Woman changes name to honour her favourite drink
A wedding dress designer has legally changed her name to reflect her favourite drink.
Samm Buca, 41, is a flaming success with brides-to-be as she designs gowns for their big day.
But Ms Buca is known for party shots more than bridal Prosecco as she is named after the alcoholic drink, Sambuca.
"I legally changed my name five years ago, it's my real name,” she said.
"I get asked about it all the time. I have to show my ID so people believe me."
Designer Ms Buca runs wedding dress shop Pink Butterfly Brides in Bridgend, South Wales, with help from mum Mama Butterfly and sister Andrea.
She took the plunge to change her name five years ago and now refuses to discuss her previous moniker.
"It has been my nickname for years. I was always Samm and then the Buca was, well, because I like a bit of a tipple,” Ms Buca said.
"It's what everyone knew me as and I thought well, why not make it my real name so I changed it by deed poll.
"I can't get away with anything now though. Who else do you know who's got white dreadlocks and is called Samm Buca?"
Ms Buca, who lives with partner Benji, three foster dogs and two chickens, opened the shop to cater for women of all shapes and sizes.
"I don't care what size or shape you are, you will look beautiful on your wedding dress,” she said.
"I opened the store in 2007 because I was at that age where a lot of my friends were getting married and I found that a lot of them didn't feel comfortable in bridal shops.
“They just weren't catering for the average person.
"I wanted to change that. I'm a big believer in women coming together and I want to spread a bit of happiness.
"For a lot of women it's the most important day of their lives. They shouldn't be looking at dresses and immediately thinking, 'Oh I need to lose three pounds now'."
The shop is now set to feature in a BBC Wales documentary called The Wedding Dress Shop.
– Australscope
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