TWO Whitefield friends are hoping to give brides the wedding of their dreams at their new plus size bridal shop.

Bridal 1632, the brainchild of Sally-ann McGladdery and Katherine Davies, opened for business in Bury Old Road, Prestwich, on Saturday.

The store offers a unique service for the borough, specialising in dresses and accessories tailored for women sized 16 to 32.

Ms McGladdery and Ms Davies have chosen three designers to stock: Ladybird, Rosa Couture and Eternity Bridal; renowned for their ranges for curvier brides.

Ms McGladdery said: "We’re really passionate that everyone should look and feel fantastic on their wedding day, but that choice is limited for women with curvier figures.

"That’s why we decided to specialise in plus size wedding dresses and Bridal 1632 was born. This is one of only a few shops like this in the country, and we're unique certainly in this area.

"We stock from size 16 to 32, which shops can get in, but we have 30 dresses and anyone walking into our shop will be able to fit into 95 per cent of the dresses. Many will not have had that experience before."

Ms McGladdery and Ms Davies have been friends for 15 years and met through a mutual love of cricket.

They are often found socialising at Stand Cricket Club, where their husbands and sons have all played.

However, following a recent battle with cancer, the pair went in search of a new challenge for their seamstress and business skills, and decided bridalwear was the perfect industry.

Ms McGladdery said: "I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago so I gave everything up to focus on getting my health back.

"I decided it was the perfect opportunity to do what I had always wanted to do so I changed careers ­— and Kath had similar feelings.

"We thought we would have complementary skills and that we should go forward and open a bridal shop.

"We did a lot of research and I spoke to a lot of plus size brides and it got me thinking, because many shops only stock up to size 12.

"When someone is going shopping for their special day they need to be treated very well and be given the dress that's right for their shape."

Currently open to the public for business, Bridal 1632 will further celebrate a grand official opening at 12.30pm on October 27, attended by The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Jane Black.

The shop will also be hosting trunk shows featuring Ladybird bridalwear on October 13 and 14, and 20 and 21; and with Rosa Couture bridalwear on November 10 and 11.

To attend or for more information call 0161 425 4700 or email info@bridal1632.co.uk.