A HALE author is celebrating after having her first work published.

Helen Dugdale, of Grove Lane, penned the book, called Bridal Moment, while planning her own wedding last year, which she says offers couple’s top tips and advice in the lead up to the big day.

The book’s key message though, is quite simple: “Cherish the journey to saying ‘I do’, and don’t sweat over the small things,” says Helen.

She said it was a particularly pertinent message at this time of year as the wedding season really gets underway.

“It’s amazing when you start talking to people about their wedding how many experience hiccups along the way,” she said.

“At the time when something goes wrong it seems the end of the world, but really it’s just part of your own unique wedding story.

“When I started to plan my big day I noticed how serious everything was about the world of weddings. Everything looks nice and fluffy, but dig a bit deeper and it’s all about lists and budgets.

“Obviously, these things are important, but I wanted to have a laugh while looking at my wedding spreadsheet.

“The industry piles so much pressure on women to have the dream day and to expect everything to go smoothly – it’s no wonder when the smallest problem pops-up, they have a strop.’ she said.

Published by Marshall Cavendish, Helen says her book offers some well-worn pearls of wisdom, shares stories of other people’s bridal moments good, bad and ugly, and provides a spot of light relief for those knee deep in wedding chaos. It even offers women tips on how to get their men to pitch in as the big day approaches.

“I’m not a wedding expert, but the people I interviewed for the book are,” says Helen. “I made sure everyone I spoke to offered real, down-to-earth advice, not just the pomp and fluff that you can get from the magazines.”

Helen says she’s currently working on her next book, which is aimed at children.