Let's Shop: Along Came Eve | Brides Up North

Chester-based UNVELED Network Member boutique Along Came Eve is an absolute treasure trove of stunning gowns in a range of sizes and styles, from all of your favourite designers and with accessories to really personalise your look for the big day.

Keeping it in the family, mother and daughter business partners Kendal and her talented mum, Moira, have fulfilled a long standing dream to co-own a bridal boutique. Their swoon-worthy collection is bound to have you saying “yes to the dress!” and they’re truly a one stop shop, taking care of your gown, veil, accessories and even the alterations in-house with their experienced team.

If you’ve yet to find The One, you might be wondering where to begin. It can be a daunting task and the boutiques themselves can seem a little intimidating, but fear not! Kendal is walking us through the process, her dos and don’ts and why instagram and Pinterest are such great places to start. You can’t really go wrong with these insider tips and tricks from the boutique owners themselves and we’re proud to be able to call them our UNVEILED Network Members!

Kendal and Moira are also offering you gorgeous brides-to-be an amazing £150 off accessories when you purchase your wedding dress from Along Came Eve! So, if you’re looking to tick the whole bridal look off your to-do list, you won’t want to miss this feature!

Briefly introduce yourself and your business?

I’m Kendal, co-owner of Along Came Eve. Our luxurious boutique is located in Chester City Centre, housing global bridal brands that are guaranteed to wow.

Where did your passion for bridal fashion begin?

I own the boutique with my mum, Moira. She worked as a designer and pattern cutter and had her own bridal studio creating couture bridal gowns through my childhood. Growing up around fashion and bridal definitely sparked a passion in me for both. We have always wanted to work together so when the time was right, Along Came Eve was born.

Tell us about what makes your boutique special?

Our boutique is the perfect combination of luxury vintage with a relaxed vibe. It’s decorated with a mixture of modern and antique furniture, with a soft romantic colour palette, complemented by our wild floral installations.

Does the boutique have a signature style of gown?

We are definitely the home of the statement dress. With brands such as Enzoani, Elysee and Martina Liana you’ll find the most beautiful details and trains that are to die for, and with Willowby By Watters, Eliza Jane Howell and Wtoo you will find a whimsical romantic vibe that is guaranteed to make your heart flutter.

Which labels do you stock and why did you choose them?

We choose each of our brands very carefully; every gown is selected by us and we only work with brands that can deliver on design, quality and fit. We are a ‘Platinum stockist’ for Enzoani, stocking their Enzoani, Blue By Enzoani, Etoile, Elysee and Elysee Atelier collections. They’re a fabulous brand to work with, their dresses are fashion-forward trend setters. You will find a range of looks from the very detailed to clean and modern, all with a fabulous fit and quality make, by having the range of collections in store we can cater to a range of budgets.

Willowby By Watters and Wtoo bring a delicate, romantic look, perfect for brides looking for a softer look to complement a more rustic vibe, the perfect gowns to pair with pampas and a tipi.

Eliza Jane Howell brings their own distinct look. Our pieces from this British brand are truly unique and can carry through the generations. What an amazing way to create a new family heirloom.

Rosa Clara offers modern classics. This collection is full of regal princess gowns and clean sheath styles for our more minimalist brides.

What sizes do you carry?

Our current in store samples range from a UK size 10 to 20. We will be expanding our sizing offering to cover up to a UK 24 by April 2021.

What sort of price point are your gowns?

Our gowns range from around £1000 to £4600. We find that the majority of our brides have a budget somewhere in the range of £1500 to £2800.

Where would you advise our readers to look for inspiration when beginning the dress hunt?

I would take a look at images of your venue and search for your style of wedding using hashtags on Instagram, or by using your vibe as a search term on Pinterest. Most of our brides find us on Instagram having searched for a particular type of dress, such as ‘low back wedding dress’ or ‘romantic wedding dress’. Blogs, such as Brides Up North, are fantastic as you will often then be able to see recommended suppliers, real wedding images and styled shoots.

How do you approach each appointment?

We will spend some time getting to know you before you even step foot through the door, and you will have your very own dedicated stylist who will be with you every step of the way. Our appointments are very relaxed and our focus is to help you along your dress journey until you fall in love all over again. You will feel totally at ease and have the most magical time! The only limit on the day is the amount of time we have to allocate to each appointment, you can try on as many or as few dresses as you want in that time and we will have plenty of accessories and styling tips available along the way.

Tell us about the fittings and alterations process?

We offer a full in-house service with an expert team on site. You don’t have to find a separate seamstress or work with another company, Along Came Eve are with you right the way through your dress journey. When your dress arrives, you will have a Gown Reveal followed by around three fittings closer to your wedding date.

Our expert team has over one hundred combined years of experience in the fashion industry, both in high level manufacturing and bespoke design. Having this fabulous team available means we can offer unique alterations that are not the norm, adding those finishing touches to your dress and making it totally unique to you.

Why should brides shop in independent, local boutiques?

By shopping independent, you are literally making someone’s dream come true! We do a happy dance every time we find a bride’s dress. We are also the decision makers meaning you don’t have layers and layers of policy to get through to speak to someone who cares, every member of our team loves what they do and are so passionate about making our brides happy.

What do your brides love about your service?

Our brides love that they get their own private space when trying on gowns and that it is a super relaxed vibe. We are there to have fun and make you feel amazing, who wouldn’t love that? We give really honest advice and will never push you towards a dress you don’t adore.

What are your top 3 tips for clients when choosing their wedding outfits?

Have an open mind, your stylist is there to help you so try to trust them! They may pull something that you think is an odd choice but there are magical dresses that transform when they are on the body and look totally different than when on the hanger.
Don’t get hung up on labels – this applies to dress shapes, necklines, designers and the season it was made – if you love your dress these things don’t matter!
Trust your gut! If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t the one.

And your no-nos?

Choose your people carefully, make sure your entourage are on the same wavelength as you and that they will support your choices. If you want a plunging neckline and you know Auntie Jean is against that, it may be best to choose another guest for the day. Too many opinions can be confusing so we suggest two guests as a maximum on the day.
Don’t just book an appointment at every shop. Do your research first, does their brand speak to you? Do they have the style or vibe you’re looking for? Do they stock the brands you like? It is impossible for a bridal shop to cater to every bride and that’s OK.
Don’t worry too much about the size of your dress. Bridal gowns are cut so differently to everyday clothing, the sizing will vary compared to the high street you’re used to, and from designer to designer.

What trends do you see emerging in bridal fashion for 2021 and beyond?

Dresses with two looks in one are huge going into this season, be that the addition of an overskirt, cape or sleeve, there are so many ways to change up your look.

And what about accessories?

We have beautiful accessories from The Couture Veil, Arianna Tiaras and Miranda Templeton Tiaras. If you quote UNVEILED when booking you can qualify for a £150 accessories voucher when you purchase your wedding dress from us!

Have you got any special events coming up?

We will be launching our brand new collection, Badgley Mischka Bride, on the 30^th of April to 2^nd of May 2021. These sought after gowns are absolutely sensational!