We chatted with Ellen from Wedding Belles recently on all thing’s Bridal Accessories. Where to find her, what you get for your buck and styling hints with tips…

Ellen may be one of the best in the buisness when it comes to pleasing her Brides.

Hands up, thats why we frickin’ love how she roll’s!

Ellen, tell us why you do, what you, oh so very well!?

I opened Wedding Belles nearly 6 years ago after spotting a gap in the market for somewhere to get all your bridal accessories, bridal party gifts and wedding guest accessories all under the one roof.

I absolutely love the feeling when a bride finds the perfect accessory for her big day, it could be the right veil, perfect height shoes or that unique headpiece they had been looking for.

I especially love seeing each customers unique style and personality unfolding during an appointment…I just really love dealing with people to be honest!!!

Do you have an online shop?

Yes indeed, www.weddingbelles.ie

I had a website which I created myself but lets call a spade a spade…that is not my specialist area so over the last few months I took on a web designer to create a new website and I’m currently uploading products onto that.

What Bridal accessory are you loving right now?

For me its got to be the padded hairband trend or the pearl hairbands.

I have a keen interest in the millinery world and this style of hairband is huge in both the bridal world and millinery world.

Top three tips when buying accessories?

Firstly, you can borrow veils and hair accessories from Wedding Belles to try out at your hair trial or dress fitting.

It’s very hard to choose items when you don’t have the dress in front of you or your hair the way you would like on your big day so I think brides should definiely avail of this service from us.

Secondly, don’t think you are ever under any pressure to buy anything at Wedding Belles…yes..it might be a private appointment but I would not be happy if a bride or customer felt they had to buy something just because they visited our shop…you can visit as many times as you like and I only expect a sale when you truly fall in love with an item!!

Thirdly, bring someone with you if you can who knows you and your style so they can help you make the correct decision for you. Yes…I am there to help and I will always be honest, but the words of a Mum, Sister or friend probably will have more comfort.

I’m looking for jewellery for my Bridesmaids, what do you suggest?

We stock a selection at Wedding Belles especially for bridesmaids, this can be a necklace and earrings sets, or just a necklace or bracelet.

It’s really important to note with bracelets for brides or bridesmaids they need to be snag proof and we cater for that.

When you have two or three bridesmaids it can add up fairly fast and I am conscious of that. So we have an affordable pricepoint and will offer a discount on multiple buys of the same item while still offering high quality jewellery.

I have short hair, shorter than a bob but would love to wear a hair accessory, what would you suggest?

Straight away I’m thinking of a bride from last year, a gorgeous girl from Youghal, who had a pixi haircut..which was very cool I might add!!

She came to Wedding Belles to look for a clip, something small. We tried a few bits but then I asked her to try a hairband which had a very thin silver band and some embellishment on the side. I felt it worked really well. There was a bit of tooing and froing but it was the hairband she went for in the end and it was perfect. So just because you have a shorter hairstyle it doesnt rule you out of the gorgeous hair accessory game.

Im nervous about wearing a veil, Im not even sure it will go with my dress. Do you have any advice or whats the best thing to do?

The best thing is to visit us in Castlemartyr. We can look at the styles available and I promise we have loads to choose from.

Once you describe your dress to me I can recommend what would work. Then you are welcome to borrow some samples to try with your dress in the store or at your alterations premises and see how you get on.

Once you see it all together you will know if it works or not. Veils aren’t for everyone and that’s ok. It’s about being beautiful and comfortable on your big day and if a veil makes you feel like that then go for it.