Supplier Spotlight: Sugared Almonds Bridal Boutique
Time to grab a cuppa, get comfy, and settle in for our latest Supplier Spotlight. This is our go-to space where we interview the nation's favourite wedding suppliers to get you all the best styling tips, hacks, and insider advice for your big day.
In the hot seat today are the Mum and Daughter team who run Sugared Almonds Bridal Emporium in Earby, Barnoldswick, Lancashire.
Katie, Editor
Meet
Q: Katie: To kick things off, give us the quick headlines so our readers know exactly who you are and the magic you create!
A: Sugared Almonds Bridal Boutique
Photograph credits: Jasmine Paige’s Photography, Lily North Photography, Lune and Valley Photography
Q: Katie: Where are you based, how far do you love to travel, and what are your favourite kinds of spaces to work with?
A: Our boutique is based in Earby, Lancashire
Behind the Designs
Q: Katie: Let’s start right at the beginning! How did you find your way into the wedding world, and what was that exact moment you realised this was your calling?
A: My mum and I bought Sugared Almonds Bridal in February 2007. She had always dreamed of working in the bridal industry and because we both shared a love of sewing, fashion and all things feminine, it felt like the perfect fit for us.
Q: Katie: Every business has its own distinct personality. What is the core philosophy, style, and value system that defines your work today?
A: From the moment I started, I completely fell in love with bridal everything from the dresses and styling to helping each bride create her perfect look. I love being part of such a special moment and journey.
At Sugared Almonds Bridal, we believe in simply being ourselves warm, welcoming and genuinely caring. We take the time to really listen to each bride, understand her vision and make sure she feels comfortable and supported every step of the way. We never believe in pressure or rushing decisions finding your wedding dress should feel relaxed, exciting and truly enjoyable. Over the years, we’ve been lucky to build wonderful friendships with so many of our brides and being part of such a special time in their lives is something we never take for granted. Our aim is for every bride to feel at ease, enjoy the experience and leave feeling excited, confident and completely herself.
“We take the time to really listen to each bride, understand her vision and make sure she feels comfortable and supported every step of the way. We never believe in pressure or rushing decisions finding your wedding dress should feel relaxed, exciting and truly enjoyable. ”
Q: Katie: Let’s talk about your ‘dream couple’. Describe the people that make you instantly say, "Yes, I absolutely need to work with them!"
A: We can usually tell as soon as a bride walks through the door and we get to know them that we’d love them to become one of our brides. They’re full of genuine excitement and bring such a lovely energy with them. They’re down to earth, kind and clearly really happy to be in this stage of life. We can often tell straight away from their story they’re laughing, chatting about their wedding day plans and just soaking it all in.
We love brides who don’t take things too seriously, who are open to enjoying the experience and who trust us to help guide them in finding their dream gown. The ones who value connection, good energy and a relaxed journey over pressure or simply doing what everyone else is doing. They’re not trying to tick boxes they just want a day that feels meaningful and true to them. Those are always the brides we instantly connect with and think, “Yes, we want to be part of this special journey with them,” from finding their dress right through to fittings, alterations, and everything in between and after.
Trends & Expert Secrets
Q: Katie: What is the most unique, unconventional, or wonderfully memorable wedding setup you’ve ever been a part of?
A: We’ve had so many amazing weddings over the years. One of our brides got married in an igloo in Iceland, another is flying out to Utah this week for her wedding and we’ve had weddings in Disney World, New York and even on a boat. We’ve also had a really special surprise wedding, where everyone thought they were attending her daughter’s christening, but she was actually getting married at the same time and no one knew.
Q: Katie: The wedding world is always evolving. What exciting new patterns, directions, or details are you noticing right now in your brilliant corner of the industry?
A: We especially love the more intimate weddings and elopements there’s something so personal, romantic and meaningful about them that makes them really special to be part of.
Brides are now often choosing two dresses for their wedding day one real show stopping gown for the ceremony and a second dress that’s lighter and easier to wear so they can relax and fully enjoy the party and dancing later on.
We’re also seeing a lot more brides choosing black wedding dresses, along with other coloured dresses which we absolutely love. Couples are focusing more on creating a wedding that truly reflects them, rather than sticking to tradition and we think that’s exactly how it should be.
Q: Katie: If you could predict the 'next big thing' or share one thing you’d love to see more UK couples embrace, what would it be?
A: If we could see one thing continue to grow, it would be individuality couples feeling confident doing their own thing without worrying about traditions or expectations. Whether that’s in the style of their wedding dress, their overall look, or how they choose to celebrate the day, we love seeing people make choices that truly reflect who they are rather than following what’s “expected.”
Q: Katie: For couples currently planning their wedding, what insider secret or piece of advice would you give them from your area of expertise?
A: The biggest piece of advice we always give brides is to choose a wedding dress that feels like you. It’s so easy to get caught up in opinions, trends, or what you think you should be wearing, but the most special dresses are always the ones that feel authentic and true to your personality.
Trust how you feel when you put a gown on when it’s the right dress, you’ll just know. You’ll feel comfortable, confident and like the very best version of yourself.
Enjoy the process, don’t put too much pressure on yourself and try to keep it fun. Finding your wedding dress should feel exciting and emotional in the best way and the right one will always stand out for all the right reasons.
The Wedding Journey & Meaning
Q: Katie: When a couple books you, what does that journey look like from start to finish? How do you make sure they feel completely looked after?
A: A bride will first book a bridal appointment with us, where we hope to help her find her dream dress. We always celebrate that moment with her, because it’s such a special part of the journey and from there we help her personalise her look and style it with the accessories she loves to really bring her vision to life.
We have our in-house seamstress who carries out all of the alterations, ensuring the dress is tailored perfectly and feels completely her own. It becomes a truly personal gown, made to fit her beautifully and reflect exactly how she wants to feel on her wedding day. We can also carry out alterations for bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and groomsmen to ensure the whole wedding party looks and feels their best. Throughout the whole journey, we’re always contactable for any questions, advice, or reassurance when needed.
Before collection, we carefully steam the dress, veil and sometimes bridesmaid dresses too, so everything is ready for the wedding week. After the wedding, many brides also bring their dresses back to us to be professionally cleaned and boxed as a special keepsake from their day. We absolutely love this part of the journey, especially when brides come back to share their wedding photos and tell us all about their day it’s such a lovely way to stay connected even after the wedding is over.
Q: Katie: We are seeing a gorgeous shift away from 'perfect-for-Instagram' weddings toward deeply meaningful days. What is one old-school wedding tradition or rule you are secretly glad modern couples are ditching?
A: We love that couples are now choosing to have the wedding they truly want, rather than what’s traditionally expected. Every wedding feels so different and personal and I think that’s what makes them so special.
Q: Katie: When the wedding magic is done and you’re finally off-the-clock, where can we usually find you and how do you like to unwind?
A: When I’m not working you will usually find me at home with my family. I’m very much a homebody at heart, so I love nothing more than slowing down and enjoying time with my children.
My days off are pretty simple taxiing the kids around, walking the dogs and just being at home. That’s really where I recharge, just having those quiet, normal moments after all the excitement of weddings. Even on my days off though, my mind is still very much on my brides and I’m always thinking about those who are getting married that day and hoping everything is going perfectly for them.
Stalk Their Work
Where to find
The best place for couples to find us online is on our social media where we share our real brides, new arrivals and behind the scenes moments in the boutique. It’s a lovely way to get a feel for our style and the kind of experience we offer.
Instagram - Sugared Almonds Bridal Boutique
Our website is the best place to book an appointment with us and start your dress journey. You can also contact us through any of our channels if you have any questions at all we’re always happy to help, whether you’re just having a browse or ready to begin the search for your dream gown.
Website - Sugared Almonds Bridal Boutique
“Feature your wedding business here, get in touch! ”
Wedding Dress Shopping Q&A with Eleanor of Sixpenny Bridal.
Eleanor, owner of Sixpenny Bridal, Clitheroe
I caught up with the lovely Eleanor, owner of the gorgeous Sixpenny Bridal in Clitheroe, to talk lace, logistics, and everything you’re too polite to ask about wedding dress shopping!
Sixpenny Bridal
The Story
Katie: “I’m a sucker for ‘The Love Story.’ I’d love to hear how you fell in love with the idea of running your bridal shop in the Ribble Valley. Take me back to the start: what was the moment you decided to open Sixpenny Bridal right here in Clitheroe? Was it a long-held dream?”
Eleanor: “I actually started dreaming about opening my own bridal boutique years ago - but with everything timing is important! In 2024 things finally worked out and we settled in gorgeous Clitheroe which is just the perfect place for all things weddings! I think really, I’ve always been passionate about weddings (I’ve even been a bridesmaid 7 times!) and I knew that starting my own business I wanted to be able to pour my heart and soul into something. Bridal for me really is that. Every moment I put into Sixpenny is a moment of joy and it really genuinely makes me so happy to help brides with this exciting (albeit sometimes overwhelming) part of their life!”
Wedding Dress Shopping
Katie: “I always tell my couples that their ceremony should feel like them. How do you make sure the appointment feels the same way? For a bride who might be feeling a bit nervous or self-conscious, what’s the ‘Sixpenny Vibe’ when she walks through your door?”
Eleanor: “I absolutely believe the same! Each bride that steps through the door is their own unique person and not just ‘another bride’ to me. I love hearing the engagement and proposal stories and finding out how I can support their own individual needs. Brides get a pre-call from me so that I can see how they’re doing, and I try to put any nerves at ease before you even step through the door - we keep things really relaxed and welcoming so you can completely be yourself and settle into things. I often say we just take it one dress at a time! It should be enjoyable rather than daunting and I’m here to help make it a positive experience for you!
Bridal appointment at Sixpenny Bridal, Clitheroe
The Sixpenny Bridal Boutique Experience
Katie: “We’ve all seen the scary bridal shows on TV! But I know you do things very differently. Is it strictly appointment-only so the bride has the whole boutique to herself? Talk us through that personal experience.”
Eleanor: “Yes! So don’t get me wrong, these shows can be so fun to watch! But it’s worth remembering they are often heavily edited and they’re not representative of your own experience. I think it’s one of the best things about the Sixpenny experience that you get the whole boutique to yourself - it’s completely private and means you can really make yourself at home. All the dresses are available to you, there’s no risk of one being in with another bride, and it’s just you and your guests, so you get complete 1-2-1 focus. We also keep our collection quite small compared to some boutiques - this prevents being overwhelmed whilst still maintaining a great range so you can try on lots of different styles without being fatigued. I have heard from brides many times how surprised they are that actually you don’t need 200 dresses to find the perfect one!
The Timeline: Wedding Dress Shopping and Alterations
Katie: “For the super-organised (and the last-minute!) brides, what is the ‘perfect timeline’ for coming to see you, saying yes to the dress, and getting those fittings booked?”
Eleanor: “There is no ‘perfect timeline’ really - it’s whatever feels best for you! I know some brides like to get in early and organised, so start looking around 18 months before the wedding. But some brides have been on a quick turnaround and are looking much closer! To ensure you have all the options open to you I would say 9-12 months is an ideal spot, with it taking up to 6 months for a made-to-order dress to arrive, 2 months for alterations and then some buffer time for decision making etc! But if you don’t have that much time do not worry! We can work with our designers on quick ship or rush order options (just be aware there may be a charge for this) or alternatively we can find you a dress from our samples that you can take away the same day! I’m here to minimise any worrying or stress for you so anything on timelines please just reach out!”
What to Wear for the Bridal Appointment?
Katie: “Okay, let’s be real for a second: what on earth should a bride-to-be wear to the appointment? Are we talking full Spanx and strapless bras, or can they just turn up in their usual bra and comfy pants?”
Eleanor: “Again, it’s whatever you feel comfortable in! You definitely do not need to go out and buy anything new, and most brides whip that bra straight off to be honest as most of the dresses have built in cups! But if you know you’ll feel your best in Spanx or similar then of course go ahead. Same with comfies! It really is whatever you like. It’s also totally OK if it’s ’that time of the month’ - this is a space for you to feel your most comfortable, we’ve popped a bride into a dressing gown so she could have a break to breastfeed before too!
The Budget: What Does the Average Wedding Dress Cost?
Katie: “Weddings are an investment. Can you give us a rough idea of the price range at Sixpenny Bridal? And do you have any options for brides who might need to spread the cost?”
Eleanor: “We have dresses that range from £900 - £2700, with majority of the dresses being under that £2000 mark. It’s definitely an investment purchase, and what I would say is that you’ll notice straight away that these dresses are very different to buying from a high street store. They are often hand stitched, with high quality materials (and a lot of it!). I do believe that it really is worth spending a chunk of time and budget on your dress as you want to feel your best on the day, and you’ll be looking back at these photos for years to come! When a bride puts her dress on and lights up with confidence it’s absolutely priceless.”
Bringing the Bride Squad
Katie: “As a celebrant, I love a big wedding party, but I know dress shopping is an intimate experience. Can a bride bring her whole ‘I Do Crew,’ or do you find it’s better with a smaller, supportive gang?”
Eleanor: “I find the best appointments are the ones with a smaller entourage, sometimes even just mum or sister! Often the more people you bring, the more conflicting opinions there are and it can be hard to hear your own thoughts. It’s totally well meaning of course, but everyone is going to have their own favourite! It’s about remembering what you want. There is also the option of choosing your dress, then inviting a larger crew back for your collection appointment so they can be part of the experience but without the decision making. This is totally something we can do! Or it’s also super fun to keep it a surprise for the big day for some people!”
The Look of Love: What are the Wedding Dress Trends for 2026/27?
Katie “I’d love to know what’s coming next…I’m seeing so much personality in ceremonies lately. What are the big vibes for 2026 and 2027 fashion? Are we seeing a full return to big ballgowns and basque waists, or is it all about sleek, modern silhouettes?”
Eleanor: “Basque waists are definitely not going anywhere this year - they are super flattering and I think will be around for a little while longer. Lace has been big the last few years too, but we’re seeing a lot of brides move into sleeker and chic simplicity for 2026/27. But I always encourage brides to go with what feels right for them, not necessarily what’s trending. Something can look amazing on Pinterest or on a celeb and then just not suit you - and that’s totally OK!”
Versatility: Detachable Skirts and Sleeves!
Katie: “I love it when a bride surprises everyone with a look change before the reception! Are you seeing many dresses that transform, like removable sleeves or overskirts? It’s such a great way to get two looks for one.”
Eleanor: “For a lot of brides I’m seeing that comfort is key! And I think this is actually a big driver for second looks sometimes - especially if they’ve chosen a heavy dress for their ceremony. You don’t have to buy an all new dress to change up your look though - we have lots of options for that 2-in-1 look, with detachable skirts, sleeves or even a dress that has a full lace overlay and then converts into a whole new material underneath! You can also change up your headpiece or change lipstick and add some fun earrings if you’re wanting to go a bit more fun for your evening do!”
Accessories: What is on Trend for 2026 and 2027?
Katie: “Let’s talk finishing touches. What are you loving right now? Is it pearls, sparkle, or are we seeing the return of the dramatic cathedral veil?”
Eleanor: ‘My absolute favourite veil is a chapel length sparkle one, made with ivory Italian tulle. I just love how it catches the light and how it is so versatile - it goes with every dress without distracting! I do have a soft spot for pearls though and we’re getting some amazing chantilly lace options in in the new year! A veil for me is so worth it though, there is just something special and so bridal about them.”
Matching the Dress to the Lancashire Wedding Venue
Katie: “Eleanor, you and I both know we have some stunning venues around Lancashire. If I was officiating at these spots, what would you dress the bride in?”
Wennington Hall
Katie “I love a Wennington Hall Wedding; it’s got the ‘wow factor’, and I’m obsessed with the outdoor aisle. If a bride is getting married there, what dress gives that ‘Luxe Manor House’ energy? Maybe something with a bit of drama?”
Eleanor: “Ooooh I love these questions! I think for Wennington, I would love to see a bride in our Arundel dress by Dando London - so elegant but with an incredible statement train!”
Holmes Mill
Katie: “Holmes Mill Clitheroe, has the cool, industrial and edgy vibe. What would you pick for a bride getting married in the Cotton Room? I’m picturing something modern, or maybe a bit sparkly to catch those lights?”
Eleanor: “I love the cool vibe of Holmes Mill - and I definitely think you could go for a bit of sparkle here! The Tintagel dress by Dando London has that edge of sparkle that catches people by surprise and would look amazing under some of the spotlights.”
Stirk House
Katie: “Stirk HouseHotel is a majestic 17th century manor full of romance, history, and character, set in beautiful gardens and ancient woodland.
Can you suggest the perfect gown for a real-life fairytale setting?”
Eleanor: “I’d love to see a bride in our Cassidy dress from Serene by Madi Lane at Stirk House - for some reason I imagine a bride running through a garden in it! It’s a dress that makes you feel like a modern day princess whilst still remaining really light (meaning you can party in it!)”
The Tipis at Riley Green
Katie: “I adore this venue; the Tipis at Riley Green have such a lovely vibe, and the grounds are brimming with beautiful flowers. For a bride who wants a relaxed, boho vibe, what would you recommend? Something flowy and boho?”
Eleanor: “3D flower appliqués can give a real boho and natural look - and I love our Lucille dress from Maya Bella for this. We have it in a blush in the studio for something a little different, or you can order in Ivory!”
Expert Advice from Eleanor
katie: “Just a few final fun ones before we let you get back to your brides… If you could give one piece of advice to a bride before she books her appointment with you, what would it be?”
Eleanor: “It’s so much easier said than done but ‘don’t worry’ is my first piece of advice. Please do try and enjoy this special time and your experience! With that, I would also say come ready to find your dress - there’s a high chance you will find your dream dress with us but so often brides hold themselves back, let nerves or pressure to go to lots of shops get the best of them, or they end up overthinking things. If it feels right, then go for it! Take the pressure off, get excited, and if you feel great in the dress then that’s a sign to lean into the enjoyment and have your yes moment!”
The 'After' Moment: Cleaning and Storing your Wedding Dress
Katie: “And finally… what should a bride do with her dress after the wedding? I’m guessing ‘bin bag in the loft’ is not the right answer! Can you recommend a cleaning service or preservation method?”
Eleanor: “Absolutely we can help point you in the right direction for getting your dress cleaned - don’t worry about it getting dirty though, enjoy your day! You aren’t going to be able to 100% prevent a bit of mud, dance floor dirt or drink getting on your train so try not to let it bother you and we can sort it out after! What I am loving at the moment is brides re-using their dresses, so if you have time an idea is to reconfigure it into a dress you can wear on your honeymoon! If you need a bit of time to think about it then we can get it packaged for you in a proper presentation box that will keep it nice and protected. I also really want a bride to bring their mums old dress in so we can surprise her with trying it on - so if you know anyone who wants to do this please let me know - I would love to be involved!!”
Katie: “It’s always such a joy chatting with Eleanor. Her passion for empowering women and making them feel incredible is exactly why I love chatting with wedding suppliers like her. If you’re looking for a dress experience that feels natural and easy, Sixpenny Bridal is the spot. When you go for your appointment, say ‘hello’ to Eleanor from me, and take your Mum and her old dress!!”
Katie x
Celebrant Led
Ps. If you’re newly engaged and overwhelmed with wedding planning, click here and check out my insiders guide to planning a wedding.