High hopes for new owner at Northamptonshire village bridal shop

Katie Rayson, who worked at Icon Bridal for around four years, made the decision to take over the business in Wollaston’s Tower Court and this weekend saw the relaunch of the shop in her own image.

Now simply called Bride, the space offers private appointments for up to four guests to give brides-to-be the opportunity to try on, measure and alter their dream dress ahead of the big day.

Mum-of-two Katie took on the business, which specialises in a range of dresses from names such as Justin Alexander and Modeca which can be bought off the rack, ordered in and sized up by seamstress and alterations expert Phoebe Candlin.

Katie said: "I think it’ll be better for me because I know every bride and I know every single story.

"When they get in contact with me, I know who they are, they know who I am, so they have the same person with them through their own journey. I’m with them the whole way.

“Weddings are stressful so I wanted to take the stressful wedding dress choice out of it.

"People have the whole shop to themselves

“I know every single bride and they know who I am, it's nice. When they come for their appointment, they know it’ll be me.”

Inside, the space offers room to view a range of dresses and features a seating area and changing space within the building.

Bride is open from 6pm until 9pm on Tuesdays, 10am until 9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am until 3pm on Fridays, 9am until 6pm on Saturdays and 9am until 2pm on Sundays.

The relaunch on Saturday (September 5) welcomed customers new and old to the space in Tower Court in Irchester Road.

Katie added: “I sold two dresses so it was a really good day. The name’s getting out there.

"The response has been really, really good. The owners took a step back so people knew me anyway. It was a really good response when people came over. People in the industry are so nice, we got so many nice responses.”

Appointments can be booked at Bride online here.