How long have you owned Opulence?

I celebrated 25 years in business in 2008. Almost twenty of those years have been spent running Opulence. Our first 3 showrooms were in Wallasey, and later on we expanded and spent 15 years in Hoylake. Then in 2007 we moved to our most recent and prestigious premises in West Kirby were we will be staying.

I think it’s quite an achievement, when we first opened; there were 5 other Bridal shops on the Wirral, now there are closer to 20!!! Sadly, over the years, I have seen quite a few open, and then close a couple of years later because they have not researched the market well enough.

A lot of people think this is just a lovely business to be in, and pursue it as a bit of a hobby, but when you are being trusted with a brides special day, you have to be utterly professional, and that takes knowledge and proven experience. I would like to think that’s why I am now one of the longest established Bridal showrooms on the Wirral.

Why did you decide to open a bridal shop?

When I graduated from the Laird School of Art I had always made clothes for myself and my friends. I made 6 bridesmaids gowns for a close friend’s wedding when I was 19 and everything just went from there, although I did dabble with Children’s wear for a while but I think I was a bit ahead of my time with that particular venture.

What is the ethos behind your business?

My ethos is very well known. My reputation goes out the door with every girl who buys a gown from Opulence so I have a vested interest in her looking and feeling fantastic. To achieve this we pay meticulous attention to detail, always listening to what our brides are saying, spending time with them, being patient, and making sure each one receives the individual attention they deserve.

How have the styles changed over the years?

I have seen most styles come and go and then come back again over the years! that is just the nature of fashion and design. Some of my personal favourites have included the riding Jacket styles complete with top hats!! and the elegance of slim Grecian style destination gowns in chiffon.

What is so special about what you do?

I really believe that the time someone spends choosing their gown should be the first part of the whole experience of getting married. We do everything to make sure that when a bride visits Opulence, first and foremost she has fun! Finding your gown should not be stressful. We always sit our clients down first, provide refreshments and make sure they are relaxed before they start trying gowns, that’s why an appointment with us usually lasts a minimum of two hours.

Our brides have responded well to our VIP nights, and of course we are one of the few shops to still employ our own seamstresses and dressmakers so it’s the things we do differently to every one else that makes us special.

Do you bridal customers treat you as an agony uncle?

Ha! Ha! Mr Opulence (My glamorous receptionist lol) was called that once, I think he was quite flattered, but everyone at Opulence will all go that extra mile to support our brides. If we can help with other things to do with the wedding then we will. Recently, I delivered a dress to a bride in Worcester, and did her fitting, on our way back from a trip to London; she was having difficulty in making the trip north, but she really wanted to get her gown from us, so we helped out.

What advice do you tell your brides?

To enjoy their day and all the planning that goes in to it, that’s half the fun, otherwise we might as well all employ a wedding co-ordinator and let them do everything. When it gets to the actual day don’t get stressed about the little things!! Those little mishaps or funny moments when things don’t go quite according to plan are what makes your particular wedding unique.

Do you offer any other services e.g. Dresses for mothers as well?

Not at the moment, we prefer to specialise in Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaids and accessories. I think Wirral is well served with people who cater for the Mum’s, and The Groom etc.

What is the most extravagant dress you own?

I suppose it depends on how you define extravagant. The most expensive gown we have is just over £2000 pounds. It is a beautiful romantic style by Donna Salado featuring superb hand beading and embroidery.

Then we have a gown by Amanda at Dizzie Lizzie, with maximum WOW factor but I’m not sure there is church with an aisle big enough to get it to the altar, and then of course there is the Farage range by French designer Anna Karina, with her see through corsets and dazzling crystals. Not for the feint hearted but certainly extravagant.

How long does it take to design a dress?

There are so many factors that influence the timescale it’s impossible to say really. Everything from the original design concept, sourcing the materials, even where a bride lives and how easy she can attend for fittings can effect the overall length of time.

Talk us through the process?

Usually, the bride has been unable to find the exact gown she has been looking for, so I usually begin with a sit down, glass of wine and a discussion about style, themes, materials etc. I will usually be sketching different ideas as we speak and gradually the finished sketch will materialise. Then its off to the workrooms were we will draft and cut a pattern, our Opulence special’s are unique one offs, and prepared from scratch.

After that, it’s a case of lots of fittings, with any slight modifications along the way if required!!! Hand beading has become something of a signature part of my designs, I recently made 7 silk Bridesmaids for a wedding in Dubai, with over 1000 beads on each one!!! I had a few late nights that week!!

What's the most satisfying thing about your job?

Ha! Ha! Well, the red wine and flowers on a Monday morning are always very satisfying, but seriously, I think when we have clearly surpassed someone’s expectations, then that can be really special. A few years ago I was told once by the friend of one of my bride’s that I had changed her life, apparently she had found renewed in herself because of the reaction to the way she looked on her wedding day, that was a bit special!!!

What hours do you usually work?

It  can be 24/7 some weeks and I am long overdue a holiday, but now, more than ever before you have to be totally committed to the business. One of our brides told me recently that the reason she had come to Opulence was that we had always answered her e mail enquiries promptly and helpfully. If that means checking my mails at 9pm at night then that’s what I will do. Our attention to detail sets us apart from a lot of our competitors.

Being creative where do you draw your ideas/inspirations from?

Keeping an eye on the trends at the international shows is always beneficial to staying fresh, but ideas can come from anywhere really. Celebrity weddings tend to have an influence on what brides ask for, and of course costume dramas on TV are a great source of ideas. My most successful designs have tended to come out of my head !!!

Do you travel a lot?

I have been to some beautiful places, but I wouldn’t say I have travelled a lot. We had our children young, so always went quite close to home in the early years. A couple of highlights recently have been a holiday in Las Vegas with both the girls and our son in law, and then more recently to Nice with our 8 month old grandson in tow, although that didn’t really feel like a holiday !!!!! Lol

Which designers do you most admire?

I have always loved Vivienne Westwood, she has always pushed boundaries, which I admire.

But obviously, there are lot’s of brilliant designers out there. My favourite Bridal designers include Donna Salado and Ian Stuart and I have to admit to a personal weakness for Louis Vitton bags and Jimmy Choos!!

How do you relax?

The proverbial glass of red wine, a barbeque on a sunny day, a good chick flick, and the odd ride out on our motorbike, although if Pete’s feeling ‘in the zone’ it isn’t always that relaxing!!!!

Where is your favourite place on earth?

That’s easy, I lurve lurve lurve the Maldives. It really is paradise.

Do you like to splash out or splurge?

I’m quite careful about the shopping thing really, I work too hard for my money to waste it on frivolous purchases, I know that sounds boring but that’s just the way I am.

Any advice to brides to be during the credit crunch?

Well, I’m no financial expert but I believe in focussing on the important things in life and not worrying too much about the small stuff. It’s the same with a wedding, Venue, Food,Dress(of course) and your guest list, its people that make any event special.

How many brides have you fitted?

Good question, we average about 200 to 250 brides a year so over the years it must be getting on for 5000!!! Maybe we should organise an Opulence reunion and get everyone to wear their dress!!!!!!!! That would be fun. We would have to hire a pretty big venue wouldn’t we !!

When I’m out, I quite often see past clients or their Mum’s and it’s nice to say hello. I can’t always remember the name but I do surprise them when I can describe the dress they bought. Is that sad????

What is THE style this season?

That’s a good question, We carry such a wide range of styles we tend not to sell too many of one particular gown but bigger is definitely back!! And fishtails have been a winner this season.

Little known fact about me.

I used to be a county standard swimmer, and was once an RAC instructor in Liverpool, teaching young lads to ride motorbikes. I think they used to be pleased to get me rather than one of the other instructors, especially when I turned up in leather hot pants, ah those were the days, nearly 40 years ago lol x