If you are in, or near, Glasgow this weekend I highly recommend you take the time to visit the Scottish Wedding Show. The show runs from 21st to 22nd February at the SECC.
Highlights of the weekend show will include:
♥ Catwalk shows showcasing a dazzling array of wedding dresses, from top designers who create gowns for the stars to high street fashion brands, covering all budgets and tastes.
♥ Outfits to kit out your Groom, Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaids and other attendants.
♥ Free make up sessions.
♥ Free wine and champagne tasting.
As well as this, over 300 of Scotland's leading wedding suppliers will be showcasing everything you need for your perfect wedding day including wedding gowns, accessories, cakes, stationery, entertainment, cosmetics, shoes, tiaras, hats, cars, favors, gift lists, caterers, venues - basically everything you need!!
Remember too that wedding shows are a great place to bag yourself a bargain as many wedding vendors exhibiting will offer discounts on their services if you book with them there and then.
For more information on exhibitors, take a look here.
I can thoroughly recommend this wedding show as I attended the last one in September 2008 at the SECC. It was really enjoyable, professionally laid out, with staff and wedding vendors who were cheerful and offered plenty of helpful advice to the couples attending.
You can book your tickets here
.
I’m going along myself at the weekend to have a look around and keep my eyes peeled for some unique ideas and wedding bargains which I can share with you all.
As you plan your wedding you will receive advice from just about everyone. Friends and family have a million and one tips to pass on, in fact here at Wedaholic I have been offering tips galore. For example tips on wedding djs, getting guests to mingle, giving a great speech and tipping wedding suppliers to name just a few!
I would like to encourage you to sign up for even more tips, by filling in the short form below:
Once you have clicked on the "Send My 1st Tip" button you will receive your first tip in your inbox.
To give you a flavour of what to expect I have copied the types of wedding tips you will receive below:
Sample Tip 1 :
At the reception hall, fill baskets in the bathroom with miniature hand lotions, breath mints, hair sprays, and hair gels for emergency touch-ups. You may also want to put out a basket with a few inexpensive pairs of pantyhose and
some clear nail polish.
"Thanks for all the tips..and for making them genuinely "free".... the tips I found most helpful of your's were about etiquette ... it helps to remind brides of other people's feelings when they are getting caught up in their own! And that idea about giving framed pictures to the parents is one I will definately do! Blessings!" - Suzanne, US
Sample Tip 2 :
Don’t forget grandparents and other relatives who may feel “left out” during the preparations before the wedding. Take a camera along when you are shopping for your dress or looking at flowers.
Send pictures with a quick note that says, “Here’s me rubbing my feet after trying on shoes that were murder!” Or “Aunt Joan, the flowers were beautiful, but I wish you could have been there.”
"Just wanted to thank you for all of the wonderful tips! I enjoy reading them every week!! I will use you're advice throughout the planning of my wedding and on the big day! Thanks again" - Dan
Sample Tip 3 :
For bridesmaids' dresses, consider separates, especially if you have attendants whose sizes and shapes vary widely. Skip the bridal stores and check out department stores for evening skirts and separate tops that are made of luxurious fabrics and trimmed with beading or embroidered details.
"Dear Emily your tips have been very helpful to me in planning for my wedding thank you for all of your help, looking forward to receiving other tips from you. Best Regards" - Cornelia, US
Tune In To "Get Married" For The Newest Wedding Innovations And Trends
Have you checked out Get Married yet? The interactive wedding website and television show has moved network to Lifetime TV and now also boasts host David Tutera, one of the nations premier event designers.
As I mentioned in my previous blog this show makes perfect viewing for those of you who are looking for some fresh and unique ideas for your wedding planning, have a question you need answering by a wedding expert or simply need wedding inspiration.
Get Married in on every weekday at 7:30am. What is great is that if you miss the show you can view all of the episodes at the Get Married website. For further details of upcoming features on their show check out their website at GetMarried.com.
Is waltzing round the dance floor at your wedding reception to the gentle crooning of Celine Dion not enough of a show-stopper for you? Perhaps you want to make a bold statement and have your first dance stand out in the memories of your guests. One of the hottest wedding trends is to learn a choreographed routine for your first dance as husband and wife. As I mentioned in my previous blog increasing numbers of newlyweds are abandoning waltzing to traditional classics and instead are performing strategically planned dance displays to music such as the signature tune to Dirty Dancing, MC Hammer's “Can't Touch This” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”.
According to Adam Gardner and Gemma Rogers of wedding dance company First Dance UK,
"It's very rare for a couple to just ask to be taught the waltz. A lot of the requests are weird and wonderful”.
You only have to take a look at one of the many videos of other couples performing their first dance on YouTube or GoogleVideo to see this for yourself. I’m just hoping one of the couples whose weddings I am due to attend later this year decide to copy the Austin Powers theme tune dance – it looks hilarious!
Whilst I’ve mentioned before that I love newlyweds Brian and Sandy Lundmark’s awe-inspiring rendition of Michael Jackson's Thriller dance, I have to say my new personal favorite amongst the first dance wedding videos on You Tube is the body popping couple – it is so cool.
This is a wedding trend which does not look likely to end anytime soon. In fact UKTV Style have devoted a new show, “First Dance”, to just that! Each show follows one of 15 couples on their journey from learning their specially-choreographed secret routine to executing it at their wedding reception. According to the Sun Newspaper newlyweds Andrea and George Georgiou from Edmonton, who feature in the show, said they wanted to try something a bit different for their wedding day. They spent weeks preparing for their first dance to perform in front of their 500 wedding guests and their verdict was,
"It was a bit nerve wracking but when it came to do the dance, all the lights went down and everyone was laughing and cheering as we performed. It was amazing."
If you want your first dance to be a show-stopper and know nothing at all about dancing above and beyond a quick boogie at your local club then perhaps you should think about engaging the services of a dance choreographer. Companies such as First Dance UK offer a helping hand by teaching couples how to put together a dance routine for their wedding to surprise their guests. The choreographers can come to your own home and teach you a unique routine tailor-made to your choice of song and to your dancing ability. You don’t need to have any previous dance experience. A 1 hour trial lesson, costing £60, is recommended if you simply want to learn a few basic moves that you can link together for your first dance song. Alternatively, if you want to learn a full routine for your first dance song they offer a package of 5 lessons for £250.
Whatever you decide to do before you embark on the challenge of organizing your first dance here are some tips:
Top Tips For Orchestrating Your First Dance
Initial decisions
♥ You don’t have to be an exhibitionist to try a choreographed first dance - nobody is going to force you to re-enact the legendary dance sequence from Dirty Dancing. You could try something as straightforward as learning how to foxtrot round the dance floor or a few simple spins, dips and salsa moves. Whatever you do it is sure to be memorable to both you and your wedding guests (hopefully for the right reasons!).
♥ You can choose private lessons with a choreographer, as mentioned above, or opt for the cheaper alternative which is group classes at your local community center or school.
♥ If you are on a tight budget and cannot factor dance lessons into your wedding plans then how about working out your own dance routine. Plenty of couples do it (take a look at the videos on YouTube to see other DIY first dances). Even if you don’t have the dancing prowess of Cheryl Burke or Patrick Swayze you can still put together a first dance sure to impress your wedding guests.
♥ Be creative! The abovementioned newlyweds who body popped their way through their first dance came up with the choreography themselves. See what unique dance ideas you and your fiancé can come up with yourselves. You don’t necessarily need a professional choreographer or dance lessons, all you need is some confidence, the desire to entertain your wedding guests and a willingness to have plenty fun.
♥ If you are looking for inspiration then look no further than the internet. As mentioned, there are hundreds of videos to choose from on the web.
♥ There are also many easy-to-follow instructional videos and DVDs available to buy or rent which can teach you dance moves in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
♥ Initially you should decide on a song you would like to dance to. There are plenty of options available to you. If you are undecided about your first dance song check the list at Firstdance.com which has a huge selection of appropriate wedding dance songs and also check out my blog.
♥ The best type of song to use for your first dance is one with a distinctive beat which is easy to hear.
♥ If you are having trouble picking a song try practicing some dance moves together to your favorite 2 or 3 songs. Settle on whichever of the songs you both feel most comfortable dancing to.
♥ Once you have chosen your first dance song let your choreographer know your choice. They might well ask you to let them have a CD copy of the song so that they can listen to it in advance of your first meeting to begin to visualize a suitable dance routine for you.
♥ It is best that you dance to recorded music so that you get used to the timing of it and know exactly what to expect on your big day.
♥ However, if you are intending to dance to live music make sure the band know how you want the song to be played. Provide them with a CD copy of the song you would like to dance to so that they can familiarize themselves with it before the wedding day. Additionally, it would be wise to hear the band play in person or request a recording of their version of your chosen song so that you can be sure they are going to play an accurate version for your first dance.
♥ Alternatively you might prefer to copy a well-known dance routine (e.g. Dirty Dancing, Thriller, Pulp Fiction) and use the specific song which goes in tandem with it.
♥ Another decision you will need to make early on is whether or not you would like your choreographed first dance to be a secret or not. Part of the appeal is surely to see your guests’ shocked reactions on your wedding day as you wow them with your first dance?
♥ Once you have decided this, consider whether you would like to invite family members or members of your bridal party to participate in the dance with you (I say participate because under no circumstances should you force an unwilling groomsman, bridesmaid etc to take part in the first dance if they are at all reluctant!). If they are agreeable you could arrange group dance lessons (see the “Thriller” video for an example of how much fun you could have as a dancing troupe).
♥ Some people feel that the first dance is the bride and groom’s moment to shine in the spotlight and thus the wedding party should not be included in it. If you feel this way but want to include them in your dance routine somehow you could have them participate in the latter part of the routine (check out the Dirty Dancing routine where the bridal party joined in at the end of the dance – it was really effective, particularly as the groomsmen were able to assist the couple with perfecting the infamous lift at the end of the song!).
♥ Alternatively you could consider a second song for the wedding party to perform their own dance routine. I absolutely love this video of the bride’s father, brother, brother-in-law and groomsman replicating Ok Go’s dance routine to “Here It Goes Again” – what a fabulous way of entertaining your wedding guests. Your only fear with something like this happening at your wedding is that they will steal you and your spouse’s thunder on the dance floor!
♥ When learning the moves for your first dance try not to be overly ambitious. There is no point in you and your fiancé pushing yourselves beyond your comfort zone – you want to look happy and comfortable during your first dance not like a couple of deer caught in headlights! Be aware of your limitations and adapt the dance to suit you and your dancing ability. For example in one of the episodes of “First Dance” the groom-to-be suffered a bad back so he opted out of lifting his bride-to-be during the first dance routine they learnt.
The 3 minute rule
♥ One of the most important things to bear in mind when choosing the song to dance your first dance to is that less is always more! You don’t want to choose a song that lasts longer than 3 minutes or you run the risk of losing your audience’s attention.
♥ Just as wedding speeches should be kept short and sweet so that they don't bore your wedding guests, the same applies with your first dance. Ok, you might have spent months practicing the moves and you really want your guests to appreciate all of your hard work, but you can achieve this in 3 minutes – you don’t have to let the first dance drag on.
♥ Remember that your first dance is supposed to be a gift to your guests not a means of torturing them!
♥ If you do choose a song which lasts longer than 3 minutes, bear in mind that you do not need to dance to the entire song. Ask your DJ or nominated person in charge of music at your reception to cut the song or fade it out after a pre-determined point or if you are having a live band ask them to play a shortened version.
♥ Alternatively you could invite your wedding party or even your guests as a whole to join you on the dance floor for the latter part of the song. Just make a decision in advance of the wedding day and let your DJ or person in charge of your music know what is going to happen once your 3 minutes in the spotlight are up!
Practice makes perfect
♥ You should plan your first dance well in advance of your wedding as you will need as much practice as possible. Ideally you should begin practicing your first dance 6 months ahead of time. If this is not possible, at the very least you should start your private lessons or your own practice sessions at least 3 months in advance of your wedding.
♥ The earlier you start practicing your dance routine the more time you will have to make necessary changes before your wedding day. Having to make last-minute alterations to your choice of music, style of dance, etc are very likely to cause you stress (something couples certainly do not need in the weeks prior to their wedding day!).
♥ First Dance UK recommend that typically couples require 5 hours of lessons to learn a first dance routine.
♥ If you are involving friends and family in your first dance routine you must find time as a group to practice together. It can sometimes be tricky to schedule practice sessions for a large group. Make sure they can all commit to the practice sessions before you start learning your dance routine. It would be a shame if members of the group decided to pull out once you have started rehearsals.
♥ Get as much practice with your fiancé as you possibly can (at least twice a week). The more you rehearse your first dance the more comfortable and confident you will feel and look on the actual wedding day.
♥ If you are having private dance lessons, practice in between them at home. All you need is half an hour here and there and a bit of clear floor space.
♥ Whilst it is important that you get to know every beat of the music in your first dance song, choreographers recommend that you practice the dance routine without the music too - this will help you to focus solely on perfecting your dance moves.
♥ Remember that you are not a professional dance duo. Don’t be too hard on each other whilst you are learning and practicing your dance routine. It is inevitable that you will make mistakes but the important thing is to keep practicing and not fall out over it.
♥ In the run up to your wedding you want to be able to enjoy your dance lessons with your fiancé so make sure you allow enough time. Taking an hour out of your schedules once a week in the busy build up to your wedding will probably be beneficial to both of you. Your dance sessions can become a date night where you spend time together and enjoy each others company away from all of your other stresses, strains and wedding preparations.
Dress to impress
♥ It is important when planning your first dance to think carefully about what you will be wearing on your wedding day. You need to be able to comfortably perform all of your dance moves.
♥ Check the length of your wedding dress. If it is too long your dancing partner might step on it during the first dance. During your dress fittings check that your heels are not likely to get caught in its hem. Ideally the hem should be at least 1.5cm off the floor.
♥ If you have a wedding train be sure that you have the option to pin it up at the back or have it attached to your wrist to keep it swept up and out of the way during the first dance.
♥ You might find that the shape of your wedding dress dictates what style of dance you are able to perform. For example, if you have chosen a dramatic ball gown style with a full skirt are you really going to be able to participate in a swing dance? If you are wearing a low cut strapless wedding dress are you definitely going to be able to execute a backward bend during the first dance without showing more than a bride should?
♥ Is your dress tight fitting? Will you be able to dance comfortably in it?
♥ If you have any worries at all about your ability to perform your chosen dance routine in your wedding attire, let your dance teacher know.
♥ You might well find that some dance moves have to be moderated if your dress restricts them. For example, if you are unable to comfortably raise your arms in your wedding dress then you will be unable to incorporate spins into your dance routine as these require you to raise you arms above your head.
♥ Whilst watching one of the first dance videos on You Tube I couldn’t help but notice that every time the groom was spinning his bride on the dance floor both he and she were catching their hands and arms on her huge tiara. If you are wearing a tiara as part of your wedding attire choose one which is not going to hinder your all important dance moves. My advice is to have a practice waving your hands above your head when choosing a suitable tiara - you might get some strange looks in the shop but it will give you one less thing to worry about during your first dance.
♥ The best thing you can do when practicing your first dance is to dress in clothing similar to that which you intend to wear on your wedding day. In last week’s "First Dance" show the choreographer arranged for a mock-up of the bride’s fish-tail wedding dress to be made up in cheap fabric for her to practice in.
♥ If the groom-to-be intends on keeping his jacket on for the first dance then it makes sense that he should practice the dance routine in a jacket. This will be a great way for him to determine whether or not his dance moves will be restricted by wearing a jacket.
♥ It is also important to make sure that you feel comfortable dancing in your wedding shoes. You should wear the shoes you plan to wear for your actual first dance to your dance lessons. This is important, so that you not only have the chance to practice your dance routine in your wedding shoes but you will also be breaking them in so that they adjust and stretch to fit your feet prior to your big day.
♥ To avoid getting your wedding shoes damaged or scuffed during dance rehearsals you could wear a similar style of shoe to get used to the heel height etc or you could protect your actual wedding shoes by covering them with athletic socks or nylon stockings.
♥ For the groom it is very important that he makes sure that the soles of his wedding shoes are suitable for the proposed dance floor surface. The last thing you want is for the groom to be sliding about the dance floor (keep in mind the episode of Friends where Chandler surprises Monica by announcing he's been taking dancing lessons but his wedding shoes are so slippery, he is incapable of dancing!).
♥ Also, if the groom is going to be wearing patent leather shoes for the dance, make sure that you break them in prior to the wedding dance as they tend to squeak when rubbed together. The solution is to rub some petroleum jelly or even hair conditioner onto the shoes where they rub.
♥ If your shoes are too uncomfortable or impractical to perform your first dance in then there is nothing to stop you changing your footwear prior to the dance.
♥ The same goes for your clothing - there is no shame in changing into an alternative outfit to perform your first dance in if you feel more comfortable doing so. Changing your clothing could be beneficial if you are copying a known dance routine (the groom in the Dirty Dancing video on YouTube changed from his wedding outfit into a black vest top and trousers, so he totally looked the part). Consider your choice of clothes carefully – are you really going to feel relaxed body popping in your voluminous princess style wedding dress!
Get to know your dance floor
♥ The last thing you want before you perform your first dance on your wedding day are any last minute surprises so make sure you know the exact layout, size and shape of your wedding reception dance floor well in advance.
♥ Even if you cannot see the actual space in situ you can at least ask the hotel or venue manager for the measurements of the dance floor you will be using on your wedding day.
♥ If you have an idea of the size and shape your dance space will be you can practice and get used to dancing in the same amount of space. Whilst watching the show "First Dance" I noticed that the choreographer marked out the dimensions of the couple’s proposed wedding dance floor on the floor of her dance studio with tape for their practice sessions. This is a great idea as it means that if you are expecting to dance in an awkward shaped dance space on your wedding day you will be well used to it. You don’t want to run the risk of having your first dance cut short as you crash into a wall or collide with a pillar do you!
♥ The size of your dance space can influence what type of dance routine you are able to perform for your first dance. If the space is miniscule you might have to moderate your routine and do similar dance moves but on a smaller scale.
♥ If possible examine the dance space in person and try dancing on it (or at the very least walking on it) with your wedding shoes on. If your chosen dance space has a highly polished floor covering such as marble you might find it to be quite slippery to dance on (again, think of Chandler in Friends ending up in the splits position on the dance floor – not how you want your wedding guests to remember your first dance!). At least if you know what flooring you will be working with in advance you can adjust your dance routine accordingly.
♥ In the same vein, if your wedding reception is going to be outdoors make sure that there is going to be a proper dance floor installed for you on your wedding day. If performing your first dance on grass is your only option then make sure you have plenty of practice dancing on this type of surface (and remember that the bride will definitely have to forsake her high heeled wedding shoes unless she wants to get stuck in the grass!).
♥ When looking at your dance space you should plan where you are going to start and end your first dance. If you are using a professional choreographer take their advice as to what will work best on your wedding day.
♥ Once you have decided, make sure that the wedding reception venue staff, DJ/band members/person in charge of your music, photographer, videographer and anyone else assisting you with your first dance (including backing dancers) know precisely where you will be entering the dance floor and where you will be exiting. You want helpers who are aware of your surprise first dance to be able to direct the wedding guests to the dance floor area at the right time and position them appropriately without any guests, venue staff or band members encroaching on your dance space!
Things to remember in the run up to your wedding day
♥ Ensure your DJ, band leader or nominated person in charge of music at your wedding reception is clear about when you are starting your dance routine and what is happening at the end of it.
♥ You are better off performing your first dance at the beginning of your wedding reception’s entertainment. Once the dance is out of the way you can relax and enjoy the rest of the party.
♥ Make sure your DJ has the correct version of the song you want to dance to – sometimes songs have alternative and remixed versions. It’s probably best to provide the DJ with a CD of your song just to be on the safe side.
♥ Keep your reception venue fully informed of your plans for your first dance. Remind them that it is a secret from the rest of your wedding party and guests so that they do not ruin your surprise and also ask that the wait staff avoid the dance floor area for the duration of your first dance.
♥ Remember to let your photographer and/or videographer in on your secret dance routine. They will need advance notice so that they can find the best viewpoint at your wedding reception to capture your dazzling performance.
♥ Discuss with your photographer what style of photos you would prefer when it comes to your first dance. Full body shots of the two of you are preferable as you don’t want your fancy footwork to be overlooked in the photos!
♥ The same applies to your videographer if you are using one. Let them know the layout of the dance floor and discuss with them the best positioning for their video cameras.
♥ When you and your other half take to the dance floor for your first dance together as a married couple everyone is going to be watching – remember though it’s not just your wedding guests who might be witnessing your first dance. Newlyweds Julia Boggio and James Derbyshire received over 1.3 million views after the video of their first dance to the Dirty Dancing tune made it onto YouTube. What a novel idea and a surefire way to make your wedding reception not only stand out in every one of your wedding guest's minds in the years to come but also capture the interest of a million YouTube viewers!
Dance tips for on the day
♥ Your partner might feel nervous about dancing in front of all of your wedding guests - before the performance tell them how much you appreciate that they are participating in this with you and give them a reassuring hug.
♥ Take time before and during the first dance to encourage each other. A smile from you is sure to do wonders for your dance partner’s confidence levels.
♥ Walk onto the dance floor with confidence and hold yourself tall and proud.
♥ Even if you are concentrating hard on remembering your dance steps, make an effort to smile.
♥ Remember to look straight ahead and not at your feet when dancing (it is tempting to watch your feet if you are trying to perform complicated dance steps).
♥ Listen to the beat of the music and make sure that you keep in time with it.
♥ Whilst it is important that you maintain eye contact with your partner, try to enjoy the moment and look out at your audience too. It will give your confidence a great boost when you see all of those familiar faces cheering you on!
♥ Also, try to look towards the photographer and videographer when you get the opportunity so that they get some good shots of your face.
♥ Try to loosen up. I have witnessed first dance routines where the bride and groom are really stiff and unnatural looking and totally look like they wish they were somewhere else. Don’t let nerves get the better of you – after all your hard work try to enjoy your first dance and have some fun.
♥ To prevent blocking each others view as you dance, the bride should try to look diagonally to her right over the groom’s left shoulder.
♥ Never surprise your partner with unrehearsed moves on your wedding day. Whilst it is great to be innovative with your dance routine prior to your big day do not try to introduce new dance moves during the first dance. You run the risk of throwing your partner off course or worse still off balance!
♥ If anything goes wrong during the first dance just smile and keep going. So long as you look like you are having fun your guests will not even notice your mistakes.
♥ Remember that you are not contestants on “Strictly Come Dancing” or "Dancing With The Stars" - your wedding guests are not judging your dancing skills! These people witnessing your first dance love you and will be enjoying seeing the two of you dance for the first time as husband and wife – that overrides any dancing faux pas you may make.
♥ No matter how relieved you feel at the end of your first dance don’t forget the most important part of it – to give your dancing partner a well-deserved kiss!
I hope that these tips have helped you decide whether or not a dazzling first dance is for you. If you are considering putting together a dance routine for your wedding to surprise your guests then I recommend you watch the show “First Dance” which airs on Sunday at 7.00pm on UKTV Style.
If you follow my advice then your first dance should be exactly what it is supposed to be – a fun and romantic experience, the memories of which will last you a lifetime!
How would you like to win the $100,000 wedding of your dreams? Interested? Then check out GetMarried.com. They are giving away this fabulous prize - a dream wedding with a value totaling over $100,000. They will cover the cost of wedding party apparel, the venue, the cake, catering, flowers, tables, chairs and linens, photography and the honeymoon. All you have to do to enter their $100,000 Dream Wedding Giveaway is to register at their website, it’s that straightforward. It's free to enter, so what have you got to lose!
I really recommend that you also try and catch GetMarried on WE tv (if you miss the show on TV on Sunday you can catch up with the latest episode on their website). I enjoyed watching last Sunday’s fourth episode which was packed full of useful tips and advice. My favorite parts of the show were when celebrity event planner Preston Bailey (he organized Donald and Melania Trump’s glamorous wedding in 2005) shared his unique and inspirational ideas for wedding venue décor and etiquette guru Peggy Post answered the top 5 wedding etiquette questions. I think that GetMarried gives great wedding fashion advice as well as some fabulous ideas to help you plan your wedding. If you missed last Sunday’s episode check it out here.
Happy viewing and good luck with the $100,000 Wedding Giveaway - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
WeddingChannel.com are offering two free tickets to The Great Bridal Expo in New York when you use the special code wbinet. You can register online at Greatbridalexpo.com. Simply input the coupon code where it says "Special Promotion Code", and then click on the "Calculate Total" button to see that instead of paying $14 you pay nothing!
Promoted as America's #1 Bridal Fashion Show, you will get the chance to see the hottest collections for your entire wedding party. Without doubt you will find everything for your wedding, honeymoon and future home all under one roof.
Event Details:
Monday, January 15, 2007
New York Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Doors Open 5:30 PM
NOTE:Click here for the complete tour schedule finishing on 29th April in Dallas.
The UK’s Number one wedding website Confetti.co.uk has launched a brand new micro site called Confetti East, dedicated to South Asian Weddings and festive occasions. This exciting new micro site offers ideas, inspiration, products and services relating to the exotic east and is a complete one-stop source for anyone planning an Asian or Asian style celebration.
Sections include exciting features such as Indian traditions to include in a wedding, an etiquette guide to South Asian celebrations and interesting facts about henna or mehndi. Practical guides include dos and don’ts of shopping in the Indian subcontinent and how to avoid the most common planning errors.
With guides to style, fashion and beauty and customs, the site educates, informs and entertains anyone planning a Hindu, Sikh or Islamic wedding as well as appealing to those brides who wish to add a little something different to a traditional ceremony.
To Celebrate the launch of Confetti East, you can visit the Confetti stand at Mela from 17 – 19 November at the Birmingham NEC, where there will be a beautiful array of table settings using Confetti products and experienced staff on hand to advise on any aspect of wedding or celebration planning.
i-vox, the leading brand of video diary rooms, were at Earls Court a few weeks ago collecting feedback from visitors to the National Wedding Show. It got a great response and visitors and exhibitors thought it was an innovative and fun way of capturing opinion.
The format of having a room to film yourself in rather than a feedback form is one that appealed to the show organisors so they can analyze what visitors really thought of the show, and not be confined to the boundaries of written questions.
Watch some samples here. If you like what you see you can pop around to the next two shows in the Spring, they are Birmingham 16-18 Feb 2007 and London 23 - 25 Feb 2007.
How does this relate to weddings?
Well i-vox also offer a service where by they will set up your very own video diary room at your wedding. So instead of the usual guest book, guests can visit the room anytime they want (as it is constantly recording) to say a few words about how much they are enjoying the wedding!
A great alternative to the traditional wedding guest book. Let me know what you think of this unique idea by leaving a comment below.
Using posts made at the Hitched.co.uk Wedding Planning Forum the following list was set up to make it easier for brides to find forthcoming wedding fairs on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd October 2006 and beyond.
I urge you to contact the wedding fayre organiser before making any travel arrangements.
St. Augustine's Priory, Bilsington, Ashford TN25 7AU - 21st & 22nd October 2006 Open 10am - 4pm. For more information call 01233 720992 Tollgate Hotel, Gravesend - 22nd Oct 2006 Wedding-Experience.co.uk Nurstead Court, Nurstead Church Lane, Meopham, Nr Gravesend Kent DA13 9AD - 22nd October 06 - open 10.00- 4.00 Admission free visit Wedding-Experience.co.uk or phone 01634 364988 International Study Centre, Canterbury Cathedral - 22nd October 2006 Lympne Castle, Lympne Kent- 22nd October 2006 open 11.00 - 4.00 for more information phone 01303 894608 Howfield Manor, Chartham Hatch, Canterbury - 22nd October 2006 open 11.00 - 4.00 for more information phone Sarah Cheeseman on 01227 738294 Western Churchill Hotel and Health Club, Dover Waterfront, Dover, Kent - 22nd October 2006 open 11.00 - 4.00 for more information phone 01304 203633 The Elwick Club, Ashford, Kent - 4th November 2006 open 10.30 - 5.00pm for more information phone 01233 612392 The Bell Hotel, Sandwich, The Quay, Sandwich CT13 9EF - 5th November 2006 Open from 11.00am to 4.00pm For further information please Telephone 01304 613388 Quex House & Gardens, Birchington, Kent - 5th November 2006 Flamingo Park, A2 Sidcup By-Pass, Chislehurst BR7 6HL - 12th November 06 Open from 11.00am to 4.00pm For further information please Telephone 0208 8576 582 The Hythe Imperial, Hythe CT21 6AE - 12th November 2006 Open 11am - 4pm Prince's Parade, Contact the Banqueting Office on 01303 267441
*** OPEN EVENING *** Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa, Fawkham, Kent - 16th November 2006 open 6.30 - 8.30 pm for more information phone Tracy, Inez or Sherry on 01474 875000
***OPEN DAY*** - Combe Bank by Candlelight, Combe Bank School, Undridge, near Sevenoaks Kent TN14 6AE 19th November 2006 Open from 2 - 5 pm. For further information please contact Teresa 0845 601 6607
***OPEN DAY*** Stone Castle, Stone Castle Drive via Sanderling Way, Stone DA9 9XL - 26th November 2006 Open from 11.00am to 4.00pm. For further information please Telephone 01322 388200
County Cricket Grounds, Old Dover Road, Canterbury - open 11.00 - 4.00. For more information phone 01233 661030
Hinckley Paramount Hotel, A5 Watling street, Just off the M69 - 11.00am - 4.00pm, Sunday 22nd October, wedding dress shows at 12.30 and 2.00pm. Scalford Hall, Melton Mowbray - 22nd October 2006 11am to 4.30pm. Free admission. Tel: 01664 444654 Leicester University, Leicester - 7 January 2007 Imago at Burleigh Court, Loughborough - 21 January 2007 Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse Eaves - 25 February 2007
Lincolnshire
Normanby Hall, Normanby, Scunthorpe - Sunday 22nd October 1-4.30 Normanby Hall, Normanby, Scunthorpe - 7th January Hemswell Cliff, Lincolnshire - 14th January 2007
London
Glaziers Hall, 9 Montague Close, London Bridge SE1 9DD - Everythingbutthegroom.co.uk - phone 020 8623 1912 Novotel, Greenwich - 5th November open 11.00 - 4.00. For more information phone Claudia on 020 8859 8907 or 07951 574 534
1. The information provided on this Wedaholic.com web site has been compiled for your convenience. Wedaholic.com makes no warranties about the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this web site. 2. Wedaholic.com, including its directors, will not accept any liability for any loss, damage or other injury resulting from its use. 3. Links to other web sites are provided for your convenience and Wedaholic.com is not responsible for the information contained on those web sites. The provision of a link to another web site does not constitute an endorsement or approval of that web site, or any products or services offered on that web site, by Wedaholic.com. Wedaholic.com will not accept any liability for the use of those links to connect to web sites that are not under our control. 4. Wedaholic.com does not accept any liability for any financial decisions made on the basis of this information. Wedaholic.com urges you to contact the wedding fayre organiser before making any travel arrangements.
Following the National Wedding Show at Earls Court, nearly two weeks ago, comes another top class wedding show for all London brides. This time it is turn of The Designer Wedding Show at Battersea Park on November 3, 4 ad 5. There will be more than 130 quality creators of wedding gowns, accessories cakes, stationery, entertainment, cosmetics, shoes, tiaras, hats, cars, favours, gift lists, caterers, venues, - basically everything you need for the perfect wedding! I can thoroughly recommend it as I went in 2005.
Tickets : cost £16.50 online (including £1.50 booking fee) and £17.00 on the door.
Door Times : 10am - 5pm daily.
Show Info : Catwalk Show - Included in ticket price & takes place 4 times each day - 10.30am, 12noon, 2pm & 3.30pm.
Food : Gourmet caterer Italian Secrets will be providing a choice of restaurants and bars. The restaurant will serve coffee and breakfast pastries until 11.30am, a two-course lunch from 12 noon and afternoon tea with a selection of Italian cakes will be served from 3pm. Click here to book a table and here to see the menu. The Pol Roger Champagne Bar will be in the centre of the exhibition.
Cars : Look out for AA yellow directional signs to the show.
Parking : Parking: Limited pay & display parking is available in & around the park and disabled parking is available adjacent to the exhibition hall.
Nearest Tube :Sloane Square (District & Circle Lines)
Nearest Station : Battersea Park - Overground from Victoria or Clapham Junction.
Whilst at the National Wedding Show I had the pleasure of meeting a number of exhibitors from Woburn in Bedfordshire. They were there to promote why Woburn is the perfect place to get married. I was quick to learn that there are a number of wonderful venues for a bride and groom to consider - from the elegance of the Sculpture Gallery to the unique setting of the Safari Lodge or the historic Inn at Woburn. It really was a fantastic opportunity to meet a team of people who offer everything you would need to make your day run smoothly and effortlessly, from the wedding cakes to wedding cars, photographers to fashion.
In particular it was lovely to speak to Chris Southgate from the Questor Woburn Bridal Boutique (01525 290658) and Hollie from The Wedding Workshop (01525 403233). I highly recommend you take a look at their websites and give them a call if you don't live too far away.
Luckily though they will both be attending the Woburn Abbey Wedding Fair in January, the details are as follows:
The Woburn Abbey Wedding Fair
Location: The Sculpture Gallery situated in the South Court of Woburn Abbey
Dates: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2007.
Starts: 10:00am, Last Entrance 4:00pm
Entry: £2.50 per person - brides and grooms enter free of charge
Fashion Shows: Start at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Featuring the Wedding Workshop in Ampthill, Fogarty Formal Hire of Leighton Buzzard and Mother of The Bride, Eleni's Fashions.
All couples stand the chance to win a fabulous two week honeymoon from Thomas Cook worth £4000. (Sponsored by The Wedding Guide).
The Workshops will feature:
1. Carrying your flowers with confidence with Tracy Goodwin and Sara Whitehouse from Creations.
2. Timing to perfection - how to plan your wedding day and the action plan fro the arrangements with Andrew Coy, Directory of Hospitality, The Sculpture Gallery.
3. Top tips from Park7 Studios to help you look and feel great in your photos from Di Fisher LMPA LBIPP
Hopefully many of you were able to visit the National Wedding Show at Earls Court last week. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Friday and if you did happen to miss it I thoroughly recommend the next one on 13th to 15th October at the Birmingham NEC. You can book your tickets here.
The bridal collections displayed on the catwalk were certainly mesmerising with a breathtaking choice of bridalwear, groomswear and outfits for the wedding party. The catwalk included a dazzling selection of wedding dresses, from top designers who create gowns for celebrity clientele to high street fashion brands, covering all budgets and tastes.
Dresses in the first catwalk scene, entitled Cinderella's Footprints, opened the show with plenty of glamour from designers Chandrika Thomas, Raishma Couture and Marion Thomas whose dresses showed off strong lines and structure to flatter the bride's curves.
It was true to say a plethora of colour dominated the catwalk with eye-catching lilac groomswear from Marc Wallace. There were plenty of dresses in different shades of blues as well as pastel pink and peach seen in the collections displayed by It Fits Bridal, Wizard of Gos, Fiorisimo Bridal & Couture and a stunning purple dress from Mamfi Brides.
Catwalk exhibitor, Sarah Arnett, designer for Simultane, who created dresses for leading British model Erin O'Connor, wowed visitors during scene three with her chic gowns, which evoked a feeling of couture style and Grecian swathing with empire lines.
Berketex Bride presented the OK! Exclusives collection designed by David Emanuel showcasing simple, traditional yet spectacular wedding dresses including a flirtatious shorter length dress. In complete contrast, brides wore black in scene four, with designers such as Marion Thomas, Rivilino Bride and Malcolm Hall showing off their most unique and unusual creations.
For bridesmaids dress ideas, everyone was inspired by the adorable and colourful frocks worn by the catwalk show's littlest models as Nicki Macfarlane Bridesmaids and Nene.D displayed their exquisite designs in a range of vibrant, sumptuous silks and fabrics.
I just wanted to let you know that WeddingChicago.com are offering a special deal through Daily Candy for the upcoming Bridal Brunch at Café Brauer on October 15th, 9:30AM - 1:30PM.
For a limited time only, you can receive 2 for 1 tickets if you pre-register online for the event. Use the special promo code: WCBBDC06
At the Bridal Brunch they have having flamenco guitarists, makeovers by MAC Cosmetics, wedding experts, fashion show and raffle prizes, including a honeymoon getaway. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.
It was fun meeting some of the girls from Wrapit.co.uk over the weekend. I learnt that Wrapit really is a refreshing approach to wedding lists and a service I will definitely review in the near future (especially as the founder Pepita Diamond studied at St Andrews just down the road from me!)
Anyway if you are in London on the 26th October, I recommend you take full advantage of a free event they are holding at their West End store.
Over a drink (or two!), you can wander around their stylist showroom and chat to their carefully selected wedding experts. There will also be an opportunity to chat with a Wrapit consultant about the fabulous service they offer, as well as exclusive offers, fabulous prizes and a goodie bag.
Date: Thursday 26th October Time: 6.00- 8.30pm Venue: 89 Great Titchfield Street W1W 6RN(Nearest tubes stations: Oxford Circus, Warren Street and Great Portland Street)
If you would like to attend this free event please email london@wrapit.co.uk with your name and the name of the person you would like to bring along. Wrapit will confirm your place by email within a few days
I have been reliably informed that the Autumn/Winter 2006 bridal collection appearing on the catwalk at this year’s National Wedding Shows in London and Birmingham will reflect the ‘wow’ factor normally associated with the catwalks of Milan, Paris, New York and London. The dresses will be glamorous with lines and structure that accentuate the bride’s curves. I have also learnt that colour is also a strong feature for this Autumn and all the shades of blues can be seen as well as pastel pink, peach and green.
“The choice is as breathtaking as the gowns themselves. Sumptuous Marie-Antoinette multi-layered skirts topped by tightly sculpted bodices (Sophia Coppola’s movie will make this the look); 50s-style flirty-skirt shorties with pretty princess necklines; slinky body-skimmers in soft, fluid fabrics worn with tiny lacey bolero tops, gossamer-fine shrugs, or short tailored jacket with high collars. Taffeta is the big-news fabric – crunched, scrunched, swathed and ruched to accentuate curves. Look out for colour – softly, softly pinks, blues, greens and rich topaz golds. There couldn’t be a better time to be a bride.”
The overall theme of the catwalk show is The Four Seasons. Brides, grooms and mother of the bride will find inspiration for all types of wedding.
Spring: Enchanted Garden with fauna and flora inspired decoration and Dressing Up Box with vintage inspired gowns.
Summer: Beach Bride will include a selection of chiffons, silks and natural fibres in neutral colours while Tropical Island will be the same in bold hot colours.
Autumn: Magic Carpet will showcase ethnic influences bridalwear as well as menswear followed by Medieval Heroes and Heroines in their rich and opulent fabrics and styles.
Winter: Snow Palace featuring cloaks and capes.
The catwalk shows will include a dazzling selection of wedding dresses, from top designers who create gowns for the stars to high street fashion brands, covering all budgets and tastes.
I can hardly wait!
If you are in or near London next week I highly recommend you take the time to visit the show. The dates are: London Earls Court Sept 29-1 Oct / Birmingham NEC Oct 13-15 Oct.
Next week sees the The National Wedding Show at London Earls Court from the 29th September to the 1st October and later on at the Birmingham NEC on the 13th to 15th October.
The Shows aim to provide everything a bride and groom could want to create their perfect wedding, all found under one roof. From designer dresses to fancy favours, wedding cakes, flowers and accessories, amazing honeymoon destinations to fireworks and photographers, there is inspiration everywhere!
The shows will include a dazzling selection of wedding dresses, from top designers to high street fashion brands, for all budgets and tastes. Visitors can admire exclusive wedding outfits by Simultane who have designed dresses for Erin O’Connor; a chic and elegant collection from top designer Marion Thomas; traditional be-spoke styles by Antonia Pugh-Thomas. Paul Simonson, a designer for ultra feminine fashion label Ghost, will be showing his own exclusive bridal range.*
Wedding planning can be stressful and lengthy, so the National Wedding Shows aim to make the decision processes as easy and as fun as possible. Each event features a choreographed Catwalk Show with designs to inspire the imagination, including the latest range of colours from designer dresses and suits to the high-street alternatives.
Style expert Caryn Franklin, best known for her appearances on GMTV and This Morning and as host of the BBC Clothes Show, hosts a live make over session at the ‘How To Look Good’ stage. The top tips and wedding day advice given throughout the session are tailored for a lucky bride to be, picked at random from the audience, who is transformed live on stage. A team of experts including celebrity makeup artist Ariane Poole and hairdresser Errol Douglas* will accompany Caryn for the session.
For fun and informative interaction, live Inspiration Sessions are hosted throughout the day. Celebrity florist Mathew Dickinson and patissier to the stars and royals, Eric Lanlard from Savoir Design, will be bringing their ideas to life on the stage, helping to supply top tips for the big day.
Visitors can begin the celebrations with a touch of sparkle, with the option to sit back and relax in the Champagne bar.
Tickets are available on the National Wedding Show website with ticket prices starting at £10 for the Birmingham Show and £12 for the London show. Alternatively, callers to the Box Office can purchase tickets by credit card on 0870 730 0064.
* please note that exhibitors and guest speakers differ for each show, please consult the Press Office team to check latest exhibitor information.
Future show dates for 2007: 16-18 Feb NEC Birmingham, 23-25 Feb Olympia London.
I can thoroughly recommend "The Scottish Wedding Show” at the SECC, Glasgow. You can pick up so many ideas and even make an official booking as I did for my videographer a few years ago. Often each wedding company will be running a special offer just for the duration of the show. It can be exhausting talking to all of the exhibitors, but the amount of contacts and savings you make ensure it is time well spent!
Dates: 28-29 October 2006
Highlights & Features include:
♥ Over 250 exhibitors to cover every wedding category imaginable. For example : Balloons, Bands, Beauty, Bridalwear, Bridesmaids, Cakes, Cars, Caterers, Chocolate Fountains, Dance Classes, Event Decoration, Favours, Financial, Flowers, Groomswear, Guestwear, Hats, Hen & Stag, Honeymoons, Jewellery, Magazines, Marquees, Mother of the Bride, Photography, Speech Preparation, Stationery, Tiaras, Venues, Videographers, Wedding Insurance, Wedding Lists and Wedding Planners
♥ Free Entry to View the Largest Bridal Collection in Scotland (Catwalk Show Times: 10.30am, 12.00 noon, 1.45pm, 3.15pm and 4.45pm.) See the latest wedding dresses and collections from Bridal Path, Capri Skies, Catherines of Partick, Fascinations of Larkhall, Glitterati, Geoffrey Tailor Highland Crafts, 21st Century Kilts, Joyce Young for By Storm, Kiltpin, Kinnies Bridal, La Novia, Liliana Dabic, MacGregor & MacDuff, Mackenzie Menswear, McCalls, Moss Bros, Rage of Hyndland, Roberta Buchan, Signature Brides, Suelise Bridal, and The Wedding Planner.
♥ Free Wine Tasting with Tesco - Presented by Scotland’s only female Master of Wine, Rose Murray Brown
♥ Free Specialist Beauty Advice & Demonstrations with medéspa
Tickets: You can book online in advance or phone 0141 587 6088 and gain entry to the show on Saturday and Sunday. Advance tickets are only £8 and Advance Wedding Party Tickets (for 4 people) are only £28
Having spent some time in Chicago I often find myself surfing the Net intrigued to know what is going on in a city I dearly love.
Thus only tonight I came across a great wedding site created to help brides plan a wedding in the Chicagoland area. A lady called Alison Rodriguez reports on their forthcoming event titled "The Wedding Chicago Bridal Show" and it looks like it's going to be a lot of fun!
She reports:
"Stylists from Nicole Miller will do a fashion presentation featuring designs from their bridal collection. Some of our other vendors include Franco Lanzi Photography, Highland Park Country Club, Belden-Stratford Hotel and so many more. "
Sounds a thoroughly professional event and if I wasn't so far away I would definitely like to attend.
If you do live in the Chicago are here are the full details:
Sunday, February 26, 2006
10AM - 3PM
The Great Hall of Cafe Brauer
2021 N. Stockton Drive (at the Lincoln Park Zoo)
Chicago, IL 60614
Planning a wedding is all about exposing yourself to as many ideas as possible in the beginning.
For those in the UK I highly recommend "The Designer Wedding Show", at Battersea Park, London on November 4, 5 and 6 where you will be able to see the latest designer bridal collections from more than 24 of the world's top bridal designers.
As well as this, over 300 of Scotland's leading wedding suppliers will be showcasing everything you need for your perfect wedding day including wedding gowns, accessories, cakes, stationery, entertainment, cosmetics, shoes, tiaras, hats, cars, favors, gift lists, caterers, venues - basically everything you need!!
The UK’s Number one wedding website 
Hopefully many of you were able to visit the 
It was fun meeting some of the girls from 
I have been reliably informed that the Autumn/Winter 2006 bridal collection appearing on the catwalk at this year’s National Wedding Shows in London and Birmingham will reflect the ‘wow’ factor normally associated with the catwalks of Milan, Paris, New York and London. The dresses will be glamorous with lines and structure that accentuate the bride’s curves. I have also learnt that colour is also a strong feature for this Autumn and all the shades of blues can be seen as well as pastel pink, peach and green.
Next week sees the The National Wedding Show at 
Wedding planning can be stressful and lengthy, so the National Wedding Shows aim to make the decision processes as easy and as fun as possible. Each event features a choreographed Catwalk Show with designs to inspire the imagination, including the latest range of colours from designer dresses and suits to the high-street alternatives.
For fun and informative interaction, live Inspiration Sessions are hosted throughout the day. Celebrity florist 
