LOVE is officially Ten!

That’s a decade of dreamy dresses, bustles, brides and brilliant memories. Ten years of saying “I do” to running a small business and having the *heavenly* job of working with some pretty amazing designers. It’s been bridal bliss.

We’ve come a long way from where we started, and I couldn’t be prouder of all that LOVE has achieved. When we opened our doors ten years ago, I don’t think I ever dreamed we’d be where we are now.

As we raise a glass (or two) to our biggest bridal birthday so far, I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that has supported us over the years. We are so grateful for our ever-growing family of LOVE brides that give us the absolute honour of being part of their big day. From our awesome suppliers and designers to the amazing Altrincham community that has welcomed us since we opened, thank you – we couldn’t have done it without you!

So, what better way to celebrate our tenth birthday than to pick out some of our most memorable moments. Here’s 10 of my personal highlights from this amazing decade of LOVE.

1. Picking up the keys and opening the doors in our beloved Altrincham 1^st August 2012 – a real pinch-me moment, especially as this was a joint partnership with my husband and highly acclaimed wedding photographer Jonny Draper
2. Buying trips and events giving us incredible opportunities, taking us overseas to NYC and up down the UK too. I’ll never forget attending my very first solo buying trip to London’s White Gallery event and sitting on the front row of their catwalk show, seeing one of our very first designer’s, Stewart Parvin, showcase his new collection. A proper pinch me moment!
3. Celebrating LOVE’s first birthday at the incredible Styal Lodge, surrounded by our friends, family and wedding friends. Such a lovely way to say thank you for all their support in our first year of business
4. Winning the title of ‘Best National Bridal Retailer’ in The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) as voted by our amazing brides
5. Flying the flag for British bridal couture working with the incredible Sassi Holford, Stewart Parvin and Savannah Miller, and hosting Designer Days here at the boutique with Stewart Parvin (couturier to the Queen don’t you know!) and Sassi Holford in attendance too!
6. Hosting our very own catwalk show and wedding event ‘The Wedding Edit’ at Styal Lodge over three consecutive years, showcasing our collections to our brides and introducing them to our super talented wedding friends
7. Showcasing our dresses at so many amazing Wedding Fayres and events over the years including Styal Lodge, Owen House Wedding Barn, Capesthorne Hall, Heaton House Farm, Hilltop, The Bowdon Rooms to name just a few. A particular highlight was the Brides Up North event ‘Wedstival’ at Capesthorne Hall where we designed a festival themed stand featuring live models and we won best stand for it too!
8. Photographing our dresses at what was soon to become the incredible wedding venue ‘King Street Townhouse’ in Manchester. At the time it was still a building site, so we donned our hard hats and Jonny shot our dresses in some amazing (if a little crazy) settings… on the edges of an almost finished infinity pool (!) and on the roof terrace which didn’t yet have any sides to it!
9. Signing the world renowned Made With Love back in 2018  – we’re the exclusive stockist in the North West!
10. Last but not least, each and every one of our beautiful brides and of course our wonderful team, past and present – special mentions to Charlotte, Clare and Alex, Sonya and Corinne for everything they’ve done for LOVE over the years

It’s been emotional. We may have even shed some happy tears! We’ve done some pretty amazing things (even if we say so ourselves) in our ten-year LOVE story.

From every wedding dress that has been tried but not picked, to every dress that becomes ‘the one’, we know we’re part of something special.

But before we go pop that bubbly and throw some confetti in celebration, a personal thanks to my gorgeous hubby Jonny, and my son Alfie who remind me every day how wonderful LOVE really is.

I can’t wait for another decade of whirlwind weddings, perfect proposals and beautiful brides.

Here’s to the next 10 years of LOVE.

Emma xox