Miscellaneous Monday: Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

Here at West Weddings we simply can't get enough of weddings! And whenever one of our brides gets married, we love featuring her special day within our pages and seeing all the gorgeous photos. The four real weddings in our summer issue are absolutely superb! 

The beauty about weddings is that after the big day you can look forward to special wedding anniversaries every year.  Traditionally different materials have been associated with each year following a couple's nuptials starting with paper. We've done a little bit of research and found out what the first 5 anniversaries are linked to:

• 1st wedding anniversary is paper 
• 2nd wedding anniversary is cotton
• 3rd wedding anniversary is leather
• 4th wedding anniversary is linen or silk
• 5th wedding anniversary is wood

 Who would have thought that after 10 years of marriage you should get each other something as special as tin or white steel?

Here's a little infographic created by Unusual Gifts with 10 great ideas for the first few years of your marriage.

Also check out these cute and quirky gift ideas from a Few Home Truths!

Miscellaneous Monday: Bridal Lingerie for a Flawless Figure

Bet you there isn’t a single bride out there who doesn’t splash out on the prettiest lingerie for their wedding day. Therefore we’ve decided to bring you some expert advice on getting the best out of your bridal underwear this Miscellaneous Monday! Whatever your dress shape and style, it’s important to get the right support and structure so that you can look and feel fabulous as you say ‘I Do’. 

We talked to Shirley Kelly, owner of Aria Lingerie, who share her top tips for picking wedding lingerie. Navigate your way through the variety of designs and shapewear available – it’s easier than ever to feeling sexy and sophisticated!

• Probably my most valuable tip is to have a proper fitting. Most women unknowingly are wearing the wrong size bras and, as a result, are not getting the most out of their underwear. The nerves throughout the planning process will affect your weight. Arrange to have a professional fitting, it doesn’t take long and it’s a worthwhile investment before choosing your underwear. 

• Don't scrimp when it comes to buying wedding lingerie. Your wedding dress is probably one of the most expensive things you will buy for your special day so ensure to spend time looking for the perfect style and fit to complement your body and dress.

• Contrary to what you may think Ivory lingerie is not always a great choice and bright whites are often best avoided under certain fabrics as they will show through. Think about the colour of your skin tone, perhaps a pretty nude (dark or light), or blush might work best with your dress and be more invisible than ivory or white.

• Comfort is absolutely the key. Keep in mind the fact you will be on your feet and on show all day, so your lingerie should support and stay in place for the duration without needing adjustments or feeling like you are wearing it.

               

                      

• When wearing fine fabrics consider seamless or control underwear for the perfect finish, as some materials such as lace may show through and also feel uncomfortable if you are not used to wearing them.
• Why not slip into something sexier in the evening when you take your wedding dress off? The reality for most of us is that we have to wear something a little more practical than we were expecting on our big day. But you can indulge in something spectacular for your evening reveal!

              

• Make sure you choose your bridal lingerie before the final fitting as this allows you enough time to find the perfect fit for you and your dress.

AriaLingerie is an independent boutique that has been trading for two years, based in the beautiful city of Bath. They stock a range of top designers including Simone Perele, Mimi Holiday, Chantelle-Palazzo, and Fantasie in sizes varying from A – H cups. Relaxed and friendly, this small boutique offers a truly personalised experience and has private evening events available upon request, so you and your bridal party can enjoy private fittings, champagne and a range of luxurious lingerie in a unique and private setting. 

Aria Lingerie

3 George Street, Bath

T: 01225 447700

W:www.arialingerie.co.uk

Now pop over to our Twitter and Facebook pages and let us know which of the above tips you found the most useful. 

Chosen Vintage Wedding Fair – Your day, your way!

We’re still swooning over the pictures of Brad and Angelina’s dreamy wedding day on this sunny Miscellaneous Monday. Are you feeling inspired by their bespoke nuptials, with a surprising twist on tradition? Then you’ll love the Chosen Vintage Wedding Fair, taking place on Sunday 5^th October at the Paintworks Event Space, in Bristol.

Chosen Vintage Wedding Fair is a unique wedding event, showcasing the best handpicked exhibitors from the South West – bespoke designs, vintage elements and on-hand professional advice for couples. Whatever the budget, they can help make your wedding unique and filled with personal touches that reflect your personality.  

Spend the day enjoying live entertainment, DIY tutorials and refreshments as you talk to vendors and get inspiration to help you create that fun, bespoke wedding you've always dreamed of.

                      

Tickets cost £2 and can be purchased on the website.

Read our previous post on the event here for a list of suppliers and head over to our Facebook and Twitter pages where you can tell us about the personal elements you'll be adding to your special day.

Miscellaneous Monday: Wedding Day Glamping

With the sun beaming through the clouds these last few days of summer, we turn our attention to the most recent music event – V Festival! As we sang along to Justin Timberlake and Lily Allen, and dreamed about dancing at yet another wedfest, we came across an incredible supplier of alternative wedding venues. The ArabianTent Company brings a unique take on wedding tents and marquees, and its latest addition of boudoirs, yurts and bell tents is truly astounding.  

Regional winners of the Wedding Industry Awards 2013, the The ArabianTent Company was born out of the owner, Katherine Hudson’s love of festivals and outdoor parties. Their impressive collection of themed marquees and furnishings can help create the perfect wedding venue close to nature. And if you dream of spending your first night as a married couple in the heart of the English countryside, then why not consider one of these these three options:

1. Yurts

These spacious five-metre diameter yurts have an organic luxury feel. Their exposed wood and white canvas features, along with rugs and carpets on the floor and table lamps, create a romantic atmosphere – perfect for newlyweds who love camping!   

2. Bell tents

The spacious Bell Tents are the most cost-effective option for accommodating your wedding guests. Supplied with name tags and bunting around them, they come with different options for bedding, lights and interior décor –the cheerful sound of birds singing is an added bonus!  

3. Boudoirs

The most luxurious tented experience of them all, these gorgeous Boudoir tents are the palatial miniature versions of their Arabian collection. You have the benefit of being able to stand up inside the whole tent so the whole area is usable but still feels as cosy and luxurious as possible. With a choice of interior themes and décor available, you can impress your family and friends with the ultimate Glamping experience on such a special occasion.   

ArabianTent Company

http://www.arabiantents.com

E: info@mad-promotions.com

T: 0800 8815 229

Check out our festival theme post for some inspirational tips on planning an outdoor wedding celebration and let us know your thoughts on glamping - come over to our Facebook and Twitter pages to like, favourite and share your comments.   

Miscellaneous Monday: It's all love at Lighthaus Events

Want to see your wedding day theme spelled out in 4ft tall, 3D letters? Now you can with the help of Lighthaus Events’ huge illuminated letters! This local business provides amazing mood lighting for the dance floor and the perfect backdrop for those all-important wedding photos. What’s more, they deliver, set up and collect the letters themselves to ensure minimal hassle for the bride and groom.

LightHaus Events was born from a passion for creating a DIY wedding – the couple’s own big day was filled with chalk boards, signs and even a bar, made using their own skills and love for the craft.

“We loved the look of light-up letters in wedding blogs, but we couldn't source any locally in the South West, we just didn't have the time (or energy!) to make them in time for our big day. After spotting this gap in the market, we decided to put our expertise to good use,” explains Siobhan.

            

Made by craftsmen who are highly skilled in their trade and passionate about what they do, each letter is created to a very high specification. Lighthaus Events make everything themselves to ensure that the lights are of a high standard, meet safety expectations, and have a lot of love and time put into them! We’re pleased to announce that there’s a brand new design in the pipeline – the team are about to launch new “Mr & Mrs” letters, which will be ready very soon!

As they currently only deliver to certain parts of the South West, we advise you get in touch to check if they cover your area. If not, you can also collect them from their workshop.

Lighthaus Events

T:07875099756

E:info@lighthausevents.co.uk    

Find them on Facebook and Twitter

Miscellaneous Monday: Chosen Vintage Wedding Fair

If you’re planning a wedding in the Bristol, Bath or Somerset area, then you’ll be pleased to hear about this exquisite Bespoke and Vintage Wedding Fair taking place at Paintworks Event Space on Sunday 5th October between 11am and 4pm.

Chosen Bespoke and Vintage Wedding Fair is a fresh and fun take on your average wedding fair. Showcasing unique British Heritage, you’ll find an astonishing collection of bespoke and vintage designs for your big day, which you can then pass on to future generations.  For those unique elements that are ‘all about you’, come and have a chat with the designers themselves and browse the vintage treasures. Enjoy the tea room facilities, fun entertainment, and browse the interactive bridal display in a relaxing and creative environment. 

Located at Paintworks Event Space in Bristol’s Creative Quarter, Chosen Bespoke and Vintage Wedding Fair is proud to showcase local designer talent and contemporary styled beautiful vintage glamour. With over 50 exhibitors, here are just a few of the names you can expect to see on the day:  
Tin Can Floral
Jessica Charleston Bridal
Days of Grace Vintage
Martin Pemberton Photography
Little Wedding Helper Styling
Fellow Dreamers Lingerie
Vintage Button Bridal Accessories
Chocolate Delores Cakes

Tickets cost £2, so book yours today on their dedicated website to register for your free bridal goodie bag on arrival! 

Miscellaneous Monday: It’s festival fever!

For our Miscellaneous Monday this week, we’re looking at ways to celebrate your wedding day outdoors, whatever the weather. 

Festival wedding venue: Outdoor celebration

If you’d like to have a relaxed, laid back feel for your wedding day, then why not consider a festival theme? With summer music festivals and local fetes all across the West Country at this time of year, there are plenty of local suppliers that can help with everything you need. With a few simple touches, you can transform your parents’ garden into a wedding-worthy venue. Weather permitting, you could be making your way down the aisle on a carpet of daisies, with guests sitting on hay bales, and say ‘I do’ under a beautiful floral arch. And if you're embracing the festival theme fully, then invite your guests for a wedding picnic under the blue sky - do ask them to bring wellies and a brolly, just in case!   

To get you started, we’ve put together a Festival Theme board on Pinterest, which you can share with your bridesmaids and maybe inspire you to create your own. We'd love to hear your thoughts in a comment below or drop us a message on Twitter!

Follow West Weddings's board Festival wedding theme on Pinterest.

Festival wedding details: Wild flowers   

From bouquets to center pieces, think mismatched wild flowers in different shapes and shades that look like they’ve just been picked from a meadow. Take inspiration from Kate Moss and go for a natural look – think soft dresses, loose curls, floral garlands and bare feet!  

Festival wedding music: Live band

There’s no better way to create a festival atmosphere for your wedding than with a live music performance. Choose a band whose style you both love and agree on a playlist that will get everyone on the dance floor. Add some festival flags, fairy lights and glow sticks, and your guests will feel like they’re at Glastonbury! 

Miscellaneous Monday: You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

A bit of a different Miscellaneous Monday this week. Today we say goodbye to our Blog Editor, Kate Hacker, and hello to our new Blog Editor - Gianina Turner.

From Kate - Goodbye!

I've been the editor of the West Weddings blog for a year and a half and have loved every minute of it! It's been great to interact with readers and specialists in the wedding industry, and to supply information and tips to help brides throughout the West Country. Some of my favourite projects have been instituting Miscellaneous Monday and Fashion Friday here on the blog - I hope our readers have enjoyed them as much as I have.

I'll be moving on to focus more on my own blog (feel free to check it out, if you'd like) and my work with a small charity in Bristol.

There's no one I could be more pleased to hand the blog over to than Gianina (who has also created her own newlyweds magazine). She has a clear passion for weddings and I know she'll provide even more great tips and creative insight for all our brides and readers!

From Gianina - Hello!

Ever since I got engaged in 2012, I've been an avid reader of West Weddings and later on I became a contributor to the magazine, writing about all things to do with wedding preparations. You can read my feature on wedding rings in the latest issue of West Weddings magazine. I also enjoy writing about real weddings (my wedding was in the Autumn 2013 issue), so if you'd like to be in the pages of West Weddings magazine get in touch at westweddings@venue.co.uk!

As I take over from Kate the role of Blog Editor, I feel extremely lucky to be able to carry on the successful projects she has created on the West Weddings Blog. I know she will continue to inspire and help others through her writing, and I wish her good luck on her new journey!

The prospect of interacting with brides-to-be and wedding industry professionals via the blog and social media fills me with excitement. I am already buzzing with ideas and can’t wait to get to know our readers and help them with their planning for the big day. From wedding fairs to fashion and unique finishing touches, I love finding out about the latest trends and ways to create luxe for less.

I've always been a true romantic and a big believer in ‘happily ever after’ like in fairy-tales. I see weddings as joyful celebrations with family and friends, and the start of an exciting new chapter as a married couple.  

Wedding World Exhibition in September and November!

This Autumn, Bristol's largest wedding exhibition will be taking place on three dates at three locations, featuring hundreds of wedding experts and exhibitors from around the West. West Weddings is excited to be partnering with Wedding World to present these fantastic shows in September and November.

Sunday 14th September The Bristol Marriott Hotel, next to Cabot Circus, Broadmead

The largest & most exciting not to mention prestigious Wedding Exhibition in The South West – Featuring over 100 selected exhibitors from the UK & South West from High Street names including John Lewis, Debenhams, & Hotel Du Vin to luxurious brands, boutiques & bespoke wedding specialists. A wonderful day out to realise all your Wedding Day Dreams.Wedding World at The Bristol Marriott is the highlight of all future brides & grooms calendar with so much & more on offer!

Sunday 2nd November Westonbirt House, Opposite The Arboretum, Glos

“The Downton Abbey of The Cotswolds” presenting over 100 wedding experts, services & suppliers from Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire & North Wiltshire in a truly outstanding and inspirational venue.Less than 30 minutes from Bristol, Bath, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Glos & Stroud. This exhibition will be a unqiue “Downton Wedding Experience” for all future brides & grooms, family & friends. To ensure of a relaxing day out, the wonderful Westonbirt Cafe will be open for coffee and homemade cake (great if you have any important bridal decisions to make on the day!) or you may wish to take a stroll in the spectacular grounds.

Here's what to expect - 

All Exhibitions offer a glass of bubbly on arrival, goody bag & ample parking. All exhibitions are on ground floor.

The highlight of each Wedding World Exhibition are the two professionally staged & choreographed bridal catwalk shows with preshow wedding entertainment too! The bridal fashion shows are truly spectacular featuring all styles of dresses and suits for the bride & grooms, not to mention kilts too (!), bridesmaids & boys, flower girls and even Mother of The Bride outfits too. We're told that visitors should be on the lookout for some secret surprises throughout the day as well!

As a family business with over 20 years event experience, all Wedding World's exhibitors are carefully selected to ensure a very professional standard – with lots of research & informal chat to establish their business. They pride themselves that some of our exhibitors are still exhibiting with us since the creation of Wedding World, expanding & changing with them.

Wedding World keeps a strict balance of services too, so not only the brides and grooms have the greatest of choices but are not bored by seeing too much of the same service/product – this too is another reason why exhibitors love to exhibit there and brides and grooms love to visit.

If you've been to one too many disappointing wedding fairs where you've walked pass fewer than 20 stands in uninspiring venues with poor catwalk shows, then Wedding World is aiming to be the precise opposite. This is why Wedding World is an Exhibition rather than Wedding Fair – offering selected exhibitors, a variety of carefully chosen services, copious choices with over 100 stands and feature professionally staged & choreographed bridal fashion shows.

Consider each Wedding World Exhibition to be your biggest ever local bridal 'pop-up' shop!

Miscellaneous Monday: Summer is here!

The official first day of summer is this Saturday, so to celebrate, we're doing Miscellaneous Monday summer-style!

Favourite summer wedding trend: Summery drinks!

Food, fashion and decor aren't the only ways to express your personality and sense of fun on your wedding day - drinks can be an easy and creative way to bring in some colour and maybe even a dash of whimsy! From classic Pimms to fruity margaritas, drinks can  be a great way to express yourself, keep your guests cool on a warm day, and perhaps even help keep that dance floor from getting awkwardly abandoned. We've created a Pinterest board featuring some of our favourite summer wedding drink ideas - repin or make your own board and let us know on Twitter!

Follow West Weddings's board Summer Wedding Drink Ideas on Pinterest.


Favourite reading material: West Wedding Summer 2014 issue

Sorry - we couldn't resist! If you haven't picked up a copy of WW's latest issue in person, never fear! In addition to still  being available in print through one of our various stockists, it is also browse-able online! Just as much gloss and glamour, and goes just as well with a cup of tea (or iced tea, depending on the fluctuating temperature!), but without the carbon footprint. Check it out by clicking here!

Favourite planning secret: Plan ahead for Wedding World!

West Weddings is proud to be taking part in Wedding World, the largest wedding exhibition in the South West, which will be taking place this autumn at three different dates and locations. Featuring more than 100 vendors and wedding specialists from across the South West, this is definitely a one-stop-shop for all your planning needs. If you're getting married this autumn or winter, make sure you put these dates in your diary now! (Also - keep an eye on our 2014 Wedding Fair Calendar for updates!)

Miscellaneous Monday: Pop-Up Wedding Space in Bristol

Bristol's favourite pop-up wedding space - Little Wedding Space - is back for three weeks only! Located in the upper glass walk of Cabot Circus, the shop features local wedding suppliers all under one roof, hosted by Kirsten of The Little Wedding Helper and Ruth of Ruth Garner Photography.

The Little Wedding Space is a great opportunity to speak to suppliers and consultants in person, and accomplish some of your wedding planning in this elegant space.

Among the fabulous suppliers in the Little Wedding Space are Biba & Rose and AJE Classics.

Biba & Rose is the business a local jewellery designer specialising in hand-made designs made from freshwater pearls. 

Her appearance at the Little Wedding Space will offer visitors the rare opportunity to meet Biba & Rose founder and designer Rosemary Griffin who creates her entire collection at her home near Bristol. The eye-catching collection, which includes specially chosen freshwater pearls and gemstones, ranges from heart-shaped pendants and charm bracelets to Venetian-inspired necklaces using the world-famous Murano Glass.

For Rosemary, who specialises in creating bespoke wedding pieces, this event is particularly exciting. ‘As a jeweller who loves creating individual and unique pieces for special occasions, I am thrilled to be part of this wedding event,' she said. 'As an online retailer, this will also be a welcome opportunity to meet customers face to face, to discuss my collection.'

AJE Classics, who provided the elegant green 1960's Jaguar for our Summer issue photoshoot, will also be hosted at the Little Wedding Space! If you want to arrive in style to your big day, AJE classics are sure to provide you with the perfect ride. We were huge fans of the gorgeous car they supplied for our photoshoot, and we're sure any bride would be equally over the moon to have one of these classic cars as part of her big day.

The Little Wedding Space is running until 2nd June, so catch it while you can!

Miscellaneous Monday: Magazines & Cakes

It's Monday, so we thought we'd kick the week off by sharing some of our favourite wedding-related 'miscellany' from across the internet! So without further ado...

Favourite 'breaking news': The latest issue of West Weddings has hit the shelves!
The Summer issue of West Weddings is packed full of gorgeous photos from our shoot at Thornbury Castle (and stay tuned to the blog for behind-the-scenes photos coming soon!), inspiring tips for brides and grooms, pages of luscious photos from some of our favourite West Country photographers, and the latest gowns from top suppliers and boutiques in the region. To find out where you can pick up your copy, visit our list of stockists!

Favourite cake trend: Stripped down, no-icing wedding cakes
'Less is more' is one of our editor's favourite mantras, and this goes for weddings as well. So it's unsurprising that one of her favourite trends of late has been the stripped-down wedding cake (meaning, no icing). Often these are decorated with icing between the layers, powdered sugar, and an abundance of fruit and/or flowers. They give a rustic look, but also look incredibly appetising. And they won't be likely to be as sickly sweet, since there isn't a gallon of icing covering the outside of the cake!

We've put together a Pinterest board of some of our favourite stripped down cakes. Take a look, and re-pin if you like!

Follow West's board Stripped Down Wedding Cakes on Pinterest.

The Everything-You-Need-To-Know Guide to Getting Engaged INFOGRAPHIC

Sainsbury's Bank has supplied us with this handy-dandy everything-you-need-to-know guide to getting engaged; from proposals - to buying the ring - to which hand to wear it on!

Our editor vividly remembers getting thrown into the deep end when shopping for a ring with her fiance back in 2010. How helpful it would have been to have had this information all in one place before the ring shopping began!

Click to share on Twitter or Facebook!


Guide about getting engaged from Sainsbury's Bank.

Miscellaneous Monday: Top 7 Beauty Picks for Spring

If you're a regular reader of West Weddings Magazine, you'll know that one of our regular features in each issue is our Beauty Bible, where we share some of our favourite beauty finds with our readers. Today for Miscellaneous Monday we're bringing a taste of Beauty Bible here to the blog!

Whether you're a bride finalising her big day beauty regimen, or a guest with a mile-long list of weddings to attend this season (or both!), these products will keep you looking and feeling effortlessly fresh while you enjoy the wedding festivities.

Miscellaneous Monday: Top 7 Beauty Picks for Spring by westweddings featuring L'Occitane

1: Flora, by Gucci

There's a reason why we love Spring flowers - they encapsulate not only beauty, but freshness and an effortless simplicity. Gucci has translated that into a gorgeous scent with top notes of citrus mandarin accords and peony, a heart of rose and osmanthus flower, and base notes of pink pepper and sandalwood. (£53 at John Lewis)

2: Pure Color Cello Shots, by Estee Lauder

These light gel-based collection contains everything you need for colour - from cheek stains to lipsticks and lip glosses. They'll give you a bright, natural look without being heavy or over-the-top. Perfect for a Spring wedding. (£24 at Estee Lauder)

3: Shea Butter Hand Cream, by L'Occitane

This is one of our blog editor's favourite hand creams bar none. A little bit truly goes a long way and this hand cream will leave you feeling moisturised and smooth all day. Ingredients include 20% shea butter, accompanied with a honey and sweet almond extract which will help lock in moisture. This will not only last you though the wedding, but the honeymoon and beyond! (£8 at John Lewis)

4: African Violet & Pink Crush Nail Lacquer, by Tom Ford

These are two of our favourite shades of nail varnish this Spring. African Violet is bold, but with the playfulness of Spring. Pink Crush is that light, sheer tone that we adore - giving an elegant and polished, understated look. Tom Ford, you've done it again. (£20 at Nordstrom)

5: Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, by Liz Earle

This cleanser is a face's answer to prayer after a wedding. Its thick creamy texture will remove all hints of dirt and grime from skin - even removing stubborn makeup. Follow on with Liz Earle's Instant Boost Skin Tonic and a light moisturiser and you'll be feeling like a new woman. (£14.75 at John Lewis)

6: Photoready Skinlights, by Revlon

We love this facial illuminator from Revlon - and in a day that largely consists of posing in photographs, what better than a product that will make us look better in photographs? This illuminator will give you a natural radiance and glow that will last all day. It can be worn on its own, or mixed with foundation or primer for a dewy finish, or even used after make-up as a highlighter. (£11.99 at Boots)

7: Instant Smooth Primer, by Clarins

Looking perfect for your big day starts with the right foundation - and we particularly like this primer by Clarins. Unlike some other primers, its very light and smooth and easy to apply. And, as with our favourite products, a little bit goes a long way, so one tub will last you most of a year! (£26 at John Lewis)

Miscellaneous Monday: All in the Details

Today for Miscellaneous Monday, we'd like to share some of our favourite detail shots from one of last year's photoshoots. We love the colour palette shown here - a definite step up in the brightness department for Spring, but not quite as bold as a Summer palette.

These photos were taken by David J Brewin Photography, and feature the creations of Pretty Amazing Cakes, styled by the Little Wedding Helper!

Miscellaneous Monday: Loving Local!

Normally on Miscellaneous Monday, we collect our favourite wedding finds from across the web – spanning different countries, many times! – but today we thought we’d share some of our recent favourites from closer to home. The West Country has a thriving wedding industry that we love being part of, so we don’t have to think twice about showing off local suppliers.

Favourite inspiration: Willy Wonka photoshoot by @WWWWBristol

Last week we blogged about Weird & Wonderful Wedding World that’s coming to Bristol for a second time this year. To really set the theme for the event, the creative behind this unique event did a Willy Wonka themed wedding shoot and we are loving every snap! Here are just a few of our favourites, but you can see more over at the WWWW site.

  

Favourite cakes: novelty cakes by Ann Pickard of the Icing Centre

Ann is far from being your typical wedding cake maker/designer. Not only does she specialise in novelty cakes – but each one is unique to the bride or groom that requests it. Also – forget picking out a cake topper that (let’s face it) doesn’t in any way actually resemble you. Ann also specialises in making sugar models of people – so your cake topper will ACTUALLY look like you and your spouse-to-be! Amazing. Here's one of our favourite designs (full galleries are at the Icing Centre website).

Favourite limited-time offer: The Pop-up Bridal Boutique

Designer Charlotte Smith launched her bridal company in 1998, specialising in ultra-wearable, low-maintenance styles and alternatives to traditional wedding gowns. This year, she’s branching out by launching The Pop-Up Bridal Boutique, which will be resident in The Galleries, Broadmead for 50 days only, starting on the 15^th of April. The boutique will feature her collection, which ranges from elegant, streamlined dresses and tailored jackets, to contemporary culottes and short dresses, employing a diverse scope of fabrics. Charlotte herself will be available by appointments for one-to-one consultations and fittings.