Pleased to meet all of you! I am the social media and marketing girl for Atlantic Bridal, the group that represents Sassi Holford, Sarah Arnett, and Filippa Scott in the States and in the UK. Everyone in the office calls me Bridal Betty, after Filippa jokingly said I was like her cuter version (thanks, Filippa!) of Ugly Betty. It seems that more and more random internet marketing-related things (such as the blog, Twitter, and other somewhat obscure jobs) fall under my jurisdiction. I am a girl of all trades, as it were. So, on Pip Pip and All That, it seemed only fitting that everything I write and post (outside of when Filippa, Sassi or Sarah come ’round and contribute) should be signed by Bridal Betty! I get to blog and tweet about Filippa, Sassi, Sarah, our stockists, and all things wedding to help create a resource for brides-to-be and get the word out about all our bits and pieces (especially in the US, where we are new). It’s a lot of fun and surprisingly a lot of work! I spend loads of time researching and hunting down ladies who’ve worn any of our designers in their weddings and then beg them for images (if any of you readers have pictures, please please please send them my way!). The rest of the time I am digging up pretty, fun, or interesting things to talk about.

When there are shows, I generally get to tag along and take pictures so they can be shared with anyone who pops by Pip Pip. It occurs to me you may be wondering “Why call it Pip Pip?” Well, it won’t surprise you (after the Ugly Betty bit) when I tell you Filippa, Sassi, and Sarah (as well as Oliver, the boss at Atlantic Bridal) each have a great sense of humor and thought Pip Pip was a funny old saying that needed to be revived. And there it is. So, enough about me and about us, and on to what we all want to see – dresses!

Sassi Holford, as most of you know, is an incredible designer. The fit of her gowns is unparalleled; she builds the corseting right in. They are surprisingly comfortable and not cumbersome considering the construction (yes, I have tried them on! Who could resist?), and they do wonders to show off a girl’s figure. Charlotte has asked me to talk about three of my favorites from Sarah and Sassi and tell you a bit about them. So, here are some of my absolute tops from Sassi’s 2010 and Sarah’s 2010 and earlier collections. (First, though, a disclaimer: our photo shoots for 2010 have not yet happened yet, so please pardon my amateur shots.)

First up is Catriona. Part of Sassi’s new 2010 collection, Catriona is flirty and romantic. She’s got a Swiss dotted tulle overlay skirt with a ruffle and some lace edging at the hem. Underneath that is a fitted body-hugging layer of Chantilly lace. That’s the best part. Catriona gives the illusion of an A-line skirt, but everyone gets to see all your curves. It’s a like a saucy wink from a more classic gown!

If ever there was a gown fit for the red carpet and for a wedding, Sienna is it. You can’t see very well from the photo, but Sienna is made from a glorious, shimmery fabric quite unlike anything I have ever seen before. Sienna is cut in a sophisticated trumpet shape, and may come strapless, as a halter, or with an asymmetrical strap. I can imagine a girl wearing Sienna to a wedding with an old Hollywood feel, gliding down the aisle like a siren from the silver screen.

I had a really hard time choosing the last gown to share! It was either Aleisha (another slinky, sexy gown from Sassi) or Angelina. Since Sassi is rather known for her grand, full skirts, I thought I would go with Angelina. Angelina has such a graceful, timeless, almost Mad Men-like feeling, with tiers of organza and a strapless bodice. Of course, like any of Sassi’s gowns, it may be customized. What is most special about Angelina is more subtle and where Sassi’s fit shows so well. Angelina’s tiers do not make whomever is wearing it look short. This is no mean feat!

Sarah Arnett is known for creating glamorous, sensuous gowns that have an ageless, vintage feel to them. My first pick is Jasmine, from her 2010 collection. Made of soft, flowing chiffon and charmeuse with an exquisite cowl neck, Jasmine is incredibly feminine and bewitching! The wide, flowered belt Sarah has added slung low across the hips seems to me to give Jasmine a little modern edge.

Dahlia is another stunning Sarah gown. She reminds me so much of Ginger Rogers! The unique way Sarah has designed Dahlia’s asymmetrical neckline out of gathered chiffon, ending in trails down the back with a flower is genius. Whenever I see Dahlia on a girl, I am mesmerized by the way the chiffon flows along behind her. Totally enthralling.

I believe Charlotte had a wedding featured on RMW with a bride who wore my final choice, Sophie. How much more from the classic movie Sabrina (featuring Audrey Hepburn) can a wedding dress get? All swingy layers of chiffon with a lovely illusion neckline and a gorgeous full chiffon sash and bow? Think of the cute shoes you could wear!

I could go on and on! Each gown endears itself to me for different reasons, and it was difficult for me to choose. I believe Charlotte may want me to come back and rhapsodize about Filippa’s shoes, which I will be glad to do if she’ll have me. In the meantime, pop by and visit me at Pip Pip and feel free to drop a question for Filippa, Sassi, or Sarah.

Pip Pip!