Retailer Spotlight: Sophia Grace Couture

What sets your store apart from other bridal retailers?

"We want our brides to enjoy their experience with us, therefore we provide a luxury environment and excellent advice and customer service to every one of our brides. Our team are passionate about what they do and know every detail, customisation options and colourways of each and every dress, not to mention what accessories would be a perfect match. Therefore our stylists are able to guide brides through their wedding dress journey with ease. The designers that we work with, several of which are exclusively available in Scotland to Sophia Grace Couture, understand brides' aspirations and expectations [and] therefore are able to design and deliver beautiful and exquisite gowns. In January 2022, we expanded and our beautiful boutique now has three completely private fitting rooms where brides can sit back and relax with their entourage. In addition, we also have added two new suites to the building, a dedicated Bridesmaid Suite and Styling Suite. The Styling Suite is where our brides, once their dream dress has arrived from the designer, are invited to experience a 60 minute complimentary styling appointment while trying ontheir dress. The Styling Suite is also available for a small fee for brides who have not purchased their dress from us. All our brides are VIP’s, however for brides who would like a VIP experience with us which includes a two hour appointment, prosecco and chocolates, they can book the Styling Suite for an even more luxurious appointment. Our brides are welcomed with refreshments while their dedicated stylist will listen to how their bride would like to look on their wedding day, offering advice and guidance along the way. When a bride purchases their dream dress with us, they are given a gift from our sister site www.alwaysthebride.com. We receive amazing feedback from our brides who purchase their dresses from us immediately after their appointment and also after their special day. It’s so lovely to see a bride back in the boutique as a guest to a bride or as a bridesmaid. Most of our brides visit after a bride referring us which is testament to the amazing environment and experience that our ladies receive."

Gown Featured: Rosalie (with sleeves)

What would you recommend a bride to do before/while shopping for her perfect gown?

"Not every bridal boutique will have what each bride is searching for, whether it be a particular look that a bride has fallen in love with, price point or sample sizes. With this in mind, we recommend that brides carry out research before booking appointments. If there is a particular designer that you like, look for boutiques that stock that collection or gown. Budget, money is something that we as a nation don’t like to discuss, however if you have a budget in mind that you are very firm on, then make sure that boutique/s that you visit stock dresses within your price point. Check out boutiques that you would like to visit, look at reviews, what designers they carry, what each boutique offers in terms of experience, etc. From trying on dresses, finding ‘The One,’ styling and alterations is a journey, therefore you need to be comfortable and happy with where you purchase your gown from. Make sure that you give yourself enough time from ordering your gown, to it arriving in store and alterations; we recommend 12 months in advance of your wedding is the perfect time to shop. Don’t stress, finding your dream dress should be an enjoyable experience. Your bridal stylist will know each and every gown that they stock, therefore tell your stylist what you like as well as don’t, they won’t be offended, this will help your stylist ensure that they are showing you designs that you might like. Pick your entourage wisely, bring along guests whose opinion you value the most–don’t bring lots of people with you, we find that three is a comfortable number as brides are not being bombarded with too many opinions."

Gown Featured: Rosalie (without sleeves)

What makes Enzoani your go-to brand?

"Enzoani and Blue by Enzoani collections always have the wow factor. From classic styling to on trend looks, each collection has something for everyone. Enzoani offers excellent customer service and answers queries almost immediately which is something we really do value. We love the fact that we can order additional lace and fabric which is very handy should a bride wish to customise her gown or accessories."

Gown Featured: Raissa

Anything else you'd like to add about your store?

"We love when a bride walks through the door and we hear the words ‘wow,’ it makes us smile each and every time.With absolutely everything a bride could possibly need for their wedding look under one roof, including accessories, Badgley Mischka shoes, bridesmaids and flower girl dresses combined with excellent customer service, we really do provide the ultimate bridal experience"

Gown Featured: Ozalea (with train)