Photography: The Bride Tribe

Florals:  Red Floral

Dresses:  Bellissima Brides

Cake Design:  The Frostery

Makeup / Influencer:  Sophie Russell

Hair:  Rebecca Forshaw

Bridal Model:  Sophie Russell

Drak Model: Robyn Evans

Blonde Model: Claudia Platt

Veil / Headpieces: Adorn By Ashely

Bridal:  Bon Bon Bride

Bridesmaid Headpieces: Evelyn & Rose

Much loved bridal dress specialists, Brides By Tina Louise, have moved their beautiful bridal boutique to the heart of West Kirby.

Tina and her team, who have been making brides’ ‘dress dreams’ come true for over 20 years, have created a stunning new bridal boutique on Grange Road.

Originally based in Heswall, the new store now offers brides a truly bespoke bridal dress experience; with 100% private appointments to make their appointments even more personal and memorable.

We caught up with founder Tina to find out all about the big move and what has kept her at the cutting edge of bridal fashion for so many years.

So Tina, what can we expect from the new boutique?

‘Well we really wanted to create a little slice of bridal heaven so have gone all out with gorgeous décor and quirky touches. Obviously we have lovely big changing rooms and a stunning collection of dresses and accessories but we’ve added a few little fun touches like a vintage record player and cosy seating area. We want brides and to feel totally relaxed and make the moment as special as possible.’

Why West Kirby?

‘Along with practical reasons like parking and access, West Kirby already has a buzzing bridal scene and lots of brides like to make a day of it, take in a couple of boutiques and enjoy a nice lunch or glass of fizz afterwards. West Kirby has it all really and we just felt that after 20 years in Heswall it was time for a change and time to re-imagine the shop for a new generation of brides.’

Relax in sumptuous surroundings in our beautifully appointed rooms and suites.

So how did you get into bridal couture?

‘I’ve been sewing and making clothes for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Runcorn we didn’t have a lot of money and I was crazy about fashion, so I spent all my spare cash in Abakan on off-cuts of fabric and made my own clothes that were bang on trend, literally for a few pennies. I then started making clothes for Marks and Spencer but still continued to do commissions and wedding dresses in my spare time. Finally, I found the shop in Heswall, did a six-week Women In Business course and the rest is history!’

What has made Tina Louise Brides so successful?

‘We’ve always been a family business, first with my Mum working alongside me and now my daughter Natalia. Our other team member Janine has been with us for thirteen years, so we are a really passionate team who literally live and breathe brides. We have literally dressed thousands of brides over the year and every time a bride says ‘yes to the dress’ we still get emotional! It’s such a privilege to help their dreams come true and as a seamstress I will not let any bride leave without making sure their dress is absolutely perfect and fits them like a glove.’

Nothing says ‘here comes the bride’ quite like a veil. They have been around for as long as marriage itself and have evolved to mean different things to different cultures.

In ancient Greece, brides wore thick, bright red veils to ward off evil spirits – so thick in face they couldn’t actually see where they were going so their fathers had to guide them carefully down the aisle to meet their grooms.

In biblical times, Jewish grooms placed a veil over their brides face to show that they were marrying them for their inner beauty whilst in cultures where arranged marriages are the norm the veil is still used to conceal the brides face until the deed is done.

Today, the veil still holds religious relevance for some, whereas, for others, it is a simple fashion accessory and a way of complementing the gown or chosen wedding theme.

We take a look at some of the top trends gracing aisles across the UK in 2019…

Mantilla Magnificence

Channel your inner señorita with these Spanish inspired beauties. Mantilla veils ooze romance with detailed lace trims that sit exquisitely around the shoulders and face.

We adore this Joyce Jackson floor length creation from Lace and Favour (£228) and it’s a style we expect to see a lot more of over the coming year.

Boho Beauty

For free spirited, botanical loving boho brides we are literally bowled over by the new trend for dip-dye decadence. The Palm Springs bridal cape from Crown & Glory is a fresh new take on veil inspired cover-ups and comes in 25 amazing shades, so you can colour match your cape to just about any theme. (£175)

Say It With Sparkles

If bling is your thing do not fear, sparkles are here and they’re not going anywhere fast! From delicately beaded tulle creations to full-on rhinestone bling-fests, you can sparkle and shine your way down the aisle in style. We love this subtle shoulder length number from The Wedding Veil Shop. Its got just the right amount of twinkle without being over the top. (£58)

Edgy Elegance

If a full length, bridal style veil is just not your thing, you can pay a nod to the tradition and go all quirky with a birdcage style creation. Perfect for the edgy bride who wants less fuss and more style, this stunning Starburst Glitter Birdcage from Crown and Glory comes in over 30 super-glam colours and we think it could be your ultimate crowning glory! (£45)

Five super-talented wedding heavyweights joined forces this weekend in a sensational shoot showcasing some inspirational trends for brides.

The shoot, which took place at one of the city’s most stylish venues Oh Me Oh My, featured gorgeous gowns from Bellissima Brides (Brimstage, Wirral) and fabulous flowers from the dazzling duo at Flourish (Oxton, Wirral).The show-stopping hair and make-up came courtesy of the wonderful Nicola Joyce and the whole thing was beautifully shot by the incredible team from Madison Picture.

We think models Hannah and Isabella looked absolutely stunning. What a wonderful celebration of the very best talent in the industry.

While some brides prefer to do their own make-up, the majority will rely on a wedding makeup artist for their big day.

But with so many out there, there’s almost too much choice and it can be hard to find the perfect one to suit your taste and nail the look you have in mind for your big day.

We caught up with acclaimed Wirral MUA Victoria Ellen to find out her top-tips to get that gorgeous glow and flawless finish on the most important ‘make-up’ day of your life…

We met Vicky in her gorgeous salon in Upton Village just after she put the finishing touches to another bride-to-be.

Making waves in the make-up world for over five years, Vicky and her team have built quite a reputation both for their skill and their lovely, friendly approach.

‘I absolutely love doing bridal makeup’, commented Vicky. ‘I love meeting with brides beforehand, getting to know them and understand what they want from their makeup for the biggest day of their lives. It’s such an honour to be involved.’

What tips would you give to brides when choosing a MUA?

Practice Makes Perfect!

“Trials are absolutely key to getting that perfect look. I offer unlimited trials for brides as part of the overall package. Often brides come in having seen a certain look which may be a massive departure from their usual style but often they end up with something a bit closer to their usual look. Its so important to practice different looks – we only do one look per trial too as removing and then re-applying makeup can alter the skin tones so you don’t get a true finish. By offering unlimited trials we allow our brides to explore different looks until we find the perfect one.”

Do Your Research

“Most MUA’s have a signature style and so it’s important you find the right one for you. Whether its glowing skin or stand-out eyes you are after and go for someone who can create the look you are after. I get so much of my work through recommendation and this is important too. If you know someone who has used your MUA and loved what they did you are half way there.”

Instagram Stalking Is Good!

“Instagram is an amazing tool to help you pick your preferred look. If the same profile keeps popping up and you love their style this could be the MUA for you. It’s also a great idea to scroll through all of your chosen MUA’s work so you can shortlisting the looks you love.”

Personality Is Key

“My job as your MUA is not just to make you look fabulous, its also to keep you calm and chilled on the crazy busy wedding morning. Choosing someone you click with and you know will help keep you calm whilst your in the hot seat is an absolute must.”