So he has just popped the big question, if you’re anything like me you have been dreaming about this day since you first met!

For those of you who don’t already know, I am the girl who is obsessed with weddings. I decided to start this website ‘The Wedding Girl’s SOS’ so I could share with other brides all the fabulous things I find and keep you up-to-date with all things ‘wedding’. Read about everything from sample sale days to the hottest honeymoon destinations, plus great tips and advice from industry experts on lots of different topics from Wedding Budgets to Flower Arrangements. I also review all the latest ‘must have products’ for brides and run regular competitions to win fabulous prizes.

So check in regularly to follow me on my journey to the altar and find out what’s hot in the world of weddings!

From 6th to 20th July 2013 double award winning designer Sassi Holford will be offering huge reductions of up to 70% on selected sample gowns from her classic English bridal collections.

The London boutique sale will have a selection of stunning sample gowns from Sassi’s Couture Collection which is an opportunity not to be missed to acquire a Sassi Holford couture design at an unbelievable price!

Sassi’s Taunton boutique has a wide range of sample gowns at greatly reduced prices from the Sassi Holford Signature Collection, So Sassi and Enzoani.

On the morning of the first day of the sale, in both stores, it is ‘first come, first served’ but from 12 noon the sale will be by appointment only.

74 Fulham Road, London – 020 7584 1532 – London@sassiholford.com

6 The Bridge, Taunton, Somerset – 01823 256308 – Taunton@sassiholford.com

Contemporary couture label Beyond Burlesque, headed up by Vivienne Westwood’s specialist corsetiere designer Belinda Chorley, launches Hitched capsule collection for Autumn/Winter 13/14 .

Hitched is bespoke couture for avant-garde brides and the new capsule collection for Autumn Winter 13/14 is now available to view: short ’50s style dresses feature alongside long vintage, classically corseted fishtail skirts with pattern and texture.

This new label is about self expression and the beauty in every woman. Belinda’s signature unique wedding dresses are often shaped around a corset base to create aymmetric sculptures in silk – creations as ethereal or as seductive as the bride to be desires.

Belinda Chorley is the go-to designer for fashion insiders in search of bespoke luxury. Belinda’s path to luxury bridal couture is informed by her own progression through club culture and fetish wear to high-end couture which has seen her appointed as Vivienne Westwood’s specialist corsetiere, an affiliation that has cemented her graduation to luxury couture. She has had the privilege of dressing a cast of international leading ladies in Beyond Burlesque including Angelina Jolie, Gillian Anderson, Rebecca Bottone and Greta Scacchi.

With so many wedding dress styles to choose from these days, it’s helpful to have a good selection of accessories to compliment your look.

With this in mind, here at catherinemee.com we have brought together an irresistible collection of bridal accessories including wedding bags, hair accessories, jewellery, stoles, garters and more.

Our beautiful one-off vintage hair accessories are a sure way to keep your look is as unique and individual as you.

We have a delightful range of handmade jewellery that coordinates perfectly with our hair accessories, not to mention our delicate handmade garters which are made to order and can be customised to suit your individual needs.

Catherine Mee also stock a generous selection of wedding bags, including everything from crystal encrusted clutches to handmade lace bags by a talented up and coming British designer.

Whatever your requirements, we believe in helping every bride show off their unique sense of style on their special day.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER – 10% off for Wedding Girl’s SOS readers

Shop at www.catherinemee.com now and use the Wedding Girl’s SOS discount code ‘WGSOS’ to receive a 10% discount on your order.

Caroline Castigliano’s Knightsbridge Boutique is offering brides who are getting married in 2014 the chance to have a free made-to-measure appointment worth £450! Any bride-to-be who orders her dress between the 1^st & 14^th June 2013 will be given the free service which ensures her dress will be made to her specific body measurements.

The purchase of a Caroline Castigliano gown is an investment in a masterpiece of luxury and style. At Caroline Castigliano everyone is passionate about their craft. Only the most luxurious fabrics and laces are used to create these exquisite designs.

For your made to measure gown, you will meet with a fully trained Castigliano Fitting Manager. Their fitters have all worked at the highest level of couture and their experience ensures a personal service and quality experience, you will have up to 20 body measurements taken so your gown will be created specifically for you. Their made to measure gowns are fashioned by technicians who skilfully drape and sew the fabric into shape, championing the traditions of quality craftsmanship. Every gown is meticulously handcrafted here in the UK to guarantee excellence.

Castigliano’s signature is a silhouette, which is unquestionably feminine and effortlessly elegant. Her unique ability to cut and construct garments, enables her to create a gown that is confident and sexy, yet exudes a deep sense of style. Everything about a Castigliano gown is unique; from the exquisite choice of fabric, to the foundation of the gown, which is created using unique corsetry and undergarments techniques.
Read on…

If like me you have been waiting on the edge of your seat for the release of The Great Gatsby, you will absolutely love this Gatsby inspired shoot shot by the very talented Andy Griffin.

Andy along with London based Wedding and Event Planners and Stylists Perfect Events put together this jaw dropingly beautiful styled shoot to celebrate the release of the movie.

What if Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby got married?

The concept of the shoot is in essence Perfect Events take on Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby’s wedding day, with 1920s art deco styling, a palette of pastel shades with gold accents which is always so pretty and elegant for weddings.

Perfect Events selected a team of outstanding suppliers to collaborate with to bring their vision to life, choosing Down Hall a historic luxury Country House, situated in Hertfordshire/Essex countryside, which dates back to 1540 when it was sold by Henry VIII to a William Glascock, as the perfect location.

The shoot captured wonderfully by multi-award winning Andy Griffin Photography features amazing detail throughout with beautifully decorated cakes by Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium, exquisite venue décor by Mediterranean Occasions.

In true 1920s style the bride wears stunning embellished vintage gowns complete with accessories by Rock My Vintage Dress, hair and makeup by Bespoke Occasions, while the delectable groom dons attire from Cole’s Menswear.

A delightfully inspiring vintage themed shoot.

Enjoy!!

If you would like to watch a video from behind the scenes of the shoot, have a look here https://vimeo.com/62324525

Credits

Images © Andy Griffin Photography

Perfect Events – www.perfectevents4all.com Concept, Planning and Styling

Andy Griffin Photography – www.andygriffinphotography.com Photography

Down Hall – www.downhall.co.uk Shoot location

Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium –  www.elizabethscakeemporium.com Wedding Cakes and Dessert Table

Venue Stylists Mediterranean Occasions – www.venuestylist.co.uk Venue décor

Rock My Vintage Dress – www.rockmyvintagedress.com Vintage dresses, Brooch bouquets and bridal accessories

Over The Top Rentals – www.overthetoprentals.co.uk Table linen

Classic Crockery – www.classiccrockery.co.uk Vintage tableware

Lord Cars – www.lordcars.co.uk Vintage Rolls Royce

Bespoke Occasions – www.bespoke-occasions.co.uk Hair and Makeup

Rosetone Event Furniture – www.rosetone.co.uk Chiavari chairs

Picture Perfect Events – www.pictureperfecteventsuk.com Flowers and Stationery

Cole’s – www.coles-menswear.co.uk Grooms attire

Bride – Sally McDonald

Groom – www.ernestgromov.com Model

Deneemotion – www.deneemotion.com Filmed behind the scenes

It might be ‘your’ big day but there are also a few little people who need to look their best and stand out from the crowd.

If you are a fashion forward bride looking for something really special for your bridesmaids or flower girls then Baby CoCo Bellea is just the place to look!

The collection includes a ready-to-wear and couture collection full of fun and flamboyant dresses for girls aged two to fourteen. Every piece is created with a keen eye on design and beautiful fabrics.

Prices start from just £30. View the full range at www.babycocobellea.com

Phillipa Lepley is one of London’s last leading couture bridal designers known for her impeccable style and taste.

Her distinctive signature is of understated elegance, balance and sophistication, using the most luxurious fabrics and exquisite embellishment to create her wedding dresses. Phillipa loves ‘only the best’.

Phillipa will be coming into the shop (Fulham Road, London) on Monday the 20th of May  to share her wealth of experience and couture knowledge to a select few lucky brides. They will be able to discuss their dream gown whilst sipping on Champagne and eating cupcakes.

For further details please call: 020 7590 9771 or email: info@phillipalepley.com

Kate Fearnley, famous for her quirky and sophisticated occasion wear, is delighted to announce the launch of her new bridal range.

The Bridal range is priced from only £199, and takes inspiration from the silhouettes made famous by the Hollywood icons of the 1950s, featuring heavy satins, pretty embellishments, and overlaid vintage lace, made ever popular by Kate Middleton at the Royal Wedding last year.

“I’ve been designing bridal gowns for years now” says Kate, 36. “Mainly my designs are bespoke made for local brides, who want something slightly different and shorter for their big day. I’ve received numerous
requests for gowns from further afield, hence opening up the three made to order dresses to the internet. I designed the range to reflect my well-known style, whilst having affordability, quality and timeless elegance at the forefront of my mind.”

In addition to the new bridal range, Kate has also added new styles to her increasingly popular bridesmaid dress collection, which has been sold to brides worldwide who want to break from tradition.

The range is available to order online from www.katefearnleyboutique.co.uk and also by appointment from Kate Fearnley Boutique:
224 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

Clients wishing to make appointments for made-to-measure should contact the Kate Fearnley Boutique on 01642 227344.

Bridesmaids Boutique is a one-of-a-kind shop that takes a step away from the more traditional bridal shops, and proudly caters solely to the discerning bridesmaid and flower girl looking for their perfect dress and accessories for the big day. Bridesmaids Boutique was established by two sisters with the belief that the bridesmaids and flower girls should be the best-dressed guests at the wedding (whilst complimenting the bride). Bridesmaids Boutique strives to accommodate all tastes with their four diverse, handpicked, made-to-measure collections of bridesmaid’s dresses, exclusive collection of flower girl dresses and complimentary accessories including shoes, jewellery and pretty lingerie. With rigorous attention paid to fabric, fit, style and options Bridesmaids Boutique is sure the brides and their maids will feel confident in their choices and, teamed with the professional and friendly service, will take away from their experience at the boutique fond memories and a dress they would want to wear time and time again.

To view the collection visit www.bridesmaidsboutique.co.uk

I am a huge fan of Etsy.com and it has become a complete godsend when trying to find cool stuff for my wedding.

With over 850,000 shops from 200 countries, Etsy gives you access to everything you could ever want to find. Whether you’re looking for handmade or vintage wedding accessories or a unique one-of-a-kind item Etsy is must-visit destination for brides.

From pretty bunting, flowery crockery and table displays, to retro hair fashion and stunning vintage wedding dresses, Etsy.com has all the inspiration a bride could possibly need to make her wedding day the most stylish in memory.

Below are a few of my favourite finds…

The ONE Dress Convertible Dress multi wrap infinity wear LONG Bridesmaid gown £83.47

These are the most amazing bridesmaids dresses ever!

They are multi-way dresses that can be worn in more than 10 different ways, making them the perfect dress to suit all different shapes and styles. The dresses can be worn halter, strapless, one shoulder and cap sleeves to mention just a few. They also come in two lengths, knee-length and maxi.

The idea is that your bridesmaids are all in the same colour dress but can each wear it in their chosen way to compliment their own shape and personal style. I think it is such a clever idea and it really does flatter everyone, it even looks fantastic on pregnant bridesmaids which is great as it can often be really difficult to find a dress that will work for both pregnant and non-pregnant bridesmaids.

They have full swing skirts that sway beautifully when you walk. The straps are then approximately 90 inches long (which is VERY long) at fist it’s confusing but as you start to wrap the straps around the body in different ways you understand why they are so long.

At £46 for the short dresses and £83 for the long dresses I think these are incredibly good value, especially as your bridesmaids can wear them to other occasions after the wedding.

The dresses come in 76 colours, so you will no doubt find the perfect colour for your wedding.

They are shipped from America, so be sure to order in plenty of time.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BLCouture

Read on…

On a cold winter’s day, the creative talents of some of the UK’s leading wedding suppliers came together for a styled shoot inspired by the Majestic Splendour of one of the UK’s most historic palaces, Blenheim Palace. I was very lucky to be invited to share some of the stunning images with you.

Given unprecedented access to the venue, the massive Orangery was transformed through the use of unique floral designs (the floral tree centerpieces alone were over 6 foot tall), floral artistry, inspired table settings, Chiavari chairs and specially commissioned thrones.

The hand embroidered couture gowns worn by the beautiful models were made from the finest quality silks, satins, brocade and lace and featured the most sumptuous embellishments. These were perfectly accessorised with tiaras, jewellery and brooch bouquets made from semi precious stones in rich colours such as amethysts, garnets, rubies and pearls.

The luxurious wedding cakes in matching colours were decorated with edible gold cameos, cherubs and expertly crafted sugar flowers whilst the impressively laden dessert table featured fruit including pomegranates, figs and grapes; cupcakes, mini cakes, custom made cookies with the Marlborough Crest, bon bon jars, meringues, cake pops, petit fours, cupcakes, fondant fancies, and hand made chocolates.

Beautifully captured by Cristina Rossi photography, the images will provide brides considering this stunning location for their own wedding a whole heap of inspiration.

Images © Cristina Rossi Photography

Venue: Blenheim Palace (with special permission from His Grace, The Duke of Marlborough)

Stylist: Cedar Events

Photography: Cristina Rossi Photography

Videography: Urban Cinematography

Wedding Dresses: Kosibah

Stationery and Brooch Bouquets: The Finer Details

Jewellery and Headpieces: Rosie Weisencrantz

Shoes: Marsha Hall Handmade Shoes

Cake, Cupcakes, Cake Pops and Sweet Tables: Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium

Flowers, Thrones and Props: Essential Flowers

Make Up Artist: Kemi Kings

Hair Styling: Kasia Fortuna

Linen: Over The Top Rentals

Gold Chiavari Chairs & Clear Beaded Chargers: iAM Wedding Hire

Models: Chloe Penney, Gayle Thompson-Igwebike and Olaya Diez Del Corral

The team is very grateful to His Grace, The Duke of Marlborough, for granting such unprecedented access at a time when he was in residence, and to the wonderful team at Blenheim Palace for their support and hospitality.

Welcoming her 10th anniversary as a leading British bridal designer this year, Charlotte’s latest collection embodies a celebration of style and grace that has been the key to her success since launching in 2003. Now 10 years on and exclusively stocked in 30 boutiques nationwide, the label is set to embark on a fresh and exciting journey with the new direction proving that to innovate and lead by example are top of the priority list.

Embellishing definitive looks with modern touches of cloud like romance and teaming muted hues with metallic accents for subtle sophistication, ‘A Decade of Style’ takes a turn to the future with a plethora of luxury textures and tones that have never been seen before from this leading bridal fashion house.

Each gown has an identity, a distinct look and feel, a story behind the magic; The collection captures the imagination and that’s just how Charlotte intended when designing each fashion forward piece with the bride in mind. Each bride embarks on a journey and each bride is consumed by love, and they all have their own consuming love story to tell…

www.charlottebalbier.com

Melanie Potro’s will be launching her stunning new bridal wear collection on the 25^th and 27th April.

Be the first to view and try on an array of couture Wedding, Bridesmaid and Mother of the Bride gowns.

This event will take place on the 25^th and 27th April  from 12-4pm and on the 26th April from 12-7.30pm.

In addition, we will hold a bridal wear Sample Sale on the 28^th April from 12-5pm. Prices start at a bargain £199!

Don’t miss out. Email now to bride@melaniepotro.com or call 07775 806084 to reserve your place.

Venue:

The Gallery – Craft Central

33-35 St Johns Square

London EC1M 4DS

For more details visit www.melaniepotro.com

TV production company True North Productions are currently making a big, fun new series all about hen weekends. The 5 part series will be filmed from mid-April to May, and will be hitting our screens this summer.

Each episode will focus on two or three different groups of hens in different parts of the UK and abroad, all partying over one weekend.

They are urgently looking for great hen weekends to film, so if you are planning a brilliant last night of freedom and would like your memories captured on film, then get in touch!

For more information please email hens@truenorth.tv or call 01133 945 488

This season sees the accessory world obsessed with statement pieces: the big, the bold and the beautiful. Tiara trends have naturally followed suit. For the modern, fashion-conscious bride-to-be who desires only the most stylish headpiece for her big day, Tiararama introduces ‘Tiararama Editions’. Designer, Suzanne has embraced this season’s style in her own signature way, creating six exclusive pieces which will change seasonally.

Known for their intricate designs and exquisite detail, Tiararama preserves their high level of craftsmanship as they take on this season’s trends. Each piece is strikingly contemporary in both design and in thinking, yet the tiaras subtly hint at a period of 1940s and 1950s Parisian glamour. With a high society feel these pieces feature the most luxurious materials, such as freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and opaque glass beads.

The six tiaras making up the ‘Tiararama Editions’ collection truly capture the current trends in tiaras. For the bride-to-be who desires a modern twist on a traditional veil, Valeria is the perfect piece, incorporating layers of tulle, beautifully finished with a seed bead and diamante detailing.

Liliana also provides a charming alternative to a veil, featuring ruched tulle surrounding a floral motif made entirely of seed beads. Tie the Knot is ideal for those who want something classic and simple, whilst Winter Rose offers a similarly delicate design in dazzlingly crystal. For others who want something truly statement, Hydrangea Bouquet is stunning and will definitely draw attention for all the right reasons.
Read on…

Lace Bridal is pleased to announce its first ever bridesmaid collection with the arrival of new British label, ButtonBelle.

Lace Bridal will introduces the eagerly-awaited and ever so stylishly feminine collection at a bridesmaid party on Sunday 28th April at the Ashley Road boutique in Hale, from 10am to 4pm.

It’s a great excuse for brides to get together with their bridesmaids, sip a glass of bubbly and devour cake, all whilst indulging in a first look of the ButtonBelle bridesmaid dresses.

The collection encompasses vintage inspired style bridesmaid’s dresses in a mix of lightweight chiffons and georgettes in soft silhouettes.

The ButtonBelle range includes knee length and maxi options in a palette of pastels made from high quality fabrics, all at affordable prices.

Katie Webster, owner of Lace Bridal ”Our brides have always asked us why we don’t offer bridesmaids dresses but in all honesty we hadn’t found the right designer in 15 years, until we discovered ButtonBelle.

“The designs and fabrics are so beautiful and feminine, and the quality of the workmanship is superior, which is in keeping with our carefully selected range of bridal designers and meets with our high standards.
Read on…

Kate Fearnley is delighted to launch her first ever fascinator collection, to complement her Spring/Summer 2013 Riviera Cocktail collection, bound to wow wedding guests as we head into the summer season.

Inspired by retro vacations, and focussing heavily on the styles and shapes of the Hollywood icons of the 1950s, the Riviera Cocktail collection brings into mind the post-war French Riviera – sun, drinks parties at the yacht club, promenading on the Mediterranean sea fronts, and is proving highly popular with wedding guests of all ages.

Fearnley’s Fascinators are designed to match key pieces in the collection, which features Kate’s trademark bold use of colour and flattering shapes. Shades of red, aqua, strawberry, pink and purple are interspersed with black and white and vibrant splashes of yellow. The collection also includes cherry printed stretch cottons, florals, spots and paintsplash prints.

“I am constantly being asked by wedding goers for recommendations of headwear to complement my collections, so the fascinators are a long time coming” says Kate, 36. “I’ve been blown away by the response from my customers so far, and am looking forward to seeing these grace weddings and racecourses throughout the summer months.”
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WIN A ONCE IN A LIFETIME SEVEN NIGHT HONEYMOON TO THE BEAUTIFUL GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND!

One lucky winner will kick off married life in style with an amazing honeymoon on Grand Bahama Island, staying in an ocean view room at the Grand Lucayan Resort for seven nights.

Grand Lucayan [Grandlucayan.com] is so breathtaking it’s as though it was made for romance.  Just imagine miles and miles of white soft sand, sparkling warm Caribbean Sea as the backdrop to the beginning of the rest of your lives together.  Team this with a wonderful warm climate, countless swaying palm trees, endless places for romantic dining and spaces to explore. You have the recipe for a truly perfect honeymoon experience.

Delicious breakfast daily buffet-style at the resort is included as part of the prize plus a 50 minute couples spa treatment in the indulging Senses Spa overlooking the dazzling clear waters.

Read on…

This season, the enchanting bridal collection from Phase Eight twists romantic, whimsical detailing with a modern silhouette, perfect for every fairytale romance.

Revisit a time when Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn were the style sweethearts of a nation, with vintage inspired full-length gowns in duchesse satins and exquisite silks. Floral appliqué and pearl beading details add a feminine elegance and delicate charm to the clean, fluid silhouettes.

Accessories are designed to enhance and complement each look, from satin peep toe shoes and dainty clutch bags to pearl encrusted fascinators and silk corsages. Beautifully coordinating feather boleros in pretty neutrals add the perfect finishing touch.

And, for all those brides-to-be who don’t live near a Phase Eight store but love the collection as much as we do, we have some exciting news!

Browse the bridal collection online at www.phase-eight.co.uk from the comfort of your armchair, choose which styles you like and then simply call 0207 471 4422 to order them to be delivered to your nearest store* where you can try them on at a time convenient for you.

The service is completely free of charge and will give customers the freedom to try on a selection of dresses before committing to ‘the one’…the only difficult part will be deciding which to choose!

The new bridal collection will also be housed at the brand new Flagship store in central London’s St Christopher Place, in the dedicated bridal lounge. One-on-one appointments will also be available, making it a one stop shop for the entire female bridal party, from the mother of the brides to the bridesmaids and the bride herself!

*excluding John Lewis’
Click here to view the new collection

Conceived by wedding planners of the UKAWP and hosted at the prestigious RSA House, The Wedding Sanctuary is an innovative wedding show designed to offer top design inspiration, personal style advice and the best one on one planning support available. Your one-stop planning refuge.

ASK THE EXPERTS

Top names in the industry such as Julia Boggio Photography, The Dreamcatchers film-makers and Cutture Stationery will be paired with the fabulous wedding planners who make up the UKAWP to offer top tips and the opportunity to ask specific questions regarding every element of your wedding day. You and Your Wedding Magazine will be hosting a talk on top trends for 2013 alongside hair and make-up demonstrations and a planner’s panel. You will also be able to have a personal tour of the sumptuous RSA House and enjoy the splendid facilities on offer.

BE INSPIRED

You will be invited to sip champagne and nibble delicious canapés courtesy of renowned event caterers Harbour and Jones whilst browsing the inspiration zone for design ideas. 5 stunning dining tables will be styled by wedding planners of the UKAWP alongside Options Hire and Tempting Cakes and Mary-Jane Vaughan Flowers, displaying the very best of what is available to hire for your wedding reception, with pricing guidelines and practical information included.
Read on…

I can’t tell you how many brides have been in touch recently either wanting a full-scale, complicated wedding in the next 4-5 months, or in a panic because whilst their venue is now booked and their wedding a year away, they have no idea what comes next! Neither need worry since where there is a will (and a healthy amount of organisation!), there is a way.

What we now class as a long engagement (18 months or longer) were more-or-less the norm up until recent years – and there are a great many advantages to allowing longer to plan your wedding: With each passing pay cheque, the wedding budget can improve leaving more cash for the things that matter to you; There will be plenty of time to thoroughly research all your supplier options and only book those you really love; Venue and supplier availability will not be a difficulty; That’s 18 months of engagement events for you to enjoy a glass of bubbly at! However, it is worth noting that having longer to research your likes also means more opportunity for you to change your mind over and over (creating more work and possibly expense). It can also mean either long periods of you resting on your laurels (actually creating more stress later on) and worst of all, serious wedding-talk fatigue amongst your friends, family and co-workers!

Late lead weddings are my favourites, but they only work if you are a naturally decisive couple and already have a good few ideas in mind. Massive savings can be made by fitting your wedding amongst your venue or supplier’s other commitments (after all, this is revenue they weren’t expecting that month!), but you might also find vendor and guest availability can be an issue, and you must be sure you have the time amongst your work and other day-to-day commitments to blitz the planning.

However you choose to play things, there is a sure fire way of making sure you stay on track and don’t miss anything out:
Read on…

After several years designing for the high street and making bespoke commissions of wedding shoes, Rachel Simpson spotted a gap in the market for something a little bit different to the more traditional idea of what wedding shoes should be, and her own name collection was launched in 2008.

Rachel gets much of her inspiration from twenties and thirties fashion, including old wedding photographs from this era as well as a good rummage in a vintage shop and a mooch through a gorgeous costume book or three. Rachel’s mum was always into textiles and haberdashery too, so some inspiration also comes from there. Rachel’s designs combine this love of vintage with current trends and shapes to get the best of both eras!

Leather and soft suede are a favourite to work with, as they give a soft finish perfect for bridal, but can be worn again easily.

For 2013 there are three main themes to the collection- Metallic/ muted colours- beautiful soft pinks, antique gold and silver, both in full shoe and detailing. For examples of this see Agnes, Anais and Ginger. Read on…

True Blue Bay, a funky family-run hideaway on the Caribbean island of Grenada, has a sumptuous honeymoon suite featuring a king-size four poster bed, a whirlpool bathroom and a spacious verandah with stunning views of the cerulean sea.

The ultimate in romantic retreats, the suite is reached over a private bridge through the treetops and is custom designed by the co-owner, Magdalena Fielden,  including individual pieces such as heart-shaped wall lights and a wrought iron tree decorated with pink glass hearts. In addition to the king size bed, there is a spacious lounge area where newlyweds can enjoy relaxing together. The bathroom features a whirlpool bath and a shower with multiple jets, as well as ‘his and hers’ wash basins.
Read on…

The new ‘esprit’ label from So Sassi has been introduced to cater for young, confident, stylish brides.

The gowns are beautifully handmade in England using a gorgeous array of satins, tulles and laces, and all the styles have an integral corset.

The designs are fresh and fun, mixing Sassi Holford elegant silhouettes with fashion focussed details like pretty peplum skirts and hi-lo hemlines.  Eye-catching elements include hand-cut guipure lace, exquisite 3D rose tulle and intricate floral motifs – just perfect for modern brides who like their bridal traditions with a creative twist.

Check out the new collection at www.sosassi.so

Inspired by Freya’s informed background in jewellery design and her passion for vintage couture, the latest addition to the Freya Rose ‘Enchanted Collection’ is an elegant and unique choice for style conscious brides.

‘Maria’ is a beautiful metallic silver kid leather creation with a hidden platform. This delicate shoe is hand embellished with panels of dazzling cubic zirconia and fresh water pearls and has adjustable cross over straps to ensure comfort.

Handcrafted by tradesmen who have learnt their trade through generations, these shoes have been designed with love, and made with the utmost care and attention. The intricate detailing of these beautiful shoes make a romantic and luxurious addition to any wedding style. ‘Maria’s design is extremely versatile and looks fabulous when jazzing up any evening outfit.  They are a timeless and sparkling take on Bridal shoes and a beautiful special occasion shoe.

Describing the collection as a whole, Freya said “The ‘Enchanted’ Collection as a whole is is reminiscent of the magical stories and colourful wonders found in a fairytale garden. Inspired by fresh dew sparkling in the sunlight, wild flowers gently swaying in the wind and the delicate flutter of fairy wings, this collection has been created in order for a bride to create her very own fairytale. We continue to source and use the finest material available, and we hope for a truly luxurious experience.”

You’ll be sure to turn heads with these sparkling beauties!

Now available on the Freya Rose Website www.freyarose.com

Madeline Isaac-James has a renowned reputation for creating beautiful bridal gowns that offer fantastic construction and styling at an affordable price and the 2013 collection sees just that.

Inspired by evening dresses from the 50′s, 60′s, and 70′s, designer Natalie Gladman brings a contemporary feel to classic designs that reflect the 21st century bride.

Using the finest fabrications, from silk chiffons and tulles to silk satins and embroidered trims along with beautiful embellishments, each gown is artfully structured to make the most of the bride’s natural beauty and elegance.

Avril, Marilyn and Simone, all represent the utmost glamour with deep, flowing lines and added details that make the bride feel truly special.

See the collection online at www.madelineisaacjames.com