York dressmaker to feature in BBC3 programme (From York Press)

York dressmaker to feature in BBC3's Don’t Tell The Bride

7:57am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News By Julie Hayes, Business editor

A DRESSMAKER from York is to appear on television tonight after custom-making a wedding dress for a reality show.

Jane Elmer, of Jane Elmer Haute Couture, was approached by BBC3 to create a wedding dress for Don’t Tell The Bride, which will be screened tonight at 9pm.

Jane, who has been a self-employed couturier for more than 30 years, had to create a wedding dress in only a week and a half and without meeting the bride, for the television show in which the groom is responsible for organising the entire wedding.

In the show, grooms usually turn to the high street. However, in tonight’s episode, the groom, Anthony, from Leeds, wanted to have input in designing the dress, said Jane, who works from her home at Albemarle Road, South Bank.

Jane was not allowed to speak to the bride, Holly, or do any kind of fittings until the night before then wedding. Jane, who was unfamiliar with the programme, has watched some episodes since she completed the project.

“Thank God I didn’t watch it beforehand, because I would have been concerned about the tantrums.

“Holly came the night before the wedding at 5pm and left at 10.40pm.

“I was quite eager for that moment. I kept thinking ‘oh my God what if she doesn’t like it or it doesn’t fit properly’. I just wanted to know, I wanted her to be standing in front of me wearing the dress.”

“She looked extremely beautiful,” Jane said, but she too will have to wait until 9pm to see Holly’s interview about what she genuinely thought of the gown.

Jane said she had already had interest from new clients after talking about her experience on Facebook.

“I’ve never done any form of TV, so it was quite daunting. I’m not looking forward to seeing myself on TV but I couldn’t turn it down. I had to take the challenge,” she said.