We won!

27th November 2018 by Carrie

Caroline Clark Bridal Boutique wins Wedding Boutique of the Year, West Midlands at The English Wedding Awards

On 14th November Darren and I attended the English Wedding Awards, an annual awards ceremony showcasing the very best of English Wedding Suppliers, as we were finalists for the Wedding Boutique of the Year, West Midlands.

We waited in anticipation as the finalists were read out and were extremely excited when it was announced that we had won the Best Wedding Boutique in West Midlands.

The 3rd annual event held at St John’s Hotel, Solihull celebrates the best suppliers in the wedding industry, with each award, voted for by customers with the finalists judged by a panel of industry experts, including journalists and retail experts.

Caroline Clark Bridal Boutique made it through to the finals in October 2018 after making the shortlist from votes and feedback from customers of its boutique based on a variety of aspects of the business including product, experience and service.

We really are honored to have won this prestigious award. Too often we hear that brides have received poor treatment at bridal boutiques and we simply want all of our brides to have an incredible time.

We also want to say congratulations to all of the other winners, and we were lucky enough to be on a table with two other winning companies, Black Tie of Crowthorne and The Cake Parlour of Wimbledon two fantastic companies who can help with your wedding day planning.

Thank you again for taking the time to vote for us!

Love

Carrie

We are finalists!

3rd November 2018 by Carrie

We are really excited to announce that we are finalists for two wedding awards, The English Wedding Awards and The Wedding Industry Awards.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of our beautiful brides who have taken the time to vote for us. I know you all have very busy lives and we are extremely grate ful.

We will be attending the awards dinners this month where we will find out if we have won the Best Bridal Retailer award, fingers crossed. To celebrate this achievement I wanted to let you know a little more about the boutique and what makes us special.

Caroline Clark Bridal Boutique is a brides own personal luxury bridal boudoir where wedding dreams become a reality. Our brides and visitors love the calming and luxurious interior of the boutique as this allows them to relax and have fun when choosing their wedding dress. The moment you choose your wedding dress, is a moment you remember forever and the boutique has been designed with this in mind. The boutique is divided into three distinct areas: the welcome area, the private changing room and the catwalk.

The welcome area is the first place a bride enters, and is a space adorned with wisteria flowers hanging from the walls, luxurious accessories and a mannequin dressed in a carefully selected gown, accessories and shoes, all of which are designed to give brides that impression they have stumbled into a shop where fairytale princesses frequent.

Our private changing room is a luxurious room with lighting designed to make our brides look radiant from any angle, a 6ft mirror allowing even our tallest ladies in heels the ability to see how spectacular the look, and just because every lady adores perfume, a selection of unique perfumes to sample. All this and the fact the changing room is completely private means our brides have the peace and quiet they need to enjoy the moment and make the right decision about a dress. Our pamper boxes in the changing rooms with hair clips, deodorant and perfume are loved by our brides.

The catwalk is where the magic happens and brides fall in love with their gown. Soft music and gorgeous surroundings compliment the peaceful and calm atmosphere of the boutique. The catwalk allows brides to show their dresses and perfect their look along with their guests. The catwalk provides comfort and relaxation for guests who can enjoy refreshments whilst assisting the bride to be.

Thank you again

Lots of love

Caroline

Behind the scenes

14th October 2018 by Carrie

About Caroline

It’s awards season, and I wanted to share with you my background and how I came to own Caroline Clark Bridal Boutique.

Wedding dresses have always been in my blood, I remember trying to manipulate towels into wedding dresses after my baths when I was 8 years old! Wedding dresses have always fascinated me as I believe they are the closest most ladies will wear to a couture garment, and therefore they are the most special item a bride will wear. Following college where I excelled in Textiles I went on to study for a fashion degree which showed me the basics of garment construction and design.

My first job was working at the family card and gift shop where I expanded the business into the wedding industry by offering gifts, favours and handmade wedding stationery and it was at this point I discovered my passion for helping brides create their perfect day, whilst offering the best service I could.

Following the sale of the business I worked in marketing for large and small companies, whilst completing my Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification which enhanced my ability of raising awareness of companies.

Meanwhile I also got married, and recognised many wedding companies did not focus on the customer, instead the process was a money-making venture and nothing else. As a bride myself this dampened my excitement and I realised my passion was actually to revolutionise the wedding dress industry by listening to and focusing on the bride.

Finally, everything fell into place and I was offered a role as a bridal consultant in a bridal boutique. Sadly, the company had to reduce my hours due to managerial changes. After visiting many boutiques which were for sale, I realised I could turn my dream of creating happy memories for brides into a reality by purchasing Bella Brides Ltd and for the past three years I have been working to make the boutique the best possible place for a bride to find her dress.

Love Carrie xxx

Another string to our bow

1st August 2018 by Carrie

Wedding Dress Cleaning

Surely your wedding dress deserves better than being abandoned in a wardrobe?

We are really excited to announce that we can now offer our brides a fabulous dry cleaning service, in Droitwich, Worcestershire

We have teamed up with a local company to offer CCBB brides the best service to look after your most precious piece of clothing- your wedding dress.

How do I get my dress cleaned?

To make this as easy as possible for you, we simply ask for you to contact us and book in to drop off your dress for cleaning.

Once you drop of your dress, we will inspect the gown with you, just to see whether there are any severe marks, and we will then provide you with a quote for cleaning.

If you are happy to go ahead we will arrange for your dress to be cleaned and boxed and will be in touch as soon as your gown arrives in store. Then voila, your wedding dress will be beautifully clean and boxed, just as it deserves.

Please note this service takes up to one month, if you are having an abroad wedding and a UK do, then please let us know as the service is slightly different to make sure your dress in ready for your party.

To book in or to find out more simply call 01905799474, or email us at info@carolineclarkbridalboutique.co.uk

Don’t forget your most precious dress deserves the best.

Love Carrie xx

Keeping Cool for Brides

9th July 2018 by Carrie

Be the coolest bride this summer with our keeping cool guide

With all of this gorgeous weather we are having, we wanted to share with you our top tips for keeping cool on your wedding day.

Sunny Style

We always think fuller skirted wedding dresses, such as A-line and ballgown will be harder to handle in the heat, however a wedding dress with a big skirt will be cooler as you will be able to feel a breeze around your legs. After all we were loose clothing in the summer. If you can opt for a silk dress as this will keep you extra cool.

Already chosen your gown? Whether it is a fabulously fitted gown or a fairytale a-line keep it unzipped or undone for as log as possible before the ceremony starts- we are talking travelling to the ceremony venue with your zip undone. This will allow you to keep cooler. When going for alterations also don’t forget to ask the seamstress to allow you a little breathing room- don’t go to skin tight.

Hair & Makeup

On hotter days wearing your hair up will keep you cooler. If like me you want to wear your hair down, ask your hairdresser to give you a crash course in creating a complimentary undo. That way you can pin your hair up if the heat gets unbearable.

Blotting paper is a summer brides best friend, and keeping some on hand will ensure you always look photo fresh. When choosing your makeup go for a waterproof mascara and foundation with SPF. After all you don’t want burnt cheeks for your evening do.

Sunscreen is also a beauty must have for your day. Protecting your shoulders, arms and décolletage will keep you cooler. It’s also useful to have some on hand for guests who have forgotten to bring some.

Unexpected Accessories

Often brides ask do I really need a handbag on my wedding day? Not only is this the perfect ‘something borrowed’ item, it is also the perfect place to keep cooling must haves, and a keeping cool for Brides essential. We suggest popping in your bag:

Handheld fan such as this one.
Face Flannel- wet this for immediate cool
Water mist
Sunnies
2nd pair of shoes- your feet saviour

The thought of marrying in the UK in Caribbean temperatures can seem overwhelming but with our keeping cool guide & keeping in the shade whenever possible you will have your own midsummer dream.

Do you have any summer wedding tips?