Designer of the Week – Maggie Sottero

Today we have a little look into the wedding design world of Maggie Sottero and her Spring 2013 collection. We just love the soft pink colour of this first fishtail dress launched at New York International Bridal Fashion Week. The collection is not yet available in stores but what’s to stop you taking a look at all her other gorgeous gowns whilst you wait!

Maggie Sottero is available in Kent at Bridal Gowns at Jodi in their Maidstone and Canterbury stores, as well as Go Bridal in Tunbridge Wells.

All images from First View

firstVIEW is an online fashion magazine with fashion show photos from around the world. See all the the top models and top designer fashions from the runways of the world.

Sunday Summary: Going for Gold

This week has been full of excitement and anticipation. Not least as the Olympics has arrived in London town but that our new website is almost ready to go. That was until we hit a slight wordpress snag. We’re desperately trying to work out how NOT to manually move over 500 blog images from wordpress.com to wordpress.org as it doesn’t seem to want to do it automatically for us. If anyone has any idea there’s free wedding planning sessions in it!

The WD’s rethink their IT strategy

On the blog this week we’ve got caught up with Olympic Fever by having a special Going for Gold blog post which is an inspiration board of all things gold for a wedding. It’s such a great accent colour for anytime of year and you can use it as little or as much as you like to compliment any theme.

@pinterest

Our designer of the week was the brilliant Claire Pettibone whose dresses we have admired for ages. If you want to float like an Ethereal Queen through your wedding day then these are the gowns for you.

@Claire Pettibone

We just love a lotion or new potion at the Wedding Dolls and just some of our favourite products come from the range by Mitchell and Peach, which is produced right here in Kent. Our Fantastic Find of the week is their miniature set – just perfect for that honeymoon carry case.

Next up was all talk as we looked into Brides making a speech on their wedding day. Traditionally left to the guys, we now find more and more brides want to be part of the speech line up so they can thank their loved ones themselves or pay tribute to their gorgeous new hubbie. Would you? Find out more in Speechless Brides.

This week we also gave you the heads up on the next big thing for Bridesmaids coming to a wedding near you in 2013. Yes it’s bling’s best friend Sequins, and lots of them. See how you can get your Bridesmaids kitted out and bang up to date in next to no time.

Lastly our Saturday Shopping tip this week was for online store Pearl and Earl. It’s got  loads of good little buys to help decorate your venue and is also a great place to buy those latex balloons we were banging on about last week. If you’re bored with the Olympics already you’ve just found something to do instead!

Happy Sunday Everyone

x

Designer of the Week: Claire Pettibone

If you’re looking to float down the aisle like an ethereal queen then you’ll love our designer of the week, Claire Pettibone. With lots of intricate lace detailing her vintage style dresses have a really soft elegant feel.

The closest stockist for you gals of Kent is Blackburn Bridal, which is in Blackheath, London.

All images from Claire Pettibone

 

Sunday Summary: Here Comes the Sun

This weekend brings us sunshine! And about time too. With school out for summer and weddings galore over the next few weeks we need the sun to stick to around just for a while. On a selfish note as well I’ve bought loads of maxi dresses for going to weddings and not got to wear them once yet – having to stick to my winter attire made up of tights and a waterproof mac!

So before I run away with the sun celebration let’s look back over the last week on the blog. Our dress of the week was by Alan Hannah, a gorgeous backless dress with stunning detail, that judging from the comments we’ve had is a big hit with all of you too.

Image from Alan Hannah

Then we shared with you a unique venue that we’ve had the pleasure of working at, Nettlestead Place. The house, gardens and stunning views along with it being exclusive to you on the day are just a few of the reasons to check it out.

Nettlestead Place Marquee

Next was our fantastic find Little Gems, who make the most gorgeous cakes alongside a vintage ice cream bike with homemade ice creams. We worked with Gemma at a wedding and could see first hand how much the guests loved picking their own ice cream for dessert and comparing flavours  – it was a big hit!

Little Gems Vintage Ice Cream BIke

For wedding decor inspiration we looked at the comeback of the humble balloon. With large latex balloons now in the offering you can make simple and stylish backdrops at a really reasonable price. We just love them.

Martha Stewart Weddings

If you’re looking for accessories and decoration for your big day our Saturday Shopping guide is just what you need with beautiful name places, invitations and table settings from one of our favourite online shops, Cox and Cox. It’s our first stop for unique little wedding ideas.

Cox & Cox

Enjoy the sunshine and happy Sunday everyone!

x

Wedding Dress of the Week by Alan Hannah

If you’ve got it flaunt it! With this gorgeous Milano dress by designer Alan Hannah you’ll want to walk up the aisle more than once so guests get another chance to check out that stunning back detail!

Stockists in Kent include Pantiles Bride and Teokath.

Image from Alan Hannah.

Sunday Summary: Muddy Maritals

I’ve spend most of this week up to my armpits in muddy washing. Rain is bad enough but flooding and outdoor events mean that my wellies aren’t the only thing getting soggy! Still in this country rain doesn’t usually spoil play and we crack on anyway, especially my kids who have rolled around outside for 10 minutes got cold, wet and muddy, come back in, got changed and then started the whole process over again. So before I go back to my alternative  office aka the utility room, here’s the quick round up of the blog over the past week.

We kicked off sharing the beautiful designs of Claire Mischevani with you. Her bespoke designer bridal service has featured in Vogue, Elle, Grazia, Brides and You & Your Wedding amongst others. If you want something completely different and perfect for you in every way you’ll want to check out her website for your dream dress.

Next up was the Kent wedding of Jon and Emma, who were married at Bradbourne House. Emma talked us through their plans and shared the details of the day which included bespoke stationery designed by Jon himself. Take a peek at the rest of the pictures here.

Next up was a reminder of a gorgeous wedding we worked on last year in Malta. Louise and Warren used wedding planners to cut out all the travel expenses of going to Malta to check on arrangements, as well as the stress of trying to do it all themselves. We worked with the couple on plans this end whilst the Maltese planner was on location to organise local suppliers and double check arrangements before we arrived. The colours of this wedding were just stunning and Louise embraced the then emerging trend of different Bridesmaid dresses which looked absolutely amazing.

Finally we shared our top five picks for Bridesmaid dresses that fall above the knee. The sales are in full force on the high street and there are lots of bargains to be had if you want your Bridesmaids to have an alternative look.

Happy Sunday Everyone

x

Image 1 & 2: Juliette Harrison.

Image 3 & 4: Kay Young

Real Wedding Inspiration: A Maltese Dream with Louise and Warren

This time last year we were helping Louise and Warren at their lovely wedding in Malta. The colours of the wedding were just gorgeous and have sparked a whole new set of colour combinations for our weddings in Kent, so much so that we wanted to share them all again.

Louise and Warren wanted to use wedding planners to cut out all the travel expenses of going to Malta to check on arrangements, as well as the stress of trying to do it all themselves. We worked with the couple on plans this end whilst the Maltese planner was on location to organise local suppliers and double check arrangements.

Louise says “it was lovely to spend so much time with our friends and family and enjoy every minute of our wedding experience. The ladies did such a fantastic job of helping us organise our day and the whole thing was so relaxed and fun. I didn’t want to have to worry about all those little things, I just wanted to concentrate on making my guests experience as great as ours – and it definitely was!”

Happy Anniversary to Louise and Warren x

Details:
Brides Dress: Pronovias
Bridesmaids: Oriental Pearl (Bluewater Shopping Centre)
Suits: Austin Reed
Photography: Kay Young

Designer of the Week: Claire Mischevani

Claire Mischevani is an award-winning designer whose bespoke  bridal service has featured in Vogue, Elle, Grazia, Brides and You & Your Wedding amongst others.

Claire says “At your first consultation we will talk to you about the type of dress you would like and we recommend you bring along cuttings from magazines that you find inspirational. Your measurements are taken and we can then mock up your design in a toile (cotton sample of the design). The toile will be fitted and any alterations will be made so you get the absolute picture of what your gown will look like when it is completed.

When you are completely happy with the design and fit of the gown, the pattern will then be adjusted and the gown cut in the fabric of your choice. Fittings will be done and any further alterations made. When the dress is completed, any design detailing will be added and a final fitting will be completed.”

Prices start from £1295. Contact Claire for details of how to book your appointment!

Caroline Castigliano Sample Sale

This is one sample sale you really don’t want to miss, with limited places be sure to book right away!

Good Luck, we hope you find the dress of your dreams

x

Frock of the Fortnight: Madeline Gardner

Fishtale wedding dresses are making a serious comeback and we just love this gorgeously detailed dress from Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner. Designing for Mori Lee for over 20 years, Madeline comes from New York and is well known internationally for her timeless and elegant designs.

In Kent the range is available at various Bridal Rooms including Jacqueline’s House of Brides in Dartford and Teokath in Canterbury.