The new owner of an award-winning boutique in Whalley has shared the heartwarming highlights of how running a bridal shop has been so far.
Becca Marr, and her friend Jayne Chambers, who is helping Becca run the business over the weekends, put in an offer to purchase Lulu Browns in Accrington Road, Whalley, when it went up for sale in January.
Becca said she has always loved weddings and the build up to the big day as well as being passionate about fashion and styling, so owning a bridal boutique made sense for her.
Becca, who has been running the business since March 31, said: “My husband and his friends used to own Bowland Marquees and I was the person who did a lot of the social media, so I’ve had a bit of experience in the wedding business, but all I want to do is make brides feel beautiful and empowered on their wedding days.”
Lulu Browns has catered for thousands of national and international weddings and received awards for its services, so Becca’s main aim is to continue the legacy and reputation of former owner Helen Lord, and she doesn’t plan on changing anything for the first 12 months.
Becca said: “Lulu’s is different to other bridal shops because it is literally a styling appointment, we talk to the bride and entourage and we ask how the bride wants to feel on the wedding day because being comfortable is important.”
Understanding that many brides won’t have huge budgets, customers can choose whether to purchase a gown straight off the peg or from the sample stock, and dresses range between £1,000 and £3,000.
As well as catering to different budgets, Becca is passionate about offering various styles of gowns and explained why she prefers to go against the season’s trends.
She said: “We’ve just been to Barcelona recently to meet with designers and look at new season’s gowns but we don’t buy into the trends.
“We do look at them but even if you are the most fashionable bride in the world you don’t want to look at what’s currently in and then look back at your photos hating what you wore.
“We buy two dresses each season that are absolutely fashion forward but the vast majority of our stick is simple, timeless and classic because not everyone wants the season gowns.”
Last month, a woman in her 60s who was getting married for the first time came into Lulu Browns after she was told by a different bridal shop that nothing they had would suit her.
Becca said: “It was heartbreaking but we sat down with a cup of tea and had a chat and she’s since bought a sample gown with us and she is happy.
“Sometimes, when there’s a business purchase it’s not always hearts and roses but this whole process has been wonderful.
"When you make someone who is nervous and worried leave feeling amazing, it’s fantastic.”
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