Hi everyone

We're getting loads of requests from new b2bs asking for recommendations for local bridal shops.

But you know your local areas and have been to the shops and seen for yourselves, so please help out other b2bs by posting here and telling them the bridal shops where you've had great service.

Thanks!
Web Ed

Hi WebEd, what a great idea! I know there are only a couple of Northern Ireland brides on here, but I'll post anyway!

I got my dress from Gabriella Doory in Saintfield - a gorgeous shop - just like you imagine a bridal shop to be. The service was fabulous and they had a lovely selection of all sorts of dresses. A great experience.

I would also recommend Breeze of Newry and Beautiful Bride in Newry - great service in both shops.

Claire xxx

If you are around the Milton Keynes area then Vanilla Bridal in Newport Pagnell is the place to go. The service is so professional and friendly, this is the only place where I was offered a cup of tea or glass of wine, and the lady is so attentive, she has a good selection of gowns, esp Pronovias, and Essence of Australia.

I got my dress from Losners in St Albans in the end, they have a fabulous selection of dresses and a very comfortable showroom. The ladies are also friendly.

In Watford Berketex Brides were nice to me, and very helpful, they also have a good selection of dresses.

Web Ed can we also write which shops to avoid!?

Hi its a fantastic idea WebEd!

I would highly recommend Proposals of Chichester for excellent service, freindly staff and a wide vareity of dresses, They stock Alfred Angelo, Ian Stuart, Alan Hannah - and another one which was way outta of my price range!

This is the only one I've been too that I would recommend! :)

Happy dress hunting!

K x

Hi WebEd,
Great idea, i am from Midlothian and the shops that i would recommend for thise who do not have a huge designer budget are....... Gwenne http://www.gwenne.co.uk/ from West Lothian, they have dresses between £50 and £999 and do invites, bridesmaids etc and are very helpful.

The other is http://www.katherinehamilton.com/ a small family run business in west calder the girls know exactly what suits and what doesnt, alterations are done in the shop and they use high quality fabrics and crystals in all their gowns. I have not decided on a dress yet but i have been to shops in edinburgh and these 2 def beat them xxxxx

Hello!

The best shop I went to and the one I have ordered my dress from is Grace and Lace in Ipswich. They were very helpful and they have a lovely shop. Nothing is too much trouble. They have a great range and if you live in that area def give them a look.
Jess x

Hi there, what a great idea!

I'm on the Devon/Cornwall border and my top recommendations are:-

- Perfect & Elegant in Tavistock - top customer service, such a nice lady, beautiful shop, you feel like a princess in here! www.perfectandelegant.co.uk

- Pirouette in Exeter - same comments as for the Tavistock shop apply really, plus they have lots of Maggie Sottero and Jenny Packham gowns which were the 2 designers I particularly wanted to check out and I'm getting my dress from here. The lady here (Linda) has been so helpful - really good at helping me work out which dresses worked best on my figure. www.pirouettethecollection.co.uk

Elly

Hi All,

Great idea to put all the recommendations on one page! I've been shopping around and caN really recommend these salons:
Northern Ireland - Castle Couture, Galgorm Castle, Ballymena - http://www.castlecouture.com/
The location and salon is stunning, they stock Suzanne Neville, Ian Stuart, Jenny Packham, Alan Hannah and more and could not have been more helpful.
Carlisle - Mia Bridal - No website as yet but again stocks Suzanne Neville, Paloma Bridal - really helpful and kind.
Dumfries - Freckles bridal - went there to look at bridesmaid dresses - Dessy, and Alfred Sung stocked among others, the girls were really helpful.

H

Hi I know there are a few Lincolnshire brides out there so here is my recomendation. Image Bride in Lincoln and for Bridesmaid dresses their sister shop (right opposite them in a small shopping mall/market) Image is Everything. They are nbot a 'bridal' shop in that it is quite a small shop packed with dresses AND they are friendly. All the 'bridal' shops I went to looked down their noses at you and didn't make it a fun experience. Alice at Image made it really fun and nothing was too much trouble. They stock loads of dresses, mine is a forever yours. The only disadvantage is that they don't do alterations but there is a shop a few doors down that do and will do them in either their shop of Image.

For London:
Ring o' Roses at Butler's Wharf - lots of choice, friendly and helpful

£1000+
Candy Anthony - her dresses are soooooooo pretty!

Jenny Packham boutique - her designs are fab and the boutique's got an enormous mirror in the garden, so you can view your dress by natural light.

Hi all, great idea!

I'd recommend Mamfii Bridal in Knaphill, Woking. The service is exceptional, the 3 ladies there are lovely and so helpful. Especially the one who had to suffer from me crying 'cos I can't find a wedding dress! They really work hard to get you in the right gowns, letting you chose some but also recommending some to you. They also pull you in, pin you up and lace you up so you get the best possible view of the dresses. The shop is lovely - light, airy, big windows to let in natural daylight. Nice range of tiara's, shoes, veils etc. etc. Definitely go there if you can!!!

I'd also recommend Miss Bush Bridal in Ripley, Surrey. A fantastic range of Maggie dresses and a lot of other more expensive designers I didn't even look at! Again, they really work hard to get the dress looking amazing on you (I'm a size 20 and got in size 8 dresses!!!). They also fiddle with your hair which I felt was a really nice touch. All the girls in there are lovely but at the same time really honest about the dresses and what they look like on you, so you look the best of course!

I agree, I’d also like to add some of the more ‘negative’ reviews, well even just the odd one’s – like the shop who made me wear gloves to look through the different dresses, and I had to keep them on whilst trying the dresses on – so not a good look!!!

Joo xxx

I'm another vote for Miss Bush in Ripley, Surrey.

Also had a really good experience in Blackburn Bridal, Blackheath, SE London.

I recommend The Wedding Centre in Marlow. They are lovely in there and really helpful.

Louise Selby. This is not a shop but a designer based in Kew, West London.

The dresses are beautiful and the whole experience has been a delight.

IM FROM SOUTH YORKSHIRE I THINK PRONUPTIA IN DONCASTER THEY ARE SO NICE. AND HARMONY IN ROTHERHAM VERY NICE SHOP.

I can highly recommend Farsley Bridal in Leeds. For a small shop the have a vast array of dresses in all shapes and sizes. Also they have loads of jewellry and fascinators etc.

i'm also from south yorkshire and the best shop i went to was blushes on london road in sheffield. the girl couldn't do enough for me. hope it helps somebody.

For SOUTH MANCHESTER I thoroughly recommend Stella's Wedding Dresses, West Didsbury. It's a real Aladdin's Cave!! (it's not at all posh though- which I really liked as I went to some London and Chesire shops that really scared me!)

http://www.stellasweddingdresses.com/

i got my dress in "from this moment on" in ewell, surrey. they were soooo friendly in there, its run by 2 sisters and their mum so there is a real family feel and they have a fab selection. they made me and my bridesmaids feel so at home, gave us bucks fizz/coffee and even let my bridesmaids sit there in tiaras and feathers while they watched me! they spent ages with me and gave me honest opinions. Would definately recommend them!!

Don't touch these with a bargepole !! http://www.heirsandgraces.co.uk/main.html Terrible "service" and provided me with second hand dress and charged me for a new one. Refuses to even offer to pay to have dress cleaned.

<br/>
[Modified by: Jane2705 on July 23, 2007 08:55 AM]

I can recommend Brides of Birkdale in Southport. The lovely lady was very helpful and when I let her know my budget she found the perfect dress and 2 bridesmaids dresses for the £250 I had told her I wanted to spend. She picked out my dress, and showed me the full look, veil, tiara etc and went through any additions they could make to the dress. They have all sorts of dresses for any budget.
www.bridesroomofbirkdale.co.uk