Lovebird Brides
This weekend was the first
anniversary of my Granny passing away, and as she didn’t know about our
engagement I decided to honour it with a trip to my very first bridal boutique.
Planning our wedding in York I really wanted a part of West Yorkshire to be present
on the day.
Lovebird Brides is a new boutique
situated in the heart of Yorkshire. Addingham is a quaint village next door to
the thriving town of Ilkley. Open in October Laura has set up Lovebird
Brides to incorporate her love for classic glamour and her keen eye for
beautiful pieces.
The decor in the boutique fits with
the classic and vintage feel of the dresses. Filled with classic
furniture and draped in gorgeous handmade accessories the boutique really makes
you feel like you have stepped back in time.
Lovebirds stocks English designers
Maria Senvo and Charlotte Balbier and there isn’t a big fat gypsy wedding dress
insight. Instead Laura has cleverly picked designs which wouldn’t look
out of place in Great Gatsby. From 1920s
Glamour to Vintage Chic, if you are interested in vintage and classic gowns
this really is the place to be.
Being my first bridal shop experience
I really had no idea what to even pick off the rail. All I had in mind is
that the general theme of the day will be vintage decor and pastel
colours. Taking Laura’s advice I let her lead me as what to try on.
The dress which really stood out to me as soon as I walked in was a Charlotte
Balbier ivory piece called Belle, this full gown was a princess style dress
with a full skirt. This gorgeous dress would fit perfectly in anyone’s
romantic day; it really would make any bride the centre of attention. The
full skirt has delicate lace detail which really stands out and the bodice has
elegant lace straps which cover the sweetheart neckline in an appropriate and
classic way. Though this dress really was stunning and when you picture a
wedding this will be the dress most brides imagine, it really wasn't me. It
seemed too girly and I would be far too worried I would trip over the full
skirt.
The other dresses I tried ranged from
full lace to satin with a lace top and without giving too much away all the
gowns where gorgeous. This experience really made me realise that Charlotte
Balbier is the designer for me. She really embodies everything I am looking for
in a dress and I feel it would complement the overall feel of the day.
Her feminine designs are elegant and flattering and her styles will suit any
bride who loves traditional glamour. Her pieces range in colour from the
traditional white and ivory to gold’s, creams and blush which I found really
flatter darker skin tones and are very warming.
One thing which really stood out to me about the boutique was Laura’s handmade accessories. Lah De Da accessories are created using crystals and pearls . Her accessories range from hair pins to head pieces and belts to bespoke designs. These pieces really do finish an outfit. I was amazing how her creations transform a simple dress. You may find you try a dress on that you like but are not amazed by, then you add a head piece and a belt and you feel like you have tried on a completely new design. Laura really has an eye for which pieces competent each dress. She cleverly has included pearls into some designs which brings out the tones in the dresses and complements the lace and pearls in the designs.
Laura can also take old family pieces
of jewellery and create them into a new design. For example taking an old set
of pearls and transforming them into a bracelet, earrings or threading them
into the dress. This would be a unique way to have a part of family history present
on the wedding day.
At the beginning of the day I really
wasn’t expecting to visit one bridal shop and decided not to go anywhere else.
Laura at Lovebirds has done such a wonderful job with the new boutique and I
really feel some of the more established stores in the area have just gained
hot new competition. I wish her all the
success and I defiantly won’t be visiting any other boutiques. I had no
idea that the first boutique I visited I would find the one..... Watch this space;
I think I have found the dress.
Faye
