You may have noticed that this year we have been advertising for several vacancies. We have been expanding our workforce over the last twelve months to ensure we can provide our customers with a fast, efficient service.

We have fulfilled many of our vacancies, but we have opened several more positions in the last couple of weeks. These are:

Trainee Tiara & Jewellery Maker

A highly sought-after position, this opportunity requires hard work, but is very rewarding. Knowing that you have created a beautiful headdress or jewellery for the most important day of someone’s life is a brilliant feeling. You can read more about what the job requires and the key skills you need to have on our careers page.

Assistant to Sales Co-ordinator

This is a part-time role, perfect for an organised person who loves to speak to others on the phone. As our sales department has been expanding (more on that in the next couple of weeks!) this role has been created to ensure that our customers are getting the support they need, and plenty of opportunity to have the right products in their shops. For more information on this role and how to apply, see our careers page.

Of course, we are always open to hearing from people that feel they have something to offer the company. You are always welcome to send your CV and a covering letter to our human resources manager Nicola Cole. See how to do this on our careers page.

We’re really excited to launch our latest giveaway! Entries are now open for you to win one of our most popular veils of all time, the crystal scattered C185B.

The C185B is a beautiful style, with a scalloped embroidery edge and a cascading scatter of crystals. Comprising our signature soft tulle and finest real crystals, this veil is made in the UK by hand. If you are the lucky winner then the veil will be made especially for you in your choice of colour and length. Find out how you can win below!

Wedding Veil C185B in a 126" length

How to Enter:

- Leave a comment on this post telling us what your dream wedding would be. Whether it is an English country wedding with vintage tea sets and cupcakes, or an exotic destination wedding on the beach, we would love to hear what you would do if money and time were no object!
- Maximum of one entry per email address.
- Competition closes on Leap Day 29th February 2012 at midnight (GMT).
- Prize can be dispatched to an address in the UK, Europe, Canada or the US. Please allow 4 weeks for delivery.
- All entries need a valid email address as this will be used to notify the winner. This will not be displayed publicly.
- The winner will be chosen at random from the entries, and will be notified by email after 7th March 2012. The prize must be claimed within eight weeks.

Richard Designs Limited reserves the right to execute any contest or giveaway on www.richard-designs.com at their discretion and determine winners as they see fit and as they see fair. Rules, entry guidelines, prizes, and eligibility for a contest may be changed at any time and without notice.

Good Luck!!

The new Richard Designs Bridal Accessories brochure includes veils, tiaras, headpieces, jewellery, belts, and fascinators! This brochure is available for retailers, so just call us on 01353 661600 or email info@richarddesigns.co.uk to see the latest designs.

If that isn’t enough the new Boutique Collection brochure is also available to retailers. With stunning pictures of our mother of the bride and occasionwear  hats and fascinators this is an essential brochure to have on hand in your boutique.

For brides, the new accessories booklet is available as a pdf. You can see gorgeous photos of veils, tiaras, jewellery, belts, shrugs and petticoats, as well as latest trends and tips on how to choose your accessories all at your fingertips. You can download this here, or if you have any questions, just call or email us.

We are thrilled to have been chosen for this prestigious award which recognises our devotion to original and groundbreaking headdress design.

We hope that we will see some of our customers at the awards ceremony in March where we will be celebrating this achievement. Until then, we will continue to work hard to fulfil your orders for the new season whilst creating our new collection (due to be released at BBEH in March – watch this space!)

Finally, we would like to send our congratulations to the other finalists in the awards.

Staying at the show for two days is highly recommended in order for you to make sure you have seen everything without rushing, and therefore make good buying decisions. The hotel is adjacent to the Harrogate International Centre and so getting to the show is quick and easy.

If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please speak to Jennifer on 01353 661600 or email jennifer@richarddesigns.co.uk and we will arrange the discount for you. Hurry though, all names need to be submitted by January 31st!

We will be exhibiting at the British Bridal Exhibition, Harrogate from 11-13th March 2012, on Stand M33. All trade customers are very welcome to visit us and view our accessories.

For help with any other aspects of planning your visit to Harrogate, just contact us and we will be very happy to answer any questions you may have. If you are a bride and would like to see and buy our accessories, see our How to Buy page.

Stockists, we are ready to take your orders; we have 3 fantastic customer service assistants who are all experts with our products and thousands of items in stock ready to send to you. As always, bespoke ordering is available at no extra charge. You can order by telephone, email, fax or post; however you order you will be sent a delivery confirmation by email with an estimated dispatch date and another email when your order is shipped. It couldn’t be easier!

These are just a few other ways in which we can help you this year:

Stockists: We make sure that brides come to you. Our policy of not selling online or to online retailers will stand fast throughout 2012 and beyond. Bridal wear is special, and we understand that the service and experience received from one of our stockists is second-to-none.

We receive hundreds of direct enquiries from brides each year, and we direct them to you. We will send you a veil, tiara or piece of jewellery on a sale or return basis if a bride local to you has seen a particular style and wants to try it on. If the bride decides to purchase the item then you will be invoiced for it at its normal price. Of course it is your sale and you keep 100% of the sale price (we don’t have RRPs and we don’t advertise any products with them either!) If the bride changes her mind, then we will arrange for it to be collected from your premises on a day of your choice. Free of charge of course!

Our three company reps are available year round to visit you in your shop with our collections. For an no-obligation appointment just email Jennifer on jennifer@richarddesigns.co.uk or call 01353 661600.

Just call, email, fax or post your orders to us and we will process it straight away for delivery when you choose. See how to contact us here.

Brides: This website is designed to help you to plan your perfect wedding. Choosing your accessories is both fun and rewarding as you transform into a bride! With 26 years of experience in bridal wear, we can help you with any queries you may have – no matter how big or small. Just contact us via email at info@richarddesigns.co.uk or call 01353 661600 and we will be pleased to help you. Whether you want to know which shape petticoat will best go with your dress, or you want to know where you can buy our accessories, we are here to help you!

Don’t forget to like our Facebook page to keep up to date with latest trends, news and pictures, as well as regular competitions. Inspire others by sharing your photos with us and other brides on our wall!

Next Steps: For expert advice on choosing your veils, tiaras, jewellery and other accessories, see our Advice Centre.
To see more pictures of our products, see our galleries.
Click here to see how to buy our accessories.

The Reflections collection of veils and tiaras is perfect for all brides. It covers all the mainstay styles at amazing prices, with our usual highest quality. The Reflections should be your first stop for putting together your stock for the new season.

Simply buy five Reflections Veils and get five free, or buy five Reflections Tiaras and get five free.These are the styles included in the offer:

Veils

Buy this set of five veils
	NS5 126″ Fine edge & 5″ scatter crystal	NN5 72″ Nylon edge & 5″ scatter crystal
NR 72″ Ribbon edge	NC 72″ Cord edge	ND10 72″ Scallop edge, crystal drop & 10″ scatter

…

And get these five FREE
	NE1 54″ Embroidery, special oval stone	NE2 72″ As NE1, with crystal drop
ND 72″ Scallop edge with crystal drop	NR5 72″ Ribbon edge & 5″ scatter crystal	NS10 72″ Fine edge & 10″ scatter crystal

Tiaras

Buy this set of five tiaras
	RT10 Large Silver, Non AB, Ivory	RT04 Large Silver, Non AB, Cream Rose
RT07 Large Silver, Non AB	RT08 Small Silver Pearl, Non AB, Comet	RT14 Small Silver, Non AB, Cream

…

And get these five FREE
	RT05 Small Silver, Non AB	RT17 Small Silver, Cream Rose
RT11 Large Silver, AB, Comet	RT18 Small Ivory, Silver, Cream Rose	RT21 Large Silver, Pearl

To take advantage of this short-time offer (open to new and existing stockists), just contact us by phone on 01353 661600 or email info@nieve-couture.com

Brides – if you are interested in wearing NIEVE Couture accessories at your wedding, see our How to Buy page, and view more NIEVE products on the NIEVE homepage.

If 2012 is the year of your wedding, we hope that you have a wonderful year and a perfect wedding.

We are always available to answer any questions you have about your wedding accessories – no matter how big or small! Just give our customer service team a ring on 01353 661600 or email info@richarddesigns.co.uk.

Merry Christmas!

We have now closed for the Christmas period and will be back on Tuesday 3rd January for the new year. You can still contact us by email (info@richarddesigns.co.uk) or fax (01353 662554) whilst we are away, and we will get back to you in January when we return.

We would like to thank all of you for your support and custom in 2011. We have had a great year and we cannot wait to get started again in 2012! Until then have a wonderful and relaxing Christmas and New Year.

Take a look at some of our Christmas inspired blogs:

How to stand out with your Christmas shop window display

Our favourite Christmas wedding accessories

Unfortunately not everyone could win so we had the very difficult decision of choosing five winners. After much deliberation, here are the five brides we chose, and their photos and stories.

Alex

“Scott and I married at Rivervale Barn in Yateley on July 24th 2011. After a week of torrential rain we thought our summer wedding wasn’t going to happen…until that morning when it was glorious sunshine all day! We had such an amazing day celebrating with all our family and friends. The food was incredible, the band were fabulous and we would love to do it all over again.

I’ve had several girls email me through facebook asking me where I got my hair piece as they have been looking for something similar. Every decision you make when planning your wedding seems massive so I feel very proud that you (and the girls who have contacted me through Facebook) like how I had my hair on the most special day of my life!!”

Alex bought her tiara from Jayne Ann’s Bridal and chose one of our most popular styles TR1105A. This tiara is usually on a band and worn on the side of the head. Alex very creatively wore the tiara at the back of her hair around her bun. We love it!

Cheryl

“We got married at the Nissi Beach Resort, in Cyprus on the first of June this year we had twenty family and friends over in Cyprus with us and we had a beautiful day, even though i did forget my music for the ceremony! After the wedding we had a BBQ buffet on the outdoor terrace and we all sat sipping cocktails until the sun went down and then we had a little boogie. It was exactly what we wanted and we couldn’t have asked for more.

I absolutely loved wearing my headdress it was gorgeous and sparkled perfectly in the Cypriot sunshine.”

Cheryl chose Fascinator F206 which she bought from our stockist I Do for her destination wedding. A fabric flower with sparkling Swarovski crystal in the centre.

Becky

“I absolutely loved my hair-piece and veil. So many comments about how different the headband was compared to your usual tiara crown.”

Becky wore a side spray tiara with crystal and pearl, style number B014M. She bought her tiara from I Do Bridal House.

Sarah-Jane

“The day was AMAZING! I’ve never laughed so much in my whole life or felt so incredible. My venue was just beautiful, the food delicious and everybody had a brilliant time. My favourite part…..walking down the aisle in my stunning dress and veil and seeing the look in my husband’s eyes when he first looked round, a look I’ll treasure for the rest of my life because at that moment, nothing else mattered!”

Sarah-Jane bought her veil from Wedding Belles. They entered Sarah-Jane into the competition and said: “This picture is from our bride Sarah-Jane Hewitt who got married in May and is wearing the C185b long crystal veil, she looks stunning!”

Sarah-Jane chose the C185B veil in a 126” length. The C185B has an embroidered scalloped edge with a graduating scatter of diamantes.

Michelle

“I had a fantastic day and everyone said how fantastic I looked even at 28 weeks pregnant. My friends said I sparkled as I walked down towards the registrar and that was thanks to my gorgeous jewellery.”

Michelle wore a tiara, veil and jewellery all by Richard Designs!

If you would like to see more real brides wearing Richard Designs then take a look at our Facebook page. The competition is now closed, but you are still welcome to add your photos to our wall to share with our other fans.

If you are looking for accessories for your day and would like to find where to buy our accessories, or have any other questions about planning your wedding, then just contact us by email (info@richarddesigns.co.uk) or telephone 01353 661600 and we will be more than happy to help.