Love Local with The List: Evergreen Bridal Studio

When Imogen Berryman set out to find her own wedding dress, she wanted something that reflected her values - modern, affordable and sustainable. But when she couldn’t find anything on the island that ticked all the boxes, she decided to create it herself.

The result? Evergreen Bridal Studio, a fresh, modern concept offering brides luxury for less, without compromising on the planet.

Read Imogen's story here.

 

 

'I didn’t want to spend a huge amount of money or buy something mass-produced, shipped across the world to wear just once.'

 

How It All Began.

I'm Imogen, founder and heart of Evergreen Bridal Studio. I’m a passionate advocate for sustainable fashion in my everyday wardrobe, so when it came time to find my wedding dress, I instinctively looked for something that would align with my values. I didn’t want to spend a huge amount of money or buy something mass-produced, shipped across the world to wear just once and that's when the idea came to me.

I realised there was a big gap in the local bridal market - a need for a modern edit of dresses in a fun, beautiful environment that offered luxury for less. I didn’t want anyone to have to compromise on such an important event.

I’ve been operating since 2023 and am so proud to be going into our fourth year in business.

 

 

'We believe sustainability doesn’t have to feel second-rate, and sustainable doesn’t have to mean second-hand.'

 

The 'Why' Behind Evergreen.

Because a dress doesn’t need to cost the Earth, our mission at Evergreen Bridal is to offer luxury for less - a modern edit of wedding dresses that are kind to your purse and the planet.

We believe sustainability doesn’t have to feel second-rate, and sustainable doesn’t have to mean second-hand, and while many people assume we only stock preloved dresses, that’s actually a small part of our edit. Most of our gowns are unworn - ex-samples, overstock, discontinued or unsold lines - all carefully chosen for their quality, fit and style.

Most of the dresses in our collection come directly from designers or bridal studios, often unworn with tags still on. We partner with leading designers to bring in luxurious, high-end ex-sample or discounted stock, allowing us to offer fairer pricing without compromising on quality. This concept gives us freedom in our stock ordering, which means we can hold such a wide range of designers - and I think that’s why we have such a good 'yes' rate!

By giving dresses that would otherwise sit dormant or be destroyed a new life, we’re helping reduce waste, avoid overproduction, and lessen the carbon footprint of the resource-intensive bridal market.

 

 

'Appointment days... are full of fun - meeting new brides and their crews, popping fizz, and sharing those lovely moments of joy.'

 

Behind the Scenes.

I had twins this year and that was a surprise! I can honestly say it has been a total rollercoaster: the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most incredible. And as a new mum of twins, at the moment most of the behind-the-scenes work happens one-handed: from my phone, on the rocking chair! You’ve got to make use of those sleepless nights.

A typical day involves negotiating and ordering new stock with studios and designers, replying to emails and DMs from brides, cataloguing new arrivals, steaming new deliveries, and keeping our social media channels updated. On appointment days, I’m joined by Jen, and those days are full of fun - meeting new brides and their crews, popping fizz, and sharing those lovely moments of joy when someone says 'yes' to the dress.

 

Image credit: Mellows Photography

'Each year, I look back at our brides and think how amazing it is that we’ve been part of their day.'

 

Highlights and Challenges Along The Way.

Moving from a pop-up model into our permanent studio at Port Grat was a huge milestone, and being able to hire a team and watch Evergreen become a trusted name for bridal in Guernsey has been incredible. But honestly, finding a suitable venue for pop-ups and then a permanent premises was so hard - that was definitely the biggest challenge.

Every entrepreneur needs the opportunity to test an idea before committing to expensive shop rents and long-term contracts, and that’s something we don’t really have here. I was lucky to have a wonderful relationship with my landlady who allowed me to try the premises on a short-term basis, and I’m so happy to still be there years later.

And realising that brides are now coming to us based on recommendations and word of mouth tells me the vision has truly come to life. Each year, I look back at our brides and think how amazing it is that we’ve been part of their day, when I only started it as a little pop-up thinking, 'let’s see if this works'.

We also tot up our estimated carbon and water savings as we go, and I’m so proud that we’ve avoided the use of an estimated 2.4 million litres of water and 2.4 tonnes of carbon emissions so far.

 

Local Life.

As I’ve started a family, having my 'village' close has been invaluable, for me personally and for my business. Having support nearby makes such a difference, especially in the early days. 

The flip side is that seeing my friends on the other side of the Channel is difficult with our limited travel options - that’s something I really struggle with.

 

 

'I’m so proud that we’ve avoided the use of around 2.4 million litres of water and 2.4 tonnes of carbon emissions so far.'

 

Why The List Loves Evergreen Bridal Studio.

Imogen saw a big gap in the local market and filled it - in a very responsible and sustainable way. It's great to see a good local business thrive with such a good heart behind it. We also love how she 'tots up' what has been saved - impressive! 

 

 

Evergreen Bridal Studio believes that your wedding dress doesn't have to cost the earth. They source unworn, new and pre-loved wedding dresses, and they are official stockists of leading designers for discontinued and ex-sample styles.

Get in touch with the team to enjoy a private, relaxing and pressure-free appointment with the special studio experience that every bride deserves.