Absolutely appalling service from this woman. She tried to impose her idea of what my dress should…read morebe for my special day and after months of me trying to get her to make my vision a reality I was sorely disappointed with the end result that was ill fitting and not the style I wanted and ultimately I could not wear. I was also charged for extras that I had not asked to be made and for a Basque undergarment that did not fit and was returned. The "helpful and friendly" facade disappeared pretty quick when I voiced my disappointment.

I am a fan of Joanne Ferguson's window display in Newtownards. I have only one problem with this…read moreshop and that is that each time I call I can't seem to get in - this hasn't put me off looking in the window or checking out her wonderful website. As it turns out it costs £25 to have a consultation with Joanne and she has a great reputation in the town for a very special bespoke one to one service. I wasn't willing to pay £25 as I just wanted a nosy at her shoes and jewellery. As I have already mentioned she is an absolute professional and this can be seen in the way the shop is kept as well as her informative website. She has over twenty years experience with embroidery and design because of this she is able to create themes for the bride which can be carried over onto the bridesmaids and grooms outfits. I think she may be the only bridal shop in the area with an extensive menswear department upstairs. I'll get in for a nosy yet but based on other brides and first impressions of the shop and the site I feel I can recommend it.

Deborah Rose Bridal opened its doors in January 2006 offering Brides the latest in Bridal Fashion…read more With a fabulous collection of contemporary designer dresses; stylish, comfortable surroundings and a relaxed atmosphere; together with friendly, professional service. The lady who runs the store came into the shop I used to work in all the time and was a lovely woman, so I am sure that she endeavours to help each bride's dream of finding that perfect gown. I have never used the services here but know of friends who have had good experiences here. With bridal gowns from leading designers, including plus size brides, together with bridesmaids from award winning designers you will be sure to find that perfect gown. Deborah Rose also stocks a wide variety of accessories including veils, jewellery, tiaras, hair accessories, shoes and petticoats. Now all you ladies out there is get a man to want to marry you to justify coming here, or else you could be that stereotypical crazy lady who likes to drink on her own and go around the house in their future wedding dress!

Being the third daughter to get married in my family meant that picking shops to look for my…read moreperfect dress was easy. With my sister getting her dress here this place was high on my priority list.... And it did not disappoint. From the outside the shop may look bland and unassuming, perhaps not the typical wedding dress shop, but inside is a world full of excitement. With so many dresses to choose from there's something for everyone. Being a small family run business they are very protective of their wares, and you instantly get the feeling you aren't to go hoking or touch the dresses, which I know is an annoyance to some, however, I was there to be pampered and was more than happy to be waited on. This was the first shop I went to and I was treated to a wide variety of dresses to enable me to narrow down my selection and work out what suited me. And there it was... My perfect dress. On my second visit I brought my mum and sister who hadn't been with me the first time. They selected other dresses while waiting and the owner was able to tell them (a month after the first visit) what I hadn't liked about each of them. I found this touch simply overwhelming and really made me feel important - she remembered everything! This was very unlike one particular other shop who dismissed me when I said had met her three days earlier. Needless to say we all agreed on my perfect dress, and with deals done around buying the various accessories, this turned out to be incredibly reasonable. Perhaps it's because I found my dress here, perhaps I'm just biased, but this shop really was perfect. A must visit.

The wedding box was the third place I visited to look for my wedding dress and I was pleasantly…read moresurprised at the stock they hold and the helpfulness of the staff. The shop is situated down a little one-way street in Newtownards and is distinguished by a bay tree outside. The three ladies who work there are all experts in what they do and the walls are covered in photographs from happy brides and bridesmaids on the big day. Upon entering for the first time you cannot see the dresses as they are on the second and third floors. I made an appointment and when I came in on the day the girl took one look at me and said she thought she had the perfect dress for my shape. This sounds awful but I'd heard it before in other shops and I kind of dismissed it as sales patter! When we got upstairs she pulled out the dress - my dress!! I tried it on and was blown away by how right she was about the cut and shape for my figure. Elaine told me I must not settle for the first one so we tried on several more but I knew that the first one was the one. The ladies have seen me now several times as I've been in to pay off my dress in small installments, which has been a big help. They also accommodated me on short notice to come in with a baby in tow to try on a veil and my shoes with the dress. They were so helpful, the changing area was big and spacious and most importantly they were honest not just trying to sell - I highly recommend the wedding box to all brides to be!

Helen's sewing alterations is one of those blink and you will miss it shops as it is situated above…read moreNV in Conway Square and not at normal eye level. I had not heard of this alteration shop before and it was only when I bought my wedding dress in a near by bridal shop that they advised me to take it to Helen for alterations. She offers a very personal service and does seem to mostly specialize in Brides and bridesmaids dresses - there are a lot of those big white bridal dresses hanging on the rail. The service I received was professional, efficient and friendly and it is no wonder she has so many bridal clients as she really knows what she is talking about. I will recommend her to future brides and everyone just for her normal sewing and mending skills.

Helens has moved ... Now at 58 Frances Street and is very easy to find due to the name being in BIG…read moreletters over the shop. Lovely welcome and well laid out over three floors.

Esprit is a real gem in the relatively commercial world of Ards Shopping Centre. With its rustic…read moredécor, this shop is absolutely packed full of pretty little trinkets and is the ideal spot when searching for a unique gift. This is reinforced by the vast selection of wedding and newborn baby gifts found throughout the store. The staff members are polite and carefully wrap each gift in your preferred choice of tissue paper. Esprit also stocks a wide selection of both Yankee and Castle Hill candles, which are more than reasonably priced. This shop is one of my favourites as you're always sure to find a bargain (my most recent being several boxes of incense-with a holder for £1.50) that will leave you grinning like the Cheshire Cat for the rest of the day. Occasionally furniture can be found, although the vast majority of this is usually displayed in the window. The shop also stocks a range of beautiful Tiffany lamps, as well as elegant gift boxes at great prices. Situated at the shopping centre's entrance, this should be one of your first stops.

Good range of dresses, plenty of room to try dresses on. Owner i think needs a holidayread more

Cramped space to try dresses on. Phone didn't stop ringing the 30 mins i was there. Picked 6…read moredresses of their website didn't get to see any of them. Didn't see one dress i liked. Each to their own i suppose