VICTORIA Farquhar's life has always revolved around weddings.

From dreaming of the perfect gown from a young age to having a starring role in the BBC Three show Don't Tell the Bride, the 39-year-old from Blantyre is an expert in the celebration.

Victoria even traded in her job with British Airways to open a bridal boutique.

The entrepreneur, who was born in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, worked with BA for 14 years before opening Etiquette Bridal Couture in Main Street, Uddingston.

In August, Victoria expanded her business by opening a branch in Glasgow's House of Fraser.

She said: "I was new to the bridal wear industry before my first store opened.

"BA was closing its base in Glasgow Airport.

"I had the option to go down south but I had worked there before, so I thought about doing something else.

"I hadn't quite decided what it was going to be, but I was fitting wedding planning round my shifts, so thought I would do that.

"I loved the airline industry, I loved the buzz about it, but sometimes things change in your life and you've got to take a risk."

Victoria went to Business Gateway for advice and it was then that she realised there was a gap in the market for bridal wear in some parts of Lanarkshire.

In July 2007, she put the business plan together and her first store opened in January the following year.

She said: "There was nothing bridal at all in Uddingston or Bothwell.

"Everything was in Hamilton and East Kilbride.

"I found a great shop. It needed a lot of work done to it but we put the work in.

"I had originally thought about doing just handbags and shoes, but then I realised you want the girl to buy everything in the one shop if she can, so I decided to go for it."

Victoria stocks bridal gowns by designers including Augusta Jones, Aire Barcelona and Veromia Couture, as well as accessories and bridesmaid dresses.

When producers from the reality TV programme Don't Tell the Bride, in which the groom has to pick all the details for his wedding - from the cake to the bridal gown - called the store more than two years ago, Victoria thought it was a prank.

She said: "They wanted to use the boutique in the show to kit out the bride and her bridesmaids.

"I thought it was a joke.

"They visited us and at that point of time we didn't know if he was going to buy from us.

"But they came and they bought a dress. We had a great wee day."

Mark Loney, from Glasgow, was ­arranging the wedding for his bride Jill McClintock, after she handed the celebration plans over to him.

The following week the film cameras came again to Victoria's store as bride-to-be Jill came to view her dress. However, it didn't go to plan.

Victoria said: "I understand more than anyone that brides can go through that mini meltdown.

"On the lead up to my own wedding I went on a wine only diet. I get why it happened."

Jill became emotional when she was shown her dress - a plain, panelled creation with a fishtail finish - because it was not what she hoped for.

With the wedding due to take place at the Wickerman Festival the following day, Victoria stepped in to help Jill find the dress of her dreams.

Victoria said: "I was in my shop and was doing the job I do every day.

"So I just helped find her something she would love, like I would do with any bride-to-be."

The show aired on September 11, last year - and Victoria said the phone did not stop ringing after.

"Because it was ultra dramatic it was great," said Victoria.

"Loads of people from down south were calling me as well as people up here.

"They wanted to know what dresses we had and where they were from.

"When it was filming I couldn't tell anybody what was happening.

"People would stop past and say: 'Victoria, what's going on?'

"And I'd say: 'They're filming River City.' It was the first thing that popped into my head.

"They were a fantastic couple and they're still happily married."

Victoria saw her work imitate life in December 2011 when she married her partner Mark in Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond.

She said: "I got married three years ago to Mark.

"We got engaged at Mark's 40th birthday party. It was a fantastic day from start to finish and I wore a lovely strapless dress."

Victoria says she enjoys being in the city centre offering budding brides from all over Scotland advice when they view her studio in House of Fraser.

She said: "I just want brides to be happy with no fuss and they can come and visit our boutique and relax.

"If I can help a bride in any way I'm happy, whether that's letting them try on different styles or just having a chat about what they want."

For information, call 0141 221 2380, e-mail info@etiquettebridalcouture.com or visit http://www.etiquettebridalcouture.com/

Kids Corner

There's an array of products on the market for children, but before you throw any old bottle into your shopping trolley, it's worth checking the label. Claire Spreadbury selects the kindest lotions for little people

BRING ON THE BUBBLES

Many organic bubble baths fail to score highly on the bubble-ometer, but thankfully, this is not one of them. Childs Farm is an award-winning and affordable range born in Britain and supports the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) by donating 10% of all profits to the charity. Childs Farm Bubble Bath For Sweet Dreams, £4.69 (www.childsfarm.com)

SOFT AND SILKY

If your children suffer from eczema or dry skin, it's better to opt for a bath oil over bubbles. After her daughter was given an eczema prescription for products full of nasties, Lisa Johnson decided to make her own. The result is an organic body range, including a hugely successful Scratchy Balm.LJ's Organic Natural Scratchy Bath/Body Oil, £8.95 (www.lj-natural.com)

SQUEAKY CLEAN

Suitable for the whole family, Origins products are made without parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA, petrolatum, paraffin, DEA and animal ingredients (except cruelty-free honey and beeswax). Origins A Perfect World Creamy Body Cleanser with White Tea, £21 (www.origins.co.uk)

BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP

Sometimes a good old-fashioned bar of soap is all you want to get kids clean, especially when they're little. Bamford Baby is a capsule range which is Soil Association-approved and contains a beautiful blend of camomile, lavender and tea tree to calm and purify the skin, all sourced from the UK. Bamford baby soap, £10 (www.bamfordbody.co.uk)

LUSCIOUS LOCKS

Though this formula does contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate, the Johnson's 'no more tears' promise means it doesn't sting should it come into contact with eyes. The new bottle pumps out a foamy formula which makes for easy hair washing with a super-fast rinse. Johnson's Baby Easy-Rinse Foam Shampoo, £2.99, Ocado (www.ocado.com)

PERFECT CONDITION

After hair washing comes conditioning, but keep life simple with this spray-on product. Galvin & Galvin's Dubble Trubble range is bursting with botanical extracts and natural and organic ingredients, meaning all the products smell good enough to eat. A few squirts of this conditioner and kids are ready for their PJs. Galvin & Galvin Dubble Trubble Cool Cucumber Detangling Spray, £2.50, Morrisons

TO BE OR KNOT TO BE

Knots can cause big problems after bath time. Banish tantrums, tears and tangles by using a Michel Mercier Untangle Your Day hairbrush. The 428 bristles, positioned at 32 different heights and 16 different diameters, glide easily through wet or dry hair. And for extra comfort, hold down the root of the hair with the palm of your hand and brush downwards.Untangle Your Day Kids' Detangling Brush, available for fine, normal or thick hair, £12.95 (www.michelmercier.co.uk)