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.