Pretty Aplenty At Brides The Show (Show Report, 3-5 October 2014)

So, after all the build-up here on Love My Dress, I spent Saturday in a haze of wedding happy at Brides The Show on behalf of Annabel and our team (Annabel was with Nordica Photography in Iceland giving a presentation about wedding blogs at their professional photographers workshop – lucky devil!).

If like me, you made it to the show,  you’ll no doubt know what I mean and if you didn’t, I hope this review gives you super quick catch-up on what you missed without making you feel too sad that you weren’t there.

Above, Halfpenny London on the catwalk

This was Brides The Show’s first venture north of the river after two stints down in Battersea and the Business Design Centre in Islington was a great home for this event – it’s light thanks to that beautiful domed roof and it certainly doesn’t have that soulless corporate conference centre feel. It’s also a great size – large enough to allow lots of exhibitors to set up their stands for the weekend, compact enough so you don’t get lost and quirky enough to provide spaces for those interesting features that Brides The Show did really well. So, with the venue working well, let’s move onto all the bridal beauty that was on show…

I’d timed my arrival, like the control freak I am, so that I could go straight to the catwalk and indulge myself with gorgeous gowns and oh my, I was not disappointed. Brides Fashion Director Bryony Toogood certainly delivered on her ‘English Rose’ promise and the whole catwalk area was styled to perfection. The models appeared through a half open gate and walked up a runway edged with rambling flowers. It was beautiful and spectacular and I loved it.

Above, The Revival Rooms

The show opened with a silk tulle dream of a dress from Halfpenny London and was followed by exquisite designs from the likes of Ian Stuart, Elizabeth Todd, Naomi Neoh, Arga & Arga, Katya Katya Shehurina, Stephanie Allin, Britta von Basedow, David Fielden, Charlotte Simpson, Vicky Rowe Bridal, Zaeem Jamal and Andrea Hawkes Bridal.

Above, Andrea Hawkes Bridal

It was such a treat to see all of these gowns right in front of you and I must have thought ‘yes, that’s my favourite’ at least ten times during the show. Bridesmaids weren’t left out either with the collections from Maids To Measure, Not Another Boring Bridesmaid Dress and twobirds making an appearance but, predictably, it was the darling little mini-models in the flowergirl dresses from Little Bevan that made everyone coo.

Aside from the gowns on the catwalk, there were also plenty more in the stands around the show and it was just wonderful to see the eco-chic dresses from Minna Hepburn after I wrote about them in this feature just last week. There were layered skirts, simple lines, beads and embellishments, cap sleeves and plunging necklines in abundance from all of the designers so fashion forward brides, take note! A Vicky Rowe tulle and satin dress on the catwalk was incredibly popular and the coloured underskirts and delicately patterned overskirts from Katya Katya Shehurina kept her stand very busy too.

Below, Vicky Rowe

Flower walls were also much in evidence and the neon accents from Mary Jane Vaughan and the soft pastels on the heavenly scented Rosewood London stand showed just how adaptable these features are. Zita Elze was attracting lots of attention with a simply stunning floral dress and we’ll be featuring exclusive content from Zita and her award-winning stand later this week. A new name to me was The Revival Rooms and their styling really made me smile – as did they and it was great to meet such enthusiastic and passionate people. Amie Bone and Rebel Rebel had also gone all out on their stand design and Jamie Aston didn’t let me down either – so much floral artistry.

Above, Vicky Rowe

My stationery loving heart was made happy by Eagle Eyed Bride and Caxton London among others and there were literally nothing on the Lila stand I did not want to take home. I also had a little swoon over shoes from Charlotte Mills and Freya Rose but frankly, who wouldn’t?

Aside from the venues, photographers, hair and make-up experts and entertainers, Brides The Show also excelled in giving visitors more to do than just winding their way up and down aisles between stands and slowly losing their bearings. There was The Sommelier’s Table (packed every time I walked past with visitors sipping happily during tutored tastings), the Imagination Room (I did hop into Nila Holden’s cookie decorating workshop and am already looking forward to trying her ideas at home) and the On The Sofa sessions with wedding experts also looked more popular than ever.

Clockwise from left to right: The Rosewood London Hotel, Mary Jane Vaughan, Minna

It’s beyond fabulous to see an event creating something that’s a bit different and from the snippets of conversations I overheard on Saturday, everyone who visited was loving the styled & curated vibe of Brides The Show. As someone who has been part of the wedding industry for well over a decade now (I’m not that old really, don’t judge), I know just how tricky wedding shows are – brides want to be inspired, exhibitors was to attract new clients and everyone wants to be part of a well organised, well put together and well thought out event.

Brides The Show ticked all the boxes and I’m already looking forward to the next one. Once my poor little aching feet have recovered anyway!

Love Tamryn xx

 

All imagery taken by Tamryn on her iPhone