It's often hard to imagine what a gown looks like on a real person. In many cases the models used for bridal campaigns by design houses are nearly 6ft tall and no larger than a size 10 (and often significantly smaller than this).
Well meet Kate. She is a real bride who has been featured on the magnificent Whimsical Wonderland Wedding blog. And we were lucky enough to dress her in our fabulous Elodie and Isabelle gowns by La Poesie.
Kate had a real figure - boobs and a bum and was tiny - probably no more than 5ft 4". And I think you'll agree she looks gorgeous in the dresses which show off her curves and flatter her completely.
Images are courtesy of the fabulous Carey Sheffield.

If you are still looking for inspiration for your wedding day then why not come along to Heritage Brides on Sunday, October 12? Because not only will you be able to see all of our gorgeous designer dresses in the boutique, but you will also be able to chat with loads of other wedding suppliers who are taking part in the Hatfield House wedding fayre. 
Heritage Brides will be open from 12.30pm and no appointment is necessary.

We are thrilled to be the very first stockists of the effortlessly beautiful La Poesie wedding dresses. Made of the finest French laces and sumptuous silk satins, the gowns are elegant and informal.
Monika, the designer behind these gorgeous creations will be at Heritage Brides on Sunday October 19 and will be on hand to help brides style her stunning dresses. Why not make an appointment now to meet her and get the VIP treatment with your La Poesie dress?
See more of the gowns here>>>>

Don't miss your chance to come and meet some of the best wedding suppliers in the county this Sunday (September 14) when Hatfield House hosts a wedding fayre.
It's your chance to kill two birds with one stone because Heritage Brides is actually based at Hatfield House.Why not pop in and see our gorgeous dresses, our amazing accessories and our awesome shoes? And the best thing about Heritage Brides is that we are here year round. Why not come and discover us?

I was very kindly asked to take part in a photo shoot this week with the extremely talented Lou from Whimsical Wonderland Wedding blog and Alex from Bijou Bride.
I have only ever really drooled over the images which tempt us in glossy magazines. In fact I never really considered what a 'styled shoot' actually was. And suffice it to say, I have never given much thought into how they actually happen.
I was astounded with the sheer volume of work that is involved in doing something like this. 
Alex had obviously sourced some of the most professional people to work with on this session which took place at the beautiful Moggerhanger Park. I would have said that this was a job in itself. Getting busy people to commit to a day out of their schedules. It's a tough ask to start with.

The BBC recently featured an article which intimated that anything remotely related to the wedding industry seems to attract a premium price tag. Any supplier who happens to be in the business appeared to be tarred with the same brush.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28368323

The article has provoked quite a reaction from those people who work tirelessly to create the wedding of a couple's dream. 

The amount of time professionals spend with one couple to get things right - and that means everything from the invitations to the rings to the dress to the venue to the flowers - is by far more than with any other event.

To buy one wedding dress I have been visited on some occasions up to six times before a bride finally decides to go ahead with a purchase. And this can be for a dress which costs £395 or £3,500. The cost is irrelevant but the time spent working with the customer remains the same. And even when that decision has been made, the relationship with that bride is just beginning. There are appointments for measurements, alterations, appointments for styling the dress with accessories, dresses being steamed and sometimes day-before-the-wedding panic call-outs. And this service is offered with a smile no matter what has been spent. I'm sure this is true of any professional in the industry.

So next time someone says that everyone in the wedding industry is just out to rip people off, why not consider how much they put in and how much the couple actually gets for that money? 

For everyone who has visited Heritage Brides you will know that we have a 'Secret Collection' of gowns which is made up of one-off designer samples.
The time has come for us to say goodbye to some of these lovely dresses as we have a new designer coming to the store and we need to make room.
So why not make the most of our sample sale of these dresses which will all be priced at an amazing £195? Designers include Maggie Sottero, Sophia Tolli, Essense of Australia, Kate Sherford and many more. Gowns come in a variety of sizes ranging from a size 6 to a size 22.
But hurry. The sample sale will only be on for three days between Friday July 11 and Sunday July 13 and all dresses will be sold on a first come first served basis.
No appointment is necessary, just turn up and browse the gowns and you may well find 'the one' at a knock-down price.
* All gowns in the sample sale are sold as seen. Many of them will have been tried on by brides and some could benefit from dry-cleaning. Please check any dress carefully before purchasing. Any amendments required would not be part of the purchase price and would have to be organised independently.

Thanks to everyone who recently entered our competition to win a wedding dress worth £750 - we literally had hundreds of entries.

Congratulations goes to Jennifer Sprinks from St Albans who was chosen as the winner. She will be visiting the boutique on Sunday to see our range of gowns and to decide which one she will choose.

We will keep you posted on our very own Heritage Bride.

If you did enter our competition you should have received an e mail that entitles you to £50 off any dress purchase in the boutique. Why not make an appointment to come and spend it? Call us now on 01707 707842.

It was supposed to be sunny when we planned this styled shoot. 

Carl Russell & Co gunmakers is also based at the Stable Yard at Hatfield House and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to exploit the 'shotgun wedding' theme.

Bringing in the talented KRJ Photography and borrowing some willing models, we braved the elements to create this.

The gorgeous Jess Hearn wore Terry Fox, Maria Senvo and Belle & Bunty for the shoot, whilst her handsome groom Billy wore the latest Top Man tuxedo with Converse.

What do you think? 

COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON AND ALL ENTRANTS WILL BE RECEIVING THEIR £50 DISCOUNT VOUCHER VIA E MAIL SHORTLY

BRIDES. Are you looking for your perfect dress? Then look no further because Heritage Brides at Hatfield House is offering one lucky winner the chance to win a dress worth £750.

That's right. If you enter this competition you will be in with a chance of winning your dream dress. And even if you are not the lucky winner, everyone who enters the competition with a valid e mail will receive a voucher worth £50 which can be redeemed against any dress purchase in the boutique.

Heritage Brides is the only bridal boutique in the country to be based in a stately home. It offers a range of designer gowns which have been carefully selected to complement the stunning location. Found in the Harness Room at the Stable Yard, the ancient barn setting has been described by brides as a magical woodland wonderland and a slice of girly heaven.

With dresses to suit all budgets, shapes and sizes, Heritage Brides has a relaxed atmosphere and is proud of the fact that it is distinctly different. 

It not only sells beautiful gowns but also stocks some ultra-glamorous shoes and bridal accessories. So even if you already have your dress you might want to visit to see if you can find those extra special touches for your big day.

So if you would like to be in with a chance of winning your dream dress, then all you have to do is answer this simple question:

At which stately home is Heritage Brides based?

a) Kenwood House
b) Knebworth House
c) Hatfield House

To find out more about Heritage Brides or to make an appointment to try on our gowns, then please visit www.heritagebrides.co.uk or telephone: 01707 707842.