Latest Blog Posts

New discount outlet

Our once a month Sunday Sale has been running now for two years and has become so popular we realise that many brides are on tight budgets and still wish to have genuine designer gowns with that same great fit and structure of a higher priced gown. With this in mind and knowing we can give all kinds of brides their dream gown our new store will compliment perfectly our full service salon at Anstey with its luxurious setting and fantastic customer service and will be home to over 200 fabulous gowns and all at incredible prices. We will have a mixture of new current and previous season gowns plus all new seasons ex samples with sizes available to buy straight off the rail from size 8 to size 28. Girls this is not the usual factory outlet where you DO NOT know what you are buying. Our labels are not ripped out and you will find GENUINE Alfred Angelo, Maggie Sottero, Enzoani, Phoenix, Beautiful, Intuzuri, Anouska G plus many more. 

We are all so Excited and the staff are taking it in turns to go and work at the new store. We look forward to also seeing the brides that visit our sale every month, Gaynor and Carol love seeing our regulars that are looking out for that one special gown at an amazing price and we feel privileged that they trust us to keep coming back to us until we find that gown for them. So thanks girls for your loyalty, we couldn't do what we do without you all.

Meanwhile, all our brand new gowns that were ordered at Harrogate Trade Fayre in March are beginning to arrive for the main salon and oh my...stunning is too simply a word to use . Also our new Veronia Sonsie plus size range and Hollywood glamour with Eliza Howells British Designer styling is hard to put into words they are so incredible.

Over the next few months is DEFINATELY a great time to visit Bradgate Brides as we are pro active in looking after the needs of all of our brides to be and we can,t wait to see you.

Spring has Sprung

March.. already!!? Where has the time gone? Our peak season has seen a record number of brides, maids and grooms men in our salon already this year and we are still fully booked with first visits on Saturdays. With a few new gowns still to arrive you can feel a buzz of excitement in the air the moment you step into our shop now graced with a fabulous new window display every week, a dazzling display of new bridal shoes, sparkling new tiaras and fabulous new wedding dresses... So many new things you can tell it's Spring!

But on a serious note Girls, you must come in and look at our gorgeous brand new EBONY ROSE and DESSY bridesmaid and evening gowns! One of my favourites from Ebony Rose is ODETTE , a short organza dress with a swirly skirt which has already been very popular on the facebook page - our sample is in TEAL! Dessy style 2888 (which I actually have just ordered myself in a stunning firecracker colour as I loved it so much) is right on trend and so flattering to all shapes - our sample shows how the perfect the CELADON colour is for Spring and Summer weddings. Talking about colours… have you seen the new ICELANDIC, MAJESTIC and CERULEAN colours from Dessy? We have at least 50 different colours in stock for you to look at or try on and all our lovely gowns are on our bridesmaid page currently with some special discount offers too if you hadn't noticed already ;) If it is Taffeta you prefer, we do have a stunning selection and the fit and structure of these gowns are really great and for many weddings this fabric is far more suitable but is often overlooked for the more popular Chiffon and Satin bridesmaid dresses.

AND we have just received from DESSY some lovely mens and boys waistcoats, ties, cravats and bow ties. We have always been able to order any colour Duchess Satin accessories for the men of the wedding party to match up with the maids, but these new ones have their own colour palette and the reversible waistcoat is really up to date. The men can be in sedate grey for the ceremony and then change the waistcoat around for photographs to match the bridesmaids… try a stunning Turquoise or sophisticated deep Red. The perfect option if you want to shake the norm up a little and fabulous price even if you're hiring the rest of the outfits!

Sue in our suit hire room is gearing up for a busy summer by the looks of things and the online Cameron Ross outfit builder is a brilliant way for the men to select their outfit without hunting through all the shops, which we all know men really do not like doing. Click here to follow the link to the application and have a bit of fun switching the styles and colours of the mens formal hire... it can be quite addictive!

Well I must get back to work; I could sit here all day telling you about all the wonderful new things in our shop and some exciting things to come but more steaming has just arrived and we have the wedding fayre and catwalk show THIS SUNDAY 3rd March at Assembly Rooms in Derby to pack for as well as our SAMPLE SALE room to sort out for this weekend also!! Phew, what a lot of fun we have in our jobs.

Hopefully next time I'll have more time to tell you some fabulous stories from recent brides, let you know about the new website we're working on and lots more plans we're putting into action ;)

All the best,

Susanne x

Winter Wonderland

Winter wonderland... that is the scene outside this morning in frosty Leicestershire... and that set the scene for the fabulous wedding fayre Sunday before last in Loughorough! Florie and Gaynor did so well as we had no idea of the sizes of the models until the morning and it was extremely chaotic backstage. However the fashion show went down so well and all the gowns looked fabulous.. Check out one of our beautiful girls in this brand new Phoenix Gown - very romantic and glamorous and incredibly on trend! Unfortunately we had to leave our stand unmanned as the girls were so busy dressing for the catwalk but we were assured by the exhibitor next to us that we were mobbed with brides browsing through our books and swatches. If you picked up one of our leaflets don’t forget to give us a call and why not book your appointment over the festive period to choose your gown while your friends and family are visiting!

We are open between Xmas and New Year! In the main salon you can book now for one-to-one appointments with a stylist, a glass of bubbly and chocolates for you and your guests! Our rails are literally heaving at present with so many new season gowns.... Jo is our super steamer and prepared so many on last Friday ready for all the brides booked in at the weekend and over Christmas to try on! And we’re getting even more in the New Year from Intuzuri and Maggie Sottero! OR if your budget is a little lower why not visit our designer clearance room 27^th-29^th December which is stashed full of over 100 gowns all between £200 and £700 and no appointments are required ... many gowns are brand new samples or ex showroom as we have an enormous collection that is changed frequently… we don't pretend to have designer gowns, like many of the budget warehouses that take bridal salon cast offs...... these are the real deal girls!!! And all with the back up of our fully serviced bridal salon..what are you waiting for?? A great opportunity to visit with your mum or sister in a more relaxed mood over the holiday season, avoiding the New Year rush and hopefully finding your dream gown!!

All dressed up ... our Xmas bash went down a treat! After a sumptuous Italian meal and lots of drink we headed off to the theatre to sing along to the musical Grease. We had such a laugh and a fun time was had by all… luckily on Saturday morning we had retries and measures and so all the brides had met us before and could forgive our blurry eyes!

We have spent hours cleaning and tidying and mending over the past couple of weeks and the chandeliers are sparkling, the paint fresh and the gowns ready and waiting! Our new season maids gowns are in and the bridesmaid suite is almost fully booked for the next four Saturdays immediately after Xmas! One of my favourites is a DESSY luxury chiffon gown with one shoulder and a lovely belt, in over 100 colours and available in sizes 00 (yes, 00!!!)  through to 28 - we think it’s fantastic. Especially as you can go into town and pay over £200 for a coast gown straight off the peg...no service, measuring, dress bag or ironing for you! Keep an eye on the Dessy Bridesmaid page as pictures will be going up soon!

Anyway, I better get on with some steaming to warm my hands up – it’s so cold in the office today!

Hope you all have a fantastic Xmas everyone and this time next year you’ll possibly be a MRS!!!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us here at Bradgate Brides!

Susanne, Susan, Karen, Jo, Sue, Audrey, Gaynor, Nikki, Carol, Florie and Hilary xxx

Remember, remember.. I can't believe it's November!

Time passes so quickly in the wedding world and I have so much to catch you up on...

Firstly, what a brilliant firework's night we had! We all watched an amazing display and ate hot dogs and lots of onions in front of a huge fire! My new Winter coat still smells a little smokey but it's still keeping me nice and warm now the colder weather's setting in. Hopefully you all had a great weekend and Bonfire night too!

Our sale day was really manic however the majority of girls booked into see our stylists in the main salon once they’d had a taste of the fabulous gowns we have upstairs and this last week saw two come in and order from our brand new collection of BEAUTIFUL by ENZOANI… one had a lace boat neck with off shoulder cap sleeves with a tight bodice and twinkle crystals all over the train. The other had a really full ball gown embellished with lovely flowers and pearls which she's going to add beautiful, thick, soft, pleated organza straps to to keep her warm for her winter wedding next year! Absolutely divine.

BIG DECISION TIME….We have decided after all these years that the time has come for us to close down our evening wear and prom wear selection. Everyone is so busy all the time in the salon with our brides, maids and men's suit hire that we simply cannot give the time that is needed to this section therefore we our having a massive sale between now and the New Year with 50 to 75% off every evening gown. On Saturday a stunning Aviena Pure 100% silk chiffon floaty gown which was originally £399 was snapped up for £99. and there’s lots of Dessy one off gowns for £39 to £89 each.. If you just have one maid it may be worth you also having a look….go onto our Evening Wear & Prom Dresses page as we have photographed most of them for you to see. Remember they all look better on a real body not a mannequin and you never know what bargains you might find!!!!

Back to weddings.. Please take note of the information we have posted on our home page and facebook about fake and counterfeit wedding gowns. It has come to our attention that many brides are being tricked into buying what they think is a genuine designer gown for a fraction of the cost at an authorised retailer. Most recently, and even more concerning to us, is that we have been made aware of a shop in Leicester claiming to be an authorised retailer of designers that we have exclusive rights to selling in this area. This therefore means one of a few things, most likely that the goods they are claiming are genuine are actually fake produce and therefore lacking in quality, fit and even detail like the real designer gown or that they are second hand being labelled as brand new. BRADGATE BRIDES ARE THE ONLY STOCKISTS OF MAGGIE SOTTERO, BENJAMIN ROBERTS, ENZOANI, BEAUTIFUL AND ALFRED ANGELO IN THE WHOLE OF LEICESTER. Also, all our Maggie Sottero gowns will now come with a certificate of authenticity so please don't be fooled by the cheaper gowns and if in doubt don't hesitate to call us!

On a much lighter note.. Do you love everything bridal? Do you get excited by hearing other people's wedding plans? Do you want to assist our beautiful brides in purchasing their dream gown for their perfect day? We have a part time Stylist/Receptionist position available. The hours are every Saturday 9:30-6, every Wednesday evening (Jan-Sept) 5pm-9pm and will also be required to cover for holidays. You would need to be well groomed, with nice manners, happy personality, be quick thinking and have legible handwriting. Must be used to hard work, as will be on feet all day - talking, selling, answering phones, lifting heavy dresses so must be physically able and used to dealing with all manner of customers. Full training will be given before Christmas. Our salon is a lovely place to work in and you will enjoy the company of other enthusiastic ladies. Please email info@bradgatebrides.com or drop in with your details.

And better late than never we say a HUGE thank you to two gorgeous ladies... Monessa who sent us a lovely thank you email and photographs of her gorgeous bridesmaids who's dresses were from our Dessy range (photos below)

And Lynsey (now Mrs Allen!) who emailed a glowing review of our salon and let us share her treasured pictures in her beautiful Eddy K gown and bridesmaids in their lovely Alfred Angelo dresses:

"I'd just like to say a huge thank you for my beautiful dresses that made my wedding day perfect. The Bridesmaids all looked great and especially my flower girl. I've attached photos.

Thinking about Christmas (yes, already!)

Another great sale on Sunday, generally with the lower priced gowns being snapped up by budget conscious brides for between £200 and £700. At last the gowns have found a loving bride that will appreciate their cut and flair... Watch out for next month’s great sale on Sunday 4^th November and then over Christmas we shall open the sale room for three days so all the brides visiting their parents over the festive period can come and have fun trying on as many gowns as they wish! All details will be on here soon so keep an eye out. The main salon with designer gowns starting from £1000 upwards will be opening again between Christmas and New Year 27^th – 29^th December 9:30am – 5:30pm on an appointment only basis. Book now to guarantee a one-to-one appointment with a stylist and first visits will receive a glass of champagne for the bride and up to two guests! Please be aware that as the darker nights are creeping in, we are now no longer able to offer Wednesday evening appointments for the safety and security of our staff. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Now, back to the exciting news… The new, incredible-looking, BEAUTIFUL gowns from Italian designer Enzoani are all in the salon and at fabulously affordable prices to order a new gown in your own size. These are amazing at between £699 and £999! Ensure when you book your appointment you mention you’d like to view this range which you’ll be able to view shortly on our website. For all those not following us on Facebook, here’s the sneak peek (left) we posted the other day of one of the gowns we selected from the collection!

It's only about 70 days to Christmas!!! HAHA. We can’t wait!!!!
There is a fantastic wedding fayre at Loughborough with a fashion show at the beginning of December which we’ll have more details of very soon! We’re all very excited as it will have a winter wonderland theme and have about 100 exhibitors so it should be great fun! We are already planning a sparkly, winter gown and fur stole theme =)

All our new season Perfect shoes have arrived and are absolutely lovely with excellent price tags for a comfy bridal shoe... The heels are coming in slightly lower which should be good news for those who are opting out of the skyscraper heels that have been en vogue for the past two years. One of our favourites is called Louise (right) a plain satin peep toe with a lovely flower on the ankle strap and Erin; a beautiful flat lace ballet pump which looks great on bridesmaids as well as any taller brides!

And last but not least, a BIG thank you to the beautiful Mrs Vicki Frost who sent us a gorgeous personalised card (below) after her special day to thank us for helping her choose her stunning Maggie Sottero wedding gown, bridal accessories and bridesmaid’s outfits. We’ve been inundated with photographs from many happy Summer brides that will shortly be added to our galleries on our website and our Facebook page… Don’t forget to send us yours!

I’m off to warm my hands up on another cup of tea now and put another layer on! Hope all you Winter brides have bought a cosy furry/feather jacket to keep the goose bumps away!

Florie xx

Have We Got Some Amazing Gowns for All Our Lovely Brides!

Our visit to Harrogate last week was an astounding success with LOTS of vintage lace with long sleeves, cap sleeves, slash necks, Tulle, full skirts, nipped in waists, organza ruffles and classic cut 50's inspired gowns. Thanks girls for all your input and ideas, we had such good fun watching all the catwalks, debating amongst ourselves as to which styles and sizes to order and enjoying a glass (or two!!!) of all that champagne on offer.

Many of the new Benjamin Roberts gowns will be in the salon in October/November and the Maggie's we will unfortunately have to wait until mid-January... but as we're feeling sneaky, here's a little taste of what to expect!!

Maggie Sottero Spring 2013 Collection

We have taken on a gorgeous new collection from Enzoani named "Beautiful". An incredible selection of gowns all priced UNDER £1000 - yes, you read that right; stunning designer look gowns at an amazing affordable price! We can't wait to get the images through to show you the ones that we have selected, but if you'd like to have a quick peek at the full collection then click through onto the Enzoani website. Our very own stylist Jo got to play model at the Phoenix Gowns stand in a beautiful lace and tulle slash neck gown which can be customed with a dash of colour in the band and options of sleeveles (as pictured, right) or gorgeous 3/4 length sparkly lace tulle sleeves.

We also picked up a few one-off and limited edition jewellery pieces that we just couldn't resist all under £100, as well as some fantastic new style shoes (including some beautiful lace flats!!) all available soon for you to buy in store or online - again, images to view very shortly so keep an eye on our site and on our Facebook page for all announcements. All should be with us in the next 4 weeks.

And don't forget our stunning Halo & Co handmade hair pieces and jewellery which you can hire as well as bespoke order. These beautiful pieces are the Rolls-Royce of the bridal world and the quality is second to none. Perfect to dress up any simple gown or compliment wow-factor styles.

Well that's all for now, I shall get straight onto badgering our designers for their fab images and hope to see some of you in the salon soon to try on our new gowns!

Susanne x

It's Never Too Late!!

A massive congratulations goes out to Marilyn and Bob who got married last week. Marilyn came into us 6 months ago extremely shy and at 75 years old not our typical bride. Her husband had died a couple of years ago after 48 years together and standing in a shop one day she bumped into Bob who at 77 recognised her as his childhood sweetheart! All that time ago he’d moved away with his work, they lost contact and he’d gone on to marry and after many happy years his wife passed away also. Well Marilyn and Bob fell in love all over again! Marilyn had always wanted a lovely plain ivory sweetheart gown falling straight to the floor and finished off with a beautiful long lace jacket with a train and long sleeves. Not only did we find her perfect gown, but one of our seamstresses was able to make the jacket of her dreams. She looked incredible and regal with a lovely crystal tiara on her silver hair. We all cried when she stood there for her final fit as did all the other customers in the salon! Bob came into see us all and thanked us with tears in his own eyes for making "his girl" look and feel so beautiful. Like the heading states, ‘It’s never too late’ to wear that dream gown!!

Many thanks to all those who have sent in Thank You cards recently; we've loved displaying them round the shop and cooing over all the fabulous pictures! Keep an eye on our galleries page on our website and on facebook as we will update very soon with some sunny, beautiful Summer brides. If you have images from your wedding you've still not got round to showing us, whether 2 weeks ago or 2 years ago, we would love to see them either by email or by dropping in to our salon.

Our September sale went brilliantly and the star of the show was a stunning current Enzoani gown reduced from £2,100 down to £999; an incredible saving of over £1,000! Others were current and recently discontinued Alfred Angelo gowns at £450, £500 and £550, Maggie Sotteros at £399 and £599 and a brand new Intuzuri duplicate for £799 from over £1,000. Well done girls! Enjoy those bargains!

Lastly for this week then, we are visiting the great Harrogate bridal exhibition next Monday so here’s your chance to let us know on by emailing info@bradgatebrides.com with subject title "Shopping List" or by posting on our Facebook page the kind of gowns YOU want us to order for next season. All these will arrive in store ready for ordering from January 2013. Let us know if you would like to see more straps, lace, satin? Full, slimmer more ruffles, more diamante and colours? Are you happy with the mass of ivory in every store? We will collate all the suggestions you send us before the show and armed with our own research it will assist us to order the right kind of gowns for our customers to try on.

Well Summer is over and yet hotter outside today than it has been for ages. Roll on an Indian Summer!! I’ll review Harrogate next week for you all... Wish us luck!!

Susannexx

Fantastic August Sale Day!

What an incredible sale day we had on Sunday. Having seen the weather, rain and yet more rain!! Everyone was very uncertain if any bride would venture out to come along to our monthly clearance but we need not have worried....Carol and Gaynor saw lots of lovely ladies and 12 gowns were found by loving owners. Phoenix gowns seemed the most popular on this occasion with 6 amazing varying styles and from sizes 8 to 24. Benjamin Roberts full tulle and a full lace fishtail went at £300 off RRP as duplicate brand new samples and a lovely Maggie Sottero from £1,350 to £699 ex sample and 3 Alfred Angelo gowns all 450 to £299. Lucky brides!! Here's to our next sale day on the 2nd September! A bit of insider info is that many New disney princess styles will be in there like our beautifully dreamy Princess Snow White (pictured right) as well as some sort after lace fishtails..... we know that some brides are regulars at our sales and have been 3 or 4 times to view the new clearance gowns before they find their dream gown so you are very welcome at any time before your wedding , even for 2014.