A BRIDAL shop near Basingstoke is looking to recreate a well-known scene from Friends when it hosts a fundraising event for women.

Boo Bridal Boutique in Hartley Wintney is inviting groups of female friends to come and try on wedding dresses together who have no plans to get married, all in aid of St Michael’s Hospice.

The event was the idea of Boo Bridal’s owner Emma Watling, who said the boutique has been inundated with requests from women wanting to try on wedding dresses who aren’t engaged.

She decided to organise an event for women to have fun with their friends and try on the dresses to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice - a charity close to her heart. 

Emma's mother-in-law received end-of-life care at the hospice, and Emma wanted to find a way to donate to the charity. 

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The bridal shop owner and staff will all be donating their time and salaries for the day to the cause. 

The Charity Galentine’s Event will be held on February 16 when women can book a 30-minute slot with friends in return for a £20 donation to the hospice.

It invites women to donate to a worthy cause and celebrate the season of love with friends by dressing up in gorgeous gowns while recreating a well-known scene from Friends.

Emma said: “The event is open to everyone who has ever wanted to try on wedding dresses but never had the opportunity to do so.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

Anna Johnson-Brown, a stylist at the shop which was nominated by its customers in the bridal retailer category at the Wedding Industry Awards, said: “We always have bride’s guests who say they have never tried on a dress and we thought that doesn’t seem fair, let’s do a proper event.

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"We have veils and tiaras and a gold sequin wall, so it will be great for selfies and we will have some fun music playing.”

She added that the event is a reflection of Emma's passion for helping others, and said: "Raising money for the hospice is just one of the amazing things that Emma does as our boutique owner here at Boo.

"She is truly regarded by our brides as their Fairy God Mother - not only finding them their perfect dress and altering it here in house, but also acting as an emotional therapist (especially through Covid lockdowns) and number one fan-girl to all our brides to help them feel empowered and totally sensational on their big day."

The event is inspired by a well-known scene from the American sitcom Friends, when characters Phoebe, Rachel and Monica put on wedding dresses in their apartment to cheer themselves up.

To book visit boobridal.co.uk/book-now.