Longer ago than I care to remember Miss Bush exhibited at a ‘Wedding Fayre’ in Woking Leisure Centre’s main arena. This is as horrific as it sounds. Recreating the ambience of our shop under a neon orange glare that cast a jaundiced tone over complexions and fabrics alike was nigh on impossible. Not growling at attendees rolling push chair wheels over dress trains was a similar test of restraint. Explaining that a fabric was not snagged but, in fact, slubbed, a characteristic of silk, required a poker players ability not to give away equal measures of exasperation & irritation. I remember clearly at the time saying to Senior Bush – “do you see Caroline Castigliano here?” & with that a line was drawn under our future ‘fayre’ attendance.
It is a well documented fact that I retreated to Bush Island and focused on print advertising as our sole means of marketing. Until, that is, Laura Caudery dragged me off the island and into Fetcham Park & the land of bloggers. ( Link here for our love story.)
A long-winded explanation to why I was at Gate Street Barn, a wedding venue ten miles south of Miss Bush. I kept hearing its name. Over and over. Where and when your wedding is taking place are some of the first questions I ask brides. It helps enormously to rationalise dress choices and speaks volumes about a brides taste, preferences & dare I say budget. Gate Street, gate street, gate street like a mantra.
Finally, when the lovely Vanessa, (a bride in 2015, came in and loved our dresses) told me of an open day at the venue on the 12th January I picked up the phone to invite myself. For now Miss Bush is more like the United Nations rather than an island nation. I have been taught by younger and wiser wedding professionals that today’s engaged couples are a completely new generation of consumers with different goals & priorities. Therefore not knowing, not bothering to find out what is the latest & greatest desire of a bride across a wide range of wedding products & services is a huge oversight. I had a good idea of ‘Gate Street’ dresses from brides choices over the last 18 months but nothing is as good as seeing for yourself. I took what I thought would appeal, colours I thought would work and got brilliant feedback from the brides, grooms, MOBs & FOBs that I met.
The venue is lovely. Off the beaten track, chock full of oak beams with gorgeous staff & event organisers. This was nothing like a ‘wedding fayre’ & everything like an industry showcase. The other vendors exhibiting were of the highest calibre. Kalm Kitchen, Jacaranda & Rhubarb in the field of catering were already known to me; the lovely John Harris & super sidekick Ashleigh Aldred are already Miss Bush’s go-to videographers. Capture It photography, favourites for several Miss Bush brides were showing. Melisma music – introduced to me by Fetcham Park were in attendance with a harpist. It was so busy that I had no chance to do the rounds and introduce myself but I can confirm that my immediate stand neighbours Chess Disco were lovely, very expert in their field and were giving great advice not just on the playlist but structuring the flow of an evening reception to ensure maximum fun and dancing – my kind of boys! It was so much busier than I expected that I have to thank JJ at Jacaranda for a cheese straw & three canapes & Neil, owner of Le Papillon Patisserie from Woking for several tasting squares of cake which was all that kept me from malnutrition. In the most delicious way possible.
I was exhausted by the end of the day, I stood in one spot and talked for eight hours. If I was in the Irish Guards this would have been me…
Not even the pharmaceutical grade coffee could see off my tiredness. Saturdays in January are busy retail days. Following one with 8am start was hardcore. Would I do it again? Absolutely, I would just bring staff. This was far from the exercise in naffness of old style ‘fayres’ with Balloons by Barry (I kid you not!) A perfect way meeting couples, of judging your product in situ and a great chance to network with other suppliers.
Top Tips for Survival
Breakfast – anything would have worked
Packed Lunch – Note to self – Jacaranda are not there to feed you.
Water Bottle – Class A coffee just makes you talk more
Staff x3 – Tegan & Corinne will not get off lightly next time
More Bridesmaids Dresses – try describing a rainbow of tasteful colours without any examples
An example of an entry level priced dress – I took the bridal equivalent of Aston Martins – I need a couple of Fiat 500s too
More shoes – the Rachel Simpson shoes were a hit
More headpieces to try on – everyone is secretly a magpie
A mirror – for the magpies
The wine fridge – no fizz or sweets to hand out. I felt like a meanie!
Many thanks to the Gate Street Barn team for finding me a space with a week’s notice. Many thanks to the bride, grooms, friends & families for talking & loving the dresses.
Very special thanks to Rosie Orr for the flowers for the stand & the cute jasmine & gyp’ headdress for my mannequin. Contact Rosie at www.rosieorr.co.uk or 01483 489 113
Contact Gate Street Barn info@gatestreetbarn.com Tel 01483 894 362
Emma xxx
Emma Meek, Managing Director, Miss Bush Bridalwear
Miss Bush Bridalwear is Surrey’s leading designer bridal boutique
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