Meet the owners

Meet Kim

Award-winning Cambridge boutique Burr Bridal specialises in exquisite wedding dresses and elegant attire for groomsmen, VIP guests and prom queens. Owner Kim Burr talks Big Day trends and reveals the secrets to her success.

What type of bridal gowns do you specialise in?

Over the years I’ve worked with most bridal designers and have some real favourites. We’re very price conscious, so don’t just stock the top-end labels. In the mid-range, we have brands including Essence of Australia, Stella York, Madison James and Casablanca, which I’d say are on a par in terms of price, quality and beautiful fit. Then we have Italian brands Daniela Di Marino and Monica Loretti, along with Sincerity, which are lower priced. With our designs, we are always on the lookout for something that bit different.

Can you tell us about your plus sized range?

We believe that no bride should be told ‘that dress won’t work for your size’, so last year we branched into plus size wedding gowns, and we’re now a recognised stockist of Stella York Every Body, Every Bride. It’s lovely to be able to say to a bride that we have a particular dress in a size 22, for example. Equally I get brides who are a size zero and they find it just as hard to find wedding dresses to fit so we do start from a size 6.

What are the big wedding trends for summer 2022?

When I was last buying in Harrogate, one of the biggest wedding dress trends was different necklines, in particular square necks. Also, fitted dresses in a stretch fabric, which is fabulous as a lot of brides are different sizes top and bottom, so the stretch material is more accommodating. We are seeing a lot of 70s and 80s-style blouson statement sleeves, which can be attached or worn as a separate cuff.

Pant suits are really on trend too, like our gorgeous Casablanca pant suit which is full-lace and features cigar pantaloon three-quarter length trousers with a bustier top. I’ve ordered that little two-piece for an evening as a lot of brides have been buying a second bridal outfit for the evening do.

Tell us about your other specialities?

We specialise in mother of the bride occasion wear, and I buy from some of the top labels, including John Charles and Irresistible. Mother of the brides that come to us want to stand out and make a statement at their daughter’s wedding. We have a variety of beautiful dresses and buy matching British-made hats, along with shoes and bags.

We also offer men’s formalwear hire in our Stag Room, encompassing everything from traditional morning suits and top hat and tails to lounge suits. Tuxedos have been incredibly popular recently, especially our cobalt blue and black tuxedo, which is a bit different.

Finally, there’s our evening and promwear, which we sell throughout the year. It’s lovely to see our young girls come in and choose their prom dresses, rather than buy them online; we stock a lovely label, Mascara, which has matching bags available.

What makes Burr Bridal unique?

Customers can always expect 100 per cent service: our ethos is to have a friendly environment, so we never push a bride to make a decision. We encourage her to go away, have a coffee and a think. Many of our customers say they’ve loved it here because in other shops they’ve felt pressurised. We’ve won awards most years from Cambridge BID, which is mystery shopped – and most recently received an English Weddings Award.

What do you love about owning a bridal boutique?

I really get a buzz out of finding a bride or a mother of the bride the perfect dress – and seeing them happy! I also love having a store that is independent so I can pick and choose my designers, and it’s great to be located on King Street, which is full of other brilliant independents.

A former journalist and photographic stylist in London, Kim spent seven years working in brand development for an independent retailer before launching Burr Bridal on Cambridge’s King Street in October 2013. A grade II listed two-storey building, Burr Bridal has a homely, welcoming feel and boasts four dressing rooms, a dedicated Stag Room and full seamstress alteration service.

Visit Burr Bridal at 48 King Street and find out more on their website: https://www.burrbridal.co.uk/