Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter the first ever Heritage Brides competition. 
Keep an eye out on your inboxes this week as the winner will be announced via the newsletter. 

The winner will receive £250 to spend in the boutique - so whether that goes towards a stunning Terry Fox gown or a pair of Harriet Wilde heels, the choice is theirs.

Remember Heritage Brides is the only bridal boutique to be located at a stately and is in the sumptuous surroundings of Hatfield House. 

Why not come along and see us - we promise you it will be an experience you will not forget.

I seem to have spent years with a vision running round my head. I wanted to create a bridal boutique that was fun, had the wow factor and gave brides an experience they won't forget.

When we opened the doors on Tuesday, I think I can safely say that Heritage Brides has turned out even better than I hoped it would.

The barn looks magical and provides the most enchanting setting for the stunning dresses. With the vintage bits and pieces I have been collecting over the years, it really represents a piece of my heritage. 

My Nan's tea set is on a window sill, my grandmother's doilies (which I hated as a child) fit in perfectly and we also have a vintage sewing machine from Darren's family. Not only that everything has been filled with love and support, not just from family but from my lovely friends who have been there when I have questioned what I was doing.

In the last few days, I have had nothing but positive comments and encouragement which has made me all the more determined to make Heritage Brides a success. 

I do hope you will join me on this woodland adventure which really is my dream come true.

Sam x

With the departure of the electricians on Friday, it meant that there was a full on weekend of actual doing.
First thing on Saturday morning we moved two huge vintage rugs into the barn - they weighed an absolute ton, so thanks to the Hatfield House staff who helped us get them up the stairs.
Then there was cleaning, cleaning, cleaning and after that a little bit more cleaning. 
The barn has been hoovered, ever beam dusted, every panel wiped, every floorboard mopped - twice. And finally it is looking, dare I say it a bit more presentable. It still needs some work, but the worst (I hope) has been removed.
So on Sunday it was a case of getting some much needed prettiness into the barn. I have always wanted it to be a magical woodland feeling and I hope that I am achieving that. 
It's a still a work in progress and the very last things which will go in are the dresses, but I think it is taking shape.
What do you think?

It was an early start on April 1 when after months of waiting impatiently, I became the leaseholder for the Harness Room.

Here is where Heritage Brides will be born. 

The first thing that struck me was how big the space was without all the antique furniture and bits and bobs which had previously had their home there.

It was everything I wanted it to be - bar the fact that there is no heating and the worst lighting I have ever come across.

Cue the entrance of Jason and Aidan - the sparks tasked with making it a bright and welcoming barn, fit for the dazzling gowns I am going to have there.

And that's where we are at. I am hoping that they will have finished working their magic today (Friday) so that I can get in the barn to remove what looks like 400 years worth of dirt....

So things are moving in the right direction and once the deep clean has been carried out, I can get on with transforming the space into a magical woodland full of the vintage curiosities I have been collecting.

Pass the Pledge...