Ouch, That Hurt!

I've been in the wedding industry for well over 17 years now. My son, Sam will be 22 soon and I know I've been going almost as long.

You come across all sorts of people from many walks of life in the industry. Some are lovely and so accomodating and then some not so and that's when it hurts.

I guess from brides to be or people who are organising such big events, it's kind of understandable when they are short, stressed and need a little venting every now and then (and I am forever here to lend a shoulder or an ear), but from those who are actually in the industry, it's a little harder to understand.

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I've been described by Kelly of Boho Blog as "an incredibly warm and unassuming lady." Kind of how I like to see myself really so thanks for that, Kelly. I have a lovely follower of folk via my own blog here or my Dresses at No 9 Face Book page.

Kat Williams aka The Rock and Roll bride says: "The industry can sometimes get a little bitchy. There is a huge drive for most bloggers (myself included!) to get the most unique, exciting and exclusive content and sometimes it can all get a little...'schoolyard' shall we say. Over the past 3 + years however I've come to realise that there will always be new weddings and content to blog so if you miss out on something to just let. it. go!"

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Of course, I'm not a blogger, I'm a dressmaker, but have often had designers at wedding fairs or exhibitions simply turn their back on me the moment you say "I'm a dressmaker" for fear we may steal their designs. It is sad to believe they think so little of me. I admire the craft, I adore the fabrics, I love looking at pretty things. I'm not out to steal their ideas.

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However, in saying that, both Leanne and I had a lovely chat with two lovely ladies, Wendy Perkin and Catherine Lombard of Sarah Janks at the British Bridal Exhibition Harrogate.

Sarah is a new Sydney based designer and her designs are exquisite. However, both ladies were warm and welcoming when we disclosed our profession. They told us to look up a wonderful designer called Edith Head, who dressed many of the Hollywood starlets of their day. Homework for both Leanne and I. We have also been fortunate enough to have such wonderful and supportive network of suppliers surrounding us such as HF Couture and Leafy Couture and Roma Velace all who gave their talents for free at our vintage style wedding gown photo shoot.

Having an e mail conversation with Kat Williams today (because I wanted to ask if I could quote her) she said. "You aren't a success until you have haters. But those that matter love you."

I've always known never to burn bridges in business. You'll never know when you need to walk back over one, but there are some out there who are on a different agenda. I don't burn bridges as I said, but I am cautious of who I do business with.

Thank you to those who love me. You are the ones who really matter. And thank you, Kat for your sage advice. You really do Rock and Roll!

Real Vintage Weddings.

I'm not exactly sure what it is that has captivated me so much about the vintage era. Maybe it's the make-do-and-mend philosophy and the fact folk had so little then, they actually appreciated what they had.

I adore this picture of my auntie Val and Uncle Alan.

They were married in the early 40's and I love the bouquet of roses, but especially the hat and that smile!





My uncle Ron married Edna in the 50's. Her circle skirt had just enough petticoat to give her lace gown some shape. I love the little collar.
My grandparents are to the left of my uncle.

Ah. Uncle Alan and auntie Shirley. She wore this beautiful full length brocade gown one of my favourite fabrics I would adore to see more of.
Again, a small collar and full sleeve.

Bouquet of roses and lilly of the valley.

I'm not sure what fabric my auntie Eileen was wearing when she married my uncle Don. But again, an extravagent bouquet of roses and stephanotis.

I believe the groom in this photo is the brother of my grandfather. The bride carries a gorgeous spray of lilies. It amazed me to see the bridesmaids bouquets were almost as big and elaborate.


These images have Moonlight Serenade playing in my head.

All of these women in these images have outlived their husbands, but it really was 'till death do us part!

Bridal Wear, their Alteration Charges.

And bespoke is the way to go.

I've spent the last 2 years altering bridal gowns of all shapes and sizes along with many bridesmaid gowns too.

The most common of alterations are side seams, hemlines and when the unfortunate happens, a dress not fitting when it arrives in the shop, corset back closures.

When your wedding gown has cost in excess of £500, or your bridesmaid gowns in excess of £200, the last thing you are expecting to pay are alteration charges.

So consider this, if you do your research and want the dress far more than the label attached to it, bespoke is the way to go.

You really can get the dress of your dreams with a full built in corset should the style require one.

All of our strapless gowns, including bridesmaid, occasion wear and even mother of the bride, all have our signature inner corselettesomething you wont get in your standard bridesmaid gown or strapless occasionwear.

The cost of your bespoke garment includes all charges so the price you see is the price you pay. We have weight loss plan guides so if you are planning on losing weight, you know your gown will fit you perfectly on your wedding day. So you'll never need to worry that it won't!

Please see our rates and services page for further details.

With careful research, you need never pay alteration charges again.

Blowing My Own Trumpet!

I had a few days off recently visiting family in the South and while casually strolling around Asda, I received an e mail from a client. (The wonders of the Blackberry) "I was flicking through a wedding magazine in Tescos yesterday and couldn't help but notice you were mentioned! Something that happens frequently looking at your website!"

So, I rushed over to magazines, picked up Perfect Wedding and on page 106 was my client from last year, Helene.

The article was 'How brides find their perfect wedding gown,' and Helene gave a lovely interview about how she found hers. She'd told me before how she'd felt like a star walking into the chapel, but it was so lovely to see those words in print.

Emma case Photography

Emma Case Photography


So with the recent launch of our very first 2011 collection, comes a heap of comments from folk who I've never had contact with. Folk who are loving our designs so much so I've had several enquiries already with one asking if I can ship to Pheonix Arizona!

So, for a few moments I'm going to share with you some lovely things which have been said.

"These dresses are gorgeous and I love the photos. I can imagine brides snapping these dresses up."

"Swooooon! Absolutely gorgeous dresses and stunning photography."

"I have officially fallen in love with all of these dresses, so beautiful!"


"50s was my era of choice for my wedding dress as i love the glamour of that era, especially the full skirt with netting. These are lovely dresses and so refreshong to see dresses with sleeves and not just strapless."

"These are all delicious! And I am super happy to see these modelled by some very sexy hot ladies with womanly curves! Hooray!"


"What a stunning collection, love that style of photography too, a little different from the more common vintage style, even though I love that too!"

Of course, you have to click this linky to see the images of our fabulous frocks. (Their words not mine!)

You guys are making my dreams come true and I cannot thank you enough for that.
Another collection later in the year? Heck yes!!

Emma Case http://emmacasephotography.blogspot.com/
Love My Dress

Boho Blog

West Yorkshire Vintage Style Wedding Gown Collection Has Arrived.

During the 1950’s influences including film, television and music created a new market when teenagers became an emerging fashion voice. 1950s glamour had suddenly arrived. The era can be remembered for two fashion silhouettes; the full skirt and the pencil slim. Both styles placed great emphasis on the narrowness of the waist and we have taken this as our inspiration for our new 2011 Spring/Summer Vintage Collection.

We are delighted to have been featured on one of the most popular wedding blogs

Love My Dress.

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There really is no 'I' in team and this really has to be said on this occasion. I'd like to dedicate this post to all those lovely people involved. Here's to you!!

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Ingrow train station and the Vintage carriages trust were the settings for the photo shoot which took place on Sunday 20th February 2011, to launch our very first Vintage style Collection.

The day began with the arrival of Donna Judson, hairstylist, and Leanne ‘Annie’ Anderson, makeup artist, at 8.30am sharp. We met photographer, Rob Booker on location at 1pm who immediately briefed us on the various shots he wanted to capture.

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Along with florist, Sarah Richardson of Leafy Couture and hat/headdress maker extraordinaire Jane of HF Couture, the whole look gelled together instantly. We really could not have achieved it without any one of them.

We'd also invited local photographers Graham Warsap and Martin Beaumont along. Graham said. "So we went hoping to meet a few people that are involved with the wedding industry. I had not bargained for how much talent you could get in one place. The work that had gone into the shoot was stunning."

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Between Saturday and Monday West Yorkshire had experienced snow and our models sat and stood bare armed in the cold for four hours. There was the brief warmth of fleece dressing gowns and hot chocolate. However, not one of our models mentioned the cold, their hunger or how tired they were feeling. Hats off to our models!

So, really, in no particular order.

Flowers by Leafy Couture. Photography Graham Warsap.

Flowers Leafy Couture, Photography Graham Warsap.

Flowers Leafy Couture, Photography Graham Warsap.

Flowers Leafy Couture, Photography Graham Warsap.

Gown, Sophia, Dresses at No 9

Head piece, Clara. HF Couture.

Photography Graham Warsap.

Gown, Esther Dresses at No9

Headpiece DragonFly Dream HF Couture

Photography Graham Warsap.

Gown Vivian Dresses at No9

Birdcage veil HF Couture

Photography Graham Warsap.

Picture hat, Audrey. HF Couture

Photography Graham Warsap.

Photography Martin Beaumont

Hair Donna Judson.

Make up Leanne 'Annie' Anderson.

Photography Rob Booker

Below you will find the final images of the day. The whole look was captured perfectly by Rob Booker. I've adopted him as our official photographer!

Esther, Vivian, Sophia.

Rita.

Model wears Pearcher hat, Ellie

And finally, just for fun.

This day could not have been complete without the professional talents of Photography Rob Booker www.robbooker.co.uk Accessories Jane www.hfcouture.co.uk Florist www.leafycouture.co.uk Hairstylist Donna Judson judsond@hotmail.co.uk Makeup Leanne ‘Annie’ Anderson makeupbyannie@hotmail.co.uk Location http://www.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ And of course us Dresses at No. 9 We would also like to thank our models and special thanks to Trevor, chairman at Vintage Carriages Trust for his hospitality.

Take The Stress out of Your Dress.

Your wedding gown should be the one thing that is all about you and something you may have dreamt about ever since you were a little girl. I know I did.

Ok, my expectations were different as an adult than those of my childhood fairytale dream, but nevertheless, my gown filled every expectation I had.

I still believe that bespoke is the way to go. You get exactly what you are looking for in a relaxed and happy enviroment. "You've made this so easy," many of my clients have said.

I certainly feel the pressure is on to find 'The One', but do worry that this pressure often leads to those impulse purchases. Yes, they can happen with your wedding gown!

I quite often read that ladies are not sure if the dress they have bought is the one for them. They were swept along by the ambience and fairytale and sadly they end up shelling out on a new gown when the doubt sets in leaving them to sell their original choice at a much cheaper price. In this current economic climate, can you really afford to give money away?

Top tips.

1. Take your time and don't rush into buying the first dress you see.

2. Look through magazines for favourite styles and looks. But remember, the choices you make may not be right for you once you have the gown on.

3.Take someone with you who knows your likes and dislikes and knows what looks good on you. Or not! I honestly feel, from meeting with many clients, that mum isn't always the best person to take. They have a vision of their daughter in mind and sometimes this does not reflect the vision of the person.

4. You wedding album is going to be with you for the rest of your life so think about your style over current fashion trends. And if your style isn't available to buy, you always have the option of your local dressmaker!

Many ladies are filled with dread when they walk into a bridal salon. Many are a little self concious of their body shape and can find the whole process intimidating. We offer a relaxed and informal service without compromising on quality. We want your wedding gown to be the dress of your dreams and above all a happy experience. One you'll feel comfortable about coming too for every fitting.

You deserve it!

Getting Married In Vegas!

Las Vegas is famous for weddings, and this was to be the dream wedding for our client, Julie today.

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Julie wanted to feel every inch bride, without feeling too weddingy (her words) with the current trends of bling, beads or a traditional wedding gown look.

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As designer/dressmakers, we feel it is very important that the vision a client has in her head, is the vision she portrays into ours. It's having an understanding, the ability to voice her preferences or changes where she feels they are needed without feeling she is going to upset the dressmaker, us! After all, if there is really something we know won't work, we'll tell her!

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The way a client will upset us is to not say when she feels something isn't right or her vision isn't quite the reflection she sees in the mirror at her fitting.

Sometimes a client will try on styles before we have a consultation so she knows what suits. Sometimes we pull together a design and have toile fittings. Or sometimes a client will come with a favourite dress or sketch of something she has worn before just like Sarah did with her trouser suit.

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This is how Julie chose her wedding day gown. She brought along a favourite dress, but wanted to add sleeves, a subtle change to the neckline and of course change the colour.

Julie also wanted the skirt of her gown to have a 'feather' effect similar to that of the wedding gown we produced for Jodie.

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The effect a synthetic chiffon gave opposed to silk was slightly different and the result wasn't as effective for Julie as it had been for Jodie. However, after hours and hours of pulling back individual threads of the chiffon to achieve the 'feather' effect Julie had fallen in love with, proved successful.

Julie was over the moon when she collected her gown today and that makes us very happy indeed.

Julie, we hope you have an amazing time in Vegas. Your gown rocks!

Satin bands added an elegant detail. Something the beaded embelishment simply did not do.

The beautiful wide neckline looked stunning on the bride-to-be. With the insertion of little poppered loops, Julie could anchor her bra straps so they wouldn't work onto her shoulder and expose themselves.

The feather detail (a little hard to see) in the skirt.