The number one complaint Milika Seymour heard from brides-to-be was that there was nowhere to go on the Island to "say yes to the dress". After much research she opened a home-based online bridal salon, but she discovered that the "elegant experience factor" was still missing.

"Most of the brides were getting on the plane and travelling for the experience," she said. "It's not so much that they couldn't get the same dress [here] that they were buying abroad, it was the experience.

"And I felt a bride really deserves a nice place to come to really make that purchase. It is probably the most expensive thing that you are going to wear ever so you want to go for a nice experience."

She launched Blanc Bridal Boutique in response. It counts down on travel and she has years of experience in helping women find the right dress for their wedding day. "In some cases you have to travel more than once for a fitting, so it is much more convenient if you can do it all at home," she said.

Blanc Bridal Boutique carries designers such as Demetrios, Enzoani, Anjolique and Landa Designs. Other lines are to come soon. Choose the person you come with carefully, Mrs. Seymour advised. "Come with someone that is really close who is going to give you their honest opinion.

"Of course, I'm always open to give you my honest opinion, but it is good to have someone that is there for you who has your genuine best interest at heart. But I would say don't bring the whole bridal party, because once you get too many opinions it makes it more difficult."

Since her February launch she has seen her client list increase. Her advice is for brides to book an appointment as early as possible.

She said the best time to come in is about nine months before the wedding. "It's a good time for your first appointment and to start trying on dresses and looking at styles," she said.

"But give yourself that time, as you don't want to be rushing around at the last minute and remember that these designers are not just making a dress for you, they are making dresses for hundreds of thousands of other brides. So it is best to start early, because the earlier you start the less stress you will have at the end. We can rush it, but then there is a charge for rushing it."

She first talks with clients to discover how they want to look on their wedding day. Dress suggestions are then made. "It's amazing because every bride knows what dress [they want]. It's true, and it might sound cliché, but [the dress] just speaks to them. "You look at the pictures forever, so you must love the dress."

For more information telephone 297-0084 or e-mail milika@blanc.bm.