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Today it’s all about your crowning glory, as I talk to Brides Up North Featured Supplier and North West based bespoke veil creator Margaret of Dream Veils – possibly one of the most enthusiastic wedding industry colleagues that I have come across. I get the feeling that this lady would go to the ends of the Earth to help make your wedding day super special. Let’s say hello.
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How did Dream Veils begin?
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I have always made things— I made dresses in the 60’s and Mary Quant was my idol. My first veil was made in the mid-1960’s for my friend. Throughout the years I have made tons of dresses. Then in the early 90’s my nephew was getting married in South Africa and his fiancé wanted a dress made like the one Stephanie Seymour wore in the “November Rain” Guns ‘n Roses video – so I made my first proper wedding dress and veil. That was followed by lots of wedding/bridesmaid dresses but just for family and friends.
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Then I went to a big bridal exhibition and saw the veils (and prices) that were on offer and I started thinking that I could make a much better job of it. So Dream Veils was born on 11th February 2006.
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My business is now went global! I now sell 98% of all my veils to brides who find and buy from my website and from all over the world. I never dreamt that it would be as big as it is.
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Tell us about your range of bridal veils?
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I hand make bespoke bridal veils. They are all different and made to the bride’s order. I think that as you can have a dress made to measure why not a veil?
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I make a lot of Mantilla lace veils and I went into birdcage veils a couple of years ago and make a lot of them too – both in net and tulle.
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Now I am developing a new range of vintage veils- inspired by my mum’s veil and veils from the 1920’s and 1930’s.
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What choice is available in terms of cut/ length/ edging etc?
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This is the crux of my company. If I can make it – I will try! The bride can have whatever style, length and width (up to the width of the fabric they choose) that they want. I use normal soft tulle in different colours and two types of silk tulle, and have lots of different edges. They can be adorned with Swarovski crystals or have Swarovski crystal banding along the edge. I make lace mantilla style veils in any length required and stock some lovely laces which I have made for me.
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Tell us about your range of birdcage veils?
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I make full faced birdcage veils in net – both firm “Merry Widow” net and a softer finer net. They can have bows attached or kept separate. I also make tulle birdcage veils and visor or wedge style birdcage veils. They can all have Swarovski crystal added if the bride wants.
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I now also give an option to have either a comb fitted or a large toupe clip—these clips are so popular as they aren’t so big so the bride doesn’t have too much hardware on her head if she wants to add a headpiece.
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Tell us about your vintage collection?
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This is my new “baby”! I am so excited! I am now nearing completion of the first proper samples so watch this space.
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Tell us about your fusion range?
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The Fusion range is a collaboration between me and my industry colleague Debbie from Glamour Bridal and Prom in Bolton. I make the veil portion and she makes the headpiece.
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What veil styles are the most popular?
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The soft silk veils have been very popular since Kate Middleton wore her soft silk veil last April. However, I think actually my “Classic” veil that just has a simple cut edge in a single layer both in silk and normal tulle is my best seller. There is something about a cut edge veil that is so light and floaty – the edge doesn’t compete with any adornments on the dress and the detailing on the back of the dress can show through so well. It is the type of veil that any bride can wear with any style of dress. Then the mantilla style veil has also been unbelievably popular this last 2-3 years.
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What trends do you predict for veils in 2012 and beyond?
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I think there is a massive need for brides to want to be different and vintage seems to be the way they are going – the birdcage veil was the vintage way over the last couple of years, but now I think some brides are going to be wearing very vintage dresses- even second-hand vintage dresses- and will be wanting head pieces and veils to match their dresses.
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What celebrity client would you like to produce a veil for and why?
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Lady Gaga because she would let me go completely off the rails and let me create something so totally different and outrageous!
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Can you give Brides Up North an idea on price?
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My prices for my veils start at £25 and the average prices for the normal tulle veils are around £60 to £130. My silk veils are the most expensive commissions which start at £85 and average around £150 to £200.
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Can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers?
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I can give a 15% discount to all Brides Up North readers — just mention that you saw me here!
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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you/ find out more?
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They can look at the website www.dream-veils.co.uk, mail me on thedreamveil@gmail.com or ring me on 0161 637 3526. It is also possible to visit me to try the veil samples on – I operate from the Manchester area – just ring or mail me to make an appointment.
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Anything else that Brides Up North should know?
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I am always happy to help a confused bride – I don’t mind how many e-mails we have or how many questions she has – this is an important day in her life and I understand how difficult it is to buy from a website. I love chatting to girls – it makes work into a fun thing for me.
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Why do you read and like Brides Up North?
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I just LOVE it! I have to keep up with what’s going on in the bridal world- it’s a must when you are in the business, and Brides Up North does just that. I follow Brides Up North on Twitter and also Facebook. I also LOVE my home town and anywhere “up North” and love to see it featured in all its beauty which I really think the wedding blog does so well. So keep up the good work Julia!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 supplied by Dream Veils
Dream Veils is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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