Sunday 19th February – Sparth House Hotel, Clayton le Moors

Tuesday 28th february – Mitton Hall, Whalley

Wednesday 29th February – Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn

Sunday 4th March – Samlesbury Hall, Preston New Road, Samlesbury

Saturday 10th/Sunday 11th March – UK Wedding Show, Event City, Manchester

Sunday 25th March – Whitehall Hotel, Darwen

Thursday 26th April – Whalley Abbey, Whalley

Saturday 28th April – Portland Thistle Hotel, Piccadilly, Manchester

Come along and see our products at any of the above Fayres, check out our new range of wedding Favours.

Ribble Valley businesswoman offers wedding advice

BY day, 999 operative Nicola Pilkington can deal with some of the most horrific crimes in Lancashire.

DAY TO REMEMBER: Nicola Pilkington

But by night she is answering distress calls of a different type —- from worried brides-to-be who need her expert advice on everything from stationery to stunning centrepieces.

The talented 39-year-old, from Old Langho, has successfully established her own emergency service for weddings — called Bride’s Little Helper — and has already helped put the finishing touches to more than 90 big days.

And with the national agenda firmly set on weddings with Prince William and Kate’s big day fast approaching, Nicola is hoping other couples will be inspired to tie the knot this year.

Currently based at Oswaldtwistle Mills, she is now embarking on a new venture and is about to open her very own studio at The Flower Shop, in Wellgate, Clitheroe.

DAY TO REMEMBER Nicola with a crystal chandelier table decoration

She said: “I have worked part-time for Lancashire Police for nearly 20 years, starting as a Special Constable before joining my colleagues in the control room 11 years ago.

“My day can be varied and the calls we receive range from serious crime, to road traffic accidents or even a broken nail.

“It can be quite heavy-going at times, and is completely different from the work I do for Bride’s Little Helper, but it is a nice mix.

“My days at work can be strange though, as I can be dealing with a difficult situation on a 999 call and then go home and spend my time carefully sticking delicate crystals on to invites that I have designed.

“I also get calls from stressed brides who have their own emergencies and need my help. They know that they can call me anytime and I love being able to make their dreams come true.”

The mother-of-three launched Bride’s Little Helper in September 2009 after impressing her friends and family by designing all of the stationery, decorations and personalised favours for her own wedding at Stanley House.

She added: “When I was getting married I realised there wasn’t really anyone who was there to help with things like invites and decorations. There were full-blown wedding planners, but no-one who could just help make my ideas a reality.

“After my family and friends saw what I had done they recommended me to people they knew and the business just started to grow from there and has spread by word of mouth.

“I can help with every aspect of a wedding day and my mum is a seamstress so she can even make wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses.

“My speciality really is the creative side, making bespoke invitations that are affordable and centrepieces — anything from the popular Martini glasses to crystal chandeliers.

“The main thing for me is that I can work to any budget — from the smallest to the most extravagant and I love being able to come up with new ideas and make my brides happy.”