Want to know what bridal heaven looks like?! Well you’re about to find out as we step into Dress Dreams Bridal Boutique, an UNVEILED Network Member that will have you lusting after both their dresses and their décor.
When taking over the Kent-based boutique, owner Kate gave the building a top-to-toe makeover to create a space that sits in line with Dress Dreams’ sassy and glamorous brand identity. The result is a modern and welcoming boutique that is luxe as it is playful.
Housed within this super stylish boutique are seriously stylish gowns, sourced from some of the most talented, contemporary bridal wear designers from across the globe.
Aimed at brides looking for something unique to express their individuality, Dress Dreams’ collections feature cutting edge bridal fashion, luxurious fabrics and standout detailing.
And along with this incredibly chic setting and outstanding range of designers comes impeccable service, with Kate driven to deliver a personal and unique dress shopping experience to each and every bride.
So, join us in this all-out glam goodness as we discover more about Dress Dreams’ style and approach whilst also getting Kate’s dress shopping do and don’ts, including when to call time on the search!
Hi Kate!
Hello! My name is Kate and I’m the proud new owner of Dress Dreams Bridal Boutique. Taking over Dress Dreams having worked at the boutique for a number of years was a dream come true. Dress Dreams is for the modern bride looking for that something a little bit different, a dress with the wow factor.
WHERE DID YOUR PASSION FOR BRIDAL FASHION BEGIN?
From a very young age! Growing up, I was obsessed with Lady Diana and used to draw all her dresses so her wedding in 1981 had a huge influence on me. My interest in fashion and bridal has persisted throughout my life, even after I had my own dream wedding in 2006. When you are still obsessed years after you have planned and enjoyed your own wedding, it’s time to go into bridal!
WHAT MAKES YOUR BOUTIQUE SPECIAL?
Dress Dreams is a bridal boutique that offers that something a little bit different, dresses that stand out from the crowd, that have the ‘wow’ factor. We have recently completed a full refurbishment of our boutique and created a brand identity that’s as glamorous and sassy as our dresses.
Stepping into Dress Dreams is stepping out of the ordinary, it feels super exciting and glamorous. It has been designed to feel luxe and chic, but at the same time, it’s playful and welcoming. It is certainly unlike any bridal boutique you will have been to before!
From the glass of fizz and love heart sweets to the swan princess on the wall, the velvet hooks in the dressing room and the aesthetic photo wall in the bathroom, everything has been carefully thought about to enhance our brides’ experience with us. We want this experience to be special and deeply personal, but also relaxing and fun.
DOES THE BOUTIQUE HAVE A SIGNATURE STYLE?
Our collection is for the modern bride looking for something unique. We stock a huge choice of every shape and silhouette to cater for all needs and body shapes but our overall style is fashion-forward and contemporary. Dress Dreams is for the bride who wants to express individuality.
WHICH LABELS DO YOU STOCK ?
We stock couture wedding dresses from International designers from Israel to Australia, who are at the cutting edge of contemporary bridal fashion.
We were the first boutique to bring Riki Dalal out of Israel and she has since taken the world by storm. We stock the exquisite and extravagant Riki Dalal Haute Couture range as well as Noya by Riki Dalal, a luxury ready-to-wear collection for the modern bride, featuring incredible lace, tulle, and uniquely beautiful appliques.
We are incredibly proud to be the exclusive stockist of Viero Bridal in England. This incredible US-based designer produces unique bridal gowns that have to be seen to be believed. With breathtaking designs and using luxury fabrics, their handcrafted dresses have impeccable details making the overall product truly astonishing.
Australia is at the centre of current contemporary bridal fashion and we are proud to stock Zavana dresses from the award-winning Australian bridal group Cizzy Bridal. They aim to make luxury gowns available to all women, making that dream dress become a reality. Handmade using exquisite lace and beading, quality is not compromised whilst keeping prices accessible.
WHAT SIZES DO YOU CARRY?
Our samples come in a range of sizes from 8 to 16. We also stock the stunning Israeli curvy bride designer, Studio Levana, and carry their samples in sizes 18 to 24.
AND AT WHAT PRICE?
Our dresses start at £1,500 and go up to around £5,500. However, the majority of our dresses lie around the £2,000 to £3,000 mark. Sale dresses start at £500 and some very serious bargains there!
WHERE TO GO FOR INSPO WHEN BEGINNING THE DRESS HUNT?
Instagram is obviously amazing for girls but it can also be overwhelming, so it’s a good idea to take some screenshots or save to a collection.
Pinterest is also a wonderful resource and allows you to create a board that you can show your bridal consultant at the start of your appointment.
Bridal shopping is a very different experience to high street shopping, and if you are going to a good boutique they will help you in your journey of discovery. My advice would be to keep an open mind before your first appointment and to think about the styling and feel of your wedding.
HOW DO YOU APPROACH EACH APPOINTMENT?
When our girls first arrive (after they’ve swooned over the shop!) we just sit down and have a little chat over a cup of tea, coffee, or a glass of fizz. We want to hear all about their wedding, their vision for their dress for their big day, and what for them is a dream dress. This helps our brides relax and allows us to get to know them a bit better.
If a bride knows exactly what she wants and has done her research of what we stock, we can get trying straight away. If girls are early on in their search and just don’t know what suits them, we have beautiful leather-bound books of our collection for them to look through together with us and from there we can pull out a specially curated selection of dresses. We learn as we go what the bride loves and what she doesn’t like, and are super flexible! This process is a journey and cannot be rushed.
TELL US ABOUT THE FITTINGS AND ALTERATIONS PROCESS?
We work with a wonderful and highly skilled seamstress, Delphine, who is also a wedding dress designer in her own right. Our brides make an appointment directly with Delphine and have fittings in her lovely private studio. Should brides wish to use their own seamstress then that is of course absolutely fine!
WHY SHOULD BRIDES SHOP IN INDEPENDENT BOUTIQUES?
I think one of the lovely things that will come out of this difficult time will be the desire for people to support local businesses. I think there is real benefit in this for bridal because of the personal service you get from independent boutiques. You no longer have to go to the big cities to get the labels you want, and you can’t beat the service you will get from a local boutique that really cares about their client and their reputation.
WHAT DO YOUR BRIDES LOVE ABOUT YOUR SERVICE?
I wanted to create a deeply personal and unique bridal experience, to provide above and beyond customer service without the stuffiness, where each bride and her loved ones feel welcomed, spoilt and looked after by a team that really care. I think our brides love that they get world-class, professional service and advice from us, whilst at the same time having a bit of fun. Buying your wedding dress is a deeply personal experience, so getting to know your bridal consultant personally and being welcomed with a warm hug is all part of this.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP DRESS SHOPPING TIPS?
- Be true to yourself and your style.
- Research a few boutiques that stock the kind of style you are looking for and make appointments with those. Wedding dress shopping can be an exhausting experience if you’re just not in the right place for you. We have so many girls say to us “I’d been everywhere, I wish I had found you sooner”.
- Keep an open mind. Of course for some people they have a clear vision of what they are looking for, but for many what they thought they wanted changes once they start trying. So keep an open mind at least early on, while you are learning what you love and what you don’t like.
AND THE NO-NOS?
- Don’t be persuaded into something by other people. Go with your gut, if it doesn’t feel right and everyone is telling you they love it, listen to your inner voice. This is about YOU and YOU need to love it.
- Don’t say yes if it just feels like the best of what you saw. You should feel amazing in your wedding dress and if you’re in the right boutique for you there will be lots of choice.
- Know when to stop looking. There is so much pushed at us these days with social media, it is easy to go on and on looking for the right dress. Try on enough to satisfy yourself you have truly found ‘the one’ but then stop looking!
WHAT TRENDS DO YOU SEE EMERGING?
The last year has seen it all; smaller weddings, changed plans, more civil ceremonies, and I think this has opened up lots of bridal fashion design opportunities. I’m expecting to see more short dresses and jumpsuits. I think we may also see more colour and prints from on-trend designers.
AND WHAT ABOUT ACCESSORIES?
We stock a staggering array of veils from plain to lace, short to long, crystals to 3D flowers. The possibilities are endless so it’s great to be able to try them on with your dress and have some guidance from an experienced stylist.
We are proud to stock hair accessories and jewellery from a fabulous local jeweller who makes intricately handmade pieces of an organic theme, taking inspiration from the countryside and using beautiful materials, Swarovski crystals, and freshwater pearls. We also have a selected number of beautiful hair accessories and jewellery for brides on more of a budget which we source from our bridal buyer trips.
We are delighted to announce we have just starting stocking the gorgeous BRIDEY tees from Six Stories and those all-essential garters and silk kaftans.
HAVE YOU GOT ANY SPECIAL EVENTS COMING UP?
We are hosting a Viero Bridal trunk show from 7th to 17th May, where dresses from their 2021 and Holiday Collections will be at the boutique.
Between 4th and 13th June we have curvy bride trunk show by Studio Levana.
Finally, we also have a Zavana Bridal and Zavana Couture trunk show from 16th June to 4th July. It’s going to be a busy spring/summer!
PICK A FAVOURITE…
Dress for 2021? Alisa by Viero Bridal.
Trend for 2021? Capes are BIG and a fresh take on bridal accessories. Also, asymmetry is definitely a theme I see coming out.
First dance track? Come What May by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman
Iconic wedding dress of all time? Princess Diana’s…of course!
Celebrity you would most want to dress? Beyoncé
ANYTHING ELSE TO TELL US ABOUT?
To help girls out this year who have lost time, we have released a huge number of our sample dresses into our ‘off the rack’ range. This means girls can take the dress home with them if they don’t have six months to wait and bag a bargain in the process!
HOW CAN COUPLES GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU?
You can email us at [email protected] if you have any questions, or to book an appointment via our online booking system click here. We would be so delighted to hear from you and assist you in your search for your dream dress. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
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