Whether you’re after that special look from the 40s, 50s or 60s for your wedding [or indeed any special occasion], Esme can get it just right. A casual flick through her website will inspire you if you haven’t yet realised just how chic a vintage style can be. There’s plenty of photoshoots to admire and coifs to die for.
Esme’s joining us at the Fair this Sunday. You’ll find her on the first floor landing of the Clifton Pavilion where she’ll be attending to the models and demonstrating her incredible skills on their hair. She’ll have a delightful screen decorated with pictures of her work and you can chat to her and ask her questions whilst she shows you the gorgeous styles she can create.
Our congratulations to the lovely Rose Popay who's getting married this week! What fabulous news - our very own new bride at the Fair. 
The fun begins with Rose drawing the bride and groom, some main features of the venue as well as some of the guests. Then it’s time for your guests to join in! They can draw each other, memories of the couple or perhaps even the food. Rose will continue to draw alongside to give the canvas a strong structure as well as encouraging others to be creative. The picture is then laid down ready for Rose and your guests to paint and by the end of the evening the bride and groom are presented with the canvas. What an amazing gift! 
It’s a charming record of your wedding day, but also so much more; it entertains as you watch it develop. The picture can be made into thank you cards for guests and you could also have quick fire drawn portraits done on the day too. Or, if you send Rose a favourite photo, she can create a drawing in advance – a lovely present for the bride and groom or bridesmaids. She can even make a canvas out of your wedding photos after the day itself. Wedding prices start around £350.
For something that little bit different, Rose can also offer a mixture of more risqué entertainment with her fabulous art. With her strong performance background, she can appear as a character [The Art Tart] to liven up your crowd. She’s performed all over the world as part of The Natural Theatre and her travels have influenced her artistic style and fed her passion for the bold vibrant utse of colours when painting. For a glimpse at Rose’s performance art, try her YouTube channel where you’ll find a cocktail of Beryl Cooke, Rolf Harris, Marilyn Monroe and a flagon of Dave's leopard skin scrumpy.
Her performance can incorporate live drawing of your wedding and reception from its most flattering angle or even, for a truly unique touch, right in amongst the guest involving them in the art work itself.
We are very excited however that Itsy Bitsy Vintage Lingerie will be joining us at the Fair. Ali had been scouring the web for a unique lingerie company that had that something special as well as the real vintage look and she came across Itsy Bitsy’s Facebook page. It’s a real coup as they’re London based and have already been asked to do the prestigious Olympia Fair. 
Itsy Bitsy use original vintage materials to make gorgeous lingerie in beautiful, flattering shapes. Handmade from vintage fabrics and each piece delightfully individual, you need look no further than Itsy Bitsy Vintage Lingerie. They source their vintage fabrics from all over the world to create one-off stunning pieces. Their ethos is to offer something so unique that it becomes a collector’s item and no two garments are ever exactly the same.
With every piece vintage-inspired, Itsy Bitsy Vintage Lingerie believes every woman is just as unique as the pieces they create and for that extra special wedding day or honeymoon night, they can provide a bespoke fitting and consultation service from their Central London studios or online. Luckily for us they'll be at the Fair this Feb, so catch the girls while you can. They'll be bringing their new range of retro head scarfs along with heaps of gorgeous lingerie; that's over 50 styles in total. They're also working on an exclusive bridal collection for our very own Fair using vintage Kimonos and 1930s lace, so this is not to be missed! Just take a look at their Etsy shop or their Facebook page for more designs and then come along and see these gorgeous items for yourself. The girls promise that each piece gives as much pleasure to wear as they do to admire.
Sheena Holland is the Original Feather Headband creator (in a pad format) and her visually stunning vintage designs have graced the pages of top fashion magazines like Vogue. Her beautiful headbands are one-off pieces using only antique and vintage jewellery and she’s had many a celebrity client over the years. When you buy from Sheena, you’re buying something very special indeed.
From her shop at 31 Queen Street, Derby, Sheena creates bridal tiaras and jewellery made from vintage materials using re-worked leather, antique, vintage jewellery and feathers as well as her trademark headbands and all elements combine the fashion, shapes and colours from her training with Hamnetts and in floristry. Her shop is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, but you can also find her on Facebook and Twitter as well as her wonderful online boutique. It’s packed with treasures and includes a written blog, but best of all, she’ll be at the Fair on 26th February, so come and meet her and see all these gorgeous items up close and for yourself.
Founder Kirsten Butler loves detail. Voted regional winner in the ‘Special Touches’ category for the South West [Wedding Industry Awards 2012], she really does have that special touch. Kirsten knows that making your wedding magical isn’t always about spending lavish amounts of money. She believes it’s the small details and personal touches that make the day truly special.
What about a St Clements’ or Carrot-Pecan Wedding Cake or perhaps you’d prefer a Cupcake Tower with 7 tiers of deliciousness? Whatever flavour you want, whatever colour and design you’ve been thinking about, Absolutely Cakes will make it for you. They use the best quality ingredients whether that’s eggs from happy hens to pure organic Madagascan Bourbon Vanilla and each cake is completely bespoke and handmade from traditional, classical, elegant, modern or novelty designs to multi-tiered creations. When it comes to your wedding day, Absolutely Cakes can promise your cake will form part of your treasured memories. Your order is baked fresh and tailored to your exact requirements, so whatever you decide you want, it will look amazing and it will taste fantastic. They’re even allergy and food intolerance aware and can bake you a vegan cake or make it gluten, dairy and egg free. 
Absolutely Cakes were the very first cupcake company in Bristol, developed by founder Jan from her many years of celebration cake-making for family and friends and from the very first wedding cake she made whilst still at University. She’s passionate about making each order from scratch with top quality ingredients and taking special care all the way from the first flavours to the final decorations. Each order is completely unique and totally bespoke. They’re priced individually and that includes delivery and set up of the cake at your wedding venue on the day. You can book in a wedding consultation with Jan to discuss your requirements, but before you do, take a look at her website. The pictures are mouth-watering and you can order selection boxes of some gorgeous cupcakes with a mere click of your mouse. She’s on Facebook too but best of all, for the day of the fair, she’ll be leaving her bakery and setting up at the Clifton Pavilion, her table laden with cupcake and macaroon samples for you to taste. She’ll be available for you to ask all your wedding cake questions and what Jan doesn’t know about baking… 
From your first consultation in which over 20 separate measurements are made, you can utilise the vast experience and knowledge of your own Style Adviser, giving you the opportunity to discuss your requirements and discover what suits you. Your profile will be saved and these guys can design any suit you can think of [whether you can see an example online or not].
It’s so simple. A Suit That Fits has a massive range of fabrics and are always extending their range. They encourage the groom to bring in any colour swatches for the wedding and these little details can be translated into button hole stitching or reflected into the lining; so subtle, that you can wear the suit again and again. You can also use your own fabrics if you’ve sourced something you already love and in terms of style, these guys can recreate anything you like whether it’s vintage, double-breasted or simply adding some fabulous turn-ups. 
Although they’re London based, they have more than 30 UK locations, which means the best man, the brother or father of the groom can get measured wherever they are, without having to travel to one place. In Bristol, they’re located in Queens Square overlooking the courtyard, but their tailor stops range from Exeter right up to Scotland. The also have a wonderfully easy to use website, a style blog and you can find them on Facebook and Twitter, but do come along and meet these clever Style Advisers on the day of the fair. They’ll be giving out £50 vouchers for attendees of the fair to put towards a suit - a little treat for the grooms!
A hen party with Cox & Baloney would begin with the very best tea and some gooey homemade cakes. There would be Babycham from teacups, all served in your own private room and followed by a workshop of your choice. You could try your hand at making knickers, nipple tassels, hair fascinators, tutus or having a vintage Hollywood-style hair and make-up lesson. They’ll organise everything you need and make sure you have a wonderful time. You can even let your hair down and try on as many vintage outfits as your heart desires. Of course, if you need a little help, they'll be around to help you achieve exactly the right look.
It’s not just hen parties Cox & Baloney can make special. The morning of your wedding is a busy time and they can ease the pressure by delivering a sumptuous hamper of delicious goodies to you and your bridesmaids. You’ll find mid-morning snacks, pastries and of course, some champagne! They’ll make sure you don’t forget to eat and bring some extra sparkle with them. 
On the day of the fair, both Amy and Joney will be around, so do make sure you come and ask them about their hen party ideas. Don’t forget to pop into their lovely shop if you’re passing too. They have everything you could possibly need for creating a truly vintage lifestyle, from original clothing (ladies and gents) to furniture, homeware, books and a dressmaker who can make wedding and bridesmaids dresses. There’s also a beautiful 1960s wedding dress for sale and it comes complete with a photo of the original owner wearing it. Their tearoom is open for quintessential English favourites at elevenses or for a traditional afternoon tea served on delicate china and you simply must ask about the Cream Tea Towers! 
The new website is currently under construction, but very soon you’ll be able to meet one of their cool VW Camper Vans at the fair. ‘Gus’ will be parked in the Zoo car park and both Philip and Sarah will be on hand to answer any queries and tell you all about the history of their charming vans. Don’t forget to ask about the new, fourth van too. Currently being fully restored, this 52-year old Camper VW will become a completely mobile cocktail van, ready for your wedding and garden parties this summer.