Our Real Brides

Please also see our Testimonials to read more comments from our brides.

Claire, Manchester - September 2009 Hi Paula and Lucy, Just a quick email to tell you how wonderful I felt and looked in my wonderful dress I bought from you. From the very moment I stepped in your shop it was a pleasure. I couldn't believe I was able to try 12 dresses on! I was so nervous about dress shopping ! I did not feel uncomfortable at any step of the way. I absolutely love my dress and felt amazing!! Craig (the hubby) could barely believe his eyes when I walked down the aisle, he was gob smacked!! Thank you both so much for everything. xx

Ludi, Salisbury - August 2009 As promised, I am sending you some pictures. I was so addicted to your web site awaiting for my big day, awaiting to wear MY dress! The reason for that is because you may look at brides pictures on the Internet but this doesn't reflect how I will look! On your website, there were real brides like I would look like. Shopping for my dress was not something I was looking forward to, thinking "How could I look good in a wedding dress size 20?" And you changed my mind. You showed me that I too was allowed to look beautiful on my big day. I gained confidence and I smiled all day long. One of my guests even commented that she'd never seen a bride looking so happy. For each of my visits, you were kind, offered great advice and told me that if I didn't loose the weight I wanted I'd still look good which was miles away from what I was thinking. Thanks to you I felt good walking down the aisle, I smiled for pictures and I danced all night confidently. Thank you for all that, you have been wonderful. I am so glad I found your shop! All the best for the future, Ludi

Sophie, Manchester - August 2009 Hi Lucy and Paula I just wanted to say Thank you so much for all your help with choosing my dress. I had some horrible experinces in other dress shops where I had to hold £2000 dresses against me to see if they would be right. Alot of money to spend on something I could not try on! It was great to be able to try so many beautiful dresses on and having a final choice between two was fantastic. You made me feel a beautiful bride to be and very relaxed. It was wonderful to have your honest opinion and it really helped in making my final choice. The dress was perfect on the day and looked amazing. Everyone commented on how beautiful it looked, especially at the back! I was so happy with it. It held me in, in all the right places. I felt like a princess. Aaron was totally suprised and thought I looked beautiful. Thank you so much again, you made it so easy for me to choose my dress. If you ever need any trying on just to make sure they fit us curvier girls ok then I will be happy to oblige! I recommed you to any curvy girl looking for her perfect dress for her special day. Massive thanks and best wishes Sophie Photographs courtesy of Rachel Mitchell Photography

Rachel, Keighley - July 2009 Dear Lucy and Paula, Just a quick email to say thank you for helping me to find the perfect dress for my pefect day, every women deserves to feel fantastic on her wedding day and you both made this possible for me. Thanks Ladies, you were fab! Rachel xxx

Nicola, Manchester - June 2009 Hi Girls Well, I just thought I'd send you a few piccys of the wedding day (and that amazing dress - and what I wore under it! lol) - see attached. I can't thank you enough for giving me my dream dress and making me feel amazing on the one day I feel a girl should. Everyone loved the dress and it fit me perfectly. My younger sister and mum couldn't wait to have a try after the honeymoon. haha You truly give us curvy ladies a lifeline!! Thank you again!!

Catherine, Lancashire - June 2009 Hi Lucy and Paula, I just wanted to say a great big thank you for making shopping for my dress the positive experience I really wanted it to be, well worth the drive!!! To be able to try on loads of different dresses of every style and colour in sizes that actually fit (and in some cases were too big!!!) was amazing and just added to a fantastic experience!! The both of you are so intuitive with your suggestions of what will look good and what is within budget. Thank you so much! You turned searching for the dream dress into the best shopping trip ever when I was really worried I might have to just order a dress I liked the look of because other shops didn't stock them anywhere near my size. We had a fantastic day and the weather was fabulous too!! I have attached a couple of pics of our day!! The dress fit well and looked fab!! Many people commented on how beautiful it and I looked! Thank you again I would recommend you to anyone! Catherine

Lindsey, Leeds - June 2009 To The Big Day girls, Well our wedding day was great, my hubby keeps saying how nice I looked and the dress was gorgeous, in fact everyone who sees the pics and them that was there all say how nice I looked (even got mum to shed a few tears) and it's thanks to you guys for doing a fab job on my dress, even though I got scared when I saw it in bits but it turned out brill, so I want to say a huge thank you. I will bring it back next year for alterations doing on it for our blessing as I won't be pregnant next year (thank god) lol. Hope you enjoy the pics I have attached, and thanks again.

Sarah, Rochdale - May 2009 Dear Paula and Lucy, I just wanted to thank you both for your exceptional service that you gave me on the occasions that I came to the shop. I never thought that I would find the dress of my dreams, but I did at your shop. My dress was everything that I have ever dreamed of and more! I gave my husband Matthew the wow factor that I was hoping for and he could hardly look at me without a tear in his eye! I truly felt a million dollars even though I was absolutely boiling in the 32 degree heat that we had on our wedding day, they told us that it was the hottest May in over 100 years!! Hope that the shop continues to be an amazing success and that you make many more larger ladies as happy as I was on my wedding day! I attach a few pictures for you to see. Fond regards Sarah xx

Rachael, Wakefield - May 2009 Hi Lucy and Paula I though I would send you some photos of our wedding day in Cyprus, we had an absolutley wonderful day it was everything we could have dreamt of and more. I would like to say a massive thank you to both of you for making buying a wedding dress an amazing experience and putting my mind at ease on more than one occasion. Everyone commented on how beautiful the dress was and the amazing head piece. I am so pleased the first dress came in the "tea stained" colour, it was meant to be....... Thanks again Rachael

Ingrid, Leeds - May 2009 Hi Lucy and Paula I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you both for making shopping for my wedding dress an absolute pleasure! I was really dreading having to try on dresses but from the moment I walked into your shop you made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. Being able to choose over 20 dresses (from a huge collection) to try on that I actually liked and could indeed order in my size was unbelievable - I thought I would only have the choice from 2 or 3! Nothing seemed too much trouble for you - in fact buying my dress was the easiest and most stress free part of the whole wedding planning! The whole experience was absolutely no hassle what so ever.... I could even buy my underwear, shoes, tiara, and earrings all in your shop - plus have my dress/underwear altered to fit perfectly... The Big Day is most definitely the "one stop" wedding shop!! I really felt like a princess on my wedding day - something I thought was only reserved for thin women!! Everyone commented on how stunning the dress was. So thanks to you both for providing such a fabulous service - I wish you both continuing success in the future. Many thanks Ingrid

Debbie, Leeds - May 2009 Hi Paula & Lucy I just wanted to say a big thank you for all your help with my wedding dress. I felt amazing in it and had so many comments as to how unusual and gorgeous it was. Thanks again and I would certainly recommend you girls! Debbie xx

Michelle, Newcastle - May 2009 I just wanted to thank you for such a fabulous shop and thank god someone had the balls to make the step into having a wider range of sizes for brides to be to try on and have the experience of feeling 'like a princess' and not having to make do! I can't stress how fantastic my dress was and how great the experience of finding the perfect dress was! Everything was taken care of from the dress, the underwear to the garter!! This is my 2nd marriage and I just didn't want to go through a traumatic experience like I did the 1st time where I settled for a dress and didn't find 'the one'. This time I made sure I would and Lucy at The Big Day was fabulous! Once again I can't thank you enough!

Emma, Leeds - May 2009 Just had to email you now we have our wedding photos to let you know what a fantastic, wonderful Big Day we had on the 30th. The sun shone and the sky was almost the same beautiful colour as my dress. Looking at the photos I see exactly the bride I wanted to be. As I said when I collected my dress, you made buying it such a fantastic experience, I am so glad I came to you first and knew from the start that there was an alternative to the "making do with the trying on what's in stock in almost my size and using your imagination" experience of other bridal shops. Apart from that, I never saw another dress anywhere else that came close to what I was looking for. I knew I wanted a simple indigo dress that still looked bridal and you had the only one! As you know, it's such a rare experience for a woman who's sized above a 16 to be able to walk into a clothing shop and have a free choice of a whole range of clothes you actually like in the right size. So to be able to go into a bridal shop and try on a whole rail full of dresses and actually have to narrow down the selection rather than just ending up with what fits is wonderful. You have such a fantastic range of dresses and that in itself is fabulous but what really made the experience for me is your knowledge, care, attention to detail, understanding, inventiveness, initiative and very personal and personalised service. Thank you both so much for your enormous contribution to our day. The first thing David whispered to me when I arrived at his side for the ceremony was that I looked beautiful and I felt it for every second of the day. I would absolutely and unreservedly recommend you to anyone and having bought my bridesmaids dresses from an 'ordinary' bridal shop I almost feel sorry for the skinny girls who can't benefit from your level of service. With much love, many, many thanks for everything and all the best for the continued success of your inspired business.

Kathryn's Mum, Otley - April 2009 Dear Paula & Lucy, The day went brillintly and Kathryn looked beautiful. Her dress and the bridesmaids were much admired. The sun shone and Kathryn smiled from the moment she woke up until the time she left the reception - after midnight. Thank you for all you did to help make her special day such a success. I shall not hsitate to recommend you to my friends (unforetunately they all seem to have skinny daughters!). With love and thanks Anne

Janine, Leeds (wedding in Cancun, Mexico) - April 2009 Hi Lucy & Paula, Just wanted to say a huge thank you for helping make my wedding day the most amazing day of my life. I was so happy with the dress I chose - I really did feel a million dollars. The first day I walked through your doors, I was a bag of nerves and not really looking forward to trying on any dresses. It wasn't long before the nerves had dissapeared and I was loving all the dresses, then I tried on the one and I felt fantastic. You were so helpful, supportive and gave an honest opinion without making me feel uncomfortable. Not only did you have beautiful wedding gowns but lovely shoes too, and what was even better they were comfortable ..... I wish you every suceess with your business, the only downside for me is that I will not be going through the whole experience again. With love and best wishes Janine & Rob

Sam, Manchester - April 2009 Hi Paula and Lucy, I am sorry that it has taken me sooooo long to do this, time seems to have flown by since April. After the horrifying prospect of being a size 22 and needing to find a wedding dress - I really did feel like a princess, not only was the big day great - the whole process (even though we travelled 2 hours every time) was so much fun. Please don't change the exclusive appointments - everything that you do, you do best! Thank you for making me the belle of the ball, every single person commented on how unsual the dress was, and I really think that I picked the best one!!!! (after being such a nightmare and wanting all of them!!) Best of luck with the expansion, you deserve to do well! Love Sam

Debbie, Nottingham - April 2009 Hi Lucy and Paula, We would all like to thank you for all your help in finding Debbie this beautiful wedding dress which every one said looked amazing. The day was perfect apart from us getting the jacket the upside down don't ask how but the cars came early and Debbie went into a panic and put it on, and because she was hot we could not work it out! We would recommend you to anyone and have done. I hope you can see from the couple of photos attached for you to add to your collection, just how good you made her look. Ben just thought that she looked amazing and just cried when he saw her. She had a little trouble in the car as the dress was so big but her Dad sorted her out, I hope you will see just how happy you made her on her wedding day, which was perfect with lots of help from you both. We don't think we have every met anyone with so much passion for the work that they do, but who could blame you, you have the best job in the world! We would all like to wish you all the look for the future. Debbie and Pam, her mum.

Kate, Manchester - March 2009 Just wanted to say a big thank for giving me the wedding dress of my dreams! Never thought I would be able to find such an amazing dress. Can't tell you how much it meant to be able to try on dresses in my size and to be made to feel at ease. The business you have is fantastic please don't ever stop! Here's some piccies of the dress - poor dress suffered on the day.....being squashed (and I mean squashed!!) in to a wedding car, bird poo at the lakeside(!!) all very glamorous!! Take care and good luck for the future!!

Emma, Cheshire - February 2009 Thanks once again for all your help and support - we had the most fabulous day although it all feels like a lifetime ago! With love from Emma and James

Cath, Wellingborough - January 2009 I wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU for helping to find me the most wonderful dress and for making the whole experience of shopping for my wedding dress so great. I think I shocked everyone when I walked down the aisle in the bold as brass red silk! The dress was exactly what I wanted and I felt like a million dollars all day - you really can't ask for any more than that on your wedding day. You were both so friendly and helpful (not to mention patient if I was having an insecure moment!) and you made the dress fit like a dream. I'd started out dreading having to shop for a dress because of my size, but after visiting your shop the whole experience of choosing and buying the dress was great fun. My mum and chief bridesmaid Lynette both think you're wonderful too, and we will be recommending you to everyone from now on. Keep doing what you're doing for many years to come, you're absolute stars! Take care, Cath x

Joanne, Cheshire - December 2008 Everyone said the dress was perfect, and that I looked fantastic - so thanks girls for making that happen for me. It wouldn't have happened without you. Keep up the good work, and I meant it when I offered my assistance at any of the wedding events. Or anything. It's been a pleasure to meet you and I would love to keep in touch even though the wedding is now over (honeymoon starts on Tuesday....) Joanne xxxx

Leanne, Huddersfield - October 2008 Hi Paula and Lucy I just wanted to say a huge thank you for making the search for my wedding dress so enjoyable. From the moment we arrived you made us feel welcome and put me at ease straight away. Trying on the dresses was great and I'm so glad we came as I have got the perfect dress! I can't wait to wear it. Thanks once again, all the best for the future, love Leanne

Karen, Manchester - September 2008 Many thanks to you both. The dress was absolutely perfect, everybody loved the dress especially my husband and the day was wonderful. Thanks for everything. Best wishes Karen xx

Paula, Liverpool - September 2008 Hi Girls Thanks again for all the help and support you gave me on the run up to my wedding even when I was greeted with a little suprise, I've attached a few photos , hope you like them. Paula xxx

Joan, Rochdale - August 2008 Thank you very much for helping me find my perfect wedding dress. I felt amazing in my gorgeous dress and veil, just like every bride should feel. Thank you for making the whole experience so wonderful. I wasn't particularly looking forward to finding a wedding dress, I was prepared to find a dress that would 'do' but you had such a wonderful selection of dresses in the store & there were so many beautiful ones that I could choose from that I didn't have to make do, I was able to choose a dress that suited me, one that made me feel (and look)absolutely fabulous. I had a lovely time trying on the dresses when my sister & I first came to the shop, it was great to have the place to ourselves for a few hours, to be able to actually try on so many different styles (in my size) and to see how they looked on me and learn what style suited me best. I hadn't expected to find 'the' dress at the first place I looked, but once I'd been to your shop there was no need to go anywhere else, you had so many different designs, colours and styles there had to be a dress (or two or three) , there for me, and I did find the perfect dress for me, so thank you very much for that. Two of my sisters helped get me ready (and into my Rigby & Peller underwear !) and even though they had seen me dressed, veil down and ready to go 10 minutes before I walked down the aisle, they still burst into tears when they saw me in the Church. We had a lovely wedding day, everything was perfect (even the weather), especially my dress and my lovely sparkling veil. Thank you both. Joan.

Emma-Jane, Castleford - August 2008 What can I say about our wedding day apart from it was totally fabulous and we had an absolute ball!! I did make my grand entrance to Nina Simone's "I'm feeling good" and me and my dad sashayed our way down that aisle! It was definitely the happiest day of my life... so far! Just wanted to thank you ladies again for your brilliance and tolerance and hope to see you soon. Lots of Love Emma-Jane

Rachel, Manchester - August 2008 Thought I would send you some photos of the wedding, Lucie and Lisa looked gorgeous in their dresses. I want to thank you for all your help and patience with us! I ,highly reccomend your service to other bride and bridesmaids to be! Once again, thank you so much, take care, Rachel xx

Amanda, Huddersfield - August 2008 I can't begin to tell you how wonderful the wedding was. We had a small do approx 35 people but everyone there was someone special to us so it made it perfect. I felt simply stunning in my dress and I know I looked amazing. A radiant bride someone said, that's how we should all feel on our wedding day and finding the right dress did that for me. Even my dad who isn't one for giving compliments shed a tear and told me I was beautiful when he saw me. Lots of smudged mascara!! Anyway here are a few pics. I can't thank you both enough and I wish you every success in your expansion. Love Amanda

Kathryn, Pontefract - May 2008 The dress looked & felt gorgeous - big girls can feel like princesses too. It even made my Dad cry! Thanks for all your help, i would love to do it all again. Lots of Love Kathryn

Nicola, Wrexham - April 2008 Well we had our big day, and what a day. The weather was great, except the wind. My dress looked fab and everything went without a hitch. When I met you both at the wedding fair, I thought great!! I'd been browsing around wedding dress shops and wasn't looking forward to really looking for 'The One' dress that would make me feel like a princess for a day. My mum and I came to your lovely shop on your open day and was impressed with the collection of dresses that I would be able to choose from and even try on. We made the appointment and brought an entourage. I had great fun picking out loads of dresses in my size that I could try on and did. It was so much fun just being able to try them all on. Then it was down to the last three and then 'The One'. I fell in love with my dress as soon as tried it on. You both made the experience one to remember and I thank you so much for helping to make my search so wonderful, easy and relaxed. I know that you will go from strength to strength with your kind, caring, thoughtfulness that helped me so much. Thank you again, Love Nicola xx

Helen, Darlington - March 2008 "Since getting engaged to Andy and booking the perfect venue, I have being itching to get inside a bridal shop to start searching for the dress of my dreams. However, being a curvaceous girl, the thought of suffering public humiliation in a 'skinny girl shop' was not inviting. Thankfully, through a friend, I managed to get in touch with Paula and Lucy, which opened the door to 'curvy girl dress heaven!!' Over the last few months I have got to know the girls and grown fond of them. Their enthusiasm, warm personalities and understanding of the more voluptuous ladies has made my wedding dress experience a magical and happy one. I am proud to say that on the first day of trading of the Big Day, I found 'my one dream dress' which made me feel like a complete princess!!! (So much so, that I didn't want to take it off!) There were tears all round....... I am ecstatic with my choice of dress and I cannot wait to walk down the aisle in all my bridal finery. Look out skinny girls, here I come!!! Paula and Lucy - Thank you for making me feel like a princess!!!

Carol, Sheffield - March 2008 I just wanted to say a very big thank you to you both. Having fitted me in at very short notice, I have to say it was with great apprehension that I arrived at your shop. You have a great selection of beautiful wedding dresses in a variety of sizes and styles. As I had no idea what I really wanted I was able to look at all the dresses and pick out ones I did like. It was helpful when you said to say what I did and didn’t like about a dress because then you could make suggestions which made things easier. After selecting about 15 dresses, I found my perfect wedding dress. I think the most important thing about my experience at The Big Day was that at no time did I feel humiliated by being forced to try dresses on that were far too small. I felt both of you completely understood how difficult it can be for the more curvaceous ladies and I was made to feel special throughout my time there. Once again many thanks, Carol

Rachel, Lancaster - February 2008 Thanks for sorting me out with such a fabulous wedding dress - it certainly made me feel the part on the big day and we wondered if you might like to see the pictures. Hope your business is continuing to do well, Best wishes, Rachel and Mark Photograph by Kevin Lindeque

Lindy, Bradford - October 2007 All I can say is that I felt amazing in my wonderful dress, my friends were all in tears when I arrived (tears of joy and amazement that is!) Bayram (the Groom) was gobsmacked and my little boy thought his Mummy was a princess, what a very very special feeling! The day was really lovely and I just want to reiterate my thanks to you both and your beautiful dresses for helping to make it that way. I hope you like the pics, with sincere best wishes to you both for a very successful future, just don't change, you already have it so right, keep smiling and enjoy yourselves. Love and Best wishes, Lindy xxx

Gemma, Nottingham - October 2007 I am so grateful for all your help & kindness in helping me find my perfect dress; you both are two very exceptional people with kind hearts. You made me feel comfortable & put me at ease. I can't thank you both enough for all the help you gave me I know I did not have as much time as most brides have to choose a dress & for fittings, but we got there & my dress was breath taking, I felt so amazing & beautiful that is down to the guidance from you two. So a BIG thank you!!! Love & best wishes Gemma

Please also see our Testimonials to read more comments from our brides.