ABOUT US
Brides & Bustles. A family wedding shop in Bedfordshire that makes bridal dreams come true
Welcome to Brides & Bustles, our family-run wedding dress shop in Bedfordshire with a whole lot of heart. A fun, yet peaceful bridal destination that we've lovingly curated and expanded upon for over 10 years.
I’m Claire, one half of the mother-and-daughter team we have here at Brides & Bustles, Christine being the mother (and The Queen, as we like to call her). Mum and I started the business in a tiny little shop with about 40 dresses and have gradually grown over the years into what we have today. Three floors of bridal bliss, set in our very own watermill, catering to all brides and their bridesmaids.
We’ve personally selected every gown we stock and are proud to offer dresses from some of the biggest names in the bridal industry. With gowns ranging between £800 and £2,500, there really is something for everyone, whatever your budget. And if you’re short on time or looking for an incredible off-the-peg bargain, Our Ivory Outlet on the top floor has gowns to take away from just £450.
When you visit Brides & Bustles, we want the experience to be every bit as special as the wedding dress you find. That’s why we offer two-hour appointments, giving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the bridal journey. You and your guests will have exclusive use of our spacious dressing rooms, the undivided attention of one of our team, and probably a glass of bubbly (or two)!
Our dressing room has three walls of mirrors so you can see each gown from every angle. Perfect for spotting those little details and embellishments that make our wedding dresses so unforgettable. Of course, the work of Brides & Bustles or our sister plus-size bridal boutique, Confetti & Curves, wouldn't be possible without our amazing team! The wonderful Lorraine, brilliant Lauren, and our right-hand girl Izzy, all of whom keep our little slice of heaven running smoothly and make every bride feel like the only one in the world.
So who am I? I’m 39 (and will be forever) and have two gorgeous kiddos and a wonderful, supportive husband. The work-life balance is very real, but I’m so lucky to have a business I love coming to when I’m not being Mum. I love my family more than anything; they’re honestly the best, and I never take that for granted. When I’m not in the boutique, I’m usually acting as a glorified taxi driver for my small humans’ endless activities or laughing too loudly with my girls (the lifers who know who they are), putting the world to rights one sip of orange gin at a time.
In short, I still love my job all these years later. My favourite colour is red, I love a good rom-com (much to my husband’s despair...), I eat too much chocolate, and I’ll forever be a Garage girl at heart. I’ll never forget seeing Craig David live when I was 13 at a dodgy underage disco and being certain he looked right at me. My life was set from there.
So that’s us! Family, laughter, wedding dresses, and a whole lot of love.