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Inspiring Interiors: TDR Bridal

Business2-Oct-2023

TDR Bridal’s pink ’Celebration Suite’ is specially designed with delicate and charming details to help brides celebrate their special life moment. We chat with Rebecca Baddeley to find out more.

Name of store: TDR Bridal
Store owner: Rebecca Baddeley
Location: Halesowen, West Midlands

Tell us a little bit about the new celebration suite!

When we initially expanded in 2019, never did we think that we would outgrow the beautiful new space we had purpose built - but within 2 years it was clear that we simply didn’t have enough space to operate cohesively. We started negotiations in March of 2022 to purchase the building on the adjacent corner to TDR. The property was pretty much derelict and in a very poor state of repair. We finally got the keys to the property on 24th May 2023 and work began. Just 10 weeks later, after an incredible amount of hard work, a brilliant team of builders a new roof and a lot of imagination, the adjacent shop was ready and we were able to move our menswear, seamstresses and prep departments to the new building.

This move of those parts of the business has given us the freedom to not only increase our office space (which was very much needed!) but to enhance our bridal department further and “Your Celebration Suite” was introduced. I have wanted to introduce a bar and reception area (for weekend appointments) so that the flow within the store is smoother and calmer for brides. It has also helped us to increase our appointment time slightly with brides and their guests having drinks before they go into their allocated suite.

Where did you find inspiration for designing it?

TDR’s primary corporate colour is pink, mainly because its my favourite colour, but also because it’s a calming, welcoming, kind colour. I love the aesthetic of E L & N and Peggy Porschen and my inspiration came from their style. I wanted it to be a pretty, feminine space but not gaudy or overbearing. It needed to be functional but also give the bride a beautiful space for her to try her own dress on for the first time whilst adding plenty of Instagrammable moments and opportunities throughout her journey with us.
We also have a fabulous new capsule collection of short dresses (think Sophie Habboo) which we needed to find a home for and this suite became the perfect place for these too!

Do you have any key features / hotspots your brides are loving?

Our brides are loving the bar! We have always had a cocktail and drinks menu (supplied by the fab Michael at BridalPrint) but this enables them to really soak up the atmosphere and get excited before they sit down in a suite to start their stylist appointment. They are loving too, the pink telephone box we have introduced, just outside the entrance to this new suite!

We also have a clear photo screen, styled like a magazine front cover, where we give brides the opportunity to pop a confetti cannon with their guests when they say Yes To The Dress (inspiration from Bridal Week – so many thanks Ocean Media for that one!)

How did you celebrate on launch day?

We haven’t yet launched it officially as we have just been so busy and wanted to get it open and operational as quickly as possible and so we have only hosted our MacMillan Coffee Morning there so far, but, when we do officially launch to brides it will be with a bang I am sure!
At the moment we are just taking a much earned breather, taking stock and reassessing where TDR is going next on this mad, crazy, intense, exciting, exhilarating journey that is bridal retail. There is so much more to come!