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!