Catherine Blades Couture

(19)
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Having a wedding dress custom made for you is such an exciting experience, and Catherine Blades' warm, friendly and welcoming nature will leave you feeling at ease with the whole process.
Catherine Blades Couture Pricing & Costs

Pricing for suppliers

Prices Start at
£1,500
Catherine Blades Couture Details

Products and Services

Bridesmaid Dresses
Appointment Only
Bespoke Dressmaker
Flower Girl Dresses
Pre-Wedding Consultation
Dress Designer
Wedding Dresses
Physical Shop / Studio
Alterations
Mother of the Bride Dresses
Catherine Blades Couture Full Description
Catherine Blades is a talented British bridal designer. She provides a fully bespoke service designing and creating stunning wedding gowns and occasion wear that are unique to each client. Her superior knowledge of cut and fit set her apart from other designers. She is a highly skilled dressmaker, taking your ideas and transforming them into the dress of your dreams. Her warmth and personal service makes having a dress designed and made by her a truly wonderful experience, one that has her clients feeling at ease, and thoroughly enjoying the process from beginning to end. Catherine learned her craft with some big name designers, and over the past 16 years has refined her skills to become a couture dressmaker, designing and hand crafting exquisite gowns using a mix of traditional and modern techniques, luxurious fabrics and stunning embellishments. Catherine designs with flare and innovation, and her creations are definitively cutting edge. Catherine works from the beautiful Blades studio, a calm and peaceful place, set in the tranquil countryside on the Berkshire/Hampshire border. All commissioned dresses are designed, made and fitted by Catherine personally and her great care and attention to detail leave her clients owning a stunning bespoke gown.

Personal Message from the Manager

Name of Wedding Contact: Catherine
"Hi, I'm Catherine, and it's my pleasure to welcome you to the Blades Studio. I'm a dress designer and artist, based in the beautiful Hampshire/Berkshire countryside, and my passion is creating gorgeous dresses for beautiful women. I love designing bridal gowns, there's something so very special about being part of someone's wedding journey, and it is an honour to get to know every one of my beautiful brides and their families. I look forward to welcoming you to my studio very soon."

Experience

Year Business Was Established
2000
No. of Weddings Hosted
Between 30 and 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
2
Reviews
(19)
Kazmin
Happy couple married in October
October 2018
The dress she created is magnificent.

I turned to Catherine after searching without hope for a dress which would express my personality and allow me to feel comfortable in myself on my big day. It was immediately clear that she not only knew her craft inside and out, allowing her to bring out the best of my body but also got ME, my off-beat, fantastical hopes for the dress. The dress she created is magnificent, unique and so entirely "me". Catherine was a pleasure to work with throughout, and I could not recommend her enough

Shermin Lucas
Happy couple married in October
October 2018
A beautiful person inside and out.

Meeting Catherine and seeing her enthusiasm for her craft and seeing that flow into her work. She's a genuinely beautiful person inside and out and it was an honour having her be part of what will always be one of the most important days of my life.

Gloria Matthews-Brown
Happy couple married in September
September 2018
It was a perfect fit, made with care and love.

Catherine was recommended to me by someone else as they no longer designed and made wedding dresses. As I wanted a dress that was the perfect fit I decided I would have have one made...that's where Catherine came in. Catherine made me feel so relaxed about the whole process, she listened to exactly what I wanted and she delivered 100% and more. The way she fitted me was different to me no tape measure . From start to finish was perfect . The dress was a perfect fit made with care and love.

Hazel Wilson Atkins
Happy couple married in September
September 2018
My dress felt amazing to wear.

Catherine designed and made my beautiful wedding dress. She has such a calming air and made me feel so welcome at the studio. Previously I was struggling to find "The Dress", and was getting quite stressed about it. Highly skilled at her craft, Catherine listened to my ideas and and easily "got " my style She also had a real sense of knowing exactly what would look right on me, in terms of style, fabric and colour. My dress felt amazing to wear and received so many wonderful comments.

Jennifer Klepfer
Happy couple married in September
September 2018
I felt like a million dollars

Catherine was amazing from start to finish. She made me feel so comfortable with the whole process & yet special at the same time. I loved my time in her studio. Every part of the process was smooth, professional & inspired. I felt like in a short space of time she understood me and she made a dress that was 'me' but also glamorous. I felt like a million dollars in it. Many said it was the most beautiful dress they had seen!

Lucy Cox
Happy couple married in September
September 2018
I loved wearing it.

Unable to find what I was looking for, I approached Catherine who from the moment we spoke was totally fantastic. Without obligation we discussed fabrics and options, searching instagram and Pinterest together for inspiration, and she totally got me. I trusted her from day 1. What she created for me was like nothing I'd seen anywhere, but was absolutely what I wanted, even though I didn't know what I was looking for. She translated my style and personality into my cape and I loved wearing it.

Lisa Eggleton
Happy couple married in September
September 2018
A really relaxed enjoyable experience

I went to Catherine as I really struggled to find a dress in high street boutiques. All the dresses were the same nothing stood out and the customer service was quite poor, I tried on about 25 dresses but it seemed like hundreds. I therefore commenced with some internet searching and came across Catherine Blades Couture, my consultation was great, it was very two sided and a relaxed and enjoyable experience. Catherine created a bespoke dress and I felt amazing on my big day.

Jenny Connick
Happy couple married in May
May 2018
Her enthusiasm was contagious.

Catherine's enthusiam showed at every single stage, and it was contagious. It's wonderful to see someone love what they do so much, and be so amazing at it.

Rebecca
Happy couple married in August
August 2017
Thank you doesn't cover it.

"I can't believe my luck in finding you. From the first phone call to collecting my dress, I couldn't have asked for a more friendly, creative, detail-focused person to have made my dream dress. Thank you doesn't cover it."�

Carol
Happy couple married in September
September 2016
Catherine designed...

Catherine designed and made a Mother of the Bride outfit for me in dove grey silk and lace - dress and jacket - which was beyond all expectations and gave me the greatest confidence when wearing it. It was greatly admired by everyone. I was so grateful to Catherine. She is a lovely warm talented person and nothing is too much trouble for her and she richly deserves this award.

Catherine Blades Couture Location & Contact Details
Address
The Stables, Gooise Hill House, Ashford Hill Road, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 8AT, England, United Kingdom
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FAQs
Find out a bit more from our FAQs

Describe your style in 5 adjectives.

My Style is whatever my Bride's style is. I work extremely closely with my clients to ensure that their ideas are translated into the most beautiful gown they'll ever own.

What about your business are you most proud of?

Every wedding is an absolute honour, so I am proud to be a part of every one of my Bride's journeys. I'm proud to call most of my brides friends following their weddings, and I love seeing their families grow.

What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Slow down, and consider what really matters to you. Everything is fast paced in the wedding industry these days, and it's easy to lose sight of what you really want or need to make your wedding day perfect for you.

Describe your typical process with a couple.

I love to chat about your ideas during our consultation. Then turn those ideas into something real ,designs and fabrics. At this stage we begin to mold your dress, position and manipulate the fabric to accentuate your best bits . I take all that we have learned and discussed and the begin to pattern cut and make your wedding dress. During the first fitting we try your fully constructed gown , finalise the finishing touches and pin where the zip or buttons will be added. The final fitting is when you get to admire the finished gown in all it glory and feel the emotions of the next time you will wear your unique creation .

What do you love most about your job?

The relationships I have with my clients is something really special. Working with them at such an inspiring time of their lives is just wonderful. And obviously I just love making beautiful dresses!

What is your favourite style of wedding dress?

Anything and everything. I love all the dresses I have created for very different reasons. The most important thing to me when creating a dress for a Bride is that it fits perfectly, and she feels amazing in it.

What is the best way to incorporate "Something Blue" into the wedding outfit?

A small blue heart on the inside of your dress, or a piece of jewellery.
Press & Awards
All our awards & press mentions