Vintage, glam and rustic glam among wedding trends

Bridal Show Advertising Feature
Vintage, glam and rustic glam among wedding trends
For many of us, winter is a magical time of
year. For couples planning their nuptials, the
season also presents a unique opportunity
to create an incredibly romantic winter
wonderland setting – and that’s just what
greeted visitors to the 25th Annual Bridal
Event & Fashion Show.
The event, held January 26 at Durham
College, featured a winter wonderland
setting by official decorator House of
Golden-Aire of Oshawa. Glamour was the
order of the day and paid tribute to the
Marilyn Monroe era, explains owner Lynda
Dowe.
As displayed at her exhibit, she recreates
that magical and timeless era through
the generous use of crystal beads,
crystal centrepieces, flickering candles in
assorted heights, strings of twinkle lights
illuminated under tulle table skirts, and
backdrops featuring elegant layers of ivory
and champagne coloured satin fabrics.
Décor elements included a scenic backdrop
to the fashion shows that featured snowladen tree and a colour palette of blues and
whites , while also incorporating greenery
from Bloom Field Gardens. Fellow show
sponsor Tim’s Party Centre and Special
Events Rentals completed the winter
wonderland with hundreds of balloons in
silver and blues – dozens of which featured
coupons that could be redeemed for prizes
from show exhibitors.
The prettiest wedding gowns
Highlights of the must-attend event included
two fashion shows. The first featured
designs by Sharmilli from SharleezConcept,
a highly-creative designer who finds
inspiration in fashions, customs, art and
fabrics from across the globe. “I find other
cultures fascinating and like to mix modern
and traditional elements,” she says.
Her creations feature intricate beadwork and
distinctive colour and fabric combinations,
including a gown that featured alternating
layers of traditional Chinese fabric and
ivory satin. “Some designs are flirty and
fun. One is short at the front and has a long
train,” says Sharmilli. She will soon open
her first retail boutique in Whitby.
The second fashion show included gowns
from A Perfect Dream Bridal Boutique of
Courtice. Princess gowns, corset-style
tops, lace, belts, sparkling tiaras, birdcage
veils and feather fascinators were among
featured trends. Bridesmaids’ fashions
included a long chiffon dress in sunflower
yellow, as well as a short dress in emerald
green and another in sunmist green. A
mother-of-the-bride dazzled in a oneshoulder dress in hunter green.
as well as bow ties, cummerbunds and
vests in vibrant colours like Tuscany Malibu
and sapphire blues, as well as fuchsia and
bubblegum.
Bliss Bridal Boutique was among several
bridal boutiques that returned to the
annual event. “We’re starting to see gowns
with a touch of gold as an accent colour or
in beading,” says owner Sally Bevis.
Other trends: ombre, lace, crystals and
beadwork, as well as detailed backs, with
some gowns featuring a detachable train.
“We’re seeing a lot of fit-and-flare styles but
ball gowns are still in. There’s more choice
for brides than ever before,” Ms. Bevis
Photos courtesy of Thinkagain Photography
says. “Veils are making a comeback.”
Grooms rocked fashions from Freeman
Formalwear, available at Tip Top Tailors,
and Moores Clothing for Men. Trends
include slim-fit tuxedo jackets and pants,
Sponsored in part by:
AU THENTIC CUISINE
EVENT SPECIALISTS
Bridal Show Advertising Feature
Country singer entertains the audience
Ring #2
Ring#3
Ring#4
Ashley Lynn of Port Perry pictured in photo right
stands to the left with boutique owner Crysal
Adams. Ashley wins a $1500 Gift Certificate
towards a wedding dress from A Perfect Dream
Bridal Boutique.
Countrysinger/songwriter
Lindsay
Broughton hit the stage in front of the
winter wonderland backdrop. The Canadian
Country Music Association’s 2010 ‘Rising
Star’ recipient wowed the crowd with songs
like “Restless as the Rain,” along with
stories about the inspiration behind some
of the songs she has penned.
The Brooklin resident has performed at the
Boots and Hearts Country Music Festival
as well as CCMA’s New Artist Showcase
during Country Music Week 2010. Her self-
described musical sound is “fun moderncountry” with a twist of pop fused/funky
rock and her musical influences are rooted
in country and rock.
Alfie Latanski, world classical guitarist,
had performed classical and flamencostyle music on the main stage as well. His
dreamy guitar playing provided beautiful
background music setting the tone for the
days events.
Wedding food trends 2014
Fun dining trends continue, Ms. Corbett
reports. While candy buffets remain a
favourite late-night snack for guests, brides
and grooms are also serving cookies and
other baked goodies, as well as popcorn.
Fun trend alert: snow cones topped with a
shot of liqueur or vodka instead of syrup.
Those attending the Durham Region Bridal
Event & Fashion Show sampled goodies from
such exhibitors as official caterer Shrimp
Cocktail. It served shaved from the roast
prime rib sandwiches, traditional shrimp
cocktails, chicken salad in spiced black
bean phyllo cups, and baby brie on garlic
crustinis.
“We talked to a lot of couples interested
in hosting a cocktail reception or formal
sit-down dinner in a smaller venue like a
restaurant,” says owner Wanda Nippard.
“Some are planning a destination wedding
and know not everyone will be able to join
them so they want to host a celebration
when they return.”
Bakers like Cakes by Stephanie owner
Stephanie Tenant predicts the rosette,
rough/rustic icing and flowers (real and
gumpaste) will be among the season’s
hottest wedding cake trends. “Bling is still
in,” she says, pointing to cake tiers wrapped
in a bling ribbon.
Many of the brides were accompanied
by girlfriends who delighted in trying on
engagement rings, with many falling in
love with coloured diamonds -- one of the
hottest trends in engagement rings, Ms.
Sanders notes. Cushion cut or round cut
diamonds are also favourite trends.
Jewellery By Sanders helped the Annual
Durham Region Bridal Event & Fashion Show
mark its 25th anniversary with prizes that
included three dazzling anniversary rings
with round, brilliant cut diamonds and a
cluster ring featuring colourless and black
diamonds.
Big winners at the
Bridal Show
All our guests who cam to the show where
automatically able to enter the draw with
their admission ticket serving as a ballot.
Our four lucky winners below walked away
with terrific prizes from our show sponsors
Jewellery by Sanders and A Perfect Dream
Bridal Boutique. And the winners are.....
RING 3: A lady’s 14K white gold anniversary-style
ring set with five round, brilliant cut diamonds
which total approximately 0.40ct combined. The
suggested retail is $1,050.00
Winner: Kristy Law of Oshawa pictured above on the
left, with Sonja Sanders of Jewellery by Sanders.
Ring 4: Ticket holder #1753 pictured on the left,
stands between Lindsay Broughton left and Sonja
Sanders right, accepting her 14k white gold lady’s
anniversary-style ring set with eleven round,
brilliant cut diamonds which total approximately
0.25ct combined. The suggested retail is $990.00.
Gorgeous hair and makeup
About half of the couples Ms. Tenant spoke
with want a traditional tiered wedding
cake, while the other half plans to serve
mini cupcakes. If serving cupcakes, she
recommends offering three flavours, which
could include lemon raspberry – a favourite
for spring and summer weddings – cookies
‘n cream, chocolate orange and strawberry
vanilla.
Boy bands rock
While brides-to-be were looking for crystal
baubles to complement their gowns, their
guys were interested in trying on tungsten
and titanium wedding bands, reports Sonja
Sanders of show sponsor Jewellery By
Sanders of Oshawa. “The gunmetal look is
still very popular,” she says. “It’s lighter
than gold but can’t be dented.”
Ring 2: A 14K white lady’s anniversary-style ring
set with nine round, brilliant cut diamonds which
total approximately 0.30ct combined. The suggested
retail is $1,290.00
Winner:Christine Cassidy of Whitby, left.
The team of Salon Blo stylists also did the hair
and makeup of the models in the event’s two
fashion shows. Loose up-dos were on trend,
along with tulle fascinators, some adorned
with crystals. Makeup trends included nudes
and neutrals, as well as dramatic smoky eyes
and cat eyes. “It’s about creating something
timeless with a modern twist,” Ms. Arangio
says.
Many brides-to-be enjoyed getting a
mini makeover at Salon Blo of Whitby,
with many more onlookers watching the
transformations. “Most have a vision of
what they’d like for their wedding day but
don’t think their hair will cooperate,” says
colourist Angela Arangio. “They’re often
surprised by the possibilities.”
Many
brides-to-be
enjoyed
airbrush
makeup demonstrations at Salon Amara of
Bowmanville. The makeup is sprayed on in a
fine layer, creating a natural look while still
offering great coverage and longevity, and is
great for hot and humid weather because it
doesn’t cake, smear, run or melt away.
Visit us online!
Visit www.durhambridalshow.com for photos
of the event captured by our official event
photographer, Thinkagain Photography.
The Annual Durham Region Bridal
Event & Fashion Show is sponsored by
Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Magazine,
which is distributed to more than 400
select retailers and suppliers throughout
Durham Region in December and June.
For magazine information visit www.
beautifulbeginningsbridal.com
www.durhambridalshow.com | www.durhamregion.com | For information on the 2015 show email: [email protected]