This time of year is really crazy and as soon as the school holidays come around it seems to make us extra busy. Having said this every time I ask a bride if they're a teacher they say no. Halfway through serving a bride I happened to ask if she was a teacher and she said "No, I'm a journalist with Wedding Ideas magazine!" She was so lovely and settled on a gorgeous new Pronovias dress. I felt like I'd been secret shoppered!
So many of our beautiful brides have got married recently, Debbie, Jodie, Karen and Louise who both had our Groomswear. Louise was married at the Town Hall and her reception was two doors down from our shop at The Lemon Tree. We saw a bridal car arrive outside and when she stepped out she looked breathtaking, the groom looked good too! It was like watching royalty.
We are having a Jenny Packham designer day on Saturday the 19th September, so if you like Jenny Packham dresses you'll want to book early to avoid disappointment. We'll have an extended collection plus special offers on that day.
Last month I received an email from a bride who got married several years ago, she said that she hoped I'd remembered her, and always called herself the "mad woman" and I knew exactly who she was. At the time she had just found out she was pregnant and was absolutely ecstatic, she thought the chance for children had passed her by and we were all so pleased for her. Sadly, shortly after this she lost the baby, it was devastating. She said that since the wedding and losing her baby she had developed breast cancer, and was taking the drug Herceptin. She told me how in her darkest moments she had remembered all the happy times she had spent with us choosing her dress and having all her fittings, and it had helped her through. I was so touched to think that after so many years and after all she'd been through we had given her such special memories and that she had taken the time to let me know how she was feeling, it was very humbling.
August is our buying time for all of the Spring/Summer 2010 mother of the bride collections. It's really exciting to see all the new designs, we have taken on some new labels including Luis Civit and Marchello, as well as revisiting our firm favourites Linea Raffaelli and Paule Vasseur. They're all amazing and its so exciting you just want to have them in your shop NOW! All you mums out there are in for a real treat.
In between appointments just behind Oxford Circus where all the fashion houses are, we have our favourite little cafe where we always stop for lunch, delicious Ciabatta and quick and easy when your in a hurry, not at all glamorous, imagine my surprise when I looked around and saw Natasha Kaplinsky was sitting there drinking a coffee. No sooner had I said to Lesley "there's Natasha Kaplinsky sitting over there" when Mary Portas walked in!!!!!
I couldn't believe it, she was sitting right in front of me. I couldn't stop myself, and went over to her and told her that I owned a bridal shop and that we were all devoted fans of her Mary Queen of Shops programs and thought she was an inspiration to all of us. I asked her if she would autograph one of our shop brochures and she did! She asked my name and wrote me a personalised message! I couldn't stop shaking I was so excited, what a fantastic lady, I texted everyone I knew and it was only my Dad that said "Who's Mary Portas?". You gotta laugh!
