Celebrating independent traders: Cannock bridal boutique is the perfect fit

Her boutique, Katie’s Brides, which is in the village of Heath Hayes, has gowns to suit every shape, style and budget.

Sally and her mum Bev first opened the shop to customers in 2002. 

They were originally planning to buy an established business in Wolverhampton but decided instead to build their own empire from scratch closer to home.

“Over the years we have learned a lot about the bridal industry.

“It’s not just about selling pretty dresses, it’s about the whole planning journey, the high and lows of wedding planning.

“We’re part of that and we’re a contact for them to come and talk to,” says Sally, who fully took over the reins when her mum retired after the Covid pandemic.

The boutique has collection of around 300 dresses from designers including Jennifer Wren, Justin Alexander and White Rose.

Brides can choose from a wide range of styles including A-line, ballgowns, mermaids and fit and flares and boho.

Sally prides herself on providing brides with a relaxed environment to try on dresses and is on hand to help any customers who may be feeling daunted by the process.

“We offer a no-pressure sales environment where brides can choose from and try on an array of styles and we will help them to find the correct dress for their body shape,” she explains. 

“We take them through the alteration process – we have our own seamstress on site – and after fittings they get their dress steamed for their wedding day,” she adds.

The shop offers dresses to cater for a whole range of budgets and brides are welcome to bring family and friends with them to their appointments.

“We always have a sale rail with dresses from as little as £150 and our other dresses go up to £4,000.

“There is something, I hope, for everyone,” says Sally.

The majority of the dresses in stock range from UK size 4-32 but the team can order dresses in all sizes.

As most wedding dresses take approximately nine months to be made and delivered, Sally recommends brides start looking a few months before this to ensure there is plenty of time for fittings.

If they are working towards a date which is much closer than this, she says there is no need to panic because some dresses can be ordered on a rush delivery and the shop also sells a range of wedding gowns off the peg.

Once ordered, the shop is happy to look after wedding dresses right up until the big day and the team also offers a dry cleaning service as well as a range of storage boxes so gowns can be cherished for years to come.

As well gowns, customers will also find a collection of veils, hair clips and tiaras as well as other accessories brides might need for their big day. 

When she isn’t helping her brides pick the perfect dress, Sally is busy sourcing new designs, liaising with suppliers and ensuring orders arrive in plenty of time for the big day.

Since opening the shop, the business owner, who recently attended Harrogate Bridal Weekend to select the new season’s wedding dresses, has seen lot of changes in bridal fashion.

“We’ve seen lots of styles come and go and lots of styles that were fashionable when we first opened have gone out of fashion and are now coming back in.”

Sally has also witnessed an increase in popularity of mid-week celebrations while nowadays the wedding calendar extends beyond the traditional summer period.

“A lot more venues are offering mid-week weddings, rather than just at weekends.

“Summer used to be our busiest time of the year but now we’re busy throughout the year,” she explains.

For Sally, helping brides to find their perfect gown and providing a memorable shopping experience is very rewarding.

“I love working with all of the brides – their happiness is everything to me. 

“I want to make sure they are relaxed and they don’t feel any stress.

“I want it to be as pleasant an experience as possible. 

“I love being a part of their planning journey and getting to see the wedding photos afterwards – that’s the best thing.”

For more information, see katiesbrides.co.uk or www.facebook.com/people/Katies-Bridal-and-Prom/100047021244500/