Fashion Friday: A Panorama of Wedding Dresses

With New York Fashion Week in its second day, we're already taking note of our favourite styles from the Spring/Summer 2015 collections - an abundance of white dresses to inspire our brides. Since travelling across the Atlantic isn't an option, we're watching the shows online and we've come up with an alternative solution - an exhibition dedicated to wedding dresses at the Victoria&Albert Museum, in London. 
  
Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 exhibition at the V&A offers a panorama of fashion stretching across two centuries of designer bridal wear. Displayed chronologically across two floors, you’ll find over 80 pieces – from romantic and glamorous to more extravagant wedding outfits.

Some of the most famous outfits in the gallery include the Dior wedding dress worn by Gwen Stefani in2002, the Duchess of Cornwall’s embroidered silk coat designed by Robinson and Valentine in 2005, and the couture Galliano gown created for KateMoss’s wedding in 2011.

                    

    

The exhibition hosts not only superb dresses and grooms wear but also accessories including shoes, jewellery, veils, garters and corsetry as well as fashion sketches and personal photographs. What better way to satisfy your curiosity about the history of garments than with an intimate insight into some of the wearers’ fashion choices and personal details.

The choice of designs reflects the changing attitude to wedding ceremonies and fashion over the years – early silk satin dresses in 1775,19^th century white muslin embroidered styles and modern innovative designs from Ian Stuart and Gareth Pugh.

  

WeddingDresses 1775-2014 takes place in the V&A Fashion Gallery, from 3 May 2014 – 15 March 2015. It is open daily 10:00 – 17:45 and until 22:00 every Friday, with tickets costing £12. You can also get your hands on the accompanying book, The Wedding Dress: 300 Years of Bridal Fashions by Edwina Ehrman (the exhibition curator) for £25.

Let us know if you're going to the exhibition and how it may influence your choice of wedding outfits. Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Photos: courtesy of V&A Wedding Dresses 1775-2014

V&A
T: 020 7942 2000

South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL

W: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/wedding-dress-1775-2014/

Fashion Friday: Wedding Fashion Takes Centre Stage

We at West Weddings love everything wedding related, especially when it comes to fashion, and this Fashion Friday is a special one. With September only a few days away, we're excited about discovering the new trends for 2014/2015 – from the glamour of London Fashion Week to the South West’s own fashion shows at Cribbs Causeway and Cabot Circus, fashion is everywhere!

One of our favourite events of the season is the Wedding World Exhibition, in association with West Weddings, which brings all the latest collections of bridal gowns, suits and accessories, in a one-day event on Sunday 14^th September at the prestigious Bristol Marriott Hotel, near Cabot Circus. 

We’re dying to see the latest bridal trends and swoon over our favourite wedding dresses and groom's outfits. The spectacular catwalk shows are the highlight of the day featuring the latest designs for brides and grooms, as well as bridesmaids, flower girls and ushers - all from a range of carefully selected boutiques. Fashion savvy mums will also be treated to exquisite mother-of-the-bride outfits and accessories.

On the day, you’ll get a chance to meet with over 100 local businesses, pour over your favourite styles and benefit from the unique discounts and offers. The event is free, with pre-booked tickets, or you can pay £2 on the door. Take a look inside our autumn issue of WestWeddings magazine to find your free tickets (on page 8)!

A second Wedding World event, the Donwtown Abbey Wedding Experience, will take place at Westonbirt House on the 2^nd November. You can find out more details and how to book your tickets on our previous blog post here.

West Weddings presents Wedding World Exhibition

Although it’s only the middle of summer, we’re already looking ahead to autumn and Bristol’s largest wedding exhibitions, featuring hundreds of wedding experts from the South West. We are delighted to be part of this year’s Wedding World Exhibition taking place in September and November at two gorgeous venues in Bristol.

From High Street names including John Lewis, Debenhams and Hotel Du Vin to luxurious brands and bespoke wedding specialists, the exhibitions offer a wonderful day out and a chance to make all your wedding day dreams a reality. So grab your diary and add these dates in:

• Sunday 14th September The Bristol Marriott Hotel, next to Cabot Circus, Broadmead
• Sunday 2nd November Westonbirt House, Opposite The Arboretum, Glos

Whether you recently got engaged or have been planning your big day for a while, you can organise every aspect of your wedding and gather ideas all in one place, on one day. Visitors will also be treated to some secret surprises throughout the day, so don't miss out! Here are 5 main reasons why you should make Wedding World Exhibition your 'go to' event this year for wedding planning! 

1.    Entrance is free with pre-booked tickets – order yours today by emailing emma@weddingworldexhibitions.co.uk. Alternatively you can buy a ticket on the door for only £2.

2.    Talk to a range of suppliers about all aspects of wedding planning – from cake and invites to photography and entertainment. Whatever your budget, theme and style, you’ll find an impressive range of wedding professionals, who can help and answer any questions you may have.

3.    Watch the two professionally choreographed catwalk shows to find your dream wedding dress and groom’s outfit. You might want to take your mum along as well – there’s fashion inspiration for bridesmaids, flower girls and mother-of-the-bride!

4.    Enjoy a free glass of bubbly and take home a goody bag (including a free copy of our latest issue of West Weddings magazine), without having to worry about parking – all three venues have a great parking facilities.

5.    Benefit from the unique special offers and discounts from exhibitors – perfect for saving you money and time!

For further details about each event, visit the Wedding World website, and keep checking our blog and Twitter (@WestWeddingsMag) where we’ll be keeping you up-to-date on all the latest news and events in the wedding world!

With Wedding World Exhibition bigger than ever, wedding planning has never been so easy!