A relaxed conversation with Katie and her mum….

A personal introduction from Patricia

I first met Katie and her mum, Jill, at the York Racecourse Wedding Fair in October 2025. Neither of us knew then that our first conversation would become the beginning of such a personal bridal journey.

Together, we have explored designs, fabrics, ideas and possibilities, eventually creating Jocelyn, a bespoke wedding gown named in honour of Katie’s two grandmothers, Joyce and Madelyn.

Before Jocelyn went into production, I invited Katie and Jill to reflect on their experience so far. I gave them a series of questions and invited them to share their thoughts in their own words.

What follows is their story, just as they wrote it.

1. Where it all began - York Racecourse

Patricia: Katie, we first met when you and Mum stopped to talk to me at York Racecourse Wedding Fair. What do you remember about that first meeting, and what made you want to come and see me afterwards?

Katie & Jill:

We wanted to meet you after seeing the runway show because yours were the only dresses that we liked. When we met you, you were warm and friendly. Mum felt a connection with you as we spoke.

2. The first visit to the studio

Patricia: Before your first appointment, what were you expecting? The studio is tucked away and doesn’t look like a traditional bridal boutique from the outside. What did you both think when you first arrived - and how did you feel once you came through the door and the appointment began?

Katie & Jill:

We didn’t know what to expect. When we pulled up outside we were surprised by the size of the building and wondered how to get in. Once we got to the studio we were impressed. The views were amazing, there was a good selection of dresses to try on and the atrium light was fantastic! It gave the feeling of being outdoors on your wedding day.

3. Coming back

Patricia: When you returned for your second appointment, you both seemed even more excited than the first time. What had changed? Had the studio begun to feel like your own private place for this part of the wedding journey?

Katie & Jill:

Yes, we knew what to expect. Once again you were very welcoming and made us feel at ease.

4. Choosing bespoke

Patricia: Katie, what made you decide that having your wedding dress designed especially for you was the right route, rather than simply choosing a finished dress from a rail?

Katie & Jill:

Katie is very picky and knew she wouldn’t get exactly what she wanted and could change things she didn’t like. Much better than settling for something in a traditional shop.

5. Beginning Jocelyn

Patricia: When we started designing, how clear was the picture of your wedding dress in your mind? Did Jocelyn become what you originally imagined, or did she evolve as we worked through the ideas together?

Katie & Jill:

Katie had no clear idea to begin with and Jocelyn had many twists and turns. You were very patient, giving Katie lots of options.

6. Mum’s part in the journey

Patricia: Mum, you have been involved all the way through. What has it been like watching Katie’s dress develop from those first conversations and ideas into the final approved design?

Jill:

Emotional and very special to be able to be part of this journey. I felt that my opinions were considered.

7. Sharing it as mother and daughter

Patricia: Katie, how important has it been to have Mum beside you throughout this process - not simply seeing the finished dress, but sharing the decisions, appointments and little moments along the way?

Katie:

Very important. Mums opinion was valuable and she didn’t take over. It was lovely to share this time together.

8. The most memorable part so far

Patricia: For each of you, what has been the part of the experience you have enjoyed most so far? Is there a particular appointment, decision or moment that you know you will remember?

Katie & Jill:

Mum will remember the first version of Jocelyn and the photo of us with our glasses of fizz.

Katie and Jill sharing a glass of fizz during the early stages of our design journey. The gown Katie is wearing was our original starting point — before Jocelyn evolved into something entirely her own.

Katie feels that the whole experience has been awesome and magical with no time pressures. You have been very patient and listened to her thoughts.

9. When Jocelyn became ‘your dress’

Patricia: Katie, was there one particular point when Jocelyn stopped feeling like a design we were working on and suddenly felt like your wedding dress?

Katie:

The second visit was a U-turn and the dress completely changed. Finding the perfect beaded fabric made her feel like my dress. The designs you sent, especially the one in the barn, made me feel - this is my dress.

10. Having time to make the right decisions

Patricia: You were able to look at alternatives, think about details and make one final change before signing your approval. How did it feel to have the time and freedom to be certain, rather than feeling pressured to make an immediate decision?

Katie & Jill:

Amazing, Katie felt that you understood that she needed time to be certain. The visualisations with different options really helped.

11. What bespoke value really means

Patricia: Before starting, did you have any concerns about the cost or value of choosing bespoke? Now that you have experienced everything that happens before the gown even goes into production, has it changed the way you think about what you are investing in?

Katie & Jill:

Mum had a flexible budget in mind and overall the price was within budget and worth the cost as the experience was brilliant and felt like we were visiting a friend each time.

12. What does bespoke mean to you now?

Patricia: Katie, before we began this journey, what did the word “bespoke” mean to you? Now that you’ve experienced the design process for yourself, does it mean something different?

Katie & Jill:

Bespoke gave me celebrity vibes - Mum was concerned about the budget. Exclusive design - was not overpriced. The experience is absolutely value for money and worth it to get your perfect dress.

13. Signing the final approval

Patricia: You have now signed the final design approval and Jocelyn is going on order. How did it feel putting your signature to the dress we have created together and knowing that she is now actually going to be made for you?

Katie & Jill:

Excited but apprehensive about signing. Positive that it was the right design by speaking to you and reviewing the visuals.

14. The next chapter - Mum and the bridesmaids

Patricia: Today Mum has brought her own wedding outfit so we can see the colours together and begin looking at the bridesmaids. Does this feel like another stage of the same journey - with the whole wedding picture now starting to come together?

Katie & Jill:

Yes, this is part of the journey. This is working towards the complete vision of ‘Team Bride’ inspiration and colour choices and ‘wildcard’ ideas.

15. For another bride - and her mum

Patricia: If another bride and her mum were reading about your experience because they were considering a private bespoke journey with me, what would each of you tell them?

Katie & Jill:

Do it!!

Katie -

listened to and understood, my opinion was valued no pressure confident in Patricia’s knowledge and listening skills, your intuition - reading body language; welcomed - nice fizz Artistic inner-self comes out.

Mum -

relaxed and comfortable, my opinion mattered too. It was ok to make suggestions. You listened to Katie and worked with her really well. This has been such a special thing to do together. Thank you (Tears)

Final Question Katie:

Patricia: Before Jocelyn has even been made, you’ve been able to see my vision for your dress develop beyond the original sketch — to see how I imagine her on a bride, how the finished silhouette and details will come together, and even how she might look within the setting of your wedding day. What has it meant to you to be able to see Jocelyn brought to life in this way while we’ve been creating her together? Has it helped you to imagine yourself actually wearing her on your wedding day?

Katie:

Yes! The visuals were fantastic! Without them I would have struggled to visualise myself in the dress. The setting was really helpful. I can’t stop going back again to look at Jocelyn and get excited again.

The journey continues…

From Patricia

Jocelyn’s design has been approved, and her journey into production has begun. But Katie and Jill’s story is far from finished.

There are still the bridesmaids, the fittings, the moment Katie sees her finished gown and, of course, her wedding day in July 2027.

I look forward to sharing the next chapter of their journey together.

Patricia x

A Little More from Katie

Would you like to discover how Katie felt about her bespoke bridal experience? Read her Kind Words and discover what made her journey so special.

Read Katie’s Kind Words