you already who have excitedly placed orders for bridal dresses for wedding days as far ahead as 2011 and in the case of one lovely Bride 2012!! It just shows that it’s never too early to get the dress arranged girls!!! We’re busy in-store getting ready for our October sale which takes place on 25th and 26th and features some absolute bargains at just £299 (see web site/call for more details) we think we may have queues to contend with … one Bride has even threatened to arrive at 7am in order to get first choice, now that’s bargain hunting dedication for you!

March and September are the months in which we do the bulk of our wedding dress and bridesmaid dressbuying for the coming season, we order gorgeous new dresses and accessories and should see them in-store by January. Last week Rob and I went to Harrogate to meet with our Suppliers at the biggest European trade event where we excitedly watch fashion shows which showcase the latest designs and decide what dresses to order for our Brides to choose from. We have chosen some stunning new bridal gowns and accessories. It was a mega busy few days with lots of walking from stand to stand, my feet survived although I’m not so sure about my liver!! We met up with our favourite friends from the industry (Jo & Richard from the Princess Wardrobe in Pontefract) as well as other fab bridal shop owners and industry contacts. It’s a great time for networking and also a great time to let our hair down. One night we arrived back at our hotel at 3am having danced our socks off in a nightclub! We were the last to leave and both Rob and I agreed that we are getting far too old to party!! Lauren and Kirsty held the forte at the shop on Tuesday which was extremely hectic as usual. All of the wonderful weddings at the weekend went well and we returned to many lovely comments and cards, thank you all especially to Amber & Tony who delivered the most magnificent thank you gift basket of Thornton’s goodies, you are so kind and I am now so fat!!!

Many Congratulations to the lovely Jayne and Mark Hillsdon who have returned from Las Vegas after their fabulous wedding. Their ceremony took place at the world famous Little White Wedding Chapel on Las Vegas Boulevard. Jayne looked gorgeous, she wore a stunning ivory strapless wedding gown by Hilary Morgan. Her beautiful a-line cut dress is adorned with crystal and sparkly lace detail. Jayne sent us a lovely e-mail which said ”Considering the first time I came in to see you, I was so distressed, as the whole idea of wearing a dress absolutely terrified me, but you did a fantastic job helping me choose the right dress and on the day I really did feel like a princess walking through the Bellagio. Mark’s suit was the perfect choice for Vegas and he looked amazing. We had so many people stop to congratulate us and to take photos, it was fantastic. Everything went according to plan, Elvis was a scream, he certainly made us laugh!…’ Mr & Mrs Hillsdon are now busy preparing for the second round of wedding celebrations here in the UK and we wish them another wonderful day. We think that they are a lovely couple and it’s been a complete pleasure assisting with all of the wedding outfits x

Baby news…. many congratulations to Ian & Donna on the birth of their baby Boy Michael. Also a big Hello and ‘Mum to be’ Hug to Louise and Husband Peter Smith who are expectant Parents too. Louise is literally blooming, and looking gorgeous, she and Bump are soon to make their bridesmaids debut at Sister Sarah’s lovely wedding to Rafe on 25th July at Vaulty Manor, all of us at Abigail’s Collection wish you all good luck …. it certainly has been an exciting few years for the Bidmeads!! x x