Love Weddings Business of the Month
May 2004 - Atiara4u

We are pleased to announce that our award for website of month goes to www.atiara4u.com From her base in Northern Ireland, Nichola - proprietor of Atiara4u supplies gorgeous Bridal Tiaras and Crowns and other delightful bridal accessories to brides across the United Kingdom.

We caught up with Nichola - to find out more about her and her business.

How did you become involved in making tiaras and how long have you been doing it

I started making tiaras in 2002 when planning my own wedding. I searched the Internet for a tiara and when I saw the price of them I nearly feel off my seat!

I have always made jewellery as a hobby. My mum made sure we did lots of crafts when we were younger, so I knew I could make them a lot cheaper. I went to a craft shop and bought some gold plated wire and some beads. My first tiara was a wire cross on a band I bought from a hair accessory shop -nothing fancy, and I added some crystal beads.

It cost next to nothing to make and I sold it on eBay for £25 to a customer in America. She was so pleased with the tiara that she asked if I would make her some jewellery to match. This was the start of atiara4u.

What do you most enjoy about working in the wedding industry?

I have to say the people; both clients and other business. Everybody strives to make that one day the best they possibly can.

What are your best selling or most unusual products?

My star items are my fairy wands. They are original and can not be bought any where else. I have to thank my husband as he wraps the handles for me and it takes him an hour on each one. In the tiara range it is the spring garden tiara.

What makes your service for brides to be special?

There are two things that make my service special. Firstly I strive to keep my prices affordable for even the most modest budget. And secondly I make the tiara bands by hand so that they are flexible and ultra comfortable.

When I first started to make tiaras, I bought bands from bead shops, but found they dug in and would not bend to fit my head. So I strived to make something that would not hurt and would fit any head.

I also try to make sure the customer is happy and gets exactly what they want for their day by asking lots of questions about what they expect there tiara to be like, and keeping in touch throughout the design process.

What is your commitment to your customers?

My commitment to customers is to make sure I keep my prices low. I am working on a new budget range costing under £20. I also make sure customers get a unique, quality, handmade item which exactly meets their needs as every bride to be is unique too.

See these and the whole range of bridal tiaras and accessories at www.atiara4u.com