Author: Chris

Judging TWIA – The Wedding Industry Awards

Discover the magic behind the scenes of every wedding day! As one of the judges in the newly established category for Bridal Seamstresses, Tailors, and Dressmakers, I am thrilled to shine a light on the unsung heroes who transform visions into reality. With over 40 years of experience, I’ve witnessed the incredible talent and dedication within our seamstress community. From bespoke designs to expert alterations, these professionals ensure every bride feels her most beautiful. Join me in celebrating their artistry and commitment, as we recognize their invaluable contributions to the wedding industry!

I am honoured to be one of the 3 Judges in the newly created category for Bridal Seamstresses, Tailors and Dressmakers.

We are often the unsung heroes of the day it has been said.

The unseen magic that means the entire wedding party look their most amazing version of themselves.

 As a seamstress of more years than I care to  mention! And a multiple times finalist and regional winner in the original designer category, I felt strongly a seamstress category was needed.

I asked, they said make it viable, and our amazing seamstress community rose to the challenge, and then some!

There is a wealth of talent out there, it takes patience, skill, empathy and time management amongst many other skills to be a professional bridal seamstress.

I am very pleased that they are recognised by TWIA, in my opinion the best awards in the UK of their type.

The TWIA Judging Process is the most comprehensive, rigorous and fair in the UK wedding industry.

All judging is undertaken by the Judging Panel individually, remotely, independently and without consultation. This is to ensure that no single judge in any category has undue influence over any other judge.The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) are an annual awards program that recognizes and rewards excellence in the UK wedding industry. The awards are based on both regional and national voting by clients and expert judging. 

Previous TWIA awards event

 TWIA was established in 2011 by Damian Bailey, a wedding photographer who won Wedding Photographer of the Year at another awards program. Bailey wanted to create an awards program that was run for the right reasons and not just to promote another product. 

 #twia2025
#twiafinalist
#twiajudge

My TWIA profile

Bex is the creative force behind Bexbrides, established in 2008. She is self-taught, with 40-plus years of extensive experience sewing and designing clothes and furnishings, focusing for the last 20 years predominantly on bridal. She has a particular interest in bohemian and alternative bridal whilst her services include bespoke design, specialist bridal alterations, customisation and upcycling of vintage and retrobridal gowns. She has been a TWIA Regional Winner on five occasions and a finalist on a further three. 

Bex is a mentor and source of advice for colleagues and brides alike in a range of online groups, being part of a national team that connects clients with skilled seamstresses. She is passionate about supporting bridal seamstresses, working tirelessly to make sure that their skills, abilities and value are appreciated and recognised nationally. Her goal is to make sure that all brides have access to expert seamstresses.

Previous regional award event

Bex is well-regarded by her peers for her tireless work during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which she campaigned to get monetary aid for bridal seamstresses who were very badly supported financially, meeting with several government ministers to raise the issue. She continues to advocate on seamstresses to make sure that they are paid an appropriate wage for what is an essential and specialist profession. Bex’s dedication to the support of her peers is more than matched by her passion for realising her clients’ visions. Her clients regularly say she can intuitively bring to reality an idea they have in mind. Bex is dedicated to maintaining a level of commitment to her clients to ensure their journey is stress-free, exciting, empathetic, rewarding and fun, with a finished product that is as close to perfect as possible and with the client feeling the absolute best version of themselves on their big day.

Previous TWIA award event

Bodacious Breaks!

Discover the ultimate escape with “Bex’s Bodacious Breaks,” designed exclusively for women seeking relaxation and rejuvenation in the stunning landscapes of Andalusia. Picture yourself unwinding in a luxurious villa with a saltwater pool and breathtaking sea views, or a charming Spanish townhouse just minutes from the historic town center and beautiful beaches. Immerse yourself in a rich blend of cultural exploration and self-reflection, from sea dipping and tapas evenings to visits to Almuñécar Market and Salobreña Castle. Join a supportive community of women and recharge at your own pace—your perfect retreat awaits!

“Bex’s Bodacious Breaks” are incredible retreats for women seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. With the picturesque setting of Andalusia, featuring a villa with a saltwater pool and sea views,or a traditional Spanish townhouse with panoramic views roof terrace in minutes from the historic town centre and beachs .

They both offer the perfect backdrop for unwinding. The beautiful town of Nerja, its beaches, and activities like sea dipping, tapas evenings, and trips to Almuñécar Market and Salobreña Castle provide a rich mix of relaxation and cultural exploration.

The focus on creating a supportive and safe space for women, particularly those balancing stressful jobs or businesses, is especially appealing. It’s great that the retreats blend both self-reflection and fun, allowing participants to connect with others, share ideas, and recharge at their own pace.

#relaxationretreat#femaleretreats#femaletravel#Andalusiaretreat#neurodiversertreat#feminineenergy#seadippingretreat#tapasretreat#nerjaretreat

Let’s talk about that four letter word…

Lets talk about that four letter word!

ALTS!! OK, it’s alterations but ’11 letter word’ doesn’t sound as dramatic…

However 11 letters are more than 4,  which is very appropriate as bridal alterations are very much MORE. They take more skill ,more time, more patience,  more organisation,  more communication and more effort.

WHO NEEDS ALTS!

As a member of the bridal party whether you are the Bride, Groom, Mum, Dad, flower girl,  page, Grooms Man, Brides Maid its probably inevitable that you will need alterations.

WHY? SURELY WE ORDERED THE RIGHT SIZE?

Clothing is made to standard sizes (and even the ‘standards’ are not standard) so as a bride, your boutique will choose for you the closest size. We take into account things like whether the waist is a close match but the bust is the next size up,  but if the dress has a corset back then probably the size down for the bust will be ok. If it’s a zip or buttons, then for safety they will accommodate the bust, which means the waist will be big. Its inevitably easier to take in than let out! Hips… if it’s a full ball gown then sometimes you can accommodate the size down on the hip if the waist is a size smaller.

As you can see its a complex process, and often the shop might just for safety go for the size that fits your largest measurement,  remember previous point, easier to take in, than let out.

THEY ORDERED IT BIG TO RIP ME OFF!

This often causes that age old myth we see in groups online – “they ordered me too big, so they could whack me with extra costs” – when actually what they did was order safely to prevent alts that would be more difficult for them and therefore more costly to you.

Letting out is always more expensive,  as there are often problems to overcome: lack of beading/ lace etc. in the seam allowance which then has to be added; carefully steaming out stitch holes in plain fabric; adding panels; matching fabric. Its always harder than taking in.

HOW MUCH WILL IT BE ?

The average UK bridal gown alterations bill is £450. This figure comes from a huge survey of 500 bridal alterations specialist seamstresses from across the UK, with a variety of home workers and premises-based,  individual workers or boutique in-house.

Remember the 11-letter word? Very apt as the average time taken on alts is 11 hours work to perfectly fit, sew, and steam a dress,  including all the communications, fittings,  pinning/ sewing, pressing/ steaming and collection. Furthermore, recent fashions have dictated that bridal gowns are now far more complicated than they were five or ten years ago. This involves a lot more work than would previously have been the case. The average hourly rate is £41. This covers rent, rates (or percentage of your home costs), insurance,  electricity,  machinery servicing,  staffing,  materials and so on.

Out of that, after business costs are deducted, your seamstress is likely to earn an hourly rate of £15 to £25. For most seamstresses, a commercially viable rate would actually be £45 to £75 per hour. Although many do charge that, you can see there are many in the industry undercharging, too nervous to ask for a fair rate, for fear of backlash, accusations of ripping off or overcharging etc.)

AVERAGE WORK ?

So, look at that average of £41.

Car service: average of £80 to 100 per hour.

Washing machine repair: average of £60 to 80 per hour

Gardener: average of £40 to 75 per hour.

The truth is that sewing at a professional skilled level is still hideously under-recognised. It’s historically seem as ‘women’s work’, with all the baggage and negativity (as well as financial limitations) that pejorative phrase suggests. We should all be actively supporting seamstresses to change this. We have all genders working in this skilled area and all deserve a wage appropriate for a skilled professional.

THATS MORE THAN I PAID FOR THE DRESS!

Unfortunately we hear this a lot!

With the market totally flooded with Far East fast fashion produced in tough conditions,  you will find that you can buy a dress for half the price of your alterations.

This is because, in the UK, we have a high cost of living and I’m sure you will agree that it should be fair to pay your skilled seamstresses (for a job you are unable to do yourself,  as you do not have the skill, experience or training) a fair wage. After all, you would not fix your car, repair your washing machine or even attempt to maintain your garden without the appropriate training, would you?

HOW DO I PLAN FOR THIS EXPENSE?

I always advise that you should budget at least £450 for alts on bridal, and £75 on maids. It may be more,  it may be less. But be prepared.

And if you are 5ft 8 and a perfect size chart fit, try not to feel too smug… you will still need your dress steaming😗)

Have a thought for the rest of us…

HOW DO I CHOOSE A SEAMSTRESS?

Ask for recommendations, look at reviews and pick somebody you trust and who you feel you can build a good relationship with. If you use Facebook, this is a really good group to find a reputable seamstress:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/SDQrWSBim3YGQJUR

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT’S DUE

If you have had your wedding between 2.10.23 and 30.9.24 and your bridal seamstress or tailor was amazing please nominate them in The Wedding Industry Awards.

https://www.the-wedding-industry-awards.co.uk/nominate

If it looks too good to be true…

I’ve seen a few posts recently about online dresses from lots of different sites.
 
They seem so appealing due to their price!!
 
Why are they so affordable and bridal boutiques or legitimate sites more expensive?
 
There is a reason why they are cheaper, I’ll list a few:
  • They steal images, so they have no commercial photography costs , no brand building advertising costs.
  • They use low grade fabrics, low grade trims, low grade crystals ( plastic instead of glass etc)
  • They use low grade boning.
  • They use unethical methods of supporting and paying employees
  •  
  • They do not provide a bricks and mortar retail environment where you can go and try, and establish what shape suits you, get advice on fit, feel the fabrics. ( some do offer a chargable service to send out to try, which is good, but most don’t

This is just a few examples above.

So how do brides find out what will suit them if the online company does not send out, what to do?
 
These companies ( can you believe!) Encourage you to go visit the very independent stores whose designers they have ripped off , they encourage you to utilise their staff, access the use of those businesses running costs ( rent, staff, sample dresses, electricity, insurance, advertising etc) take up their time and expertise. These are expensive costs which is why dresses in real boutiques, selling genuine designers, where you can touch, feel, asses the quality, TRY ON and be advised and use an hour or three of their time to get the perfect dress, why they are more costly.
 
 
Then they Encourage you to walk away after effectively using that expertise for free ( you see now why many have starred to charge) walk away and order a knock off replica online once you have accessed expertise to see what suits you.😮
I am an independent boutique owner, selling designers dresses, plus my own bespoke designs.
 
If I did not have to staff my boutique, insure it, rent it, heat it, spend usually around 4 to 5 hours with each client communicating and helping them choose ( not including fitting and sewing time) then I too could slash prices, If I did not go to the expense of hiring models and doing photo shoots of my dresses, if I just stole other people’s photos I could charge less. But its ethically and morally wrong
🥹
 
I am not anti online shopping, in fact I have a lot of clients who purchase remotely, ( etsy, shopify,Instagram) mostly the ones in USA , Australia and New Zealand , but I would NEVER ask them to go waste another independent businesses time. Instead I take the time ( from my business costs) to communicate with them, take extensive measurements, do video calls. Also I protect them and adhere to distance selling rules.
 
Our beautiful, talented, passionate indie boutiques and designers in the UK are struggling, the world is being consumed by alibaba, aliexpress, temu, amazon, shein ( do love shein mind!!🤣, as it is hard to find daywear when you, like me are a size 22, but they mostly ( not alwats) do their own photos)
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR BRIDAL RETAILERS, use it or lose it.
 
For those on a lower budget there are lots of options, all boutiques always have samples at up to 75% off, you can buy pre loved, vintage, retro etc.
 
Please help be part of the solution, not the problem.
 
BEX proud to be an indie bridal retailer and designer.
 
Thanks for listening xxxx
Below is a photo of a vintage/ retro dress that I hand coloured, so its totally original, as it was a 40 year old dress that I customised, I had it on etsy, but the client came to my studio and had it fitted, it was about £400 plus alts, so very affordable, an original one off. But look at all those copt sites. What on earth would you receive, they dont have a photo of the front for starters so did they just take a wild guess!
I’m bloody certain it would not be a vintage/retro dress that had been hand coloured!!

“As soon as you mention weddings the price goes up” – true or false?

This is a copy of a post I made on Facebook. See below for the full text.
 
 
 
Here are some of the responses:
 
(Thanks to Offbeat Wed – Linkin)
 
Its not often than things make me so incandescently mad that i have to put them straight immediately!
But this is one of those times.
Anything you book for your wedding will have a different price than the same or similar service if its not for a wedding.
If you have a dress made for a party will you spend up to 3 years talking to me, exchange often 50 to 150 messages, spend hours choosing fabrics and designs. Have 4 to 6 fittings??
Probably not? Thats why a bespoke wedding dress costs what it does, not because it has wedding in the title!
If you are having your hair done for a party or a night out, will you want to have one or more trials, will you want to exchange dozens of messages about your hair and wedding vibe, have a trial possibly with your hair accessory in? Will it need to stay looking fabulous for up to 16 hours?
Probably not, thats why wedding hair costs more, because its more difficult, takes more consideration and communication not because it has the word wedding in it!
If you are having make up for a party or event, will you want the same amount of skill, communication and attention to detail as mentioned above for hair? Probably not! Will it need to cope with different lightning, day and night, flash and no flash, will it Need to last 16 hours??
Thats why it costs more, not because it begins with Bridal!
The same goes for your food, your photographer, your styling. All have to be meticulously planned, it’s probably the most photographed , most important event you will ever plan and be part of.
LIE TO YOUR SUPPLIER??
WHAT SORT OF ADVICE IS THAT??
Shame on you bride book!!😡
Who , do not forget provide a service to couples which is entirely funded by those suppliers they are asking their readers to lie to.🤯
Thanks to Plaits And Pin Curls – Award Winning Bridal Hair Plaits And Pin Curls – Award Winning Bridal Hairfor raising this, as i don’t use Bridebook so didn’t see it.
Absolutely disgusting behaviour.
Thankfully all my clients recognise the value and expertise a skilled wedding professional brings.🥰
Bridebook – The No.1 Wedding Planning App
I strongly suggest you have a word with yourselves!!

Bexbrides and Covid 19

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT re. COVID 19

To my wonderful brides to be: in order that we protect you, and make a stand against this virus, we made the hard decision that it was best that we suspended face to face consultations… temporarily! So it was, with a heavy heart and feeling of utter strangeness, that we locked up today. 😷


However rest assured we are well and truly still here for you. We are available by phone, text and messenger. 😘

We can do Skype or Messenger video calls. Pour yourself a glass and spam me with your Pinterest and wedding ideas 🍸🍷

Our Etsy shop is still open and we will be adding more items every week. I’ll finally have time to upcycle all those vintage dresses, ombre a ton of veils and make accessories!

My studio is actually more isolated than my house! Or I will be sewing from home and ombre in my garden! 🦚

Watch this space for Etsy listings. 😍

We have been in touch with all our brides who have had to postpone so far. As for those of you who haven’t yet, do not hesitate to get in touch. Bexbrides Ltd has drawn up a Covid 19 plan to protect everyone who is affected.

We feel your sorrow. I have cried so much this week. Those of you with destination weddings could have floated there on my ocean of tears.

But rest assured, we are not going anywhere (can’t as I have to stay home… but seriously, Bexbrides will be ready and waiting for you when you are able to have your weddings.)

Take care, stay safe.

LOVE BEX AND MARIE (AND CHRISTINE) XX

Bex’s Blogging Dilemma

Reposted from Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalombardearl)

HELP NEEDED!! CALL TO ACTION 🦚🌈🖤

Hi my wonderful followers, friends, family and clients.
Last April I launched my new website, and wrote a blog, I vowed to blog each month.
GUESS WHAT! yep I haven’t 🤦‍♀️.
Honestly I meant to!! But I’ve been so busy ( which is awesome btw!!)
I has a business plan to move my little business more in the direction of me, rather than just being tumbled along by the tidal forces of bridal commerce and a busy life, and it’s been great, I’ve been me!! But my blogging promise got neglected.
SO PLEASE HELP ME OUT.
I want to blog more, cos you know engagement, analytics, seo and all that nonsense….urgggg.
BUT where to start , what to write about.
I spend at least 30 mins every day answering brides questions in a multitude of bridal groups. So I really want to focus my expertise and knowledge and general waffling towards my followers.
HIT ME with stuff you want to read about.
Trends
Ombre ( dip dye effect)
Boho
Dressmaking process
Ethical recycling
Alterations
Foundation garments
How I design
What inspires me
What I do in my spare time
How to avoid dress disasters
How to find your perfect dress shape
How to accessorise your dress
To veil or not to veil

You see my dilemma , and all the while I’m trying to decide what you might like to read about my head is popping out designs and thinking of ways to redesign 50 year old dresses ( of the 200 I have!!! In my vintage room)
Meeting clients ,planning photo shoots , designing clients dresses, talking to clients ( conversations can run to hundreds of replies back and forth)
Managing 3 Facebook pages, Instagram and whats app. Email and my website. Plus of course actual SEWING! steaming, beading.
And bloody admin ( yak!!)

SO COME AT ME!! what do you want to see more of, hear about, read about??
I feel so bad that I failed to keep my blogging promise, in my defence my work has been blogged dozens of times in the last year which gave me a little get out of jail free card. But I feel I owe you all something of me.

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