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    Elizabeth’s Story

    Elizabeths Story

    Hello my Queens!

    I am Elizabeth and I am the founder, owner and bridal mavern at Maidens and Ravens, here in the historic city of York.

    Did you know that a mavern is someone who is experienced and knowledgeable? Seemed like a fitting name for me.

    I started my journey into Bridalwear in 2019 but before that I always had a love for art, making things, sewing, knitting and vintage clothing. Growing up in Edinburgh, I enjoyed charity shop snooping and loved buying dresses from the 60s and 70s which I would get tailored to me. Like all of my friends, my prom dress was a 1980s bridesmaid dress - mint green with puff sleeves and lace! I wanted to look like Sarah from Labyrinth in the ballroom scene with David Bowie, complete with ribbons in my hair! I still love that look.

    Image of Elizabeth at Maidens and Ravens Bridal Boutique York
    lorem10

    Believe it or not I am a practising family lawyer and since 2003 I have been helping people with their divorces, financial arrangements and children matters. All very rewarding but over the years I missed a creative outlet.

    Like many of you, I became an avid watcher of Don't tell the Bride (I loved when the groom had to choose the dress) and Say Yes to the Dress. I started imagining how wonderful it would be to own my own bridal boutique and help brides find their perfect dresses.

    I opened my original boutique, Bridal Reloved York in 2019 and after winning the Best Bridal Boutique in Yorkshire at the North of England Wedding Awards in 2022 and 2023, I became fully independent in 2024 choosing to better adapt my boutique to my brides.

    I have a real passion for helping all of my brides. I am a people person and am genuinely committed to helping you find a dress which makes you feel beautiful and meets your dreams! I firmly believe there is a dress for every bride (and a bride for every dress!). I love brides of every age, shape, size and colour. I pride myself in being fully inclusive and making your appointments as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.

    I love quirky, interesting dresses - vintage inspired, colour and alternative styles especially dark and gothic. That said, I also adore classic looks, beautiful princess ballgowns and clean contemporary styles. I have a real eye for what suits you and will suggest different options to adapt a dress to work better for you. I will often pick out a wild card dress for you (sometimes it comes to me as soon as I meet you!) and many of my brides have actually found that it is the one.

    Basically, whatever is your dream dress, I want to help you achieve it and if you have no idea, then that's absolutely fine too. We will find it.

    lorem10

    Having seen a dress I liked online in I decided to travel up from London. What a welcome i received from the lovely Elizabeth, she immediately put me at ease with her warm personality and professionalism. Whilst the original dress was not for me I soon found my perfect dress in her shop which is full of beautiful dresses. Elizabeth is everything you would want to find in a bridal retailer – she passionate about the bridal wear she sells without being pushy and has such good advice. She knew I had travelled from London and advised I might prefer someone closer to home to alter the dress but I wanted to keep the dress alterations in York and Elizabeth recommended a local business who were perfect. I cannot hank them enough. I have not only got my dream dress but I now have friends in York!

    Michelle L

    This was wedding dress shop number 7 for me! Elizabeth was very welcoming and had a collection of slightly alternative and unique dresses, along with the classic styles. Elizabeth has most of her dresses listed on Facebook and identifies when these have sold. This allowed me to look through the dress catalogue and pick out favourites knowing that they would be in store. I visited the shop by myself and Elizabeth made me feel special, built up my body confidence, but was also honest in her opinions. When I found a dress I liked, she helped me to video call my family and show off my chosen outfit. Great customer service. Value for money. Would recommend! Thank you.

    Anon

    I attended with my mum and from the moment we arrived Elizabeth was super welcoming and nothing felt like too much trouble. There were so many more beautiful dresses available to try on than expected and at no point did I feel rushed, overwhelmed or that my budget was under any pressure. Elizabeth is still in touch with me following the purchase with guidance on the next steps and I feel reassured that should I have any more questions she will be happy to help. Overall a really personable experience.

    Faye.M

    Found my wedding dress with the help of this lovely shop and the expert eye of Elizabeth. I was finding the whole experience of wedding dress shopping stressful and overwhelming, especially as I was on such a tight budget. Elizabeth was so kind, patient and knowledgeable. And the dress we found is just perfect, I absolutely loved wearing it last Saturday to get married! Thank you so much!

    Olivia.H

    An amazing stress free experience for wedding dress shopping! Couldn’t recommend enough. Amazing selection of different affordable dresses in all different colours and sizes and Elizabeth is fabulous! Couldn’t have had a better experience.

    Alexandra.G

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