The latest update on what is different about a bridal dress fitting afte...

What to expect when you go bridal dress shopping. Most bridal dresses need to be made to fit. No matter whether you buy an off the peg bridal dress or have a bespoke bridal the fit is crucial. Plan ahead. Make a bridal consultation appointment. Best to plan, contact, and discuss with the dressmaker what suits your shape, style, mood and budget best. Choose a bridal buddy that can go with you to appointments, someone who is in your bubble. Health and safety measures must be adhered to, masks and gloves will be part of the new norm. Space, you will have to keep to the distance that is recommended by health and safety. Your entourage will have to watch by video. Focus on the advice and expert knowledge from people who have been in the bridal industry for years. Talent and creativity are part of the process in making a bridal dress. Being able to read a person, know their character and knowing what is best for their shape will help in the choice of the right dress in a quicker time. Do a proper gut check about what you are looking for style-wise, what you like and what suits you. Its important you select a dress that has you looking and feeling like your best self. Social distancing means that you may need to be guided through the process, how best to be measured, will you change size and how competent is your bridal buddy. Some brides may consider bringing their fiances to help choose their dress. Virtual bridal consultations and At-home fittings could be considered. Now that Northern Ireland has changed to a 1 metre policy for social distancing fittings have been made easier. A lot of things can be tweaked in alterations. An experienced seamstress can gauge from a metre distance what can be pinned in place on a tailors dummy. A tailors dummy can be made to be your size and shape so that the dress can be fitted to it.

Latest News on what brides should expect as bridal shops reopen.

As we wait for the NI Gov to release a date when bridal and fashion shops can operate safely , here is some light reading for those planning to go shopping once we re open.

Here’s our guide to help you prepare for your shopping experience and know what you can expect.

Should I book an appointment in advance?

Yes, almost certainly! In order for many stores to be COVID secure, it is likely that they will be by appointment only. Simply popping in to browse will not be a possibility for the foreseeable future. Your entourage will also be limited and you may be encouraged to come with just one person to help with decisions. 

It is important you to have all the time you need to make such an important decision without feeling rushed. There will inevitably be fewer appointments available to allow time for deep cleaning between customers so it is even more important than before to do your research online and on social media before booking an appointment. Many bridal boutiques already have a waiting list for appointments so that they can get started as soon as they are permitted to open.

Some boutiques ask for a small fee to book your appointment. This to ensure you are serious about purchasing so that they can dedicate their time to help you; if you purchase your wedding dress from that boutique, they will usually take this amount off the final bill. Each store’s policy is different so check with them individually before booking an appointment.

Book appointment for wedding dress shopping.

How should I prepare for a bridal boutique appointment?
REMEMBER, if you or anyone in your household have coronavirus symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is COVID positive, you should postpone your appointment immediately and isolate for the government-recommended amount of time. If anyone in your entourage is experiencing symptoms they should not attend the appointment with you.

It’s best to contact the boutique before booking an appointment. Learn as much as you can about their policies and if you have any questions then contacting them in advance. Do your research prior to the appointment and discuss your style preferences with the boutique to ensure they have what you are looking for or want to try on. For many stores, it will be unlikely that you’ll be allowed to spend time browsing as they’ll want to limit touchpoints and their staff will take the dresses you choose into the dressing room. If you have a particular style in mind, print off pictures to take with you or send them in advance, rather than handing them your phone to look at. Be aware that there may be less stock due to the knock-on effect of coronavirus. So, if there is a particular fabric, style or designer you are looking for, ensure the shop knows so they can advise you prior to the appointment. Ask the store what their policies are and what you can expect from your shopping experience. Ensure that you have done everything you can to research and prepare for the appointment and provide the team with the information they need to fit your style. They will provide you with information about the safety measures they have in place and any further information you will need prior to the event.

Ask if there is anything you need to prepare or bring with you to ensure that you are complying with the guidelines set by the government. For example, they may not be able to provide you with a beverage and may need you to bring some water with you in your own bottle.
You’ll be encouraged to only bring just one member of your bridal party with you to minimise risks. While we are still waiting for the government to announce what it means to be ‘COVID secure’, it is worth being aware that the person who attends the appointment with you may need to be someone from your own household. The person you bring with you may have to help you to dress to minimise contact with the staff in the shop so choose someone that you are comfortable with. Brief whoever is accompanying you so that they know the safety regulations set out by the bridal shop. Everyone will need to comply and there will be no exceptions.
You may feel safer bringing someone from your own household, which could be your partner. It may break with tradition, but it is more important to stay safe. Remember, you’ll try on several dresses so you can agree on a code word with the boutique so you can let them know which is “the one” and keep your partner guessing which you’ll be wearing on the day.

How to make the most of your shopping experience.
Arrive on time for your appointment.

What will my shopping experience be like?
This will likely include the shop staff wearing gloves and masks and the installations of plastic shields and sanitation points where necessary.
You may be asked to bring your own mask and gloves to wear or be offered PPE when you arrive.
You will not be able to browse as extensively as you would like. This will be to minimise touch points and to ensure the boutique know exactly where they need to clean between appointments. The appointment may feel slightly clinical as you will need to follow certain hygiene and safety procedures. You may be asked to remove your outdoor shoes and wash or sanitise your hands on arrival.
Hopefully it will still be a fun and memorable experience for all the right reasons. Unfortunately there will be less hugging when you’ve found the dress.

Shopping safely for your wedding dress during Covid19.
What if I don’t find my wedding dress during the appointment?
Do not panic!  You can have your dress made especially for you. Maybe you have seen the top of one dress you like and want a different type of skirt, no problem.

You will leave the appointment with more knowledge and more confident about what you want. That might involve a second appointment at the same boutique if you just needed more time, a different friend to advise you or a fresh perspective on another day. 

It is kind to leave the first appointments in June and July for those brides that are getting married this year, but if you have had to postpone, or have been planning your wedding during the coronavirus lockdown, it is time that you planned for a bit of fun … and nothing will put a smile on your face more convincingly than finding the right dress.

Midwife from Cookstown on the front cover of VOGUE

I just LOVE this story and had to share with you, how brilliant must Rachel feel and so she should. Imagine a midwife from Cookstown has featured on the cover of Vogue!! - a special edition for key workers who are at the height of the health pandemic. 

The July publication stars key workers from across the UK, and 24-year-old Rachel Millar is representing Northern Ireland.

Rachel says " never thought they would be bothered with the like of me"

Now a community midwife at Homerton Hospital in East London, Rachel says her fascination for pregnancy and birth started early when she witnessed her grandparents doing lambing season every year on their farm.

Speaking to Vogue she said: "Every week is different. I could be doing night shifts in the birth centre, antenatal clinics seeing women throughout their pregnancies, or postnatal home visits – checking in on couples who have recently left the labour ward with their newborns. I also do on-calls for the home birth team which last 24 hours (from 8am to 8am the following day). I just love being with the women in this really special time in their lives.

"One of the hardest moments for me during the pandemic was when I had my bike stolen. If you’ve ever watched Call the Midwife, you’ll know the importance of two wheels to an east London midwife, especially when we’re desperately trying to avoid public transport.

"Having to carry on working for the rest of the week, maintain good morale, and be that reassuring voice to worried parents was made slightly more difficult.

But, within a few hours, a friend who also works at Homerton Hospital had raised over £500 online to help get me back on the road. Another colleague tweeted the story and within an hour, a local company had donated a brand new electric bike.

"It’s just one example of the community support and kindness that I’ve seen over the past few months, and what initially drew me to work in Homerton Hospital and the surrounding area. To say that I’m proud of my work family, and my wider community’s response to this pandemic, is an understatement.

I have had several brides that are midwives and nurses over the years and I think of them all at this time. Last month three of my past brides had babies in the middle of this crisis and I'm happy to say All Mum's and babies are doing fine, thanks to our NHS staff.