Reality TV star and bridal designer April Banbury is adding an exciting twist to the world of wedding planning. She’s offering one lucky fan the opportunity to say “I do” in the very same wedding gown she wore on Married At First Sight UK. Not only is this gown breathtaking, but it’s also uniquely special as April crafted it herself!
This exquisite couture dress, designed and sewn in just two weeks leading up to her whirlwind wedding in 2022, is now part of a feel-good social media giveaway that’s already resulted in a wave of laughter, heartwarming love stories, and some rather hilarious wedding-day mishaps! On her Instagram, April invites her followers to share why they deserve to win the gown or to recount their funniest wedding tales, sparking a delightful flood of comments.
Among the hopeful entrants, one delightful bride shared that she didn’t even wear a dress as she tied the knot spontaneously in Las Vegas. Another bride confessed that she danced so energetically on her wedding day that she ended up needing medical attention. A fellow MAFS enthusiast hilariously recounted the time her husband took a tumble off a cannon during their wedding photoshoot and landed right on top of her.
April, who has a rich background in bridal styling, has recently launched her own bridal collection. As she plans to part with her iconic MAFS dress, she’s eager to pass on the joy it brought her to someone who’ll cherish it just as much.
“I made this dress for my own wedding day, and it means the world to me,” April shares. “But it deserves to be loved again — not locked away in a wardrobe. Whether you’re planning your dream wedding, entering a pageant, or just want a slice of reality TV glam, I can’t wait to pass it on to someone special.”
April’s journey as a designer hasn’t been without its hurdles. With a BA (Hons) in Fashion Design, she faced critical discouragement from a former partner, who saw her ambitions as unrealistic, alongside serious health challenges like a disc prolapse that left her hospitalized and enduring chronic pain. Despite these setbacks, her passion never waned.
“Having my aspirations discouraged in the past has only made me more driven to succeed,” she states. “Launching my own brand is an exciting milestone. For me, there is no better feeling than helping a bride find the most important dress of her life.”
The fashion world is starting to take notice of April’s designs. Kelsey Parker, widow of The Wanted’s Tom Parker, attended the pre-launch of her collection, raving about the pieces. Love Island finalist Matilda Draper also got a sneak peek of the collection, sharing her excitement online, exclaiming, “I can’t cope,” as she tried on various stunning gowns.
Interestingly, while participants of Married At First Sight receive a wardrobe budget for their wedding attire, April disclosed that her gown was worth at least five times that amount, making it a remarkable and glamorous opportunity for the lucky winner.
To seize the chance of winning this stunning dress, be sure to follow @aprilbanbury on Instagram and share your story in the comments. One special bride will soon have the exquisite opportunity to walk down the aisle in a gown with a compelling backstory, made famous on television.