Our Brides

Rachel and Scott

Tell us how you and your partner met. Your ‘love story’…

It’s not exactly the most romantic of settings, but we initially met at a party in a Byker Warehouse in 2009! The timing wasn’t quite right, but three years later, we finally got together! After three months of seeing each other, we decided to up sticks and move to Australia together. We lived there for a year, on the Gold Coast and in Melbourne, and then travelled South East Asia for a few months. We then moved back to sunny North Shields, where we still live, with our little boy and our cat.

How did you feel before your first appointment to try on gowns?

When I had my first appointment, my son was only 7 weeks old, and I wasn’t exactly feeling my best or most confident – I was worried that I wouldn’t think I looked good in anything. I needn’t have worried! Heather was so lovely and so complimentary! All of the girls have a knack of making you feel special whenever you visit.

Did you have in mind the style and look you wanted from your gown? If so what was it?

I had been doing my homework, and was fairly sure of what I wanted. I knew that I wanted a tulle skirt, as I loved the kind of silhouette it gave. I loved a relaxed bohemian style of dress, something quite simple, without a lot of embellishment or structure with delicate spaghetti straps.

How did your consultation during your appointment help to find the perfect dress for you?

Heather was so helpful, and told me that she was getting married soon also, and that we both had quite a similar style in mind, which was great! She asked lots of questions about the look I was going for, how I wanted to feel in the dress, and had a look through some images I had saved. She told me that she thought they had something that fitted my bill, and she was right, as it ended up being the dress that I chose! She told me the story behind the boutique and its name was so touching, and really reinforced the family vibe for me that makes the place so special.

Tell us about your bridal stylist and the ‘You Are Precious’ service you received …

It was really helpful that Heather and I were on the same page, as she very much understood the look I had in mind; I still tried on a range of different styles, just to be sure! The dress Heather picked was the first I tried on, and then I tried perhaps three others. My mam and sister were both at the appointment; my mam really liked a more princess-style dress I tried, and my sister preferred a fitted column-shaped gown, but I ultimately stuck to my guns, and went for the first dress. They both agreed it was definitely ‘more Rachel’, as they put it! The whole appointment was lovely, and was definitely one of my favourite parts of the whole planning process. Once my dress came in, I loved going back and trying it on again just as much, and I was even more confident in my choice of sticking to what felt me. The boutique is gorgeous, there’s such a range of beautiful gowns, and the stylists are brilliant at getting to know you and making you feel at ease.

How did you feel when you found your dream gown & how did you know it was ‘The One’?

Heather really helped my decision, as although I loved the dress, I still had some niggling reservations due to the way I was feeling in myself, having had a baby not long prior. She added little straps to the dress, and a ribbon around the waist, which gave the illusion of actually having one! She also found a veil which I absolutely loved, and once the whole look was pulled together, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to wear on my wedding day!

How did you feel in your amazing Y.A.P gown when you tied the knot?

I absolutely loved wearing my dress. By the time I was married, I was back to my pre-baby weight, and felt like myself again. I loved the way the dress moved with its beautiful tulle train, and my veil complimented it so well. I kept catching sight of myself and thinking, I actually look like a bride! It really is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn. It definitely didn’t end the day in the same condition it started, after I traipsed through fields and up muddy pathways and danced the night away, but I think that’s the sign of a good wedding day!!

What three words would you use to describe your overall Y.A.P Bridal Journey?

Personal, warm, precious!