I think my feet have finally forgiven the high heels and recovered from a busy weekend at London's National Wedding Show.
It was a fabulous three days and made me even more excited about this exciting industry. Fourteen years ago when I first started out as a journalist, there were a few innovative companies in the UK bridal industry. But, I still found myself flicking through US magazines for inspiration when it came to wedding cakes and flowers. Today I'm constantly 'wowed' by the creative talents of people in this country, and so many of them were exhibiting at the National Wedding Show.
It was wonderful to spend some time with Eric Lanlard of Savoir Design whose cake designs I am in awe of. And, florists including Mathew Dickinson and Mary-Jane Vaughan created hugely impressive arrangements around the show.
Looking at the exhibitor list for next weekend's show at Birmingham's NEC, I know there are many more treats in store for all those lucky brides... and I can't wait. Do come and see our Inspiration Sessions where we'll be chatting about everything from cakes and flowers to planning and budgeting - I'm very much looking forward to meeting you!
Thursday 25 February 2010
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Find your dream dress, perfect venue, inspirational flowers and more at The National Wedding Show
The National Wedding Show last week at Olympia was amazing. I came away with loads of inspiration, a camera full of ideas, a fab goodie bag and professionally inserted false eyelashes!
There were so many suppliers there who were all really friendly and helpful, I think I must have spoken to each and every one of them including florists, wedding dress companies, stationers, and reception venues. The Show was really busy so if you're going to the Birmingham one I suggest getting in there early and definitely wear comfy shoes and it's a big show with lots to get around. I had a VIP pass which meant that I received a glass of bubbly in the VIP bar which set me off nicely and a goodie bag which I suggest you collect at the end so you don't need to carry it round all day (it's packed full of goodies so is quite heavy). I did a quick once round to get my bearings and then sat and watched a really fantastic fashion show. There were so many beautiful dresses in scores of different styles that there is without doubt something for everyone. I've totally decided that I want to have my three bridesmaids in fifties prom dresses, Candy Anthony http://www.candyanthony.com/ and Fur Coat No Knickers http://www.furcoatnoknickers.co.uk/ had the most sublime dresses. Look out for the gorgeous yellow bridesmaid dress on the catwalk which has a huge full yellow petticoat skirt. They're not cheap but they will look totally gorgeous as they proceed you down the aisle. After the catwalk was an inspirational session about flowers which was really useful. They said that you shouldn't have big displays that stop your guests from talking across the table as they will just end up on the floor. Good advice indeed! While I'm talking about flowers the displays on show were totally divine and the florists really created wow pieces. Ask if you can take pictures to give inspiration for your florist. They all said yes when I asked.
Brides magazine had the most exquisite tent which they shared with Shu uemura make-up, it was a little oasis of calm and I had gorgeous lash inserts and a delicious cupcake while flipping though their glossy mag. The editorial team are one hand to offer advice and calm brides down. There were a few who looked a bit panicked when they entered but after a quick chat and a visit to the lash bar they left looking wide eyed and calm. I'm going to book a make-up artist from Shu uemura for my wedding day as I know my hands will be shaking on the day and applying liquid eyeliner would be a disaster.
Wedding photography was one area where I was totally in the dark. There are numerous photography stands and many were offering a show discount which was up to as much as 30%. My favourite ones were the ones which created a story book of your day and followed you from when you were getting ready to the first dance. They really captured the mood of the day. Take time to look through some of their books and talk to them about how they go about capturing those fleeting moments. My favourite one was Andre Dugas http://www.adugasphoto.com/ who was the photographer for Leah Woods, well if it's good enough for the Rolling Stones it's good enough for me. They are offering a 30% discount and were soooo nice so definitely go and see him.
Lots of the stands have competitions and I entered every one going, well somebody has to win don't they. My fingers are crossed but I'm not holding my breath.
Finally, food...The best place for food is without doubt the Champagne Bar which serves huge plates of smoked salmon and salad. At £9.50 they might look expensive but they are so big you could definitely share one with a friend and still not be able to finish. And of course you should wash it down with a glass of bubbly, well you do have something to celebrate after all!
There were so many suppliers there who were all really friendly and helpful, I think I must have spoken to each and every one of them including florists, wedding dress companies, stationers, and reception venues. The Show was really busy so if you're going to the Birmingham one I suggest getting in there early and definitely wear comfy shoes and it's a big show with lots to get around. I had a VIP pass which meant that I received a glass of bubbly in the VIP bar which set me off nicely and a goodie bag which I suggest you collect at the end so you don't need to carry it round all day (it's packed full of goodies so is quite heavy). I did a quick once round to get my bearings and then sat and watched a really fantastic fashion show. There were so many beautiful dresses in scores of different styles that there is without doubt something for everyone. I've totally decided that I want to have my three bridesmaids in fifties prom dresses, Candy Anthony http://www.candyanthony.com/ and Fur Coat No Knickers http://www.furcoatnoknickers.co.uk/ had the most sublime dresses. Look out for the gorgeous yellow bridesmaid dress on the catwalk which has a huge full yellow petticoat skirt. They're not cheap but they will look totally gorgeous as they proceed you down the aisle. After the catwalk was an inspirational session about flowers which was really useful. They said that you shouldn't have big displays that stop your guests from talking across the table as they will just end up on the floor. Good advice indeed! While I'm talking about flowers the displays on show were totally divine and the florists really created wow pieces. Ask if you can take pictures to give inspiration for your florist. They all said yes when I asked.
Brides magazine had the most exquisite tent which they shared with Shu uemura make-up, it was a little oasis of calm and I had gorgeous lash inserts and a delicious cupcake while flipping though their glossy mag. The editorial team are one hand to offer advice and calm brides down. There were a few who looked a bit panicked when they entered but after a quick chat and a visit to the lash bar they left looking wide eyed and calm. I'm going to book a make-up artist from Shu uemura for my wedding day as I know my hands will be shaking on the day and applying liquid eyeliner would be a disaster.
Wedding photography was one area where I was totally in the dark. There are numerous photography stands and many were offering a show discount which was up to as much as 30%. My favourite ones were the ones which created a story book of your day and followed you from when you were getting ready to the first dance. They really captured the mood of the day. Take time to look through some of their books and talk to them about how they go about capturing those fleeting moments. My favourite one was Andre Dugas http://www.adugasphoto.com/ who was the photographer for Leah Woods, well if it's good enough for the Rolling Stones it's good enough for me. They are offering a 30% discount and were soooo nice so definitely go and see him.
Lots of the stands have competitions and I entered every one going, well somebody has to win don't they. My fingers are crossed but I'm not holding my breath.
Finally, food...The best place for food is without doubt the Champagne Bar which serves huge plates of smoked salmon and salad. At £9.50 they might look expensive but they are so big you could definitely share one with a friend and still not be able to finish. And of course you should wash it down with a glass of bubbly, well you do have something to celebrate after all!
Thursday 11 February 2010
Chic London Pad or Rural Country Manor? Lucy shares her venue dilemmas
I've been engaged for one month and 8 days. The total bliss I initially felt has been replaced with a mild sense of panic. Does anyone else feel like this?
This started when we began our search for a venue for our reception. It is soooo stressful. We have 140 guests (so far...) which means finding somewhere to seat that many people is difficult to say the least. We scoured venue websites like http://www.hitched.co.uk/ and http://www.weddingvenues.com/ which were really useful and found some that we thought looked good. However when we went to view them they were really awful. Why do venues put up pictures that don't look anything like they do in real life? It's like going on a date with somebody you met online only to find out they are 2ft shorter and 10 years older than you were led to believe. You're bound for disappointment!
I was starting to feel really despondent when we went to see the Criterion on Picadilly Circus http://www.criterionrestaurant.com/. WOW!!! It's totally gorgeous. It's a Grade II listed building and the architecture is stunning. Everything seems to sparkle thanks to glittering gold tiles on the walls and ceiling. Although I really loved it and thoroughly enjoyed a delicious cocktail there I don't think it's right for our wedding as it's so central it would be a nightmare for people to park but I would definitely recommend going for a cheeky cocktail. Why not go after you've been to the National Wedding Show?
It's so hard to know what kind of venue we want as we don't have any ties to anywhere other than London. Do we go to the country (if so where?) and hire a castle, a stately home, a marquee or a barn or stay closer to home and have a chic London celebration in a great restaurant? If anyone has any suggestions for good venues I'm all ears. The only thing I know for sure is that I don't want any kids at my wedding. This seems to really divide people. I've been to too many weddings where you can't hear the vows due to some noisy brat screaming while their parents coo over them. What is the polite way to announce this to friends and family?
I have a few more venue visits booked in and I am going to talk to more at the National Wedding Show this Friday, so I'll let you know how they go but if we're planning on getting hitched in September I need to get a wiggle on. I can feel that panic rising!!
Luce x
This started when we began our search for a venue for our reception. It is soooo stressful. We have 140 guests (so far...) which means finding somewhere to seat that many people is difficult to say the least. We scoured venue websites like http://www.hitched.co.uk/ and http://www.weddingvenues.com/ which were really useful and found some that we thought looked good. However when we went to view them they were really awful. Why do venues put up pictures that don't look anything like they do in real life? It's like going on a date with somebody you met online only to find out they are 2ft shorter and 10 years older than you were led to believe. You're bound for disappointment!
I was starting to feel really despondent when we went to see the Criterion on Picadilly Circus http://www.criterionrestaurant.com/. WOW!!! It's totally gorgeous. It's a Grade II listed building and the architecture is stunning. Everything seems to sparkle thanks to glittering gold tiles on the walls and ceiling. Although I really loved it and thoroughly enjoyed a delicious cocktail there I don't think it's right for our wedding as it's so central it would be a nightmare for people to park but I would definitely recommend going for a cheeky cocktail. Why not go after you've been to the National Wedding Show?
It's so hard to know what kind of venue we want as we don't have any ties to anywhere other than London. Do we go to the country (if so where?) and hire a castle, a stately home, a marquee or a barn or stay closer to home and have a chic London celebration in a great restaurant? If anyone has any suggestions for good venues I'm all ears. The only thing I know for sure is that I don't want any kids at my wedding. This seems to really divide people. I've been to too many weddings where you can't hear the vows due to some noisy brat screaming while their parents coo over them. What is the polite way to announce this to friends and family?
I have a few more venue visits booked in and I am going to talk to more at the National Wedding Show this Friday, so I'll let you know how they go but if we're planning on getting hitched in September I need to get a wiggle on. I can feel that panic rising!!
Luce x
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Get ready for some inspiration from Kate Smallwood at the UK's biggest wedding show
This time next week I'll be packing my bags and getting ready to head to the big smoke for the spring National Wedding Show. We have an exciting fortnight ahead and, as always, I can't wait to meet some excited brides (and hopefully a few grooms) to chat about all things wedding. If you're in the midst of planning, come and see some of our Inspiration Sessions. I'll be on the main stage with some fabulous florists chatting about how to choose your bouquet and your reception flowers. I'll also be talking to celebrity cake designer Eric Lanlard, and spending a few minutes every day helping you with that all-important budget.
When we're not on stage, we'll be at the Inspiration Lounge - a great new feature at the London show giving me the opportunity to meet as many of you as possible and help with any wedding questions you might have. Once again, I'll be joined by some talented florists and cake designer May Clee-Cadman from Maisie Fantaisie. I can't wait - in fact I'm rather envious of all of you having a wedding to plan. It's one of the most exciting times of your life and I hope you enjoy every second!
When we're not on stage, we'll be at the Inspiration Lounge - a great new feature at the London show giving me the opportunity to meet as many of you as possible and help with any wedding questions you might have. Once again, I'll be joined by some talented florists and cake designer May Clee-Cadman from Maisie Fantaisie. I can't wait - in fact I'm rather envious of all of you having a wedding to plan. It's one of the most exciting times of your life and I hope you enjoy every second!
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