Meet Catherine - The Face Behind Seraphim Bridal

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Catherine - owner of Seraphim Bridal. I started working in Fashion about six years ago after leaving a job in the Nursing profession. You might ask how I got from Nursing to Fashion? Well, my grandmother was an atelier and bought me my first battery operated sewing machine when I was just five-years-old. In those days, I had lots of Sindy dolls and there was nothing I liked more than making grand ball gowns and evening dresses for them. I studied Art and Design whilst at school and as I became older, this changed into making clothes for myself. However, I never thought about making a career in something like Fashion and so, I became a Nurse as I genuinely enjoyed caring for people and I honestly have no regrets about that. In many ways, it has made me who I am.

Now don’t get me wrong, I loved being a Nurse. There is something deeply satisfying about tending to someone’s needs, reassuring them, and building up that relationship of trust with them. As I progressed in my career, I got further away from people and my job really started to get me down. At this stage, my daughters were in Sixth Form at school and looking for formal dresses; not finding anything that either fitted them or that they liked, I designed them dresses. Then, after a year of working in an upmarket boutique in Belfast, having left my job, I realised that connecting with people is really important to me. To have someone come in who didn’t feel good about themselves, dress them, and have them leave loving what you did is very satisfying and so began my foray into bridal. When we opened our doors, I had no idea of the journey it was going to take me on or the people I’d meet, the stories I’d be privileged to be told, or even if our boutique would survive. Four years on, I love dressing girls, especially those who don’t believe in themselves or feel beautiful (Believe me - you are beautiful and amazing) and I love being part of special memories that girls and their loved ones will take with them into their married lives.

I called the boutique ‘Seraphim’ as these are the highest form of angels and when my children were little, I always told them to take their angels with them. Our boutique is also situated in Greyabbey which was built in 1193 by Alfecca De Courcy, whom the locals called ‘The Angel of the Ards’. As our blessing to our brides, we sew a little pair of silver angel wings into their wedding dress.

We never say no to any bride, no matter what ideas she comes in with, we simply try to make her dreams come true. It’s never been just a job to me and never will. Each dress that a bride decides upon represents a trust in her future with her partner, a faith that their love will stay strong, and as her dress is unique and beautiful, so is she. When she finds that dress, she truly shines and it is our privilege to travel with our brides on that part of her journey.

Love, Catherine.