The bridal industry is built on knowledge, innovation, and expertise, and this year, our expert writers have provided invaluable insights to guide businesses.
In this round-up, we celebrate their top highlights, and look ahead at their predictions and recommendations for the bridal sector in the coming months. Get ready for a deep dive into the minds of the industry’s best!

What has been your 2024 highlight of the year, as a bridal professional?

Ella O’Keefe: Being at the Bridal Buyer Awards in March. It was strange to be there as a guest, and not the Event Manager. But it was an incredible night and it felt great to see some of my clients up on the stage collecting their awards.

Diana McMann: Launching our new concept, Bridal Re-Imagined as we embark on our journey towards a more responsible approach to bridal fashion. We are incorporating into our business model pre-loved dresses, off the peg, eco-friendly made to order fabrics, and the transformation of pieces into wear again items through our in-house alterations service.

Caroline Arthur: The release of the first book of its kind, Relovable, about what to do with your old wedding dress. Writing it gave me the chance to collaborate with so many designers, bridal boutiques, and fashion colleges, and publishing it allowed me to tour the country speaking on the subject. The press embraced the topic and the bridal industry got a lot of exposure as a result, with full page features in the national, fashion and bridal media as well as radio.

Megan Garmers: Harrogate is always a highlight! Getting to know and help retailers learn and implement marketing strategies brings me a lot of joy. 

What has been one of your most memorable moments, success stories or company milestones from this year?

Ella O’Keefe: EOK Studios has just celebrated it’s 1st Birthday! So everything this year has been a milestone. But I would say one of my biggest success stories is helping a client achieve month on month growth on their Instagram account and hearing from them each time we met about how many brides had found them via their social media content. And also, being chosen by one of the UK’s leading bridal boutiques to help them take their marketing to the next level has to be up there too.

Diana McMann: The past year has seen me developing my knowledge in what it means to be a sustainable business. It has enabled me to connect with other small businesses on a similar journey and to get invited to celebrate our achievements at The House of Lords - somewhere I have always wanted to be invited to and has to be one of my most memorable moments this year!

Caroline Arthur: Chatting with Anna-Marie in the BB Sustainability Lounge Session at Bridal Week Harrogate was a particularly memorable moment!

Megan Garmers: We had over 20 different locations of our in-person events - both our State of the Wedding Industry events and also our seminar days full of education and networking. Lots of travel and meeting new people in new locations was wonderful!

Tell us your number one takeaway for bridal retailers.

Ella O’Keefe: My number one takeaway for bridal retailers from 2024, is to think ’What if it all goes right’. Each year I pick a motto that I print out and live by. And that was mine at the start of the year. And it truly has paid off. So I’d say make that move, try that new designer, invest in your business. Because the next big thing for your boutique could be one decision away from becoming a reality.

Diana McMann: In a year that seems to have been its toughest yet for many retailers, it’s so important to remember that you are not on your own. It can feel like it from social media (especially when comparison syndrome kicks in), but I encourage you to have open and honest conversations with others in the industry. It’s time to support and collaborate with each other.

Caroline Arthur: My number one takeaway for bridal retailers is to look around you. More and more boutiques are diversifying and embracing a more sustainable approach when they choose their collections. For some, it’s about including ethically sourced fabric and choosing designers with transparent manufacturing processes. Others are expanding their offering to include pre-loved gowns, and servicing the growing demands of brides wanting to know what to do with their dress AFTER the wedding, by sharing resources and offering advice about this. As a boutique owner, you can take advantage of the momentum this subject has garnered this year, by sharing restyling ideas with your brides, whilst staying true to the values of your brand, and promoting well-made, beautifully designed gowns in your store, that will stand the test of time.

Megan Garmers: You can’t and don’t have to do it all yourself. Find someone to help you and go further faster.

What are your predictions for next year - what do you think will be the next big hit with brides?

Ella O’Keefe: Ooo, 2025 predictions! Fashion wise, I think we’re going to see lace having a moment again. Millie Bobbie Brown’s wedding was one of my favourites from this year, and I think that Italian glamour might just be on its way back in.

Diana McMann: We have seen an increase in the paired back wedding and the openness to take a more considered approach to your bridal look. Luxury can still be sustainable, with a memorable experience and I’m excited to watch this grow for us into 2025!

Caroline Arthur: I don’t think it’s a style, I think it’s an attitude! I think the gowns most in demand will be those made from sustainably sourced fabric that can be dyed and the dress re-worn, chosen from a boutique that cares about keeping each gown out of landfill and in circulation. It’s a chance for us to get out in front, and show the fashion industry and our brides that we care about the lifecycle of the garments we’re selling. To give our brides meaningful service that gives them real value long after they leave our stores. Relovable is the perfect resource - the luxury boutique coffee table book, available to buy at carolinearthur.com/shop on special offer at £39.50 (RRP £55).

Megan Garmers: Personalisation is key - make sure you have customisation options and showcase your commitment to celebrating diverse brides coming through your store. Revamp your social media strategy for the new year and let me know if you are interested in being a part of some in-person seminar and networking events we will be hosting throughout the UK in 2025: hello@theweddingmasterclass.com. Hope to see you there!

And finally, what’s on the horizon for in 2025?

Ella O’Keefe: 2025 is looking great for EOK Studios, our Monthly Marketing Mentorship programme has been incredibly popular this year, which is great as I’m so passionate about giving boutiques the tools to master their marketing in-house (exactly what this programme provides). We’ll be operating an enrolment system next year, and I’ll be limiting the number of boutiques I take on each month to ensure I’m able to give each store the best experience. 

Diana McMann: I’m looking forward to working with more retailers and business owners, building on their marketing and CX experience plans, whilst also supporting them to incorporate sustainability into their business models.

Caroline Arthur: On the horizon for me are more speaking engagements, writing and a raft of exciting collaborative projects with some brilliant bridal partners. Throughout 2025 I’ll continue making and remodelling bespoke gowns for my discerning couture brides at my Surrey atelier, and will keep working closely with fashion colleges, supporting the students and young designers I mentor and collaborate with.

 

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