Perhaps one of the most surprising things for me in terms of becoming a published author, is discovering I have a real passion for getting out there and participating in wedding fairs and exhibitions.
In the past two weeks, I have exhibited at The Zoe Lem Vintage Wedding
Fair in London and The Brides Up North Vintage Wedding Fair in York.
And I have absolutely loved it.
The best part about it, aside from getting to spend time with good colleagues and friends, is that I get to meet face-to-face with my readers – real brides and their fiances and mum's and families. It's so incredibly rewarding to hear from these people how much of a role Love My Dress has played in their wedding planning journey so far, and how various new suppliers have been discovered through these much loved wedding blog pages. I love having the opportunity to connect with my readers this way, and so on Sunday this weekend, I'll be exhibiting and selling signed copies of
my book at The Wedding Institute – a creative and vintage wedding affair being hosted in the pretty seaside town of Saltburn in North Yorkshire…
Exhibiting at wedding
fairs isn't something new to me; I've previously exhibited in my capacity as a
professional blogger at The Designer Vintage Bridal Show but this time
is different. This time, I have a product to showcase, a beautiful hard-back book, Style Me Vintage: Weddings – my first published piece of work that I'm so very proud of. It makes all the difference for me to have something to touch and hold and share with great pride with my readers.
The Wedding Institute pulls together some of North Yorkshire's most exciting suppliers, each of whom are leading the field creatively, winning awards and pushing the boundaries with their outstanding work. It really is a privilege knowing I'll be getting a whole day in their company on Sunday – I can't wait to eat cake and hang out a little with these good folk, it's going to be such a lovely day;
Stationers
Linen stationery and reception styling from The Vintage Drawer
Paper Stationery from Ruby Shoes Wedding and Peaches and Queen
Photographers and Film
Becky Mitchell, Sally Thurrell, Helen Russell and the award winning Green Biscuit Studio (video)
Hair Accessories Make up & Hair
What Katy Did Next Make-up-by-Jo, Cordelia & Co and Vintage Tinsel
Floral Styling For your Bottom drawer
Darling & Green Vintage homewares from Owen & Hunter
Bridalwear & Fashion
Vintage at Number 18 and Truly Beautiful
Props & Signage & China Hire
Oh, Abigail, Sweet Pea Events, Alice’s Vintage Kitchen
Cake & Sweet Things
That Cake, The Olde Young Teahouse
Jewellery and Specialist Crafts & Gifts
The Faded Nest, Schmoobamboo, Thimblestitch of Whitby
I hope to see you there! Please come and find me on the day and we can share tea, cake and wedding chats and I'd be delighted to sign a copy of my book and pop a few little treats into a goody bag for you 🙂
Another thing I wanted to share with you today follows a really touching email I received this morning from one of the loveliest ladies I have had the good fortune of working with – Jo, of Shoot Lifestyle Wedding Photography. Jo got in touch to thank me for the opportunity of allowing some of Shoot Lifestyle's photography to feature in my book.
If you have the book already – turn to the chapter on the Edwardian bride to see an example of a real bride who chose to wear a stunning original Edwardian gown, all captured beautifully on camera by Shoot Lifestyle Wedding Photography. Jo has blogged about it here, where you can see more pretty images and sneak preview from inside the book…
Imagery below Copyright (c) 2013, Shoot Lifestyle Imagery
What touched me the most of Jo's email was the following comment;
"…The real reason for my email though is that I have just had my mum’s family history done for her 80th birthday and whilst researching I came across this amazing photograph from my great aunt’s wedding in 1937. Aunty Emily was 21 and my mum was her 4 year old bridesmaid. When I saw it I fell in love with it and thought you might like it too!
Thank you so much once again for using Tamsin’s wedding dress in your book, I’m so proud that she is in it."
Isn't that a fascinating image? Jo, thank you so very much for allowing me to share this with my readers and for so kindly allowing your beautiful photography to be featured in my book – it means the world to me. The book simply would not be the beautiful product it is without it's gorgeous visual content. Please also tell your Mum she made a very bonny bridesmaid indeed 🙂
By the way, the image above reminds me of this really well-written feature I read earlier this week on the importance of group shots in wedding photography – it's a must read.
If you haven't yet got yourself a copy already, you can buy Style Me Vintage: Weddings via Amazon today. It really is beautiful, even I may be just a tiny bit biased.
Have a lovely afternoon and relaxing Friday evening won't you,
Annabel
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
