THANK YOU!

Well - what an amazing day!  We just wanted to say thank you to everyone - firstly to Steve & Vicky from the Compass Group at Clifton Pavilion - the nicest people we could ever ask to work with - nothing was too much trouble and they really got into the swing of things - note Steve's immaculate double-breasted suit and his gorgeous smoking jacket!

Secondly, to our absolutely fabulous (!) exhibitors - every one of you was superb with the most amazing quality wares - I cannot TELL you how tempted I was to get my cheque book out so many times!  Also - you're all SO professional - consummate stall assemblers & dissemblers with not a complaint in site - an absolute pleasure to work with - we hope you'll all want to come back next year!

VERY importantly - we have to say thank you to Kirstie - without whom it would not have been a success.  Kirstie is our blog builder and writer.  It's her friendly messages you've all been reading for the last few months - tempting you with her tidbits of gossip and info. about our exhibitors.  She is a wonder and created so much interest in the fair as well as looking gorgeous on the day!

This is beginning to sound a bit like an Oscar speech - so a very swift thank you to Nicky, who works tirelessly with us to make everything run smoothly, to Sarah, Tara & Nicki, who modelled for us (and looked gorgeous) and...

FINALLY, but MOST importantly,  to everyone who visited the fair - we really hope you enjoyed it as much as we did and we've helped you with your wedding plans.  We'd love to hear your comments - what did we get right or wrong, what would you like to see more of?  Please do comment on this site or on our Facebook page (Bristol Vintage) or email me direct: ali@bristolvintage.co.uk

Over the next few weeks we'll be posting pictures of the event and remember, information about all the exhibitors can be found via links on the right hand side of this page.

So - back down to earth today - and a day off to recover.  I'm hoping some of you are smiling happily at any purchases you made or bookings you're hoping to make and look forward to seeing you at the next one!

Some General Fair Information

Well, we can’t quite believe that the Wedding Fair’s nearly here! We’re so excited and trying to focus on the organisation rather than what dress to wear and can we have our hair & make-up done!!!

We thought we’d post up the final details here so everyone comes prepared, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for this glorious weather to continue so you can sit outside on the terrace with a cream tea in between lots of vintage shopping!

The doors open to visitors at 10:00am and will close again at 5:00pm. The list of all our exhibitors is on the right hand side of this blog, so do check it out. We’ve taken a long time approaching the perfect people and we think you’ll love seeing what they offer.  The first 250 visitors will get a goodie bag with beautiful cards and some great discounts from exhibitors.

On the day we will be using the lecture theatre as a changing room and screening the iconic Audrey Hepburn in ‘Funny Face’ so your friends can sit and watch the film while you get changed.

We also have some great entertainment for you on the day....

10:00-11:00 - Shellac Sound are up first, spinning 78’s on their fab gramophones

11:00-13:00 - The Tender Trap are next with their sultry lounge-style vocals 

13:00-13:30 - Shellac Sound will be back again for a brief stint 

13:30-15:30 - Enjoy the cool café jazz vibe of L’Esprit du Jazz

15:30-17:00 - Shellac Sound will be doing their final set to finish off the day

Not all of our exhibitors will have credit/debit card facilities so to make sure you’re not disappointed don’t forget to bring your cheque books or cash along!

Looking forward to meeting you all on Sunday!

Babes in the Wood

I remember struggling to decide what to do for my hen night … pampering, drinking, gossiping, dancing, bonding with my mates … with our final exhibitor you can do all those things and learn some amazing new skills! I love a stretched limo and some devil horns as much as the next person but, if you fancy a hen weekend with a real difference, then Babes in the Wood is for you. All I need now is a friend needing a hen night organising!

Say hello to ‘Woodlounging’ – camping in bell tents on a magical woodland site, learning bushcraft & survival skllls and bonding with your best girlfriends. Add champagne and cream teas, a wood-burning sauna, breakfast in bed or early morning yoga/meditation, massages, musicians and story-telling and you have the makings of a unforgettable hen night.

Have a look at the website and get planning - www.wildernesschicks.co.uk

Sheena Holland

We are delighted to introduce you to Sheena Holland - accessorizer to the stars! (Is 'accessorizor' a word?). Anyway, we've been blown away by Sheena's unique and beautifully designed and handmade headbands, not to mention her incredible career studying under Katherine Hamnet in the 80s as well as designing for some pretty impressive clients including, most recently, Pink and Lily Allen.

We can't wait to see her headbands at the Fair on Sunday!

Check out Sheena's website at www.sheenaholland.com.

Sheena Holland is the Original Feather pad Headband creator. Her visually stunning vintage designs have graced the pages of fashion magazines, such as Vogue.

Sheena Holland feather Headbands and other headbands are one off pieces using only Antique and Vintage jewellery. Her clients have included singers Pink and Lily Allen amongst other people.

Her one-off pieces are distinctive and stand out above the high street stores and other designers who mass produce headwear because each piece is hand-made and can be bespoke.

www.sheenaholland.com

Split Screen Ice Cream Company

We're really sad to say that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the lovely Aimee and Dan of the fabulous Split Screen Ice Cream Company won't be able to make the fair this Sunday.  However, we'll have their business cards and contact details so will be able to pass those on to you and hopefully they'll be with us for the NEXT fair!

Keda Breeze

Just the other day I was wondering to myself, what exactly do you want from an international showgirl? Well, along came the beautiful Keda Breeze to answer all of my unfilled questions. How about some exquisite burlesque, fire eating, angle grinding and belly dance to name but a few of Keda's many talents.

A true legend in the world of cabaret, Keda has studied circus and physical theatre and has been performing for the past 10 years. She has the stage presence and talent to mesmerise any audience. Keda also produces the spectacular Bristol institution, Hoochie Coochie Kaberet - www.hoochiecoochiekabaret.com

"Keda has thrilled audiences from London, Berlin, New York and Milan, performed for British and European royalty, eaten fire on live TV with Paul O Grady, shared the stage with Dita Von Teese, strip teased for rock stars and posed for Banksy."

I'm not sure if Keda will be angle grinding on the day (check out the movie on her website to see it done!) but you can certainly come and speak with Keda about how she might entertain the lucky guests at your very special event.

Check out Keda's website at www.kedabreeze.co.uk

Keda Breeze - Dancer, Circus and Burlesque Performer - www.kedabreeze.co.uk

Mrs Bunt

Welcome to the wondeful world of Mary, a.k.a. Mrs Bunt! Mary makes several different types of bunting to suit your taste or your budget. She can use material that you give her or she can source the material for you. Choose from wedding bunting (made from old lace curtains), simple single layer, raw edge bunting, and ‘posh bunting’. She can also hire out her bunting for your event.

These lovely photos show a wedding that Mary designed the colour scheme for. She also made the fabulous pom poms. If you look on the Bristol Vintage website - www.bristolvintage.co.uk - our gorgeous bunting is made by Mary!

Take a look at Mary's Facebook site for more info: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=125046190733&ref=ts

The Tender Trap

The lovely Joanna Swan of the fabulous jazz and blues trio, The Tender Trap, sent me through a lovely clip of them singing this morning. I could listen to these ladies for hours. Come along to the fair to hear them up-close and personal on Sunday!

Click the play button to listen to the clip below. Enjoy....

For enquiries, please contact Joanna – thetendertrap@gmail.com

www.thetendertrap.co.uk

Cherished Vintage

I've just received an email from the lovely Abby Gadd of Cherished Vintage (see my earlier post for more about Cherished) with some rather exciting new images. These fantastic pictures are a little peek at what to expect from a new range Cherished Vintage have created for Heavely Vintage Brides (see below for a post about Heavenly Vintage. What a great partnership! I'm sure Abby won't mind if I tell you what she had to say....

"The first two pictures are courtesy of the lovely Helena Butler from Heavenly Vintage Brides, who I know is also exhibiting at your fair. We met Helena at a recent vintage wedding fair in London and have been working on an exclusive collection of vintage headpieces for Heavenly Vintage Brides. One such piece is the delightful Art Deco bow hairband that is featured in her pictures, styled on a model wearing a 1950s wedding gown from Heavenly Vintage Brides. Indeed, one of the best things about taking part in Vintage Wedding fairs is meeting wonderful like-minded suppliers, knowledgeable and passionate about what they do."

© Heavenly Vintage Brides

© Heavenly Vintage Brides

And to give you an idea of what Abby will be bringing along to the Fair, here are some fab images taken by wedding photographer, Natalie Sternberg of a recent Cherished display. www.natsternberg.com

© Natalie Sternberg

© Natalie Sternberg

© Natalie Sternberg

To read more about Cherished Vintage, go to www.cherishedvintage.co.uk

Heavenly Vintage

I want to get married again. To the current 'Mr' of course, but I want to do it again so that I can wear a Heavenly Vintage dress. When I got Helena Butler's email, the images just blew me away. I love the first dress so much it gives me goosebumps.

We're so excited to have Helena bring her collection of spectacular vintage wedding dresses to the fair. She has a wondeful eye for....well....perfection! And she treats these dresses to the best restoration imagineable.

We love her collection and we love her approach. Check out some of these beauties and read what she has to say below. And, of course, come and meet Helena and her dresses at the fair...

I am based in West London where I have about 50 Vintage Wedding dresses mainly from the 30's to the 80's.  There is something wonderful about each decade, and I do my utmost to seek special dresses in great condition.

I love the elegance and glamour of the 30's, the more tailored fit of the 40's and the 'prom ' styles of the 50's, which I have in tea length and full length.

I also admire the 60's and have some great short wedding dresses, one of which is a wonderful Christian Dior dress - feather trimmed.

The 70's has lots to offer and I have some lovely floaty Boho dresses from that time. I have a few fabulous dresses from the 80's too, very sexy!     

Vintage clothing is a passion of mine maybe from watching all those old films on a Sunday afternoon as a child with my mother and sister! I find these lovely old gowns so well made and the attention to detail is fantastic, I get very excited when I see a dress I just have to have for my collection.

Usually Brides come to my home where I have a little studio, but also I attend lots of fairs and I am so pleased to be taking part in Ali and Katie's first Vintage Wedding Fair.

All my dresses are original vintage, some require lots of loving care in order for me to get them looking great again, others have been stored very well and look fabulous already. But in the end it's finding the right dress for each lovely Bride that is important and I try to give a good service either at a Fair or here in London.

www.heavenlyvintagebrides.co.uk 

Fanny Adams Vintage

We're so happy to have Jane Massam of Fanny Adams Vintage joining us at the Fair. Jane customises vintage cardigans and accessories using the finest velvet, vintage buttons and lace. She also makes the most wonderful coats using vintage fabrics.

Jane's creations are beautiful and timeless. They will give any outfit a real wow factor. You're sure to find something absolutely wonderful to tuck away in your suitcase for your honeymoon.

Jane's clothes and accessories are usually on sale at her stunning shop in Blagdon near Bristol, but she will be joining us at the fair so come along and meet Jane with her simply gorgeous clothes.