Luxury Handmade Garters: An Interview with Natalie Briggs

This week's interview features Natalie Briggs. Natalie is from Perth, Western Australia.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I live on the west coast of Australia with my husband. I recently got married in March 2010 and love looking and bridal magazines (still). I love arts and crafts and makeing as much of the things around my home my self.

What special things do you create for weddings?

I specialise in making handmade bridal garter sets that are modern, sexy with a vintage twist. I want to revive the 'bridal garter' with more fun and modern designs using the best materials in the most interesting way.

Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?

During planning my own wedding, i was disappointed in the lack of variety of bridal garters in the bridal stores. Many were very expensive, looked very out dated and cheaply made. So i thought i can do this better!

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
I like to use items nad materials in an interesting way, either layed differently, a bow slightly on its side. Little differnces from the 'norm' make for very interesting pieces.

If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?
Most of my wedding was pretty much perfect, i wish i did have a more interesting bouquet. I made my own out of silk flowers but im no florist, they looked great but a bit 'normal' to what i have now seen on other out there after my wedding.

What is your favorite wedding song?
I dont really have a favourite wedding song as my music choices a little differnt from most. But i think the wedding march is a timeless classic which will be used for years to come.

What trends do you see happening in your specialty at the moment?
Trends in garters i see happening at the moment is moving away from too much lace and garters looking more like pieces of jewellery rather than lingerie, which is lovely!

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
I love the planning of a wedding, the very first stages- choosing a colour theme, style to base the whole event on. This is normally the hardest bit, theres so many options out there.

What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
Make sure you get references for your hair and make up ladies. I had trials before and they were great, but on the wedding day they lost the phots they took from the trial, and even though i explained to them how my hair and make up was done, they did it completely differently and didnt really care.

What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
We went to hawaii for our honeymoon, its such a peaceful layed back part of the world to relax after the stress of a wedding.

If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?

Anyone really, a classy celebraty thougth!

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?

Anyone really, a classy celebraty thougth!

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?

It would be my Sexy Ivory Pearl Black Lace Garter Set, its my most popular line and all of my brides love it.

What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy, wedding or otherwise?
Bellina Bridal has the most beautiful wedding dresses.

Do you have a website, blog, where we can read more about you and your work?
I have a blog which im currently working on http://www.nataliebriggs.blogspot.com/ where i talking about ideas for brides and updates on new garters and competitions.