How to order your bespoke bridal hair accessory

For many of you, choosing your hair accessory is a simple as browsing the different options online, clicking a button on the keyboard, and waiting excitedly to receive something Glorious through the post. If that's you, then head this way!

www.glorioustiaras.co.uk

But if you're keen to have a hair accessory that is unique to you, something that you've had a hand in designing, you're probably one of the brides that asks me my most commonly asked question:

"How do I go about getting you to make something for me?"

• Book a consultation with your chosen designer/s - Consultations are usually in person, over the phone, via email or other messaging service, and some designers, like me, offer Skype consultations.

• Set your budget - Very often it's the elephant in the room, but if you speak to your accessory designer about how much you want to spend on your headpiece at the start of the consultation process, then you do away with the possibility of that embarrassing moment when you have to say that the piece you've just spent half an hour discussing, and falling in love with, is too expensive. As a guide, you can expect to spend from £80 - £280 on a hair accessory, dependent on it's size, intricacy, and value of the components used in it's making. Also, ask about payment options. Designers work differently, but personally, I require a 20% deposit to start work on your accessory, with the final balance due on completion. I also offer payment by instalments, invoicing you an agreed amount across a period of months.

• Share your ideas - Pinterest is your friend! If you're using Pinterest to gather inspiration for your wedding, share your hair style, hair accessory, or wedding theme boards with your designer. A good designer will be able to see straight away if your look leans towards boho, vintage, city chic, modern, classic, rustic, festival, alternative, or fairytale, and will be able to suggest accessories styles that would suit that look

• Get the dress - Don't start accessorising until you've chosen your wedding dress. Your accessories are the icing on the cake, the things that raise your look to the next level. Colour clashes can look fun, and contemporary, fluid lines look organic and natural, crystals enhance a glamorous gown. Again, if you're unsure, your designer can guide you.

• It's all in the detail - If you have pictures of your dress, and any detailing on the bodice, sleeves or overskirt, share those pictures with your designer. If the lace on your dress carries a floral, or leaf design, it may be nice for your hair accessory to build, compliment and enhance that design. If your gown is fairly plain, then you can go to town with your accessories. Likewise, if you have a lot of sequin and crystal embellishment on your bodice, you might want to keep the accessories relatively simple. A good designer will talk you through some ideas.

• Have some hair ideas - Again Pinterest is great for gathering wedding hair inspiration! If you have a collection of pictures, be they online, in a magazine, or simply in your head, be sure to show/discuss them with your designer. Looser styles work really well with hair vines and combs, more formal styles look stunning topped off with a more classic piece a la Kate Middleton's tiara.

• Try a few different styles on - If you have the luxury of meeting your designer face to face, either at a wedding fair, or at a consultation, make the most use of that time by trying a few different styles on, I guarantee that you'll surprise yourself! So many of my brides have told me that they definitely don't want a 'traditional' tiara, or a gold accessory, or something with pearls in it, and yet once they've tried that very style on they change their minds. Much like trying on wedding dresses, it's often very hard to visualise what it is that is best going to compliment your hair colour / face shape / where you want to wear your accessory

• Think about what you're accessorising - Talk to your designer about what you want your hair accessory to work alongside. Is it to compliment a veil? If you're wearing a headpiece with a veil, think about that point in the day when you remove your veil. How will your accessory look then? Do you want your hair accessory to accentuate your overall theme? Hollywood glamour? Great Gatsby? Disney fairytale? Rustic? Vintage?

• Think about the bridal 'team' - Do you want your bridesmaids to have hair accessories that compliment, or contrast with our own? A simpler version of your theme often looks effective. Or pieces that tie in with your look, be that Grecian, floral, pearl, or crystal. It's often fun to bring one or all of your bridesmaids along to your consultation. They can take pictures of you wearing different hair accessories for future reference. They can share the fun of the 'girly try on', and they can have some input into what they would feel excited about wearing.

• Let your designer know your wedding date, and don't delay in booking them if your wedding is less than 6-7 months away! Accessories are often one of the last things that brides organise. However, designers get very busy during 'wedding season', April - August, and usually ask for around 4-6 weeks to complete your order. If you've seen their work, checked their client feedback, and are happy with the ideas from your consultation, then give them your date, and book them to start work!

I WON AN AWARD! SO WHAT...?!

It was with great delight, a large helping of disbelief, and a whole lot of whooping, that two weeks ago I picked up my first ever Wedding Industry Award at a glitzy event hosted at Heaton House Farm in Cheshire.

Post awards I grinned so hard that my face did genuinely start to ache. I joyfully accepted congratulations from my fellow wedding industry friends, and I celebrated...Hard!

When I woke the next morning, the first thing I did, was to sit up in bed and lift my shiny, Wedding Industry Awards award from the bedside table, stare at it to make sure I hadn't imagined the whole thing, and start to relive and relish the whole awards ceremony experience over again in my head.

The intervening two weeks has involved even more recounting of that Glorious night to friends, family, colleagues, and potential customers, and in that time, through the recounting of how I felt, why it was so exciting for me, and why I ended up staying up way past my bedtime to sip on a few glasses of bubbles, I've had the chance to ask myself...so what?! Why are awards like the one I picked up for the North West's Wedding Accessory Designer of the year, so important? What does it actually mean?

So what? For me:

To win a nationally recognised award at the Wedding Industry Awards gives me something exciting, tangible and credible to shout about! I can blog about it, send out press releases to local media. I can let my followers on social media know, announce it on my website, tell visitors to my studio, as well as the people I meet at wedding fairs. It creates a buzz around my wedding accessories supplied by voting from past Glorious brides, which in turn gives me a big opportunity to raise awareness of the quality of my products and service.

So what? For my customers:

An award from the Wedding Industry Awards is an instantly recognised mark of approval for businesses involved in supplying goods, services and expertise to brides, grooms and their family and friends. To be shortlisted for such an award tells my future customers that I'm an established professional. To win the award tells my future customers that I'm established, and recognised as something special in my field!

So what? For the future:

Through winning the regional award for Wedding Accessory Designer of the year, I'm now through to the national Wedding Industry Awards held in London in January.

I get to buy a dress for the awards do! And shoes!

After the January awards, I get to actually see the comments made by past Glorious brides when they voted for me. This is invaluable to me and my business, as it gives me the chance to see what my brides think I do well, and plan to develop those aspects of my service. It also allows me to see where the gaps are in what I currently offer brides and their bridal parties, and plan to improve those areas.

So thank you TWIA:

For arranging an award that is voted for by past brides, giving businesses like mine a true reflection of what we're doing well; and for giving us the chance to get together, to kick off our shoes, and to celebrate our industry and what we do best.

So thank you Glorious brides:

For taking the time to vote for me, and by doing so, giving me the chance to tell future Glorious brides that they can expect award winning accessories and service when they come to Glorious Tiaras.

Roll on January and London!

http://the-wedding-industry-awards.co.uk

Thanks for your thanks!

Ask any of my friends and family and they'll tell you I'm all about the Summer! Long evenings spent pottering around my garden; walking the dog; sitting outside the local for a drink with friends; lapping up whatever warmth comes our way. I don't do the dark, cold, and wet that come with the Winter months. Not easily anyway. So, it used to be, before launching Glorious Tiaras 3 years ago, that I would welcome Autumn and it's vibrant colours with an edge of melancholy at the thought of the dark months ahead.

How that's changed in recent times!

Why?

Because after the rush of summer orders, summer weddings and Glorious summer brides, come the pictures sent to me, by my brides, of them wearing their Glorious accessories on their amazing wedding days! Those pictures never fail to make me feel a warm glow, and really do brighten up the dullest of days!

Image courtesy of Chelsea Shoesmith Photography

Then there are my brides reviews of my work. All reviews are important to me and my business. It's through knowing what I did well; what my brides appreciated about my service; and what is sometimes left unsaid, that I can develop plans to continue to improve what Glorious Tiaras offers to brides. And above all, knowing that one of my brides has taken the time out of her busy, post wedding schedule, to write a review, send a card, or an email, leaves me with the best of feelings about what I do.

Reviews are amazing tools. They reassure future Glorious brides that I am good at what I do, that I'm friendly, approachable, knowledgeable, helpful, and that Glorious accessories are exactly that - Glorious!

I use those valuable reviews on social media, when I'm entering awards, and as a tool to help me plan for my business, so when they pop up in my inbox, I can't help but feel happy.

Autumn is also the time when I work on new designs for the following year's collections. Spending time gathering inspiration, settling on a theme, sketching, and trying out new ideas, before finally getting to work on designs that are going to bring my brides looks to life next year, is a joyous and exciting time.

So, far from dreading the shortening of days, the changing colours, the need to throw on a few extra layers, I say 'bring it on'! Bring on the brides, the reviews, and the plans for the fresh 2016 wedding season.

Rocking those Vintage Brooch Bouquets!

Glorious Vintage Brooch Bouquets
in stock at Rocks for Frocks

When exhibiting at wedding fairs I'm often asked if I have 'a shop', the short answer to this question is 'no'. The longer answer is that I'm proud to be a member of a growing army of small business women and designers who work out of a home studio. I have always welcomed visitors by appointment and pull out all the stops to make you feel very, very welcome when you pop by the studio to try on some of our Glorious hair accessories! However, I recognise that a number of my clients need to tie in their wedding shopping with other related stuff, which is why I was delighted when Gail of Rocks for Frocks approached me at an event to discuss stocking our bespoke vintage brooch bouquets at her outlet in Liverpool's The Wedding House.

The Wedding House,
Great Gorge Place, Liverpool

Crystal Vintage Brooch Bouquet
©E&MArts Photography

North West brides, if you haven't been, make time in your busy schedules to pop by The Wedding House! Several floors within this imposing Gothic building offer you the chance to talk to everyone from dress suppliers, cake designers, stationers, photographers and of course, accessory designers. A great starting point for the newly engaged, and the perfect place to tick off those final items on your wedding day 'to do' list.

Our bespoke vintage brooch bouquets are in stock NOW at Rocks for Frocks, 2nd Floor, The Wedding House, 3-4 Great George Place, Liverpool. L1 7AG.

www.theweddinghouse.co.uk/index.html

www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/section/bouquets

Glorious bride Hannah & how to order a bespoke bridal headpiece!

It was an utter delight to work with April bride Hannah earlier this year, and the process we went through to reach her completed hair accessory makes the perfect blog piece for brides-to-be unsure of how to approach their accessory buying.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Hannah first got in contact with me on via email, having heard my hair accessories discussed on Capital FM Manchester, by another of my brides-to-be!

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Hannah had a very clear idea of the kind of hair accessory she wanted and helpfully sent me a handful of images from Pinterest (what did we do before Pinterest?), showcasing the look she wanted. We spoke on the phone, and Hannah described her dress; pinpointed that she wanted leaves in her tiara, and that she wanted her accessory to have a 'vintage feel'.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Hannah shared her budget with me, the date of her wedding and when she'd ideally like to take delivery of her hair accessory, and I went away to work up some ideas.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Having shared a number of images of fledgling design styles with Hannah, we settled on the look she liked, featuring crystal navettes, ivory potato pearls, and diamante leaves.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

I kept Hannah posted with the progress of her design, sending her images and giving her the chance to comment and make any last minute changes.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Hannah notified me of her tiara's arrival with the wonderful message: 'It's arrived and it's perfect'! Just what every designer wants to hear!

So, why did the process work so well?

• Hannah had a clear idea of the theme she wanted her accessory to compliment.
• She discussed looks and shared ideas she liked.
• She knew how much she wanted to spend and was happy to share her budget with me.
• She was honest about the designs she didn't like, which enabled me to get to the one that she did!
• She allowed plenty of time for the design process to happen, contacting me 8 weeks ahead of her wedding.
• She was lovely!

And I think you'll agree, Hannah looks amazing in her bespoke Audrey tiara!!!

Photography: Delicious Photography, Lancashire http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk www.facebook.com/pages/Delicious-Photography

Audrey Tiara: http://www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/tiara-audrey www.facebook.com/GloriousTiaras

Hey babe, take a walk on the styled side

Last autumn I was privileged to spend the day working with award winning photographer Janet Broughton, and a team of great wedding industry pros, on a 'vintage / rustic' styled wedding shoot.

We ate cake, we laughed, we marvelled at the hills surrounding our venue, The Wellbeing Farm, we heard the worst chat up line ever, and we produced some beautiful images that were later featured on the Brides Up North blog, Want that Wedding blog, and in Brides online magazine.

To say I'm excited to be working with Janet again is an understatement, but it's the best I've got on this wet Friday morning!

Over the past few weeks Janet and I have sourced the most breath taking venue for our next styled shoot in early June. We've found a stunning dress designer, and some very unique additions...

If you're a North West based wedding industry professional and you want the opportunity to show off what you do whilst spending the day with some fab professionals, get in contact and ask if you can join the party!

Photography: JBroughton Photography - www.jbroughton.co.uk

Venue: The Wellbeing Farm - www.thewellbeingfarm.co.uk

Dresses: Vintage Lane Bridal Boutique - www.vintagelanebridal.com

Tiaras & Brooch Bouquets: Glorious Tiaras - www.glorioustiaras.co.uk

Hair and make-up: Jaki Ann - www.facebook.com/JakiAnnMakeup

Vintage Ice-cream Cart: Love My Trike - www.lovemytrike.com

Vintage accessories: Pearlie Queen Vintage - www.facebook.com/PearlieQueenCollectables

How to get the most out of a wedding fair

www.glorioustiaras.co.uk


When planning your wedding, a trip to a wedding fair can offer up really big rewards.

For starters, you'll find a good variety of wedding industry professionals under one roof, meaning that instead of spending several weekends trawling around local bridal shops, wedding accessory suppliers, and cake designers, you can see them all in the space of a few hours. Those exhibitors are also keen to do business on the day, so they'll be competing hard to win your time, attention, and money!

However, wedding fairs, especially the big ones, can seem overwhelming, but follow these essential tips and you'll come home at the end of the day having made a serious dent in your 'to-do' list, made some good savings, and enjoyed a fun day out!

1. Register beforehand Many of the shows charge an entry fee, but if you book your tickets beforehand some offer discounted entry, whilst others waive the fee altogether.
2. See who's exhibiting and take a look at their websites You're a busy person! You don't have time to attend a show that doesn't have exhibitors doing what you want! It also helps to know who you definitely want to make the time to go and see whilst your there.
3. Take a shopping list with you It sounds simple, but it'll help keep you on track in what is a relatively short space of time. Most shows run for 5-6 hrs, and by the time you've stopped for coffee & a peek at the catwalk show...
4. Don't go alone If nothing else you'll need someone to help you carry bags, hold up mirrors whilst you try stuff on, and take pictures on your mobile phone. An extra body is also useful to go and queue at the busier stands and have a giggle with as you go around.
5. Try to get there early Goody bags are chock full of nice giveaways, but shows usually only have a limited number, so grab yours before they run out! You'll also get the pick of the time slots for trying on dresses; having your hair done, hands hennaed, or enjoying a free advice session with an expert wedding planner.
6. Make a note of the catwalk times on the way in The catwalk shows are a unique way of gaining inspiration for your wedding day look. You won't want to miss out on seeing how the pros put things together, and the suppliers of those catwalk outfits will be at your show if you see something you absolutely HAVE to have.
7. Book time slots with exhibitors It will help you to structure your day, and make sure you get to try on that special dress; have your hair styled for free; even get your teeth whitened at a special discount!
8. Ask for discounts It's a bride-to-be's and groom-to-be's market. Exhibitors want to fill their order books before they pack up at the end of the day and are happy to offer discounts to make that happen. Some will advertise 'book today' discounts, but if not it's always worth asking, especially if you're thinking of buying more than one product or service from the exhibitor.
9. Ask questions You've paid your entry, made time to be there, and your business is in demand, so don't go home wishing that you'd asked for references, found out how long something would take to make, or whether you could have it in a different colour/size/quantity.
10. Try things on; ask for samples It's important that you get a real feel for the products on offer. I'm amazed at the number of brides-to-be who visit my show stand with it's mirrors, and comfy place to sit, and still try to get an idea of how a hair accessory will look by just looking at it sat on the table! The uniqueness of a show is that you can look, touch, taste, smell, and try on, so get stuck in!
11. If you like something book it! Remember this is a busy time of year for the wedding industry and the most popular designers, venues and entertainers will book up fast.  It's heart breaking to set your heart on something and then find you can't have it because your chosen supplier just doesn't have availability. Even worse to find out you could have had it if you'd booked it 20 minutes earlier...You'll normally need to put a small deposit down to hold the service, but so worth it to know that your name is now in their diary.
12. Ask if you can pay a deposit or spread payments Many exhibitors are happy to offer you flexible payments arrangements, but you won't know unless you ask.
13. Collect business cards In some cases you will need to 'go away and think about it'. Take a business card or brochure so you've got the exhibitors details, but be sure to make a quick note about why you liked them on the back of the card, you'll pick up a few and it's easy to forget by the time you get them all home, which honeymoon company had the best flights, or which cake maker offered the best customer service.
14. Don't feel you have to share your details Lots of exhibitors will want your email address to send you promotions after the show. Some you'll be keen to receive - a sample sale on that dress you wanted? Yes please! Others you won't - insurance for your day when you've already got a policy sorted? No thanks! Don't be afraid to say no (politely). 
15. Enjoy the freebies! There are often plenty on offer. Free wine tasting, free make-up consultations, free cupcakes, free hair styling, and if you have the time, enter a few of those competitions - you might be the lucky couple that wins a free spa break, and let's face it, you could do with a foot massage after a long day at the wedding shows!

Come and see me exhibiting at the following shows:

Hollin Hall Wedding Fair at Hollin Hall Hotel, Kerridge, Cheshire 3rd April 2016

A GLORIOUS FIRST MEETING!

First things first. We haven't met before have we? Oh, you've heard of Glorious Tiaras? Well, let me introduce myself properly...!

At my friend's wedding in Italy! 

I'm Heidi (BA Hons Creative Arts), I design and handcraft all Glorious Tiaras, hair accessories and vintage brooch bouquets. I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1991. My first 'proper' job was working as a photographic researcher for a fab company called The Image Bank. Heady times, networking with ad agencies, design companies, PR set ups, magazines, and travel companies.

In 1996 I married the man who has ever since, made me feel loved and valued, and took off around the world on an 18 month honeymoon. We climbed mountains, dived coral reefs, danced on white sand beaches, and all the while I kept a notebook of sketches of the art, architecture, and patterns, used in the tiling of Indian palaces, Thai temples, and on the textiles sold by roadside vendors in Indonesia.

Once home it was time for starting a family and a career presenting a daily programme for local radio. Sounds glam, but juggling childcare so as to be able to set up a 7am outside broadcast on a chilly Sunday morning to talk to a tired, grumpy, local politician - not so glam. I did get to meet and interview some great people though! Victoria Pendleton, Nadia Sawalha, and Sir David Nicholas CBE, to name a few, but, despite loving radio, there was still the unfinished business of a passion for creating, a book full of designs, and the knowledge that even when interviewing people from diverse backgrounds, the feedback that I got was that I was a good listener who could interpret the needs of others in an exciting and engaging way. Oh, and then there was a love of being a part of someone's wedding day, a love of sparkly things, a love of vintage jewellery, and an inspiring visit to the V&A's tiara exhibition...and before I knew where I was I had a workshop full of unique, handcrafted, vintage inspired tiaras, bridal hair accessories, and genuine vintage brooch bouquets. I gave up the day job, booked a stand at the National Wedding Show, got featured by wedding blogs, took orders, had great feedback, won an award and, well, like I say, lovely to meet you properly.

Now, tell me about your wedding plans ;)
www.glorioustiaras.co.uk

Me & the Mr on a very Glorious day!

Billie Side Tiara