Love finding out more about new bridal boutiques? Read about how Clare Suzanne bridal boutique came to be.

What made you decide to open a bridal boutique?

In 2014 I launched my own bridal specific cosmetics company called Love, Honour and Be True. We designed and manufactured a line of lipsticks, inspired by brides for their big day. We were stocked by over 100 makeup artists nationwide, stocked in a national wholesaler, we featured in many blogs and magazines and we even had our lipsticks worn down the runway at London Bridal Fashion Week. It was here my dream of owning a bridal boutique started.

At Bridal Fashion Week I met lots of boutique owners there to buy dresses for the next season. Speaking to them whilst watching the amazing runway shows was all the inspiration I needed and from that moment on I knew this was going to be my future.

Whilst looking to open my own bridal boutique I found Rock the Frock in Essex. There were no boutiques like it in the North of England and I really connected with the brand, the ethos and the dresses. I contacted the owner Karen and we started the process of me franchising the brand.

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Had you had any experience in the bridal industry before opening your boutique?

Before launching Love, Honour and Be True I graduated from Leeds with a degree in Events Management where planning speciality events such as weddings was a big part of the course.

My experience in hospitality management has also helped me to understand the consumer journey and craft the best possible customer experience for my brides.

What have you found most enjoyable about starting your boutique?

I am obsessed with weddings! Working in an industry where you are part of a bride’s journey and knowing you are finding a bride’s dream dress is the best feeling in the world.

Working with our unique designers and being able to offer brides something different, alternative and special is a real privilege. RTF deliberately try to push against the tide of what is available in your average bridal boutique.

All designers are exclusive to Rock the Frock, you will not see them in any boutique outside of the Rock the Frock stores in England and Scotland.

All of our dresses are ethically made and sustainably sourced; I think that traceable transparency is really important and knowing who, where and how our dresses are made is so important.

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What has been the most challenging part?

Opening your own business is hard work; it requires lots of sacrifice, determination and strength. After all the financial challenges experience and important choices you need to make at the start of any life changing project you are then faced with your first appointment with your first bride in your own boutique and this is pretty daunting.

Once you have your first few appointments under your belt you become excited for every appointment and relish the opportunity of more time with my beautiful brides.

How did you decide on the location of your boutique?

I am Cheshire born and raised so I had a good idea of locations in the local area. Top of the list was Bramhall; a village with great shops, bars and restaurants - and more importantly it was a village without a bridal shop.

Bramhall also has great transport links; a train station, lots of car parks and is a 10 minute drive from Manchester Airport. When I first looked around my boutique with its beautiful double fronted windows, I knew it was the one.

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How did you decide what it would look like?

I wanted a boutique that was different to your standard high street wedding dress shop.

I wanted a fresh, modern and relaxed feel. The shop is mainly white with two peach feature walls

When I moved into the space it was a shell, so I had to re floor, re-ceiling and re-paint the whole space, I have also had walls put in and rails installed.

It was exhilarating working from a blank canvas it allowed me to really put my own stamp on it. Brides tell me all the time how pretty and welcoming the boutique is and is makes me so happy that my vision is working.

Where do you see your business in five years’ time?

I would like Rock the Frock Cheshire to be known as the place to go for modern, bohemian and non-traditional brides. Close to the boutique are some amazing (and even award-winning) boutiques which have been around for over five years and I would like to be considered as they are as one of the top wedding dress shops in the North of England.

Found this fascinating? Read more about another new bridal boutique, Anna Wood Bridal, here.