What is your most memorable wedding?
My most memorable wedding was when I helped a close friend at her wedding. She had been previously married and wanted her daughter to feel an important part of the day too. So we created a dress together, involving her daughter and making it truly magical. Needless to say on the day there was not a dry eye in sight!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Classic, Luxurious, Vintage Inspired, Embellished, Timeless Quality.
What about your business are you most proud of?
Everything about Dawn Clarke Designs has come from my heart, and it's so important to me that every item sewn has my heart and soul stitched into every seam.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Try and think ethically about your special day, can you continue to give life to the special outfit for your flower girl's dress after the wedding? If the flower girl dress has so much tulle and frill - will they wear it again?
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
The bride and groom organised for the children to be entertained and taken care by Child Care Professionals to give the parents time out and enjoy the day too!
Describe your typical process with a couple.
Here at Dawn Clarke Designs we are all about offering you a wonderful experience. Firstly, please feel free to telephone or email so that we can talk through your date and ideas.
As everything we create is bespoke it can take up to three weeks to create your outfit, so we start with booking you in for an initial appointment discussing fabrics, designs, embellishments and extras such as personalised hidden messages etc. and, of course, taking measurements.
After this, a personalised mood board is created for you. If you are happy with this and would like to proceed a 50% deposit is taken and we clarify everything every attention to detail - because everything is bespoke - just for you.
Then the creative magic starts to take place. A toile is created and a fitting takes place to ensure everything is perfect. The final stage is that the outfit is created and final payment is made. Once this has been received, the outfit is delivered to you, beautifully wrapped and presented.
What do you love most about your job?
Creating a beautiful outfit and knowing that every stitch I sew on this adorable children's outfit is for a very special day, in fact, this is what truly makes my heart sing!
What is your favourite style of wedding dress?
I love the classics - traditional, simple and stylish that really flatters you, after all this is your moment to shine.
What is the best way to incorporate "Something Blue" into the wedding outfit?
I like to sew secret messages into my outfits, so I would love to hand sew a private little message into the seam on a piece of blue fabric.
What is your favourite wedding dress of all time?
It has to be Grace Kelly's wedding dress, with all the attention to detail from the little lace overlay to the tiny buttons and the lace detail!