What sets Ella-Sophia apart? <\/strong>My business is very personal and I am one-on-one involved with all my brides. I just love going the extra mile and making each one of them feel comfortable and special right from the first fitting. My job really is my passion and I take so much pride in what I do.<\/p>\n Fave part of running the boutique? <\/strong>I really enjoy being able to help brides realise their dream dress \u2026 whether they choose from my existing range or whether I helped them create their own gown. When they cry tears of joy, I can\u2019t help but cry with them. I also have the privilege of doing styled photo shoots, featuring my dresses, with amazingly talented people in the wedding industry from time to time.<\/p>\n Some of the industry challenges? <\/strong>It will always be challenging to decide which new styles and samples will be popular. I have to keep reminding myself that my personal style will not necessarily be the same as others and I still need to cater to all the different tastes, and in different sizes. It can become somewhat daunting and stressful at times.<\/p>\n Biggest lesson learned? <\/strong>I have made many mistakes by using suppliers and service providers whose standard of quality is not in line with mine. I had to narrow it down to a handful of reliable suppliers who I depend on. The lesson was very costly, but one I most definitely had to learn.<\/p>\n Details: Follow Ella-Sophia Bridal Wear on Facebook and ellasophiabridal on Insta.<\/em><\/p>\n Wedding dress shopping 101<\/strong> Eight things to keep in mind when planning a wedding<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Decide on a budget and stick to it<\/p>\n \u2022 Find a venue first. This will help you decide on your wedding date. From here on, all else will start falling into place.<\/p>\n \u2022 Start looking for your dress eight to 12 months ahead of the wedding day (if you have that much time before the wedding). Most bridal shops have a long lead time and you will still want to have time to do final alterations should it be needed.<\/p>\n \u2022 When deciding on your make-up artist and hair stylist, study their online portfolios to make sure that their style is in line with your personal style.<\/p>\n \u2022 Find your photographer. Many of them will be booked out months in advance.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do your homework when it comes to choosing your service providers. Read social media and Google reviews. Unfortunately, there are many scam artists in the wedding industry.<\/p>\n \u2022 Many people will offer advice and opinions. Hear them out, but don\u2019t let them drown out your own voice. Follow your heart and do the best you can with what you have.<\/p>\n \u2022 This is the one day that will be all about you and your spouse. Don\u2019t feel like you have to make it about other people like parents and guests. Do your wedding your way.<\/p>\n Text: ALANICKA LOTRIET. \u2022 Photographer: HILDA MANS. \u2022 Make-up and hair: ANTOINETTE DE BEER<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Since she was a little girl, An\u00e9l Pienaar had always dreamed of her wedding day. The decor, the ring, and most importantly\u2026 the dress. But when the time finally came, she realised her ideal bridal boutique simply didn\u2019t exist. So, she opened up her own. Just like any good fairy tale, An\u00e9l Pienaar first had […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":16273,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,20,1],"tags":[5770,5916,5918,5917,3796,5919,3412,4031,716,5922,776,1476,3442,5921,4399,5733,876,921,5920],"class_list":{"0":"post-16271","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-people","8":"category-personalities","9":"category-uncategorised","10":"tag-alanicka-lotriet","11":"tag-anel-pienaar","12":"tag-boutique","13":"tag-bridal","14":"tag-business","15":"tag-dream","16":"tag-dress","17":"tag-dresses","18":"tag-ea-academy","19":"tag-entrpreneur","20":"tag-fashion","21":"tag-get-it-magazine","22":"tag-hilda-mans","23":"tag-i-do","24":"tag-mom","25":"tag-owner","26":"tag-photography","27":"tag-wedding","28":"tag-yes"},"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-west\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/04\/Anel-in-article-272x400.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Be realistic with your expectations. Don\u2019t expect a certain dress to look the same way on you as it does on the designer\u2019s model or another bride.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t feel pressured into taking a large crowd with you to your bridal fitting (your bridesmaids, mother, sisters, mother-in-law, aunts, grannies and the aunt from next door). Often too many opinions can silence your own voice. Either you won\u2019t be able to make a decision at all, or worse, you\u2019ll choose the wrong dress because you\u2019re listening to too many opinions.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t try to visit multiple boutiques in one day. Trying on too many dresses will leave you confused and by the time you try on dress number 23, you have already forgotten what the first five even looked like. Experts recommend that you shouldn\u2019t try on more than 15 wedding gowns.
\n\u2022 Even if you think you are set on a certain style or look, be open to suggestions from the fitting consultant as well. You might just be surprised how much you like a style you never thought would look good on you.
\n\u2022 If you fall in love with a dress from a specific bridal store, but it falls outside your budget, don\u2019t try to recreate it at the cheapest seamstress you can find. Chances are good that you will be disappointed. Rather speak to the boutique owner or manager and find out whether they can work out a deal for you. They may be able to offer a hire option on a sample or previously worn dress in the same style.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t be disappointed if dresses don\u2019t fit you 100 percent. Most dresses will require alterations in order to get the perfect fit.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t choose your dress based on the reactions of your entourage. Your dress should be chosen based on you and what you want, not on how others see you in a dress.<\/p>\n