A Sutton Coldfield bride found the designer wedding dress of her dreams thanks to St Giles Hospice when she visited the charity’s specialist Bridal Boutique.

Jessica Robertson, 33, a social work manager from Walmley, fell in love with the ex-sample Maggie Sottero dress, which she found during a visit to the boutique, in Mere Green Road, Mere Green, last year (2018). The designer’s new outfits retail at more than £1,000 but Jessica was able to pick up her dress for just £350.

After a year of waiting she finally got the chance to wear the dress when she married NHS physiotherapist Andrew Robertson, 30, on her “fairytale wedding day” at Shustoke Farm Barn, in Coleshill on Mother’s Day (Sunday, 31st March) this year (2019).

Jessica said: “ I absolutely loved my wedding day, it was everything I could have dreamed of. Wearing my wedding dress I felt like a million dollars – it was just amazing. My husband loved it and everyone commented upon how wonderful it was.”

When Jessica and Andrew first got engaged a friend suggested she visit the St Giles Hospice Bridal Boutique. Jessica’s aunt had recently been supported by a hospice near her home in Chesterfield and Jessica felt passionate about supporting hospice care so she leaped at the opportunity.

“Hospice care is something that is really close to my heart – living in Sutton I know about the amazing work that St Giles does and I donate to the charity every month. I visited the boutique just a year after my aunt had passed away and immediately found the dress I knew I had to have,” she said.

“It was a dress I would never have otherwise been able to afford and it felt like it was truly meant to be. Knowing that I was giving back to hospice care and supporting a really good cause made the dress even more special.”

Jessica visited the boutique with her future mother-in-law Marilyn Robertson, from Four Oaks, and had already looked at a few gowns before she spotted the dress of her dreams.

“The dress was a size smaller than I am but I had to try it on. Luckily it fit me and as soon as I saw myself in the mirror wearing it I said it was amazing,” she added. “I just felt that it was calling to me, it was so perfect and Marilyn started crying when she saw it – it was lovely.”

Jessica bought the dress immediately but the boutique looked after it for her and made a private appointment so that her mother and sister could make the trip down from Chesterfield to visit the shop to see her try it on.

She added: “The service I got from the boutique was fantastic – everyone was so kind and lovely and did everything they could to make my experience special. A wedding dress takes up a huge amount of space but they were happy to hold onto it so my family could come down for a special private visit and share the moment.

“They had everything I needed and such a huge choice – I also got a veil, a tiara and a hoop for the dress. Nothing was too much trouble. It wasn’t just shopping, it was a really wonderful experience and I’ve been telling everyone I know who is getting married to go there and have a look.”

St Giles Hospice Head of Retail Lynwen Truesdale said she was delighted that St Giles had been able to make Jessica and Andrew’s big day even more magical.

She added: “Our boutique has a stunning range of new and ex-sample gowns as well as pre-loved and vintage dresses, bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the-bride outfits, shoes, jewellery and accessories.

“We also offer a fantastic range of prom outfits and eveningwear – everything you need to look and feel amazing, whatever your big event. All of our stock is high-quality and great value with proceeds going directly to support the vital work of St Giles Hospice. We are so grateful to everyone who shops with us and are delighted when we can help them feel special.”

For more information about the St Giles Hospice Bridal Boutique visit www.stgileshospice.com/bridal-boutique/ or book your free private appointment by calling 07753 728856 or by emailing bridal@stgileshospiceshops.org.uk