All Things Bride And Beautiful

Aug 31 2008 By Graeme Lennox

So You Want To Work In The Wedding Industry

WAYNE ROONEY and wife Coleen are said to have blown £5million on their Italian wedding.

A bit more than the average bride who spends more than £20,000 on her big day. So it's no wonder the bridal industry is worth £5billion.

Psychologists reckon wedding planning can be as stressful as moving house or bereavement so a little professional help along the way is vital. Luckily, budding brides can call on an army of assistants from florists and chauffeurs to caterers and wedding planners.

Bridal consultant Elaine Wright has helped thousands of brides prepare for their big day. Having witnessed the rising influence of celebrity brides, she knows it is vital to keep up with the latest trends.

She said: "The importance of celebrity weddings can't be ignored. People will come into the shop and ask for a dress similar to one they saw worn by Jordan, Nicole Kidman or Coleen. Some of them bring in pictures from Hello! or OK and say: 'Make me something like this'."

The UK's biggest wedding website confetti.co.uk, says the average dress costs £800 - but with the nation tightening its belt, brides are looking for cheaper alternatives.

Elaine, 40, of Paisley, has been working for Glasgow-based Signature Brides for 13 years and knows the effort that goes into making a bride stunning. She said: "It's not a case of knocking something together on a sewing machine. A bride will often lose weight in the run-up to her wedding so alterations have to be made.

"One bride who was getting married on 6/6/06 was a Goth and wanted a black dress."

Signature Brides dresses range from £250 to almost £2000 and can be made to fit anyone from size four to 36.

Elaine said: "Our busiest times are shortly after New Year and Valentine's when people pop the question. Most girls can't wait to find their dresses even if they are not getting married for years.

"It takes patience and a good personality to work in this business but when you get feedback from a bride who has just had the best day of her life, it is an unbeatable feeling."

Visit the Scottish Wedding Show at Glasgow's SECC, on September 20-21.