One of the enduring benefits of my mild addiction to social media is that is has made me less ‘shy’. I am not nervous in the company of others and I am certainly no shrinking violet. I positively love a spot of public speaking. My utter lack of musical ability has prevented me from being any kind of rock star but give me a dance floor, spotlight or platform and I am happy to perform, dance wildly and sing like a tone-deaf banshee.
Unless you actually know me the idea that I might be a bit self-effacing and apprehensive might seem at odds with level of profile of my shop and by extension me. My reticence had stopped me reaching out over invisible relationship boundaries, probably the biggest being that between my clients and I. Whilst my job means I get up close & personal to brides boobs and a shimmy of the bum into a wiggle skirt is something I have seen from the business end, a lot, I rarely used to connect beyond the supplier/client relationship.
Twitter, specifically, has been instrumental for the change. A ‘follow’ and a ‘follow back’ is hardly like letting someone rifle through the knicker drawer that is Facebook. It is an unobtrusive, almost unwitting way, of casually getting to know someone. A ‘bride’ becomes not just not someone with a budget for a dress but someone who you know in ‘real time’ if not ‘IRL.’ The bride is on a sofa elsewhere watching the same crap TV show or at work reading the same blog article as me. This is not bride and shop bitch, in this instance, it is just Sarah & Emma.
Sarah and I had a great time playing dress up. I used my secret weapon dress that is Maggie Sottero’s Boston. This dress is a miracle worker, one of those ‘is that actually a ‘Maggie’?’ numbers. The ruffles of corded lace over sheer spotted tulle make it perfect for rustic and rural settings. The style details are pure vintage, the corsettry pure vixen. Read Sarah’s love story on Love My Dress here .
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Sarah is just one of those brides that is savvy. From clever eBay & Etsy finds to locally sourced flowers and a photographer friend that just happens to be amazing Sarah could have left it there. No… Sarah has a blog called You Me Venues that helps couples source wedding venues that do not insist on a minimum number of guests or spend. Follow her on Twitter @youmevenues
After the last flutter of confetti hit the cobbles Sarah nipped into the shop to share photos and anecdotes which is how I found out she was reselling her styling props at a Bridal Boot Sale. As the move to The Chapel was underway and the contents of several back cupboards and stock rooms was under scrutiny I offered her a few discontinued ‘bits’ – headdresses, shoes and a couple of 50s style dresses to sell. The boot sale was a little down at heel but instead of bringing the stock back Sarah upped and sold it all on Ebay.
For years I have been meaning to get my head round eBay, for years I have been too busy. Suddenly here was a Miss Bush bride that was a virtual pro. Immediately, but as a result of the slower ‘getting to know you’ process across social media, the plan for the Miss Bush Outlet was hatched. Sarah is now running the Miss Bush Outlet on eBay – check it out Miss Bush Outlet
It is been an absolute pleasure getting to know Sarah, meeting her son Lewis and now to watch another little bump growing along with our business.
Blog posts inspiration is usually about escort cards and colour schemes. There is so much of this in Sarah & Huw’s wedding so click through and have peek at all the pretty. The inspiration for me comes from Sarah herself. This is more than the girl in the cool cardie; this is a woman who can balance motherhood, work, plan a wedding, find the time to write a blog and start a business with me whilst navigating the administrative circle of hell that is PayPal.
Sarah I take my hat floral crown off to you…
Credits
Photography: Vanda Ralevska
Venue: Gate Street Barn, Surrey
The Dress: Maggie Sottero Boston at Miss Bush Bridalwear
Veil: Richard Designs at Miss Bush Bridalwear
Hair: Sharon Roberts
Makeup: Kristina Gasperas
Cake: Spongeworks
Rings: Nichols
Catering: Kalm Kitchen
Photobooth: Photo Lounge
Emma xxx
Emma Meek, MD of Miss Bush Bridalwear
Miss Bush Bridalwear is Surrey’s leading designer bridal shop
