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The Latest Trends from The Designer Wedding Show
02/23/2009 - By Yasmine The Designer Wedding Show has to be the most indulgent and stylish display of wedding couture and trends I have ever seen. Each year I visit this amazing show with great expectation and each year it fails to dissappoint.
The whole experience is exquisite and makes me want to get married all over again!
The show is certainly one of a kind and a leader for trends within each wedding year. I quickly got to work scouring each stand to see what 2009 had on offer for our luxury brides.
Sophiei Hair BandsOne of the first stands to catch my eye (literally!) was Sophie from 'Sophiei', whose sparkly hair bands are sure to make every bride feel like a princess. She told me that Vintage and Art Deco influences have also been extremely popular this year and that she often gets her inspiration for each theme simply by experimenting with colours, styles and textures. It was, however, her unique 'wedding dress lampshade' that truly amazed me - an idea she invented to ensure a bride's dress no longer gathers dust at the top of her wardrobe but instead is transformed into a beautiful, yet functional home accessory.
Hhhmmm...all that sparkle had left me hungry - onto the cakes! Purita Hyam's smooth finish chocolate wedding cakes are a devine creation of perfection and look far too good to cut. Their endearing quirk is that each cake is finished off with fresh flowers from your very own bouquet.These cakes which are available in all shapes including four to five tier chocolate boxes are always a popular choice.
Jo Thorne Accessories
Jo Thorne is a favourite amongst brides for her consistently unique and sophisticated collection of accessories for brides which are designed to be worn after the wedding day itself. The designer's real cultured fresh water pearls are simply beautiful and come as hair pins or hair jewellery -very on trend this season. Even Jo's tiaras can be turned into a stunning piece of jewellery after the wedding day - now that's what I call recycling!
Emmy Bespoke Shoes
Vintage certainly seems to be one of the favourite styles of the wedding season and bespoke footwear designer, Emmy was at hand with her new Chateau Chic collection to satisfy the trend. As with all her beautifully handmade shoes, her collection of five new shapes oozes glamour and originality...but I personally think it has to be the trademark diamante, placed lovingly at the bottom of each shoe, which makes me feel like cinderella each time I try them on.
...as I contemplate which dress to wear with my Emmy shoes, the first of three catwalk shows start with model brides showcasing an array of dresses to suit each and every wedding theme.
Alice TemperleyOne of this show's big selling points is its display of Haute Couture Wedding Dresses from top designers. Amongst them, my all time favouritehas to be renowned dress designer, Alice Temperley. Ruffles and layers, all inspired by art deco is the designers current signature style. This year her wedding dress designs are hugely romantic with a contemporary take on fashions of the bygone eras such as the 'Catriona' with its 20's and 30's influence. Thankfully this is one wedding dress designer who appears to be getting bigger and better each year with a new made to order range now available.
Ok so perhaps enough for the bride at the moment...what does the Designer Wedding Show have for your handsome other half? Luxury men's tailor, Pal Zileri was at the show displaying the season's key textures for mens weddings suits including wool and mohair in gorgeous hues of grey and blue. The designer believes his strict tailoring methods combined with easy to wear suits are key when it comes to his popularity amongst grooms.
Wow! And it's not only the adults that are decked out in couture here! Luxe childrens designer, Little Bevan, is due to launch a brand new ready to wear collection for kids after Easter on the back of her already hugely popular and individually styled silk outfits for bridemaids and page boys. As far as colours for additional bridal party members go, Nicki Macfarlane Bridesmaids advised that Gun metal grey and silver might seem an odd choice in theory but has become increasingly popular due to the fact it goes perfectly with organza pinks and ivory.
Eco Brides with a taste for unique wedding favours, look no further than Fru Fru and Thomas, who give guests wedding crackers with a difference! Their latest eco friendly wedding cracker is made from organic handmade paper and raffia detail. Popular fillings include white chocolate mini hearts with natural flower confetti. Launching at the show were the new mini crackers in 5 designs and all with colour co-ordinated chocolates...truly beautiful!
Just as I was about to rest my weary feet with a cream tea and glass of champagne, I came across what some parents might deem as a life saving tool at a wedding...
Les Enfants Wedding Activity Box
This is amazing!! I want one!...although strictly they are supposed to be for little guests only. Anyway, our friends at Les Enfants have creatively come up with the Wedding Activity Box to keep our children happy and angelic at weddings. The box is a keepsake in itself and is designed to fit in with your wedding theme and so will compliment each table it is placed on. Contents include engaging things like a wedding activity book, little pencils, pairs game and a keepsake box.
Wyndam Grand
London Brides were being lured ten to the dozen by the grandeur of five star hotel Wyndam Grand - the only all suite hotel in London. Their latest purchase - a luxury boat moored in Chelsea Harbour (outside the hotel entrance) is now available for cocktail wedding receptions and offers a breathtaking backdrop of London and Chelsea harbour...ideal for those wedding pics!
And finally...time for the honeymoon
So where is everyone going for their honeymoon this year? The Turquoise Holiday Company's stand was enough to make me feel like packing my bags and jetting off there and then! Their specialist inspirational holidays are exactly what couples are looking for when going away after the wedding.
Many honeymoon requests combine activities with relaxation and pampering. Unique once in a lifetime experiences such as South Pacific Island hopping as well as hiking and diving are particularly popular.
So that's it for another year at The Designer Wedding Show...if you are a bride looking for luxury over budget then this is definately the place for you with each and every detail or request catered for. Until next time...happy planning!
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