The final pictures from our 2012 Wedding Fair

Gorgeous styling is the key to The Little Wedding Helper’s success as her stand at our fair shows...

Our favourite gramophone DJ, Matt from Shellac Sounds, made the day even more enjoyable with his amazing music.

Not only did Claire of The Wilde Bunch have a stunning stand but she brightened up the whole venue with her stunning arrangements:

Absolutely mouth watering macarons (my waistline can attest!) from Absolutely Cakes...

I seriously need a pair of these wedding wellies from Bridezillas.

Our fave band ‘The Tender Trap’ entertaining us as always:

We ALL had fun with Fishee Designs’ Vintage photo booth!

The stylish suits from A Suit That Fits went down a storm with our grooms to be...

We could spend hours browsing the upcycled clothes and getting style advice from Janine of Custard House Clothing:

I was lucky enough to stand next to Lizzie from Chocolate Delores (o.k. I admit I planned it) – the best cakes around – they look unbelievable and taste even better!

And we were completely seduced by the beautiful bespoke lingerie from Itsy Bitsy (thanks to Rachel Goodchild for the photo).

Our thanks as well to Dawn Wilkins for her beautiful photography.  Check back with us soon to meet some more wonderfully inspirational people in the wedding industry and for news about next years Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair!

Travelling in Style

We were lucky enough to have the most amazing vehicles exhibiting at our Fair this year - perfect for your wedding car or your guests' transport.

Chrome Occasions brought along their stunning 1959 Cadillac - ideal for the vintage bride and groom.

This sleek Citroen Elysee DS will make you feel like the chicest couple.

You can hire one of Cool Classy Campers' beautiful restored VW camper vans for your wedding day and for your honeymoon too.

With no carbon footprint, Pedal Power's rickshaw has to be one of the most romantic ways to travel.

And City Sightseeing's amazing vintage buses are a fun way to transport all your guests on the day.

Our thanks to Dawn Wilkins for the beautiful photos.  We've many more to come, so do check back soon.

Our February 2012 Fair: Vintage Gifts & Stationery

We think one of these gorgeous vintage picnic hampers from Life's A Picnic makes the perfect wedding present!

...and why not wrap it up [or indeed any gift] in this stunning wrapping paper below from Rachel Goodchild Designs...

How about an original Babydoll negligee set from Clifton Hill Antique Costume & Textiles as a present just for you?

or some beautiful bespoke cards and notes from Meticulous Ink...

and capture all the perfect mementos of your day in one of Erika Glanville's bespoke memory frames.

Our thanks again to Dawn Wilkins for all the photos.  Do pop back soon for more vintage inspiration!

Our February 2012 Fair: Stylish Hen Party Ideas

Our February Fair showcased some wonderfully stylish hen party ideas and here are just some of them to inspire you...

Why not start with a party in your own home and hire vintage crockery, bunting, cakes and some gorgeously retro Babycham glasses for your bubbly from Bristol Vintage.

We've even got a gramophone & vintage props you can use...

If you're after something really different of course, why not try Babes in the Woods -

 "Ultimate glamping with a touch of the wild".

You could include a vintage hair & make-up session from Beehive Brides or Shear Madness...

 

Have your own tea party at Cox & Baloney...

Or even a knicker-making workshop with Flo-Jo Boutique...

Our thanks as ever to Dawn Wilkins for the gorgeous photos.  We've lots more to come and plenty of inspiration in its way...

Our February 2012 Fair: Accessories & Jewellery

Here are a few more gorgeous photos from our Vintage Wedding Fair last month.  As always thanks to Dawn Wilkins for the pretty pictures.

Lets start with the gorgeous handmade jewellery and tiaras from Lilygrace Originals...

Then onto some stunning feather fans and other very desirable objects from Britten...

And then to Bridezillas... I turn into a complete girl the moment I enter their shop - just look at all that sparkle!

And not forgetting these beautiful handcrafted accessories from Lovely & Vintage...

Lots more photos to come...

BLOGGING THE WEDDING FAIR

We're really pleased to be featured on three lovely blogs, which you'll want to follow once you've taken a look.

The first is from Rachel Goodchild - purveyor of designer stationery and blogger extraordinaire.  Take a look at the links to her other fascinating blogs when you log in:

http://www.weddingblogdesigner.com/

Secondly, the lovely Charlie from House of Istria.  She is as gorgeous as the stunning headgear she sells and her blog is full of beautiful pictures:

http://www.house-of-istria-hair-accessories-and.html

Finally, we have nothing but praise for our official photographer, Dawn Wilkins.  As well as weddings, Dawn loves the intimacy of photographing hen events and pre-wedding celebrations.  She's the perfect person to fit in and catch those exceptional candid photos:

http://dawnwilkinsphotography.blogspot.com/2012/03/bristol-vintage-wedding-fair-vintage.html

Thanks to all three for these lovely blog pieces.

Dresses first...

Over the next week or so we'll be posting photos from this year's Fair.  I have to thank the tremendously talented Dawn Wilkins for generously giving her time and talent to take these photos - I think they really capture the atmosphere of the Fair and showcase the beautiful stands.

I'm going to let the photos speak for themselves  so here they are:

     

 

                       

This year's Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair

Wow - What a day!  I was overjoyed when I woke up to see the sun shining last Sunday morning and felt really excited driving up to the Zoo to get ready for the Fair.

The first half-hour is always a bit nerve-wracking, wondering whether anyone will turn up, if I’ve missed anyone off the table plan… have I forgotten anything important (like my crockery!), but as soon as the exhibitors arrived and started to set up, I knew it was going to be a great day! 

I spend a lot of time researching exhibitors as I’m passionate about keeping the Fair as vintage or vintage-style as possible and that’s part of the fun.  But the REAL fun starts once they start setting up their stalls and I have to stop myself drooling over their goodies or just being overwhelmed by their creativity. I could say something about everyone, but I think the photos speak for themselves (and I’d bore you all with my enthusiasm).

While I was running around directing people to their places and overseeing the set-up, the brilliant Kirsten (aka The Little Wedding Helper) was styling my own Bristol Vintage stand, which looked just beautiful.

And then, of course, even more importantly, all the brides-to-be arrived!  The gorgeous weather brought a long queue for the first hour and then a steady crowd throughout the day.  I met some lovely clients and there was an amazing buzz throughout the venue.  I saw lots of happy faces as people browsed the stands and chatted to our lovely wedding folks.

I also had several tearful moments (I’m known for blubbing at the slightest happy thing) seeing brides trying on and discovering THE dress, every one of them looking stunning!

At the end of the day and over a glass of bubbly, I felt happy knowing that lots of visitors had found something for their special day and that my exhibitors had an opportunity to show their stunning wares to a really fabulous group of potential clients.

So a big thank you to our wonderful exhibitors, all the amazing visitors we had, to the truly unflappable team at Clifton Pavilion, to our gorgeous ‘bridal’ models, Holly, Katy, Abbie & Sonali and to my great and very generous team of helpers, Katie, Sarah, Ngaio, Lisa, Lottie & Rich – without whom I would have been running around like a headless chicken!

We’d love to hear about your day at the Fair so please do send us your comments and photos.

Meanwhile, take a look at two gorgeous blogs who’ve featured us : Peach and Jo Photography and House of Istria.

Do check back soon for some more fabulous pics of the day… many more photos to come.

Ali. 

Vintage Models!

We were very lucky to have four gorgeous models at our Fair, modelling some fabulous vintage dresses, antique one-off tiaras and necklaces and holding beautiful bouquets of flowers.  A big thank you to Abbie Innes, Holly Baker, Katy Fothergill and Sonali Patel.  I think you'll all agree they look stunning!

Thanks to Dawn Wilkins Photography and Jo Swan for the photos.

Who will you find at the Fair tomorrow?

Ground Floor – The Garden Room

A Suit That Fits – Bespoke Men’s Suits

Bridezillas - Beautiful Bridal Accessories

Bristol Vintage – Vintage Crockery Hire & Event Organising

Britten – Handbags & Vintage Inspired Accessories

Chocolate Delores – Boutique Cake Maker

Cox & Baloney – Vintage Hen parties

Documentary Image – Award Winning Photography

Erika Glanville - Bespoke Memory Frames

Heavenly Vintage Brides – Vintage Wedding Dresses

House of Istria – Unique Hair Accessories

Itsy Bitsy - Vintage Lingerie

Life’s A Picnic - Vintage Picnic Hampers

Lovely & Vintage - Vintage Dresses and Accessories

Rachel Goodchild - Design-led Cards & Gift Wrap

Clifton Pavilion Tea Rooms – Tea & Cake … and a break!

First Floor Landing

Custard House Clothing - Reworked & Upcycled Vintage Clothing, Designs & Alterations

Clifton Hill - Antique Costume & Textiles

Shear Madness – Vintage Hair Styling Demonstrations

First Floor – The Clifton Suite

Absolutely Cakes – Cupcakes, Wedding Cakes & Macarons

Alexandra King – Bespoke Vintage Inspired Dresses

Babes in the Wood – Champagne Hen Nights with a Touch of the Wild!

Beehive Brides – Glamorous Vintage/Retro Hair & Make-up

Clifton Pavilion – The Venue Hosts & Caterers

Days of Grace –Bridal Gowns Fashioned From Vintage Lace & Textiles

Fishee Designs – Vintage Photo Booth

Flo-Jo Boutique – Handmade Undies & Knicker-Making Sets!

Jo Hansford – Beautiful Photography

Lilygrace Originals – Handcrafted Vintage Inspired Jewellery

The Little Wedding Helper – Bespoke Venue & Marquee Styling

Meticulous Ink – Fine Stationery & Paper Goods

Rose Popay – The Art Tart

Sheena Holland – One-off Vintage Feather, Leather & Jewellery headbands

Wilde Bunch – Floral Designs

Music

The Tender Trap – Sophisticated Lounge Music – Morning

Shellac Sounds – Vintage ’78 DJ’s - Playing Throughout the Day

Cuffy – Flamenco Guitarist - Afternoon

West Car Park

Chrome Occasions - 1959 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

Elysee DS Wedding Car – Classic Vintage Citroen DS

Cool Classy Campers – Vintage VW Camper Vans

Pedal Power – Rickshaws

Vintage Bus Rides

City Sightseeing Bristol

Photos taken on the day by Dawn Wilkins, Photographer

There will be a couple of researchers from ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’ who would like to chat to anyone interested in appearing on the programme.

What's happening at the Fair this Sunday?

This is our last but one blog before our big day on Sunday!  We’ll be posting up the definitive exhibitor list tomorrow so meantime, we just thought we’d remind you of a few of the exciting things that will be happing at the Fair:

There'll be entertainment from Shellac Sound throughout the day, interspersed with music in the morning from The Tender Trap and in the afternoon from Cuffy.

You’ll be able to have a vintage photo taken by Emily at Fishee Designs Photo Booth and get an on-the-day sketch from Rose Popay, both at £5 each (and don’t forget to congratulate Rose on her wedding yesterday!).

Vintage Hair & Make-Up sessions are available upstairs with Fiona of Beehive Brides, as well as vintage hair demonstrations from Esme of Shear Madness in the room on the landing.

The first 200 visitors will receive a goodie bag, and there’ll be a further 50 goodie bags on the Vintage Bus parked outside.  Many of the bags will include discounted vouchers from some of our exhibitors, including a £50 voucher from ‘A Suit That Fits’ with one lucky visitor finding a £50 voucher to spend on accessories at Britten - so why not have a break with a cup of tea and cake from the tea rooms and see if it’s you!

And don’t forget to visit our vehicle exhibitors – just across the road in the West Car Park – there’s a mode of transport for everyone!

It's free entry, open to visitors from 10am till 4pm.

We’re really looking forward to meeting you all and please do let us have your email if you would like to be added to the exhibitors (and our!) mailing lists.

We’d love your feedback after the Fair too.  We listened to our visitors and exhibitors last year and have made a few changes, but we’d love to know what else we can do to make the Fair even better for next year. 

Remember you can post a comment on our blog, join us on our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.

Come and say hello, as we’d love to meet you.

Warm wishes.

Ali – Bristol Vintage