Bridal design trends and ideas for 2024 brides

Sometimes I stop and realise how quick time flies and here we are nearly at the end of another year and looking forward to what's in store for 2024. When my head is down sewing I just don't see where the time flies. One thing about my work is I cannot ever miss a deadline so this time of year I feel I have to do my best to stop take stock of projects I want to do and how I want to best present them to you. 

I am quite a shy person and I much prefer to meet you in person to firstly put you at ease and then to get to know how I can help you. Trying to put into words or to present what I try to do for brides and customers seems really difficult for me. People often ask me outside of my shop what I do for a living and I never know how best to answer. This year one of my clients described me as a creative problem solver, which I thought was kind of apt. I am constantly creating but in that process you have to problem solve as fabric and people need you to adapt to their needs.

Sometimes I feel like I have my "back against the wall" as I have to work out what a bride wants and how I can give it to her for the price she wants, so I have to do my best to quickly come up with the perfect solution. Other times I feel a girl was meant to come to me and the whole experience just falls into the perfect scenario.

Keeping up with the latest fashion trends is easier now than ever. I actually find it nearly too much information. There are ideas and inspiration all around. One of the reasons I like working for a client is that it keeps me focused and stops me getting too many ideas and not knowing which one to start. However I also like to create “off the peg” dresses when I get ideas that I want to put into reality. 

So instead of being split I stay focused on what is desired and required. Hopefully from my 

inserted pictures you are being feed the trends for 2024. That is what our smart phones do today, they feed us with trends they want us to inspired by. However much they want to tell us what to wear, we have our own unique style and personality and we want to feel special.

The wedding dress is perhaps the most important aspect of any bride's big day. It's a symbol of love, beauty, and tradition. Recently, wedding dress trends have evolved to reflect the changing tastes and styles of modern brides. 2024 is all about personalisation and that extends to wedding fashion. Couples are opting for bespoke wedding attire, ensuring their outfits are as unique as their love story. Discover the world of custom wedding gowns, jumpsuits and accessories that reflect your individual style. 

One trend that has taken the bridal world by storm is the rise of the non-traditional wedding dress - and this trend is here to stay. Many brides are opting for dresses in colours other than white, such as blush, champagne, or even bold shades and details. These unconventional colours allow brides to express their unique personalities and stand out from the crowd.

Bridal seperates are a popular choice for brides in 2024. With the growing trend of having multiple looks throughout your wedding day, we're seeing a lot more brides opting for a two-piece or three-piece bridal ensemble for their wedding day. This look is seriously stylish and you can put it together however you like.

Oversized bows are making a real impact on bridal catwalks. In addition to adding drama and elegance to bridal attire, they create a striking focal point, drawing attention to the back of a gown or the neckline, which elevates the overall look. With bows available in different fabrics, colours, and styles, brides can experiment and find one that complements their dress and vision.

Bridal Fashion Week featured fresh, modern twists on traditional bridal styles. Designers aren't abandoning tradition, they're just updating it, from detachable trains to opera-length embellished gloves. A trend that we're loving is shorter veils - they aren't too formal, but still very elegant.

I find veils are a personal choice and I tend to find my personal choice is a long veil and because I know this when a bride is deciding what she wants I know to hold back and let her decide what she likes. So one trend so will promote is choose what makes you smile. 

17th March 2023 Spread the LOVE on the world wide web

 On this special day, when Irish celebrate around the world, I thought I would share with you some of the work in my sewing room today.

One of the many things that I love to use in my designs are flowers and shamrocks, so today of all days I thought why not let you see what is on my work bench.

Designs and sketches with my Irish shamrocks featuring.

They are a quiet way of saying what I really want. 

Learn more about St Patrick, the saint the Irish celebrate today all around the world, wanted to spread christianity. His idea
was to use the shamrock as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity.

In my work I rarely touch the subject of religion as it is too contentious a topic. I prefer to make people happy rather than cause tension. For me the idea of the shamrock being made up of 3 hearts is the perfect emblem to celebrate the coming together of lots of love.

A St Patrick's blessing I want to share with you 

"May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go"

Wherever you are in the world today you have probably heard of St Patrick. But research and learn more about him! He didn't wear Green! He wasn't Irish! He was enslaved!

So please use the WWW to learn more about everything and learn understand what is Fact and Fiction, who to believe and who to watch out for. People need to learn to love and to share and look after this world. By looking by listening by using our brains and skills we can do better. Maybe by being together we can improve each others ability to achieve their best. I hope greed and evil become extinct while love and wisdom flourish.

This year St Patrick's day coincides with Red Nose Day. Let us come together to fund raise for programs to end child poverty, keeps children safe, healthy, educated and empowered.

March Madness 2023 in the Wedding World

Have you ever read the poem by Rudyard Kipling? “If you can keep your head when all about you" This is the time to think like this.

 “Did you know in the Wedding World the 1st March is National Wedding Planning. The holiday was created by “The Knot” in 2017, and if you are thinking of tying the knot check out their website for ideas. 

Weddings are one of the most joyous celebrations of mankind and traditions vary from culture to culture. However, it is also one of the most stressful events to plan. The planning usually takes a toll on both the bride and groom, bringing them down from the proposal high, especially if there’s no one helping to ease the process. 

I ask myself all the time why I do the things I do? 

I’m just someone who helps brides find the right dress for them. If I haven’t got it “ready to go” then I’ll make it. That’s what I have done for years now and some how we always get there. I’m just someone who left college, wanted to put my heart and soul into making things as a living. Sensible people thought I should be an art teacher. Was that me? 

I’m glad I do what I do!! It’s scary, exciting and rewarding. I meet the most amazing diversity of people. Recently one of my clients is actually an Art teacher. She’s super clever, super sensitive and super at helping her pupils work out what’s good for them. 

One of the things I have learnt about my job is that being good at sewing is not necessarily the most important thing. I have to know when I’m designing for someone what makes them happy, what gives them confidence and how can I help them. 

Another thing I know is in life you are always learning but experience of life helps. 

People often ask where my inspiration comes from, well that’s easy I have always had to my ideas. It’s my clients, the people I come in contact with and the things around me that inspires me. 

Inspiration

These days there seems to always be such tragic news from around the world and the thing that keeps me sane ( if I am sane!! ) is my work. 

On my Twitter feed I noticed that the inspirational Ukrainian people are doing so too !!

I don't know whether my school studies of history (with Miss Mc Cleland at Glenlola School ) of world wars or the fact that my homeland Northern Ireland has had to endure over 30 years of terrorism but I want the Ukrainian people to know they have the support of the sane people around the world who believe in justice and peace. I'm sure on twitter people seeing a simple sewer sitting in Belfast giving a ♡ they are thinking WHY? But I want people to know I CARE.

So while all around you seems to going crazy KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!! If I can help ask me. 

Tomorrow is National Dress Day 6th March

If you are a bride and you buy a dress from me I will give an agreed percentage to help Ukrainian people and if I can't help you with dress please at least think of buying a dress from a Ukrainian dress manufacturer !! "Actions have consequences"

PS my best tip is write things down.

Oh Yes And here’s what Rudyard Kipling wrote:

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

"Have a Heart"

Is it just the time of year or am I always thinking of hearts. I like to think of the idea that when you join three hearts it makes a shamrock, one of my favourite characters in my work. I think of it as the brides family and the grooms family coming together to make a new family.

It's that Time of Year for the London fashion Week, so it's good that I can follow the latest trends on social media.

It's also the week, a year ago, that Russia invaded Ukraine and our lives have been over shadowed with the doom of the war.

Thankfully following Ukrainian designers on the internet has been a way of keeping my spirits up. The people of Ukraine have so inspired me with their amazing resilience and bravery. 

I am in awe of their brilliance.

Fashion, design and creativity is the heartbeat in Ukraine. Fashion is a business but it can also be a powerful platform to communicate with people in All Parts of the World.

The Ukrainian people have made it their mission to show the Rest of the World the Truth about what happens there!!

"Together we can prevent this from having any more people loses and destruction. 

Ukrainian designers have Joined the War Efforts!!

Beyonce and Sam Smith have championed a Ukrainian designer who has caught my eye.

His name is Ivan Frolov from Kyiv and along with the Ukrainian mantra "we can go through anything we are strong and united" they are successfully fighting the wars news front line.

Frolov has a team of 35 employees and from the start of the invasion they have done their best to support each other mentally and financially.

Right now most of the team are in Paris working on projects to raise funds for their countries needs and to spread the Truth and narrative about Ukraine.

Frolov " I try to use every second of my life to do something useful"

" What helps me hold on is a deep faith in our victory and Hard work. Regarding the brand, we are focusing on two main things right now. First is taking care of each team member and keep our company afloat. Another is helping our country in winning this terrific battle."

" During the first weeks of the war, it was impossible for me to create at all, I just couldn't take a pencil into my hands. It was unrealistic to concentrate and it only got worse when the horrific facts of the Ukrainian genocide in Bucha and other cities were revealed"

So he started the FROLOV HEART. a limited collection of white and black sweatshirts and t-shirts embroidered with Hearts hand sewn and beadwork.

Each heart is hand sewn and unique, and a t- shirt or sweat shirt can be bought AND THE PROFITS FROM THE SALES ARE BUILDING MODULAR HOUSES within the nest project by Serhiy Prytula charity foundation while also providing jobs to crafts people!!!

Shop for your heart @frolovheart.com

The Latest from the Bridal industry on the newest trends for 2024

"Come fly with me"

I have always loved watching the birds in my garden. Every morning there is one there to say "Hello"

You will have seen some of my work with embroidered birds, from simple outline stitching to more intense elaborate embroidery.

Recently I noticed birds appearing on the couture catwalks, so I thought I would share the latest trends with you.

"Birds flying high you know how I feel" inspiration from a song maybe!

"Love is in the Air"

"Let your idea out of the bag"

"Dare to Dream"

"Icons in the Spotlight"

"Fresh Trends for 2023"

Short bridal dresses seem to be a thing for 2023.

What's on trend that the bridal shops are buying for 2024?

Bodices with a straight across line rather than the sweetheart line?

Sleeves still a Big thing in some form or another.

Bows?

Do you ever see a dress in a picture and think well I like a notion of this but not quite the same as that. Or maybe you have been to a wedding dress shop and liked a part of an idea but need someone like me to make it the way you want. Well then why not come and meet me to discuss your ideas to see if its possible. 

History is being made today in London as Zelensky visits the capital. He thanked us the Northern Irish for our support and help so far with the invasion of the Russians into their country, jeopardising freedom and democracy. He appealed for "Wings of Freedom" While recently Miss Ukrainian Universe sold her wings to raise funds for the crisis.

Who needs a needless war when we have a natural disaster to cope with since the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria?

Let us All sew the seeds of Love and "Give Peace a Chance!!"

"Spread Peace and Love"

"Love can Conquer All"

Inspiration for St Valentine's day 2023

 

I try my best to keep up with posts and everything that is going on that interests me in the creative world and the wedding world, but there never seems to be enough hours to my days.

I enjoy learning new things and being creative, its probably why I live and breath my work 24/7

You have to be more than enthusiastic to be self employed.But where would I be without the love I get from All my clients.

So with Love being in the air I thought let's make something which would be of use to any of my clients.

So if you would like a red felt heart shaped cushion, either to give to someone you Love or you could use it as a pin cushion then all you have to do is FOLLOW me on FaceBook or Instagram and SHARE this idea with your friends and Loved 1's

LIKEand You are in with a chance of me sending you one.

Let me know what you think and don't be frightened to Comment on this my Blog or any of my Posts as it encourages me to keep doing this social media.

The ring my bride's groom made

My Bride & Groom

My idea of a ring cushion or a pin cushion.

Help me Grow & Flourish

thanks Joanne

“Battle of the Bridesmaids” spare us!!

What was it really all about, ‘Battle of the bridesmaid dresses tells us everything we need to know about ‘mean’ Kate’!

I was fascinated to learn more about the bespoke MOB outfits for Kate's wedding, this time I wanted to learn more about the flower girls dress debacle!! 

Everyone has known for years that there was a disagreement between Meghan and Kate about Meghan’s bridesmaids, which included Princess Charlotte, but it was all guesswork. Was it to do with tights? Or maybe it was the dresses themselves: the design, the fabric?

We definitely knew – or thought we did – that Meghan had made Kate cry about this, which was when things got real.

Kate, stoic Kate, who for years dealt magnanimously with hassle and teasing (remember “Waity Katie”?) of not just her but also her various relatives. 

We liked Meghan, she was modern and glamorous, but we didn’t know her like we knew Kate. Someone we didn’t know making Kate cry was just, like, the end. And now, finally, Harry has revealed a potent text exchange between his sister-in-law and his fiancée that takes it all to a new level.

So here we go: the bridesmaid dresses were handmade in France because, to an American, French couture is the apex of all things. But because of this, they were made based on measurements only, without a fitting. The garments arrived back in the UK rather close to the wedding and, four days before the event, Kate told Meghan that the dress did not fit Princess Charlotte. It was, says Kate in a text, “too big, too long, too baggy. She cried when she tried it on at home.”

Meghan replies, a day later, that a tailor at Kensington Palace is waiting to re-fit the dresses. Kate drops the bombshell that she, and her own wedding organiser, think that all the dresses need to be remade. There is no time for this and it freaks Meghan out. Meanwhile, her father, Thomas, is cutting up rough. It’s all a mess. “I’m not sure what else to say,” Meghan texts back. “If the dress doesn’t fit then please take Charlotte to see Ajay. He’s been waiting all day.” Then Kate delivers the frankly killer, “Fine.”

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking “Kate sounds mean.” And it’s true that Kate does sound a bit curt,but I suggest she herself is hugely freaked by how chaotic things are. If she would later be triggered by Meghan telling her she had “baby brain” she must have hit the roof when Meghan instructed her to take Charlotte to the tailor “as the other mums are doing”.

Kate is not a “mum”, like “others”; Kate is going to be the queen of United Kingdom.  This is not Kate being up herself, this is Kate understanding that she is no longer a person, she is an institution. 

She is also a Middleton, and they plan events. It’s their whole thing. They would never in hell send kids’ clothes to be made blind in France. A contact, who has some inside knowledge, said she suspects Meghan was advised not to send the dresses to France precisely because they would arrive late and not fit.

Meghan didn’t understand why this mattered, why the damn dresses couldn’t be taken to the damn tailor. Kate’s reaction to this, surely, was exasperation at this lack of sense: why refuse advice, only for the dresses to come back wastefully late and wrong, then demand that Kate, on her own time, correct this. They could have been made perfectly first time round by some nice lady on the Fulham Road!

Meghan, already on the edge, is now aghast at all these mean British people being so mean to her. Harry arrives home to find Meghan “on the floor crying”. My heart goes out to her – I’m serious! I do think she was trying to fit in, but couldn’t fathom that being a British princess means eating cereal out of Tupperware and having clothes made in Fulham.

It’s just so clear to me now that all this was a classic case of an Elsa versus Anna personality-plus-culture clash. Meghan is exuberant, romantic, emotional. Kate is organised, dutiful, practical. Throw in a wedding, which turns most people into their worst selves and you have a row about bridesmaid’s dresses that lasts fully five years in which, and I can’t believe how disappointed I am to say this, absolutely no one is to blame.

So what can you learn from all this? 

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. You put a lot of thought and effort into it. You can listen to advice and then decide what suits you best. Expert advice is vitally important, well worth taking into consideration. Planning is essential and you need to understand that fit is one of the most important things. You can choose a wonderful style but if the fit is not perfect it can totally soul the look. 

Even a flower girl knows whether she is happy to with her dress. 

Are you a New Bride, here's 3 things to remember.

 Are you a New Bride, here's 3 things to remember when coming in for your appointment.

1. I know you may feel nervous about trying on dresses for the first time, but I'm here to help and make you feel as relaxed as possible. You'll have the whole boutique exclusively for you and your guests.

2. Don't worry too much about your underwear, it is best if you have skin tone as this colour is best under everything. With most dresses you're likely to try them on you will get the impression of how it looks on you and with the right underwear and fit nearer your big day the whole look will be even better.

3. Some girls prefer to come to their appointment on their own and that's absolutely fine. It will still be really special, it allows you time to think what you actually want. I'll act as your stylist and your biggest cheerleader all in one. If you are bringing guests I suggest you bring no more than 3 people. This way you don't have too many opinions, but hopefully your guests know you well enough to help you choose. 

Just remember to relax and enjoy the experience. You are buying your dream dress and your appointment should be fun and magical.

The New Normal 2020

 Face masks, finally N.Ireland  has made it manitory for us to wear face masks while on public transport and while shopping.

To make sure you can step out in style I turned my hand to making a few. You can have a plain one or a bespoke one, or have you a logo in mind!