Designer and owner, sue Goodchild told B&G: "We can hardly believe it is 20 years.  We have met so many interesting people some of whom have become good friends.  Part of our success is our excellent reputation for giving our customers a service that is second-to-none and offering a wide range of gowns to suit all budgets."

Sue's daughter Pippa Strachan manages House of Couture's younger sister shop, New Beginnings in Brentwood.  These are the only Essex bridal stores to have their own in-house designer to create that unique dress of your dreams.  The shops also offer the Femme Couture collection, an exclusive range of gowns designed by Sue Goodchild.

From small beginnings, Sue found her passion for dressmaking as a child, making clothes for her dollies on a miniature sewing machine.  She secured her first job working for Norman Hartnell, then the Queens Dressmaker.

Since opening the shop in 1988 Sue has kept her finger on the pulse of the ever changing world of fashion and bridalwear.  Both shops stock a large range of Ian Stuart gowns, the UK's bridal designer of the year for the past four years.  Sue also worked as a freelance designer and was commissioned by The Chelsea Design Company, to work on clothes for the late Princess Diana and many of the rich and famous.  She regularly attends fashion shows where she has got to know some of the world's best designers including Bruce Oldfield and Jimmy Choo.  Sue is now a consultant to the wedding industry and Bridal Trade.

House of Couture and New Beginnings have provided dresses to a list of local celebrities and sportsmen's  other halves.

Sue told B&G: "I remember a time when sportsmen's wives would spend hours in the showroom, paying between £200 to £5000.  The amount of money they are spending now can be in excess of £30,000 - and that's just on the gown!  They want complete splendour. 

But the shops also pride themselves on being able to cater for every bride and every budget. They stock a thorough range of gowns from designers including Ian Stuart, Maggie Sottero, Femme, Mon Cheri, Solo Sposa, Ronald Joyce, Angelina Faccenda, Sophia Tolli and Rina di Montella. They also stock a large range of Bridesmaid dresses from the award winning Jim Hjelm, Ronald Joyce, Kelsey Rose, Raylia Designs and Rea. The shops also stock prom dresses from the famous Mori Lee, Jim Hjelm and Femme ranges, some of the finest ball gowns and evening dresses locally.

Both shops also carry one of the best ranges east of London for Accessories, Mother of the Bride outfits, Evening and Prom Dresses.

Sue told B&G: “The process of finding the right dress for you should be a pleasurable experience and our aim is to make that happen. We understand that there is no such thing as a typical bride. We carry every style of wedding dress you can imagine in sizes 2 – 32.”
 

Designer, Sue Goodchild is available by private appointment to create your dream gown. Normal delivery is from 12 weeks or choose from the huge stock rooms for the last minute wedding dress decision.

Sue Goodchild and Pippa Strachan have one of the most comprehensive ranges supplying the needs of brides in the south east.
 

House of Couture is 25 minutes  from London Liverpool Street Station to Romford, change for Emerson Park (one stop), cross the road and left 200 yards, or five minutes inside the M25 Junction 28 and only 10 miles from Chelmsford.

New Beginnings is located in Kings Road, Brentwood, and is 200 metres from Brentwood Train Station, a 40 minute stop away from London Liverpool Street. We are one mile from the M25 and 10 miles from Chelmsford.

For more information visit www.houseofcouture.co.uk or www.newbeginningslondon.co.uk