Aberdeen-based bridal boutique Tricker Bridal is making waves far beyond Scotland’s north-east — with true vintage wedding dresses now finding new homes as far afield as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and the USA.
Recent orders have been shipped to Tokyo and Minnesota, with brides in Alabama, Massachusetts, Oregon and the south of England also choosing to say “I do” in gowns lovingly sourced and restored by salon owner Beverley Tricker. Meanwhile, Instagram and Etsy analytics reveal that the boutique’s highest number of online visitors in recent weeks came from Seoul, followed closely by Aberdeen, Singapore and Hong Kong. More than a quarter of Tricker Bridal’s social media audience now comes from the United States.
“I started collecting and restoring vintage dresses because I couldn’t bear the thought of these beautiful, historic gowns being forgotten in attics or out to landfill,” says Beverley who has been making bespoke wedding dresses since the late 1980s. “Some of them are in a shocking state when they arrive — very stained, crumpled, decades old and somewhat pungent! But there’s nothing more satisfying than giving them a second chance.”
Each gown is between 25 and 70 years old and is cleaned and, where necessary, carefully restored to preserve its original charm. From 1950s full skirts to 1990s minimalist styles, Beverley has a growing international reputation for sourcing and rescuing authentic vintage gowns in petite sizes — a style particularly popular with brides in Asia.
The business’s overseas success reflects a rising global interest in sustainable fashion and the slow bridal movement. “Brides love the idea that their dress has a story. There’s a real sense of romance in knowing a gown has already been part of one love story and is about to start a second. And I love the quirks that come with them — a hidden blue ribbon sewn into a hem, a faded family photo tucked in a pocket. It’s history you can wear.”
“My fascination with vintage wedding dresses started young when my mum used to let me dress up in her 1960s wedding dress and swich around the house. Weekends spent with her and my grandma watching olf black and white films just reinforced my love of all things elegant in fashion. I just love the tea length late 50s/early 60s style – so stylish, so Audrey Hepburn.”
Possibly more than half of all the world’s wedding dresses end up in landfill. An estimated 80% of wedding dresses are only worn once, and Beverly specialises not only in vintage wedding gowns, but also in recent sample and preloved dresses – with a stock of more than 200 in sizes 6 – 26 in the Aberdeen salon.
Beverley continues, ““With most wedding dresses worn once and many ultimately ending up in landfill, Tricker Bridal’s vintage revival work offers a meaningful alternative — combining sustainability with sentiment.”
All true vintage wedding dresses at Tricker Bridal are priced under £399 and are also available to purchase through the Etsy shop (https://trickerbridal.etsy.com) or to try on in person at the Aberdeen salon in Victoria Street by appointment.
Tricker Bridal offers a carefully curated collection of bridalwear to suit a wide range of styles and budgets. Alongside unique, handmade bespoke gowns created in the Aberdeen salon, the boutique also stocks a regularly updated selection of sample and preloved designer dresses for brides looking for beautiful options under £599. Its true vintage collection spans the 1950s to the 1990s, with each gown lovingly cleaned and, where needed, restored to preserve its original charm.
Find more at www.trickerbridal.com.
