Catherine Laurence Bridalwear - www.catherinelaurencebridal.co.uk

Catherine - Thank you so much for all that you and Natalie did in helping me find my perfect dress. You understood straight away what type of image I wanted and helped me to realise my dream. My dress was perfect, I promised my husband that I wouldn't turn into bridzilla, but that was before I had experienced the stress of organising a wedding. My dress was the one part of my wedding that I never had to worry about, because you were both so kind and professional from start to finish. Thank you for letting me come and try on my dress whenever the mood took me and for the care and attention you gave every last detail. So many of my guests told me how perfect my dress was, and I couldn't agree more. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Clare White 2012

My day would not have been so special without Catherine and Natalie. They were both amazing from start to finish.

I loved going to my wedding dress fittings, not only to see my dress but to have a good old chat with both of them. Any problems we had (like me ordering the wrong colour bridesmaid dress) were quickly fixed. The experience of getting my wedding dress, bridesmaid dress and my mum getting her outfit was so stress free.

Catherine came to my venue on the day to fit me into my dress and dressed my bridesmaid - she was in no rush to get away. Her daughter Lisa is also a great hairdresser!

I highly recommend this wedding dress shop - go and experience the amazing service yourself.

Where do I start, the most friendly and professinal service provided from start to finish. The day my daughter and I visited Catherine Laurence Bridalwear we were greeted and treated with upmost attention from Catherine and her daughter Natalie. We purchased the wedding dress, bridesmaid dress and my outfit. Nothing was too much trouble for Catherine any concerns we had were sorted immediately. All alterations were carried out exactly as instructed. Catherine and her team delivered the dresses to our venue and fitted them, the service was brilliant and I highly recommend any bride to visit the shop, you will not be dissapointed. Lots of choice with a friendly, honest family who do everything they say. Catherines daughter Lisa is a mobile hairdresser and she did all our hair, again fantastic styles with friendly first class service. In all Catherine Laurence Bridalwear made our day extra special with their expertise. Would highly recommend you to visit and see for yourself. Thank you so much for all your help and advise.

From the second I walked in to her shop she was friendly and helpful...and honest! I ordered my wedding dress, 5 bridesmaids dresses and a flower girl dress and wouldn't dream of going anywhere else.

Catherine & her daughter Natalie obviously care so much about what they do so are passionate about giving the best service possible.

It also leaves you with a good feeling supporting a small family run business. Catherine cried the day I collected my dress from her as she became like a friend during our fittings.

Her expertise in the business will take some beating.

Well all I can say about this place is I have never been whisked in and out of wedding dresses so fast! I had made an appointment, they were quiet and no other brides were in the shop so what was all the rushing for??? One of the dresses was a tie back and Catherine un-tied it so quickly that it whipped my back and I was left with a slash mark which ended up turning into a bruise!! Catherine and her daughter do not seem to have a clue, or couldn't be bothered more like. They were doing alot of sniggering whilst they were putting me in and out of the gowns, very unprofessional and I felt uncomfortable. The gowns all looked cheap and dirty, I also noticed alot of the same gown but in different sizes, came across more as an outlet to me but charging top prices! My advice would be don't even bother wasting your time and money here, the website is misleading and customer service appauling.

The wedding barn was recommended to us by a friend who had just bought her dress from there. If I had just bought my dress from there I would not be writing a bad review. My dress was ordered and altered in good time and aside from feeling slightly rushed in and out by Catherine at times, I excused her as she was obviously busy. We also ordered our bridesmaids' dresses from here, which were perfect and beautiful. Again fittings with the girls were rushed and for one fitting Catherine was absent due to illness and her daughter dealt with us, the daughter does not inspire you with confidence and I can't put my finger on why but there is a general feel of disorganisation and half hearted service from her.

The first problems arose when I asked for a swatch of material which was the same as the bridesmaid dresses so I could source material for the cravats (something I felt they should be doing?). I emailed so many times for this and rang and did not receive it for months.

As our wedding neared, the bridesmaids had not been called for their dress fittings. As one of them was moving away from our hometown I became anxious that she would not be able to come back for fittings. I rang on several occassions and went in and mentioned that we were still waiting for the dresses and again was fobbed off and made to feel I was unnecessarily worrying.

2 weeks before the wedding I received a phonecall from Catherine stating that the dress order had fallen through due to the dress company's failure to receive the order. After a long phonecall Catherine admitted that she had failed to check confirmation emails/letters as this company had never let them down before. She was upset and apologetic and was adamant that this had never happened before. I was obviously furious and upset. We could not have the dresses we picked originally. I phoned many stockists and luckily found two dresses that were to be altered by Catherine for free. The dresses were nearly double in price, but it was a battle to get her to pay the whole difference!!

There were however even more problems!

When the bridesmaid dresses were altered they were too long. I asked her to put removable straps into them but she stitched permanent ones in and had no explanation for this. When there with my husband she had another customer trying on wedding dresses in the mirror and I turn to look and in my horror see that she has the same dress as mine on and my husband is standing there!!!! Catherine, when she finally realised, laughed and got my husband out of the room.

When receivng the suits, one of the sizes was completely wrong. There was a button missing from the waistcoat, chewing gum and pins in the pockets and we were given a mixture of ties and cravats. My husband had to go to the wedding barn 15 times in 2 months.

The worst part of this whole episode is yet to come.

Catherine said that we could also have money off the suits to help compensate us and we had to go back the day before the wedding as suit sizes were incorrect. So when my partner went in and asked in front of John (the man who co-runs the business), he did not expect the tyrade of agression and abuse that he got. The waiting area had customers in it, who were all highly embarrassed. He began thumping and punching the desk, shouting, swearing, stating that my husband was trying to get everything for free! Catherine was crying and trying to stop him but he tried to bully his way through the situation. THIS WAS THE DAY BEFORE MY WEDDING! How utterly disgusting!

Since, we have heard of 7 horror stories from many sources about lost dresses, poor service and lack of professionalism from John. DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE, YOU DO NOT NEED THE EXTRA STRESS!!!

The website gives you the impression that they

have lots of choice but when I drove over an hour to

look at mother of the bride outfits I realised I had been

misled.

There was no customer service we were just ignored the entire time

we were there. The choice is very limited and the smell of petrol from a noisey

garage that operates from the barns was the only overwhelming thing they had.

In other words dont waste your time going to the shed at Ufton.

Ordered a mother of the bride outfit in march.

The first dress was ruined by the incompetent seamstress.

The second dress ordered to replace it was ordered too big. Again altered.

Worn on the big day and the seams started to fray.

Returned the dress to TWB and have had nothing but excuses and blame shifting. Even tried to blame wearer of damage. Who in their right mind would damage a dress during their daughters wedding!!

Rude and ignorant managment.

The ownus of responsibility is with the seller not the manufacturer we are still fighting for our money back. Extremely poor service once they have your money. ......

I ordered my wedding dress almost 6 months ago. I was told that it only took 3 months so I would receive it in good time. I get married in 3 weeks and my dress has still not arrived. I am at the point now where I am desparately looking for an alternative. So unhappy that they have ruined what should be a wonderful experiance for me. Please do not use the wedding barn. Whenever I call I am just fobbed off. I was told that even if my dress didn't arrive until the day before they would alter it overnight... simply not good enough! So glad I did not use any of their other services. I wish I had read these reviews before I placed my order.

The wedding barn in ufton is terrible, I wouldn't send my worse enemy there. I had booked an appointment to try on dresses, they hadn't a clue who I was and it all seemed like a terrible effort for them to help me. There was no customer service. It smelt of petrol and there was adog that was lying all over the wedding dresses that brides were due to collect. I tried on two dresses but left within 10 mins. The staff were unwelcoming, lying down on sofas so my family and friends couldn't sit anywhere. Staff were shouting at each other. I would not recommend this place to anyone. I left in tears it was so bad. I hope they go out of business