Good morning my lovelies! I intended in bringing you this at 9am this morning but just as I was about to hit the publish button, my browser crashed, meaning I had to re-write over 2 hours of work. And coffee, and breeeeeeeathe!! ;) {and update my browser and back up my files and learn from my mistakes again and everything!!}.
So I'm back for a jam-packed week of wedding blogging after a gorgeous few days away in a very sunny and welcoming London for The Luxury Wedding show – a new high end show organised by Ocean Media.
Having hopped on the train to Kings Cross on Thursday morning, for a little relaxation time with a lovely friend before the show, I was well slept and ready to take on a day of heels and high-bridal fashion. Stepping out onto the Kings Road on fresh, Autumnal Saturday morning, I had a little mooch about the fashion boutiques and coffee, before making my way to the venue…
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Kirsten Mavric
Described as 'London's premiere wedding event' and with a £50 entrance fee, did the show deliver? Darn right it did, on every level. The venue by the way was perfect {why haven't I been to The Saatchi Gallery before now? Love the tall ceilings, white space and glass – it is simply the best venue currently being utilised by any of the major wedding events in the UK right now}. The welcome was warm and friendly, the buzz about the lobby was exciting and in general, the mix of suppliers exhibiting was well balanced and the catwalk very slick show. The models just oozed elegance {and had the most amazing legs!}
With a front row view seat and press clearance to have a professional photographer snap away, it was a fabulous opportunity to see movement in the designs from some of the best in the industry, including newcomers The State of Grace, Charlotte Casadejus and Kula Tsurdiu, alongside more established brands like Temperley London Bridal, Candy Anthony and Vivienne Westwood. Full details of all the exhibitors who were at the show is available here.
Clutching a glass of champagne {or two?}, I sat next to my colleague Kirsten Mavric who took these brilliant photographs…
Candy Anthony looking gorgeous on the catwalk…
The State of Grace below…
Paper flowers made out of pages of the Financial Times, and lots of black glitter, from By Appointment Only Design…
The Not on the High Street gang were out and about…
Feathery fantasticness for Charlotte Casadejus…
The Raj Tent Club – imagine your wedding reception looking like this?
Delicious macaroons from Piere Hermes…
Who could mistake those beautiful red soles for Browns Bride?
The Master Calligrapher Paul Antonio at work on the By Appointment Only Design….
The show was spaced out over 2 floors with good space between each exhibitor. Access was easy via stairs and a lift and the place was certainly buzzing with many people by the time I arrived at mid-day on the Saturday (apparently the show was a sell-out}.
The bridal wear on offer was stunning – nothing of the ordinary here, and yet something for everyone, from the outrageous to the classic, vintage inspired to modern contemporary chic.
The grande dame of fashion forays into bridal wear, Vivienne Westwood…
David Fielden does modern couture…
The Luellas Boudoir stand was, as expected, packed full of pretty…
Luellas Boudoir owner Rachel Attwell below…
I love the concept of Maids to Measure – get all your Bridesmaids together for a party, measure them up and have dresses that cost no more than £200 each and are all made bespoke, designed on the spot. Genius!
Vicky Rowe and her team were proudly showcasing some of the new Leluxe Clothing designs that are now selling in the UK, alongside beautiful original Vintage Teaset wares…
The State of Grace Stand was a sight for sore eyes!! Oh my God, I literally was in awe of their exquisite bespoke creations, little crushed velvet jackets, tiny buttons, the most intricate hand embroidered cuffs and the most sumptuous lace ever, just incredibly gorgeous, all of it, and founder and Creative Director Lucia Silver is so nice! Read my interview with Lucia Silver here (includes video). Every passer by to the stand was offered a beautiful pair of silver or gold earrings…
I love the Illustries idea of pulling togehter an actual story of your life – not just your wedding day, using prose and photographs. They present this idea beautifully in a hard-back book. Saves you having to master Blurb!
The ladies on the Victoria Grant stand…
The ladies on the Mirror Mirror Couture stand were really lovely – turns out both their Mum's founded the business over 20 years ago! 😉
And then there was the catwalk show. Brides strutted down the raised platform carrying suitcases, birdcages and sporting incredibly elegantly styled hair…
And the best of the rest…
Highlights for the show for me were:-
♥ The State of Grace - my heart skipped a beat as I approached their stand, just incredibly beautiful couture, absolutely exquisite…
♥ Bumping in to Charlotte Casadejus & grabbing a coffee & chat before the show – also seeing Charlotte's incredible designs. Huge congratulations to Charlotte for being the newest designer to be accepted into Browns Bride too!
♥ Kula Tsurdiu on the catwalk – a fresh, exciting and very stylish take on short wedding dresses…
♥ Seeing my lovely friends Javier of By Appointment Only Design who was being assisted on the 'BAOD' stand by the ever talented Paul Antonio – their new 'Music Room' candle is divine!!
♥ Seeing many industry colleagues, not all of whom I had the pleasure of being able to catch up with, but luckily I got to hung and hang out a little bit with Tiffany Grant Riley, Amma, Kelly, Charley,Paul and Javier, Catherine, Bijoux Bride, Ruth from Harriet Wilde Shoes, Sally Lacock, Janet Mohapi Banks, Roz Hubert, Michelle, Brett and Kirsty Harkness {what a beautiful bump you were sporting there Kirsty!} and many more – sadly I just didn't get the opportunity to talk to all the people I saw!!
Myself {right} and Tiffany Grant Riley at the Luella's Boudoir stand below…
Bloggers and industry friends having a drink. We strategically located ourselves right next to the Champagne bar. That's Amma, myself, Charley, Tiffany and the very lovely Kirsten…
…and the same line-up, only this time Kirsten is behind the camera and that's Kelly on the right 😉
I really very much enjoyed this show – it was a very pleasurable day especially as I got to spend time with Kirsten – who I went out with afterwards {we went Caggie and Spencer watching on the Kings Road – haha!}. I really do hope the event organisers repeat the show next Spring.
Did you attend the show? If so, what did you think?
Brides – did you think the show was worth the £50 entry fee and what did you get from the show?
Who were your favourite exhibitors and why?
With much Monday morning love 🙂
Annabel xXx
♥
ps – I'd like to thank my wonderful friend Laura for providing me with a home in London for a few days – it was a fabulous retreat and I'm so very excited now about seeing you again at Fetcham next weekend! 🙂