Here at Guides for Brides we are excited about the new trends for the spring bridal wear on show at the Harrogate British Bridal Exhibition. Veromia and Alfred Sung have gone for form fitting bridal gowns, enhancing the feminine figure. Where as Watters and Rosa Couture have re invented the ‘layers look’. It is all about piling on the style in tiers of soft ruffles or gossamer-fine top skirts to add texture and volume. Keep an eye out for mixed lace, tule and extravagant embroideries! White Rose and Agnes have brought a fun edge to the spring bridal scene trending fifties style dresses with nipped in waists,three quarter length sleeves and below the knee full skirts. The skirts are full and flirty and can complete your vintage look! Finally as more and more big name houses recognize the importance of the plus size market, their designers are going all out to produce stunning bridal gowns to show off those killer curves. With sculpted sweetheart necklines and glamorous embellishment, without question you will look beautiful on your big day!
Monthly Archives: August 2012
Looking forward to spring bridal wear!
New for Marrying You
Something New…
The ‘something new’ represents the new union between you and your groom and your hopes for a bright future in a new married life. Traditionally it is the wedding dress, but there are no rules and it can be anything that that is purchased new, for example your wedding flowers, shoes or wedding rings. You could carry the key to your new house if you are moving in together.
The Bride could wear a new lipstick or perfume, or have a new charm on her charm bracelet. How about new lingerie or garters? You could buy a new guestbook for your guests to write a personal message. Or why not travel in style to and from the wedding in a brand new car.
At the end of the day whats new is the memories you have of your special day. So go out and wow them.
Is an overseas wedding over the top?
Overseas and destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular. And it is no surprise when the average cost of a UK wedding is now £20,000 while it’s only £6,585 for a ceremony abroad. With the attraction of sunshine, good food and cheap bubbly, its hard to find reasons why not to go abroad to tie the knot! Even celebrities are going for the overseas option, for example the ‘Brangelina’ wedding which is on the horizon, is rumored to be taking place in a secretive part of France. Short Haul flights are becoming cheaper by the day and therefore your friends will find it easier and easier to come and enjoy your wedding abroad with you. If however, a more exotic location is for you, there are super cheap deals to Cuba, Thailand and Sri Lanka. So why not go abroad, before everybody realises it is the best thing to do and you can say you set a trend?
British Bridal Exhibition on the Horizon
The very exciting British B
ridal Exhibition is coming soon! This amazing bridal trade show runs from the 9th to the 11th September in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate. This star in the bridal calender is an action packed three day experience with the lastest in bridal wear, occasion wear, menswear and accessories. Not only will there be the well known brands but also new upcoming labels and designers, ready to show you what is coming up in spring/summer 2013 for wedding wear. If that isn’t enough there are catwalk shows, special evening events and celebratory parties! This is all wrapped up in a collection of vibrant bars and restaurants show you can shop until you drop! At Guides for Brides we are very excited to see the knew and upcoming trends and styles for the new seasons. So put this date in the diary and make sure you are ready for stunning couple of days! For more information go to www.bbeh.co.uk
Humanist Weddings are the future?
Humanist weddings are now the 3rd most popular weddings in Scotland! Currently if you want to get legally married in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and you are not religious you have to carry out a marriage or a civil partnership ceremony in a register office or an approved venue. However with a humanist wedding you have complete flexibility with the ceremony and, with the help of your celebrant, you can make your wedding totally unique!
With a humanist wedding the sky is the limit! Your wedding ceremony is no longer limited to licensed venues but can be held where ever is special to you. Whether that be on a boat, in your garden, or on the beach. You are no longer limited in terms of space to that stuffy register office! Your close friends and family can take part in the ceremony and you can choose music and readings that are special to you. You no longer feel the constraints of tradition and can have a wedding when, where and how you want it. It really gives you the chance to have a celebration that shows your special commitment between you both.
But is this the end of tradition? Perhaps there is a reason why these customs have lasted this long! For some people the church ceremony marks a real milestone in their relationship and adds weight to the commitment between them both.
So what is the future of weddings?
A bit of wedding nostalgia
Something Old…
The ‘something old’ part of the famous wedding poem represents the presence and importance of the past when moving into the future. However it can be difficult to choose that treasured heirloom when your special day is approaching fast. It could be an antique or just an item that represents something from your past.
It could be carried by the bride for example a vintage purse, compact mirror or childhood treasure. The bride could wear a vintage ribbon or hat pin on her dress, or a family heirloom such as a tiara. The location could be historic or transport could be carried out by a classic car.
If you want to be really different your rings could be carried on a childhood pillowcase or you could carry a love letter between your mother and father. If you don’t want to carry anything, you could display photographs of your grandparents and parents wedding or photos of you as a child.
It does not matter what it is as long as it is personal, special and memorable to you.
Feeling Blue…
Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something Blue….
This old rhyme still rings strong and therefore it is nice to think of unique ideas for each. It is a wedding tradition not only talked about on the day but also in years to come. So here are a few ideas to spark some inspiration when choosing ‘something blue’!
You could have something subtle for example blue confetti or a blue ribbon around your bouquet. You could go blooming blue with a blue floral arrangement or blueberries in the dessert. You could wear blue by painting your nails with blue polish, blue eye shadow or blue stones in your jewellery. How about blue shoes or a blue purse? Why not choose something a bit more secretive, just for you and your groom, for example a blue petticoat, blue garter or blue lingerie!
If you don’t want to wear blue yourself, you could have blue balloons or blue chair covers. You could even tie blue ribbons round your wedding favours!
The list is just endless. Its not something you need to feel blue about so let your imagination run wild.
What will you choose?
Tier cake or not Tier cake? That is the wedding question!
The moment when you cut into your wedding cake is a very special and memorable milestone of your wedding day. Although it is a tradition to have a classically stacked wedding cake, why not ‘cake’ into consideration other options for this sugary center piece?
How about a cupcake wedding cake? They are easy to transport and travel, you can get a range of different flavors. It also means each guest receives a pretty, petite parcel, each remaining individually stunning! Why don’t you consider a croquembouche? This splendid pile of cream filled profiteroles is unique, striking and unforgettable! The croquembouche is made fresh that day, fully transportable and does not need refrigeration. It can be easily shared and decorated with spun sugar. Even Madonna and Guy Ritchie chose a croquembouche for their December 2000 wedding! This stunning spire can also be made out of macaroons! Kate and William chose not only a traditional eight tiered cream masterpiece but also a McVitie’s chocolate biscuit cake.
The possibilities are endless… how about a marble cake or carrot cake or adding curd, fresh flowers/fruit, marzipan or meringue! You could be really adventurous and have a cheese wedding cake or chocolate fountain! The challenge is in finding someone to make what you fancy!
Break the cake mold and dare to be different!
Go for Gold?
Gold or Silver ?
With the Olympics and Medals on our minds why not take this chance to think about the type of metal for your wedding ring. Your wedding ring is a very special symbol and so needs to be carefully considered. Firstly, remember that your engagement and wedding ring must be similar grade of metal so that they do not wear each other down. Good quality jewelers will be able to give you advice on what is best to choose.
It is important to consider what complements your skin tone. Yellow gold will look best with olive skin tones and white gold flatters fair skin, whereas red heads are best suited with a lovely rose gold. Even though Gold is most commonly chosen there is nothing common about this precious metal. It can be mixed with other metals to give different unique tones and durability. There is a range of karats available from 24K pure gold which bends with daily wear to 9k which is duarable and is at a significantly lower cost!
However if you prefer silver jewelery it is best to choose white gold or platinum. It is a highly durable precious metal but it is more expensive than gold!
There are so many things to consider! Do you have a family tradition? What shape would you like? Jewel set or plain? The possibilities are endless…
Oxford Town Hall Wedding Fair Scam
We were disappointed to hear from the Oxford Mail that the Wedding Fair planned by Dorset firm Freeform Events for Oxford Town Hall on 26th August is a scam.
It is thought that a number of local wedding businesses have paid around £100 to exhibit at the Fair, but the event has never been promoted, the venue wasn’t confirmed and the organisers seem to have disappeared.
The event was planned for the day before the annual Eynsham Hall wedding fair on Bank Holiday Monday, 27th August, so fortunately many of Oxfordshire’s wedding businesses were already booked into that event.
We would encourage anyone thinking of exhibiting at, or visiting, a wedding show to check on the Guides for Brides Wedding Fair Diary where every wedding show or open day is listed free of charge. While it isn’t a guarantee that the event organisers won’t disappear before the event, we keep a close eye on the industry and ensure that bogus events, including this one, are not listed.
How to pick your bridesmaids?
How do you pick your bridesmaids with out causing a Bridezilla World War 3?
It is always difficult to know how many bridesmaids to have, but more is not always merrier! A good rule of thumb is to have one groomsman and one bridesmaid for every 50 guests – but that doesn’t mean you need to invite a stranger to make a perfect even number at the alter! Also more bridesmaids means more people have to agree on one dress! Secondly you need to consider how close they live you. If you are expecting your bridesmaids to hand write wedding invitations or make thousands of microscopic favours then your friend who lives in Timbuktoo is not the best idea. Thirdly, don’t forget your guy friends! Although it is the tradition to have a feminine bridesmaid if your best friend is a man then don’t immediately reject him. The person that knows you best will give you the best hen night, bridal shower and will make the day just the way you like it!
Finally it is important to let people know who your bridesmaids are. There is nothing worse than the wait for that ‘never-arriving’ request to be your bridesmaid. A real friend will understand the decision you make. Once you have made your decision remember to make your bridesmaids feel appreciated. Why not treat them to a spa day or have their hair and make up done for the wedding? Remember Happy bridesmaids makes a happy bride!