By a stroke of good luck, last Friday I found myself knee-deep in wedding discussion and bridal catwalks at The National Wedding Show, London Olympia (26-28 February)! It's at this point I should probably point out I'm not actually getting married. However, since launching A Glass Of Ice I've mentioned various times my love for all things bridal-related, and single or otherwise, I'm beginning to realise it's going to be a longterm interest of mine. Though it was only once I came face-to-face with the mass of floral arrangements and rows upon rows of jewel embellished gowns that it dawned on me just to what extent!
That awkward moment when you're outdone by everyone in the background thanks to an out-of-focus camera. Oh. Though having said that, it's probably for the best or else you'd be seeing the heart-shapes in my eyes over the complimentary champagne... which may or may not have been enjoyed before midday. Hey, listen, I was surrounded by blissful brides-to-be, I'm allowed all the champagne in the world! Though on a much less bitter note, one of the most beautiful sights of the day was undoubtedly the flamboyant yet tasteful floral display by Amie Bone Flowers. A team member busied away perfecting the display as visitors looked on admiringly - myself included, because this is the closest I'll ever come to a fairy/nymph. Ah, such a pretty scene!
With over 250 wedding specialists and suppliers at hand to advise, brides-to-be truly are spoilt for choice at The National Wedding Show. However, speaking as someone who was there as an observer rather than a participant, the angelic catwalk show was a breath of fresh air from being approached to discuss my wedding requirements! The Catwalk Show showcased a selection of dresses and accessories from both top designers and hightstreet names, ranging from bridalwear to lingerie and from bridesmaids dresses to mothers-of-the-brides outfits. The models really brought the dresses to life with their elegant walks, graceful smiles and flawless makeup by Ariane Poole Cosmetics...
Moving on to slightly more 'getting married in front of your family and friends' attire, the bridal gown shown above featuring the embellished bodice really captured my attention. If I absolutely had to declare a favourite, it'd be this dazzling beaded net gown. It featured a fully crystal-beaded natural waist bodice and plunging V-shaped neckline, a combination that worked so well my eyes struggled to leave the gown the entire time it was showcased. If this Alfred Angelo Bridal design is still around when it's my time to walk down the aisle, I'm wearing it!
1) Which aspect interests you the most about the wedding industry?
Not many people realise that bridal designers also follow trends on the catwalk and incorporate them into their designs resulting in different trends each season. So I find it very interesting to see the different inspirations and of course the final designs. Each wedding dress is completely unique and it is amazing how one small detail can make such a difference to a dress. I wanted to work in the wedding industry because you spend your time with happy and excited brides-to-be ( well most of the time!) and who wouldn’t want to spend their days in such a happy environment? Helping a bride find her dream dress that she looks and feels amazing in is such a rewarding experience and is of course my absolute favourite part of working in the wedding industry.
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2) What do you think makes Bridal Indulgence special?
Bridal Indulgence is special because we offer a very unique service by coming to the bride’s home. Wedding dress shopping with Bridal Indulgence means that brides have a personal one-to-one appointment, with no interruptions and at a time to suit them. It also gives t hem the opportunity to invite the friends and family that they would like involved in choosing the dress. We provide brides-to-be with an indulgent experience that makes them feel in safe hands and most importantly, looking and feeling a million dollars!
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3) Have you noticed anything trending right now in the world of bridal gowns and/or veils?
Lace is still a very popular choice for wedding dresses and I think it will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Brides also seem to be opting more towards gowns that have straps rather than strapless which was a big trend a while ago. There is also a big trend with having ‘feature’ backs which I think is great because as the bride walks down the aisle and makes her vows, it’s lovely to show off the back of her dress to her friends and family. Our Stella, Sheila, Angeline and Jullienne dresses tick off all the boxes for having lace, straps and feature backs.
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Whether you're friends with a bride-to-be or are one yourself, a wedding enthusiast or simply fancy the idea of planning ahead and having a veil to your name that's hand-cut from Italian tulle, this is the perfect opportunity to test your luck! Read on to find out how to enter...
RULES
This is an international giveaway, anyone can enter
After entering your name/email into the Rafflecopter above, there are just two mandatory entries: to follow both Bridal Indulgence and A Glass Of Ice on Twitter
After completing the mandatory entries, entrants have the choice to gain further entries (three options, including a daily tweet)
Prize value is up to £60 to spend on a veil on the Bridal Indulgence website
Winner will be picked at random via Rafflecopter
This giveaway will close at 11.59pm on 31/03/2016
Winner will be contacted via email and have 28 days to respond
The National Wedding Show
Olympia London
Hammersmith Road
London
W14 8UX
With love,
Gabrielle x
Note: This prize has been kindly provided by Bridal Indulgence.
Note: This prize has been kindly provided by Bridal Indulgence.
Loved reading this! It does make you dream of your wedding day, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThe dresses were stunning!
Dora www.BangsBang.com
Awww, how wondeful, Gabrielle! Fantastic event to celebrate love. ;) Totally got you on Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.
ReplyDeletexoxo Ira
JOURNAL OF STYLE / BLOGLOVIN
Everything is gorgeous! The flower display was outstanding and I can't even begin to pick a fave dress. What a beautiful event to attend
ReplyDeleteHttp://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com
What a fun show to attend, so much to take in and look at!
ReplyDeleteXO Chelsea http://www.shesaidhesaidfashion.com
Haven't paid much attention to bridal trends, makeup and everything bridal. Great to see you sharing on your blog Gab! x Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteReal Life Nerd
www.vivienekok.com
Such a lovely event and the wedding gowns all look so dreamy xx
ReplyDeleteMaireem | My Fair Autumn | Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat: myfairautumn
That floral display is marvellous, love that!! Good luck to everyone :) xx
ReplyDeleteWow, I am totally bowled over by that floral display by Amie Bone Flowers, so very gorgeous! And wouldn't it make such a beautiful backdrop for blog photos!?
ReplyDeleteI'm not engaged or anything yet but I'm similar to you in that I love weddings! My sister is getting married next year, so very excited to start attending wedding fayres and lusting over everything!
Musings & More
Beautiful wedding dresses dear!
ReplyDeleteLa Flò ♡ blog
All these photo's look stunning! I'm so happy you had a lovely time!x
ReplyDeleteAimeeSueXO
Bloglovin
Wow :) what a lovely event! Also the dresses are soo beautiful ! <3 have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteaishettina.blogspot.it
Wow I bet you had an amazing time! Looks amazing! x
ReplyDeletehttp://christbelle.blogspot.co.uk/
What a gorgeous veil, one bride to be will be very happy! Am I missing a trick but I don't see the Alfred Angelo photo that you mention
ReplyDeleteThose dresses are amazing! So is the veil, very nice giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAsh | Liakada
That sounds like such a fantastic and fancy event! And.. what a wonderful veil! Do you think one day you'd have a veil with your wedding dress? Just got curious ;)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pret-a-reporter.co.uk/
Hmm interesting question, I reckon I will as they're far too beautiful to resist! ;)
DeleteGabrielle x
This looks and sounds like such a wonderful event, Gabrielle! I love all of the dresses you've featured here and that veil is gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful day, beauty!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jalisa
www.thestylecontour.com
It looks like such a beautiful event! I can't wait until I start planning for a wedding one day.. although I wouldn't have a clue where to start! :) xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like a brilliant event, Gabrielle and what a lovely giveaway! I wish best of luck to all contestants, I'll respectfully not join because I don't plan to get married again. LOL!
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
What a great show! The dresses are fabulous and you were looking lovely :)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week!
xxx
www.travelera.es
so funny that I landed on your blog. I just finished talking to my phone who is getting married in may. im gonna be a bridesmaid and im so excited. loved the pics.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
geri
http://everydaylivingnyc.blogspot.com/
I love this post! This pos is right up my alley. The dresses are gorgeous as you are!
ReplyDeletehttp://arcwrites.blogspot.com/
OMG this is so cool. I too love bridal things, though most people don't even know that about me. And funnily enough I hardly get to go to weddings period. Which sucks balls! I'm single right now too, so booo! (Not really though!) I don't know if I could actually go to an event/show like this though. I'd feel too funny (because of my age that is) or that I'd be perceived as "desperate" loooool. Plus I feel like many vendors wouldn't give me the time of day (at least in Australia anyway) because I'm technically not going to be a paying customer.
ReplyDeleteSxx
www.daringcoco.com
Lovely dresses, good memories ;)
ReplyDeleteXX
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: BLUE TRENCH + BLACK + CAMEL
Ohhmmmyy lovely dresses.
ReplyDeleteHow i wish i could attend such event like that
We have here but I miss it.
The Bandwagon Chic | Instagram | Bloglovin | Snapchat: bandwagonchic
That looks like so much fun!!!! :) gorgeous dresses!
ReplyDeleteWow, the photos are amazing!! And you look gorgeous! I can only imagine how much fun an event like this would be :) xo, M
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a fun event! You got so many great pictures too! It was actually my best friends wedding over the weekend so I have weddings on the mind too. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://trend-mixblog.com/
Amazing post! I love it.
ReplyDeleteLove, Fads
How stunning is that Gabrielle!!! Too bad we can't have few wedding dresses - I already git mine. Thanks for a beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteKira
Kira Is Wearing
Instagram
What a lovely event to attend and what gorgeous dresses as well! I particularly love that shot of the floral lace detailing on the skirt and of course that black and white shot of the dress with all of the floral designs on it. I hope you enjoyed the champagne too - it's always good when there's champagne! My friend is getting married in 2017 so I will definitely be showing this to her, though I'll leave off entering for the time being to allow all the brides to be to have a chance. Lovely post! - Tasha
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh a little when my reading came to the lingerie bit and you went with the hilarious lexical choice of "cheeky," hahaha. I think that it's a fantastic idea to incorporate lingerie with bridal wear -- you must've been over the moon, Gabrielle! Your love for both things are definitely evident on AGOI!
ReplyDeleteMAY | WWW.THEMAYDEN.COM
I feel you, I lovelovelove wedding things despite being hopelessly single! This looks like a gorgeous show and such a fun day out xx
ReplyDeletebritishmermaid.blogspot.co.uk
What a fun giveaway Gabrielle! I love wedding shows, and it's hard not too because of all of the intricate details. We're actually going to a wedding soon for a friend and I am helping with it, so inspiration is always welcomed. You look lovely in the photo as well. x
ReplyDeleteAccessories
That floral display is absolutely stunning! I wish that I'd have attended a wedding show like this before I got married. It would have been such a great resource for ideas. Good luck to all the entrants!
ReplyDeleteI can remember planning my wedding and there was so much choice, all of it amazing, and the hardest part was knowing that I could only choose one dress, one colour scheme, etc. I never went to a big show like this though - looks like such a fun day! x
ReplyDeleteKate Louise Blogs
Great giveaway and awesome fair! The dresses are amazing!!
ReplyDelete♘ www.sugarpopfashion.com ♘
The post is fantastic! I am now following you on Instagram @irenethr
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
www.theprintedsea.blogspot.com
Sounds like it was such a wonderful show! I am in awe of that amazing floral display!
ReplyDeletehttp://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com
OMG I went to a bridal expo and everyone was like wait you're not married... WHY are you here?! Excuse me while I go cry in the corner :/ Well because I love weddings and love bridal dresses :) Isn't it so fun to play pretend?!
ReplyDeletexo, Jessica || The Petite Diaries
Such stunning photographs! This looked like quite the show. My favourite aspect of the catwalk show shown here is the little luxury umbrella, such a lovely touch.
ReplyDeleteThe interview was great, and I think it's a must have to have a one on one consultation, it can be ever so daunting that's for sure for any bride so it takes lots of pressure off to see somebody face to face.
You look beautiful as always and it looks like you had such a wonderful time. You can't enjoy a bridal show properly without a tasty glass of champagne in hand.
Such a lovely post, looks like a great event!
Laura xo
www.shehearts.net
what an awesome event!
ReplyDelete♥ Ellen #NZblogger
SHOPSTYLECONQUER.COM
Facebook + Instagram
Weddings are just so dreamy! For the longest time I wanted to be a wedding planner so I could enjoy the bliss that is a wedding over and over again!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
pumps and push-ups
The dresses are stunning, they would make any girl look like a princess!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.withlovevanessa95.blogspot.it/
I am already married for the second time with no intentions to change that and marry again, but looking at that stuff never fails to excite me.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
What a lovely post! The Finiks of London is my fave too. I must say as a bride to be, I am beginning to associate weddings with family drama and loads of stress. Ha!
ReplyDeletewww.souljournersstory.com
This looks like such a great event! All those wedding dresses are gorgeous :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Novelstyle
Oh wow, I should have attended an event like that before I decided on my wedding dress! It sounds like an amazing event, Debenhams flowers look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteEla BellaWorld
amazing dresses
ReplyDeleteMrs NoOne
What a event!! Looks so nice :) x
ReplyDeletehttp://msznev.blogspot.com.au
What a gorgeous event! The dresses are absolutely stunning and the decor is quite charming. This is such a great giveaway
ReplyDeleteKeisha xo
I've always wanted to go to one of these shows, but just never got around to doing it. I hope I get to soon!
ReplyDeleteHeba xx || The Heba
Looks like a lovely event! And you look very lovely yourself!
ReplyDeleteFlorals&Smiles
Gorgeous Clicks..U look so gorgeous...
ReplyDeletexo, Neha
http://www.theinstylejournal.com/
I'm sure you'll make a beautiful bride, Gabrielle! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt looks you had a great time at the wedding fair and I agree with you, you certainly don't need to be engaged to have fun at one :) x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful event and great interview! =)
ReplyDeleteNEW POST on http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/
xoxo,
Jessica
I'm not a wedding-loving girl but I can see how lovely the event was.
ReplyDeleteNice post :)
XoXo Noma
I'm drooling to all these gowns. I love events like these, -very fun!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots here, beauty. :)
missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
Wow that flower display is amazing, and such a beautiful collection of dresses.
ReplyDeletehttp://artadorned.com/
Seems like it was a lovely event!
ReplyDeletehttp://fridaynightstyle.com/
I'm single but I recently found myself looking at wedding dresses. The show must have been amazing.
ReplyDeletewww.mydailywear.co.uk
Stunning images...I saw quite a few mesmerizing gowns. I did enjoy reading that interview. I've heard about bridal fashion following fashion trends, but I guess it takes a keen eye to take notice of it because the devil is in the detail.
ReplyDeleteMost women will choose a traditional dress (and nothing is wrong with that) but that is why details are so imporant....and the right lingerie is a crucial factor!
xoxo
http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/
The event looks so dreamy! So good that it looks like you had a blast :)
ReplyDelete~ Styleccentric Fashion' | BLOGLOVIN
xo, Alyssa
Stunning wedding gowns!! I think I would choose something less elaborate for my own wedding but always love looking at them.
ReplyDeleteChristina ♥ https://caliope-couture.com
Gorgeous photos! The event looked fabulous! Xo
ReplyDeletexoxo - Life’s True Treasures
You are so sweet Gaby... You might have mentioned a million times before that you are not getting married...Hahaha...
ReplyDeleteJokes apart, this is a fabulous giveaway from Bridal Indulgence
(I can't participate i don't have Twitter). However, I especially loved all of your wedding related posts and I am glad to know that it's going to be a long term interest to you. Have alovely weekend ;-)