Our Brides

Sam and Liam

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

Liam & I met in college, and though his wedding speech detailed how I was definitely putting the feelers out before we clocked each other properly, we actually first noticed each other during a trip to the bowling alley with a big group of friends. After a couple of months, we headed to the park after celebrating a friends birthday where he asked me if I “wanted to make this more official?”

After a year together, we both headed off to separate uni’s and had regular trips to see each other. We bought a house together after about 6 years together, and then we got engaged a year or so later…

I’d planned to surprise Liam with a trip to the Lake District for his birthday, but his detective skills meant he’d figured out something was up after suggesting we head to Edinburgh… I managed to pick a rubbish hotel which gave us twin beds (definitely not what I’d booked!), and ended up being quite poorly as we headed away. It was one of the wettest weekends of the year (of course) though not to be deterred, we headed out for a walk with our big waterproof coats on and to explore the forest around the hotel. In hindsight, Liam was very chatty and couldn’t let a silence just be, and I was constantly scouting possible locations I could run to (I still wasn’t feeling so good). As we reached some tree cover, Liam suggested we stop for some food and said he had 3 surprises for me so to turn around. The first was a Malteaster bunny, as was the second. I knew they came in packs of 3 so imagine my face when I turned around for the third time to find Liam on one knee! Of course I said yes!

This lead us to deciding to get married around our tenth anniversary, October 2020… Completely unaware of how much Covid-19 would influence the original plans.

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

So excited but a bit nervous too. My best friend, Niamh, had found her gown at Y.A.P and described the most perfect and wonderful experience. One of my neighbours, Lisa, also knew Joanne (Y.A.P’s founder) quite well too. I knew I was in good hands but trying on wedding dresses sounded very grown up, like what proper adults would do, and I didn’t feel like that was me!!

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

To an extent… I knew I’d suit and be more comfortable in a floaty dress rather than anything too fitted, but was still keen to try different styles just to see how I felt in them. I knew in my heart though that it would be something in an a-line shape, covered over my shoulders, floaty and not quite completely boho, but that sort of vibe.

Tell us about the ‘You Are Precious’ service you received along your bridal journey …

Aww the full experience was absolutely amazing! Right from booking my initial bridal appointment, having fizz on arrival, talking to Brogan (my stylist) about all things wedding and what gown ideas I had in mind, to trying the gowns on, and coming back to say yes to my Y.A.P dress! The accessories and collection appointments, right to the support from the team all the way up until the day, it was all superb.

Having my Mam and sister, Kirsty, with me for those first few appointments was so special too as they were treated like Y.A.P family. I felt like I was the little sister in the Y.A.P family, and that everyone was genuinely so excited to see me get married! Each of the team was so invested and their enthusiasm on every visit I had was so special!

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

I tried a figure-hugging dress on first just to confirm that it wouldn’t be the style for me, then Brogan brought out my gown ‘Camille’. It was the first ‘real contender’ I had tried on. I cried when I was in her, though I think at that point it was more because it was the first dress that was similar to what I’d pictured. Brogan then accessorised it with a belt and I just knew it was the one to beat.

I continued to try on a couple more dresses which I’m so glad I did, as Brogan explained that the elements of the other dresses I liked were all in ‘Camille’ together! And it turns out that my skin tone didn’t really suit ivory or white, so blush was the chosen shade! I put my potential gown on once more before leaving, as I’d always said I wanted to leave the shop before making a decision, but knew that was it.

I had one more appointment the same day but knew we’d be heading back to Y.A.P. I called the girls straight after my other appointment, they squeezed me right back in that afternoon and had my gown waiting for me. It was the one! It felt like me!

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

I felt like I had a gown that was made for me. Each time I tried it on for fittings, I found it easier to walk around in, as it became mine. Putting it on that afternoon for our wedding was so exciting! From when my Dad saw me in it for the first time, and then my bridesmaids, to walking down the aisle towards Liam, my dress just felt like it was an extension of me. Seeing Liam’s face when he saw me, watching him take my dress in, it was all just magical!

We’d also learnt a fully choreographed first dance during lockdown, and although I hadn’t factored in the size of the train, it swished around perfectly during the twirls and the whole dance. I loved it.

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

Dreamy. Floaty. Special.