Just came back from wedding fair.

lindaatno9

The exhibitors were fabulous. I was very impressed by the photography packages and can understand why they charge as much as they do. They are presented like a story book, not like the old "white albums" with tissue paper between each page.

The cakes were more like creations ranging from tiers of individual bite-sized cakes to a mountain of white and dark chocolate "leaves."
Favours went from the traditional almond through to toffee apples coated in white chocolate for the ladies and dark chocolate waistcoats for the men and chocolate belgian chocolates.

Flowers are still favouring to hand tied as opposed to showers.

Dresses. Wedding dresses have evolved in both style and fabrics from satins to taffetas, French laces and chiffons.
Dresses are now detailed with soft drapes, vintage ribbons and embellished belts,
But let’s not forget the traditional gowns we all love as they too have taken on a new twist. From greater volume skirts and layers of sheer fabrics, to sexy and silhouette with built-in corsets to accentuate that hourglass shape.
So, it was nice to actually see one there today.

Bridesmaid style is something that could possibly create problems but with many brides opting for mixing their styles but using the same colour, this is an option which is becoming very popular. Black was also on offer which compliments the black morning suit wonderfully.

Horace

I am just back from the wedding fair at the NEC and I must say that I was rather disappointed because it wasnt as big as the October one that I went to last year. Still I came away with some good contacts and I went with another planner from Hampshire and we had great fun but we were disappointed at the lack of freebies such as cake - the nice man at Slaters let us have some chocolates and Swizzles Matlow had some free sweets too so we had enough to keep us and my friends daughter going.

We saw some black wedding dresses which were divine. We also saw some candles that fit into holders where the main baseplate is under the table cloth and these holders are above the table cloth because the baseplate is magnetic and you can move them around as you want. We both tried to find that little something different.

lindaatno9

We had champagne offered to us at the door. This venue was The Devonshire Arms North Yorkshire. No where as big as the NEC.
Black wedding dresses! Are brides going to be that brave when choosing their gown? I would have a stab thet most will opt for tradition, being a little brave with the wonderful "blush" colours availabe at the moment. Years ago when I worked for a leading bridal salon, the nearest there was to colour was white with a hint of pink roses. Think for the whole season the dress was available, I only saw 1 client try it on.
In saying that, I have made a dark green dress with celtic embroidery at the sleeve and neckline, for a lady marrying midsummers day. She wore doc martins underneath, but was very "out there"

I think to find something unique, whether it dress, cake, table decorations must be very exciting. Don't you just love the wedding business?

Horace

I love the wedding business linda - I especially love finding the unusual bits. Mind you some the dresses we saw today were awful - one was smokey grey and looked as though it had been made from toilet paper as it was frilly, creased and looked very very tatty (each to their own I guess but this was truly awful).

lindaatno9

lol Horace. There is a V famous designer at the mo. Their stuff looks very creased and quite grubby but I wonder if it's the colours or fabrics they are using. I am so familiar with this particular designer I knew it was theirs before seeing the label. There was a gown at the fair we were at today. Very creased and the lace looked grey and unhealthy. I do wonder if some gowns are made for effect rather than made to wear.
Like you, I love the business. There is no greater satisfaction than seeing everything come together. On many occasion I have been asked to help the bride get ready on the day. I press the dress for them and help them dress, and other members of the party. It's so sad when it's all over!

Horace

I think you are fab because you can actually make a dress whereas I cannot see to thread a needle let alone sew on a button:rolleyes:

The NEC was rubbish and certainly not worth the £14 to get in plus they charged £8 to park:eek: My mate picked me up so she paid for parking whilst I paid for the drinks whilst we were there, then I came home on the train. The best show I went to was at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester last year - they gave us champagne but if you were driving like me then you got a glass of elderflower fizz instead and we were given heart shaped biscuits to nibble on, the exhibitors all had something to eat too so I tried cake and chocolate fountains etc.

I did something today that I never normally do and that was to enter competitions to win things - if I win something then I can pass it on.

I am branching out too and organising events - from parties to product launches which is great fun.:D

siren13577

lindaatno9 wrote: »

We had champagne offered to us at the door. This venue was The Devonshire Arms North Yorkshire. No where as big as the NEC.
Black wedding dresses! Are brides going to be that brave when choosing their gown? I would have a stab thet most will opt for tradition, being a little brave with the wonderful "blush" colours availabe at the moment. Years ago when I worked for a leading bridal salon, the nearest there was to colour was white with a hint of pink roses. Think for the whole season the dress was available, I only saw 1 client try it on.
In saying that, I have made a dark green dress with celtic embroidery at the sleeve and neckline, for a lady marrying midsummers day. She wore doc martins underneath, but was very "out there"


I think to find something unique, whether it dress, cake, table decorations must be very exciting. Don't you just love the wedding business?

I have a black wedding dress with cream/ivory and black bodice and detachable cream/ivory roses scattered over the skirt which is organza. It sounds a bit more 'gothic' than it is but apparently black is becoming more prevalent and popular, at least I'll look thinner without trying, lol!!! Glad you had a good day!!!!

lindaatno9

siren13577 wrote: »

I have a black wedding dress with cream/ivory and black bodice and detachable cream/ivory roses scattered over the skirt which is organza. It sounds a bit more 'gothic' than it is but apparently black is becoming more prevalent and popular, at least I'll look thinner without trying, lol!!! Glad you had a good day!!!!

Actually, that sounds wonderful. Is the organza skirt ivory or black?
I think black is becoming more prevalent I agree. And I think bridesmaids will be greatful to wear something in black as it can be worn again.



Horace, good luck with event planning. I wouldn't know where to start! I can't believe they charged you to go in. Is that normal?

kayleigh_b69

im sooo glad i never forked out to go the NEC after the comments above

Minxy_Bella

My 7 bridesmaids are all in black - as I think it looks very chic plus it will suit all of them as their ages range from 7-52!

Leylauk

I was also at the Dev Arms wedding fair - it was a really good one I thought - just a nice size!!! Am having my wedding recpetion at the Dev Arms in July so it was great to see it all set up so lovely. I went to the Yorkshire Bridal show a few weeks ago and didnt rate it to be honest, it was too big an impersonal.

I even got to see my dress all set up on the Ava Rose mannequin (am having the ivory one with the roses down to one side) so that was a bonus too!

The cakes really were fab.

Glad you had a good day x