Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair

BLOGGING THE WEDDING FAIR

2012-03-13T16:35:00.001Z

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...

2012-03-09T07:53:00.001Z

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:

Our blog writer - Sarah

2012-03-06T19:06:00.000Z

Well - we’ve finally had some time to breathe after the excitement of the Fair and I want to thank someone who must take a big chunk of the credit for making the day such a great success – Sarah our amazing blog writer!

If you’ve been reading our wedding fair blog these last few months then you’ll have been reading the words of Sarah Baker. Sarah’s been researching and interviewing exhibitors to put together some fantastic posts so you’d all know what to look forward to at this year’s fair. You may even have met her on the day as she signed you in at reception, or seen her getting her 40s hair do upstairs. Now it’s all over, I wanted to tell you a bit more about her and what she does when she’s not writing for Bristol Vintage.

A former Story Editor in film, Sarah’s recently finished writing her first book [Young Adult Fiction] and is now deep in the editing process. She reviews books for various publishers, including Bloomsbury, Alma Books, Little Brown and Fiction Uncovered, which she also publishes on her blog and interviews and hosts guest authors. On top of all that, Sarah writes copy and is a great blog-editor! Whether you’re after some straightforward copywriting, a press release or copy editing, Sarah’s brilliant – she has an eye that can turn whatever you’re wanting to say into something that says it and more. She can re-vamp your website or blog, writing content that sells you and gets you seen.

We’re not letting her go, so you’ll still be reading Sarah’s words for the vintage wedding fair, but why not email her or call her to see how she can help you and your business. I’ve known Sarah for more than 10 years and worked with her on several occasions during that time. She’s a consummate professional with a great flair for words (as you already know) and is really good at knowing what a business needs and proactive in helping make it happen. I find it hard to delegate but Sarah was able to gently take over the blog with almost no direction from me and made me feel really secure and happy as she took on the ‘voice’ of Bristol Vintage immediately and took the blog forward without me needing to oversee her, as well as giving me guidance and advice on what might help.

You can find her through her blog, on Facebook, Twitter or through Textual Healing, where she’s now an associate.

This year's Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair

2012-03-02T14:42:00.002Z

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.

Vintage Models!

2012-02-28T13:17:00.002Z

We were very lucky to have four gorgeous models at our Fair, modelling some fabulous vintage dresses, antique one-off tiaras and necklaces and holding beautiful bouquets of flowers. A big thank you to Abbie Innes, Holly Baker, Katy Fothergill and Sonali Patel. I think you'll all agree they look stunning!

Thanks to Dawn Wilkins Photography and Jo Swan for the photos.

Who will you find at the Fair tomorrow?

2012-02-25T08:28:00.001Z

Ground Floor – The Garden Room

A Suit That Fits – Bespoke Men’s Suits

Bridezillas - Beautiful Bridal Accessories

Bristol Vintage – Vintage Crockery Hire & Event Organising

Britten – Handbags & Vintage Inspired Accessories

Chocolate Delores – Boutique Cake Maker

Cox & Baloney – Vintage Hen parties

Documentary Image – Award Winning Photography

Erika Glanville - Bespoke Memory Frames

Heavenly Vintage Brides – Vintage Wedding Dresses

House of Istria – Unique Hair Accessories

Itsy Bitsy - Vintage Lingerie

Life’s A Picnic - Vintage Picnic Hampers

Lovely & Vintage - Vintage Dresses and Accessories

Rachel Goodchild - Design-led Cards & Gift Wrap

Clifton Pavilion Tea Rooms – Tea & Cake … and a break!

First Floor Landing

Custard House Clothing - Reworked & Upcycled Vintage Clothing, Designs & Alterations

Clifton Hill - Antique Costume & Textiles

Shear Madness – Vintage Hair Styling Demonstrations

First Floor – The Clifton Suite

Absolutely Cakes – Cupcakes, Wedding Cakes & Macarons

Alexandra King – Bespoke Vintage Inspired Dresses

Babes in the Wood – Champagne Hen Nights with a Touch of the Wild!

Beehive Brides – Glamorous Vintage/Retro Hair & Make-up

Clifton Pavilion – The Venue Hosts & Caterers

Days of Grace –Bridal Gowns Fashioned From Vintage Lace & Textiles

Fishee Designs – Vintage Photo Booth

Flo-Jo Boutique – Handmade Undies & Knicker-Making Sets!

Jo Hansford – Beautiful Photography

Lilygrace Originals – Handcrafted Vintage Inspired Jewellery

The Little Wedding Helper – Bespoke Venue & Marquee Styling

Meticulous Ink – Fine Stationery & Paper Goods

Rose Popay – The Art Tart

Sheena Holland – One-off Vintage Feather, Leather & Jewellery headbands

Wilde Bunch – Floral Designs

Music

The Tender Trap – Sophisticated Lounge Music – Morning

Shellac Sounds – Vintage ’78 DJ’s - Playing Throughout the Day

Cuffy – Flamenco Guitarist - Afternoon

West Car Park

Chrome Occasions - 1959 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

Elysee DS Wedding Car – Classic Vintage Citroen DS

Cool Classy Campers – Vintage VW Camper Vans

Pedal Power – Rickshaws

Vintage Bus Rides

City Sightseeing Bristol

Photos taken on the day by Dawn Wilkins, Photographer

There will be a couple of researchers from ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’ who would like to chat to anyone interested in appearing on the programme.

What's happening at the Fair this Sunday?

2012-02-24T07:34:00.001Z

This is our last but one blog before our big day on Sunday! We’ll be posting up the definitive exhibitor list tomorrow so meantime, we just thought we’d remind you of a few of the exciting things that will be happing at the Fair:

There'll be entertainment from Shellac Sound throughout the day, interspersed with music in the morning from The Tender Trap and in the afternoon from Cuffy.

You’ll be able to have a vintage photo taken by Emily at Fishee Designs Photo Booth and get an on-the-day sketch from Rose Popay, both at £5 each (and don’t forget to congratulate Rose on her wedding yesterday!).

Vintage Hair & Make-Up sessions are available upstairs with Fiona of Beehive Brides, as well as vintage hair demonstrations from Esme of Shear Madness in the room on the landing.

The first 200 visitors will receive a goodie bag, and there’ll be a further 50 goodie bags on the Vintage Bus parked outside. Many of the bags will include discounted vouchers from some of our exhibitors, including a £50 voucher from ‘A Suit That Fits’ with one lucky visitor finding a £50 voucher to spend on accessories at Britten - so why not have a break with a cup of tea and cake from the tea rooms and see if it’s you!

And don’t forget to visit our vehicle exhibitors – just across the road in the West Car Park – there’s a mode of transport for everyone!

It's free entry, open to visitors from 10am till 4pm.

We’re really looking forward to meeting you all and please do let us have your email if you would like to be added to the exhibitors (and our!) mailing lists.

We’d love your feedback after the Fair too. We listened to our visitors and exhibitors last year and have made a few changes, but we’d love to know what else we can do to make the Fair even better for next year.

Remember you can post a comment on our blog, join us on our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.

Come and say hello, as we’d love to meet you.

Warm wishes.

Ali – Bristol Vintage

Shear Madness

2012-02-23T18:18:00.001Z

The talent behind Shear Madness is Esme, a hair stylist extraordinaire who’s passionate about vintage hairstyles. By day she’s a Stylist at Harry Blades on Christmas Steps in Bristol, but by night [or weekend] she can transform your hair into a fantastic vintage up do.

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.

Find her online or contact her by email at esme@shearmadness.co.uk but do come and see her in action. These vintage up dos are not to be missed!

The Tender Trap

2012-02-22T11:34:00.001Z

Bristol Vintage are delighted that The Tender Trap will be performing at our Fair. They’ll be playing their distinctive repertoire of classic songs from the 1940s through to the 1970s, mixing and matching old and new, giving everything their very own lounge-tastic twist.

The Tender Trap trio was formed in January 2011 by Joanna Swan, Ruth Hammond and Tammy Payne - all well-established vocalists and musicians in their own rights. With their luscious three-part harmony arrangements [with drum and keyboard accompaniment], they make a sound unlike anyone else around.

Adding a sophisticated 'vintage chic' to any occasion, they can temper their set to suit, whether that’s music for background or performance - just take a look at this YouTube clip for a delicious taster. For bookings you can email Joanna at thetendertrap@mail.com but don’t miss out… The Tender Trap will be playing at the Fair this Sunday, so come along and hear them perform. They FROCK!

Rose Popay - Congratulations!

2012-02-21T08:10:00.004Z

Our congratulations to the lovely Rose Popay who's getting married this week! What fabulous news - our very own new bride at the Fair.

Have an amazing day on Thursday, Rose; we'll be thinking of you.

Beehive Brides Update

2012-02-20T16:50:00.001Z

Fiona from Beehive Brides only has a few slots left for vintage-style hair and make up sessions so do book now to avoid disappointment on the day!

To book call Fiona direct on 07710 415365 or through Facebook or her website.

Clifton Hill Antique Costume & Textiles

2012-02-19T07:40:00.002Z

A short walk from the Clifton Triangle can take you to a veritable treasure trove of antique, vintage and retro garments, hats, accessories, textiles and haberdashery that never ceases to surprise even the most seasoned of visitor.

Originally owned by the eponymous Gillian Holder, the heart and soul behind the store before she passed away in early 2011, Jenny Ford now looks after this wonderful place. She’s written a beautiful blog about working with Gillian and how she’s reviving the costume shop and its collections. You’ll learn how originally working there part-time and through the process of arranging and rotating stock, going through rail upon rail and unpacking boxes of fabric, she heard the varied stories behind the contents and acquired that elusive skill in helping each and every customer find just what they were looking for, even if they didn’t know it.

In addition, Jenny set up a Facebook page to document the amazing vintage and retro items she came across in the shop, with good friend Ibolya Feher providing the beautiful photography that really captures the feel of the building and its contents.

To continue Gillian's legacy and her passion was the start of many ideas and much excitement for Jenny as well as the many people she met met during her time at the shop and previous customers now talented designers! After a lot of work tackling the mountain of beautiful vintage stock, both on display and in storage (filling six rooms over two floors) and rescuing whatever she could, Jenny has found surprises at every step including gorgeous pieces of vintage lingerie, war time safari shorts and even a pair of early machine-knit gloves. The collection she’s looking after is amazing and she’s still finding hidden gems.

She’s going to blog about some of the favourite collections she’s found so far, so do follow her on the next stage of her journey with Clifton Hill Antique Costume & Textiles. Until the store opens this summer you can catch Jenny at regular vintage markets and by appointment, but why not come and meet her at our Fair. She’s taking time off from cataloguing these delights to present some gorgeous dresses to give you a taste of what’s available. There’ll be vintage lingerie, nightwear and an unbelievable array of items for dressing up, available to hire. Don’t miss this. It’s a chance to see history.

Rose Popay

2012-02-16T07:31:00.002Z

Rose Popay is an award-winning artist who can draw live at your wedding! Creating exciting paintings of people and events, she can vibrantly capture your special day, even involving your guests in creating a collaborative artwork that’s yours to keep forever.

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.

Take a look at her website, catch her on Facebook and Twitter and best of all find her in person at our Fair. Rose will be there, so come and meet this wonderfully talented woman and find out how she can give you that unique way to remember your wedding day. She’ll be offering bargain portraits, so dress to impress!

Itsy Bitsy Vintage Lingerie

2012-02-15T08:28:00.001Z

… and so we say au revoir and bon voyage to Miss Jones. We wish her well and look forward to following her adventures in La France.

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 a mission to explore, contrast and overlap all eras of fashion,Tracy and Oonagh run a gorgeous online boutique on Etsy. The Sensual Silk collection there consists of a variety of 70's and 80's silk prints cut in a variety of nostalgic shapes and styles. All pieces are individually hand finished with satin bows and vintage trims, which guarantees a hint of sentiment with a modern twist. Think seductive, think playful.

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.

Miss Jones Lingerie - Update

2012-02-14T20:36:00.001Z

Bristol Vintage is sorry to announce that the delightful Miss Jones is no longer able to make the Fair on the 26^th. Although we are terribly disappointed [oh that lingerie] we are simultaneously thrilled for Jacqui [and a little bit jealous] as she’s off to France! Whilst there, she’ll be able to concentrate full time on her business whilst pursuing her illustration and writing. She’ll still be available for online advice and her entire range will be handmade from across the pond.

We’ll miss her at this year’s Fair but wish Jacqui all the best for her French studio. No doubt we'll hear very soon of some brand new French-inspired lingerie ranges on Facebook and Twitter.

Sheena Holland

2012-02-13T07:28:00.001Z

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.

Originally a Londoner, Sheena studied fashion under designer Katharine Hamnett working on fabrics for catwalks. Later inspired by designing large floral, wire and concrete sculptures, Sheena went on to create fabulous wedding headwear; unique distinctive pieces that stand out above the high street because each is handmade. You can even have something completely bespoke, with prices starting at £145.

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 26^th February, so come and meet her and see all these gorgeous items up close and for yourself.

The Little Wedding Helper

2012-02-11T11:02:00.002Z

How about an Award Winning stylist for your wedding? The Little Wedding Helper specialises in bespoke venue and marquee styling, helping couples across Bristol and the South West to stop worrying about ‘how it should be done’ and instead creating and styling a wedding that’s uniquely theirs, from start to finish.

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.

Weddings can seem complicated and overwhelming amongst all the budgeting and planning required and decisions to be made, but The Little Wedding Helper can guide you through all of this, keeping you focused and giving you peace of mind that your reception will be completely taken care of. She's not a wedding planner, but that extra pair of hands to focus on all styling elements of your big day. She works alongside hotel staff and wedding coordinators and will ensure the venue is transformed while you’re getting ready. Specialising in marquee decoration, her on-the-day styling service means you can enjoy the build up of your wedding day whilst the inside and outside of the marquee are being decorated with love and exquisite attention to detail.

Kirsten loves talking weddings, so get in touch via Facebook, Twitter or the website and make an appointment to describe your vision over the tea and delicious cupcakes she always has at the ready. Initial consultations are free and fees are tailored to suit your needs. She even hosts inspiration sessions in Bristol and she's a fab listener, letting you know just how she can compliment your ideas and sprinkle a little creative inspiration on top. Best of all you can come and meet Kirsten in person and have a chat on the day of the fair. Trust me, she’s got some brilliant ideas and all you have to do is ask!

Absolutely Cakes

2012-02-07T15:37:00.000Z

Absolutely Cakes are scrumptious! The cupcakes are spectacularly gorgeous with gooey secrets hidden inside and their wedding cakes are melt-in-the-mouth winners of several Great Taste Awards. With each soft bite freshly created, they’re free from additives and contain locally sourced Fairtrade and organic ingredients, making them pretty much the yummiest, fluffiest cakes around.

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…

To contact Jan by e-mail: absolutely.cakes@btinternet.com  and by telephone: 07532 054 521.

A Suit That Fits

2012-02-06T08:12:00.001Z

For the perfect fitting vintage suit, grooms are going to want to come along and meet the guys from A Suit That Fits. Whether you’re after a Mad Men or Boardwalk Empire look, these talented Style Advisers will design you a suit from a host of different eras and still give it a modern fit.

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.

A suit takes between 6 and 8 weeks production time although there are fast track options available. They recommend however that you book in for your consultation at least 3 months before your wedding so they can work to get it just right. The consultation and measurement fee is just £25 but this covers all [that’s all!] alterations needed. As everyone wears a suit slightly differently, this is a real saving.

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!

Cox & Baloney

2012-02-05T08:20:00.002Z

For owners Amy and Joney, vintage-style tea parties with a twist are the order of the day. From their gorgeous shop on Cheltenham Road, Bristol they run a delightful vintage-style tearoom amidst their full to the brim with treasures and gems shop.

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!

Everything Cox & Baloney stock has been lovingly hand-picked and is either original vintage, designer or limited edition. You can find them on Facebook and Twitter as well as in store and if you’re planning a hen party with a twist - they really can host a perfect afternoon. Think of lashings of clotted cream and fresh strawberries as you enjoy a good gossip over a piece of cake and a fresh cup of tea. Think.. why am I not already there?

Cool Classy Campers

2012-02-04T08:41:00.001Z

For a special way to get to your wedding, look no further than Cool Classy Campers. Owners Philip and Sarah Heaton have three of these gorgeous VW Camper Vans they hire out for weddings and honeymoons all year round. They’re both passionate about these gorgeous vehicles; not only smitten with the bags of spirit and personality they possess, but with the whole exhilarating experience of hitting the open road and driving anywhere you wish, turning heads as you go!

It's an experience they want you to share... and now you can! Each bespoke VW Camper Van is beautifully restored with a gorgeous finished interior. For your wedding you can hire one in red, blue or white, the latter affectionately known as ‘Gus’. You’ll be chauffeur- driven and can be as creative as you like with flowers and vintage ribbons. You can opt to hire it as your honeymoon car too. Each VW is fully equipped with a double bed, stove, sink and water as well as a fridge for your champagne. There’s even a flip screen dvd; they really are something special.

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.

For enquires call 0117 962 3442 or email enquiries@coolclassycampers.co.uk

The Bristol Magazine

2012-02-03T13:22:00.001Z

We're delighted to be featured in Bristol's biggest monthly magazine and did you know it's available online? Check out pages 48 and 49 - you'll see our poster for the Wedding Fair and just across the page, we're featured in 'I Do, In Style'.

If you pop along to their website you only have to click on the cover to read the whole issue. There's heaps of articles inside celebrating all that's wonderful about life and living in Bristol. Enjoy. http://www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk/

Shellac Sound

2012-02-03T07:30:00.024Z

Gramophone DJs? Yes please! Matt Jones and Kate Wright are Bristol based gramophone enthusiasts Shellac Sound, playing music from the 1920's, 30's and 40's on original wind-up gramophones. They’ve played at art galleries, art deco hotels, music concerts, cinemas, birthday parties in church halls and tea parties in the park as well as some fabulous wedding receptions. Drawing on their large collection of 78rpm records, they play a varied mixture of dance bands, popular vocal, jazz, chanson and latin, but are happy to tailor a set to completely suit your tastes.

Using two 1930's His Masters Voice 102 gramophones [widely regarded as one of the best sounding portable gramophones] and one horn gramophone, these are surprisingly loud and clear, but can easily be amplified using microphones if necessary. With a daytime guide rate of is £150 for the first hour and £50 per additional hour, there are additional charges for travelling further afield and for evening events, so best to talk through your event with them in detail.

They've been gramophoning since 2003 and are passionate about bringing the machines and the music to gatherings and celebrations. Their website is delightfully retro and you can be inspired by samples of the fantastic music with their ‘listen’ section. At the fair, Matt will be playing records in between the live music and doing his very best to have a chat with you all whilst changing gramophone needles every three minutes! Catch him while you can and let yourself be lost in the magic of the music.

Life’s a Picnic

2012-02-02T09:37:00.001Z

For a totally unique and utterly charming idea for a wedding or anniversary present, Life’s a Picnic creates classic picnic hampers with a delicious twist. Each set is unique and contains pretty vintage china, cloth napkins and proper cutlery; everything you need for dining al fresco.

Mother and daughter Elly and Evie have been making one-off vintage picnic hampers since 2005. Based in Bristol and Nailsworth, they do all the sewing and leatherwork themselves, as well as sourcing the fabrics and contents from all over the country. Each of their traditional willow hampers is totally unique and they’re classy as well as fun. They come with 2 x side plates, cups and saucers, 2 x knives, forks and teaspoons; 2 x napkins and a tablecloth, which can vary in size and best of all? It’s vintage! You also get a lined and padded removable wicker basket sectioned for cups and glasses; 2 x tumblers (toughened glass), champagne flutes (acrylic), hands-free champagne-glass holders; a corkscrew/bottle opener and a bottle stopper.

You can also order a bespoke hamper, perfectly tailored to your taste. So for a more personalised service and if you have a specific period, style, colour or pattern that you love, they can make a hamper just for you and a bespoke label to go with it. Just tell them your ideas and they can come up with a combination of china and fabric that’s perfect for you or the bride and groom.

Based online, both Evie and Elly will be bringing a large selection of their natural, hand-woven picnic hampers as well as swatches of fabric for bespoke hampers to the fair, so this is a real opportunity to come and see these up close and start thinking about your own designs. You can also find them on Facebook or read about what they're designing right now on their blog. What a brilliant vintage idea – Life’s a Picnic!

Bristol Vintage

2012-02-01T16:41:00.002Z

We’ve been showcasing some wonderful exhibitors for this year’s Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair and as it's not only #WW today [that’s Wedding Wednesday, you know] but also the #Wedding Wednesday of the year, I [that’s Sarah here, *waves hello*] thought it might be nice to tell you a little more about the lady who makes the annual Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair possible and what she does when she’s not organising this brilliant event.

I expect you know already that Bristol Vintage is a Bristol based company co-founded by Ali Cook and Katie Daniels and, since the birth of Katie’s baby girl, is being run by Ali. She has over 10 years experience organising boutique events, weddings, parties and film premieres and the idea for the company was inspired by her passion for vintage and love of tea-cups and cupcakes.

It was after attending a number of fairs and realising that they were looking for something that little bit different, that Ali and Katie realised a dedicated vintage wedding fair was exactly what the South West needed. They came up with the idea to hold their own and last spring held the very first Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair at the Clifton Pavilion.

This year’s fair is bigger and better, as they welcome back some wonderful exhibitors and showcase some new ones for you, each handpicked and offering gorgeous vintage dresses, fabulous corsets, brilliant headgear and stunning cakes as well as exceptional photographers, beautiful, bespoke stationery, fantastic florists and more. There’s retro and romantic entertainment and of course there’s always cake served on Bristol Vintage’s very own crockery. Like last year, there are goodie bags for the first 250 visitors and entry is completely free.

Last year was incredibly exciting for Bristol Vintage with growing wedding orders and even supplying crockery for the fabulous Miss Marmite Lover for her festival pop-up dinners.

This year Bristol Vintage has a few more things up its sleeve and, having just supplied the M-Shed with Babycham glasses for it’s fabulous Norman Parkinson launch Ali is now working with the RWA on a Mother’s Day afternoon tea in the stunning RWA building. So if you'd like to get in touch or you're planning a wedding or party, come along to the fair on 26th February and meet Ali in person, or you can email Bristol Vintage at info@bristolvintage.co.uk

Days of Grace Vintage

2012-01-31T12:39:00.001Z

Days of Grace is the place for beautiful vintage style dresses and stunning accessories. These one-off designs are made from antique lace and vintage textiles and are perfect for country, barefoot on the beach or beautiful summer picnic style weddings. They’re totally romantic dresses with a boho edge and each original ranges from the late 1800's right through to the 1980's.

At Days of Grace you’ll see exquisite beadwork, beautiful draping fabrics and laces. Alongside the wedding gowns in the back room there are medieval style hand woven silk bodices from the 1980s. There’s brand new fine lace and slipper satins from sourced designers with a vintage inspired twist, always unusual and completely unrepeatable. Owner Linda Duriez finds these discontinued gems from designer archives and brings them to life, each totally unique, such as her current Jenny Packham 30s inspired pieces. A visit to Days of Grace Vintage is a delight because you never know just what treasures might have been added to their collection and with these often hidden away in store, it’s always best to ring ahead to let them know exactly what you’re looking for.

A click onto the website lets you sample some of the vintage and retro pieces available or you can find their treasure trove of a shop at 15 Fore Street, Budleigh Salterton [although they recommend you book an appointment in advance, to avoid disappointment]. You can also find their sister shop Pirouette in Exeter and online. Based in a 16^th century merchant’s house in the old West Quarter, you can explore the very different designers showcased including Maggie Sottero, Sottero & Midgley and Annasul Y. New designers arrived recently include Amanda Wakely and Yolan Cris. A wedding gown specialist, the Pirouette range is forever changing. Think delicate gowns, beautiful veils, hand made jewellery and tiaras.

Whether you’re looking for something vintage or vintage-inspired, perhaps even vintage re-created, Linda will be at our fair with some beautiful dresses to showcase from both shops. There’s something for everyone, but you’ll have to be quick as there’s only one of each gorgeous dress.

91 Magazine

2012-01-31T11:15:00.000Z

91 Magazine is a quarterly online magazine that features news, style tips, shopping ideas, interiors, features on craft and vintage style as well as proudly supporting small businesses, designers and crafts people.

Their second issue is out today and our Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair is featured on page 12 as part of the Vintage Lovers Guide to Bristol alongside a lovely photo from photographer Liza McCarron.

It's a incredibly stylish magazine and we're delighted to be featured. Do check it out and let us know what you think.

Chrome Occasions

2012-01-29T08:51:00.003Z

On the day of the fair you’ll find something quite unusual in the Zoo car park – a fabulous 20 ft long 1959 Cadillac Sedan de Ville. It’s finished in ivory with contrasting black & white original leather interior and you won’t quite believe it till you see it!

The 1959 Cadillac was the most flamboyant of all the models produced and has become a design icon, so if you’re looking to arrive in the ultimate style and comfort on your special day, this '59 Cadillac is the perfect car for you. It has fours doors, for the convenience of the bride (and her dress) and not forgetting the iconic rear fins and dazzling chrome work. Your chauffeur on the day will arrive in full uniform and all wedding packages include colour-coordinated ribbons of your choice. Fresh flower arrangements can be supplied as an optional extra.

Based in Weston-Super-Mare, Chrome Occasions can provide their lovely car for wedding hire throughout the South West region. For all enquiries, contact them through their website but make sure you come to the fair. Owner Cheryl Hodges will be on hand to tell you much more, but as she feels you can’t really appreciate just how wonderful this car is until you see it in person, her partner Ed will also be there to show you round it.

Dawn Wilkins Photography

2012-01-28T09:28:00.001Z

Bristol Vintage has their very own photographer for the day! Bristol-based Dawn Wilkins will be taking pictures at the fair, making sure every aspect of all things wedding and vintage are covered. There’ll be classic car [and bus] shoots as well as fashion shots of our models in their beautiful vintage dresses.

When she’s not documenting our annual fair, Dawn Wilkins specialises in wedding and portrait photography and has recently added engagement shoots and hen dos to her repertoire. Imagine a photoshoot somewhere like Goldbrick House with tea and cake and an optional makeover by a local makeup artist all followed by a fun photo session. It’s great practice for posing on the actual wedding day and Dawn’s friendly and warm approach enables her to capture people at their most natural.

Booking with Dawn is easy as she’ll be around all day at the fair, so just stop her and have a chat. Her website also details the wedding and civil ceremony packages she offers which include an optional engagement photo shoot before the wedding, post production and retouching of all photographs, all photos on a disc in high resolution, plus a DVD slideshow of 100-150 best photos set to music .

Dawn also offers gorgeous wedding albums; magazine style photo books in hardback with dust jackets. She’s really able to offer you a different perspective on your vintage wedding day. Take a look at her blog for more examples of her work and don’t forget to smile on the 26^th Feb!

Pedal Power Transport

2012-01-27T07:08:00.002Z

On the day of the fair there’ll be a handsome man dressed in top hat and tails standing next to a beautifully decorated rickshaw. Meet Sam Harris, owner of Pedal Power Transport. He’s the man to talk to about how to get yourself and your guests from the wedding ceremony to the reception using one of the most environmental and sustainable ways possible!

Pedal Power Transport is a friendly, green alternative to transport in the city of Bristol. They transport an array of important things already and are now offering some brilliant wedding, hen and stag party packages. It’s a taxi service with a difference. Their pedal power rickshaws have zero emissions and they’re here to cut congestion, pollution and carbon from the streets of our beloved Bristol to help make it a nicer place for us all and offer you something that little bit different for your wedding. On the day of the fair Sam’s rickshaw will come bedecked with ribbons, but for your hen night or wedding you can go wild with flowers and vintage inspiration, using any eco products you like to decorate the cab.

So, whether you’re a big fan of biking, the environment or just fancy the romance and fun of a rickshaw adventure ride on your big day, come along and meet Sam. He runs a brilliant website, Facebook page and he’s on Twitter. You can also email him at info@pedalpowertransport.co.uk. It’s a fresh look at wedding transport and it’s sustainable, but most of all it’s pretty cool, don’t you think?

Cuffy

2012-01-26T15:46:00.001Z

When visiting our fair on 26^th February, make sure you catch the wonderful Cuffy and his Spanish guitar. He’s a professional flamenco guitarist with over 20 years experience and he’ll be playing on and off throughout the day, adding a splash of sunshine and romance to our event.

Cuffy studied in Spain and has played with numerous Flamenco musicians, singers and dancers. He’s a member of Flamenco Trio *Calima* and plays with world music Group *Up Bustle & Out*. Most recently he’s been playing with Israeli Ladino singer *Yasmin Levy* on her USA & European Tours. He’s experienced playing big events and lucky for us, that includes weddings. So you too can have a dash of the Mediterranean at your wedding ceremony and a romantic ambient background to your wedding breakfast or reception. Come and meet Cuffy at the fair. He’s always happy to discuss any musical requests that may add a ‘special something’ to your day.

If you can’t wait till then, try his Facebook and Myspace pages for music and samples or his about me page for more information. For bookings, email him at Flamenco_cuffy2@hotmail.com

Britten Bags

2012-01-25T08:35:00.001Z

Brides and Bridesmaids… for handbags and vintage-inspired accessories, look no further than the Britten boutique, home to all kinds of bags, bouquets and feather fans. With a cornucopia of 1920s influenced bridal and wedding products, you’ll find everything from hair accessories and button-holes to cake decorations and garters.

Based in England, just outside Bath owner Sarah designs and make each and every one of the products in her studio.   Believing you should only own things you want to cherish forever and hating the idea of mass-produced items, one thing she’s absolutely passionate about is working with people to create an accessory totally unique to them. A graduate of Cordwainers College at the London College of Fashion, Britten has been a dream of hers since 2002 and was officially launched in 2010. In 2011 Sarah launched her wedding range and this year she’s been working on a new range of vintage-inspired bridal bags, which she’ll introduce at our fair!

Prices range from £15 for a pearl garter to £88 for a feather fan. You can shop at her fabulous online boutique with its host of beautiful images or contact Sarah directly about a custom piece. Don’t forget to stop off to read the lovely Britten blog to find out more about the items for sale and all things vintage and then come along and meet Sarah in February. It’s her first ever vintage fair and we’re delighted she’ll be joining us.

Babes in the Woods

2012-01-24T09:00:00.012Z

Forget L-plates and embarrassing nightclub shenanigans, glamping is where it’s at for hen do’s in 2012. Devon based company Babes in the Woods offer a fabulous and totally new concept that will appeal to the more discerning bride to be – champagne and a touch of the wild!

Set in 300 acres of beautiful woodland at a secret location on the Raleigh Estate in South Devon to the north of the historic town of Dartmouth, your hen party will be all about comfortable wooodland lounging, champagne and Devonshire cream teas. Your accommodation will be stylishly furnished bell tents with comfy camp beds inside and the many activities on offer include the chance to learn bushcraft skills such as fire and shelter building, ‘wild walks’ of the area, chill-out time in front of a roaring fire and even the opportunity for some proper girlie pampering with massages and yoga. All your activities and meals are included as well as the all important luxury camping for the night.

Having a hen night with Babes in the Woods is a chance for you to relax in comfort under a canopy of tree-tops with your closest friends. You’ll leave with a host of new skills and a seasonally made craft item such as homemade jam, a handcrafted survival shelter or even some hedgerow wild herb ointment, and of course some fantastic memories. Everything’s organised for you, so all you have to think about is enjoying yourselves.

They’re operational between 1^st March and 31^st October and the parties are suitable for groups of between 8 to 20 hens with three different packages available, all with that luxury touch. Prices start from £195 per person and stays can be extended for up to two nights at a supplement of £35 each.

For visitors to the Wedding Fair and if you book on the day, Babes in the Woods are offering a free bottle of champagne for your hen party on arrival. Come along and meet founder Hetti Dysch who can tell you much, much more about how you can create a truly magical weekend that your bride and her friends will never forget.

For more information visit their website or call 020 7193 8633 or 07850 401759.

Documentary Image

2012-01-23T09:22:00.004Z

Morag MacDonald is a respected and multi-award winning documentary photographer, specialising in beautiful portrait photography, wedding photo-journalism and film stills. In November she was honoured to win all 3 annual titles in her MPA region; that’s Portrait Photographer of the Year', 'Wedding Photographer of the Year', and 'Overall Photographer of the Year 2011'.

Photography for Morag is so much more than a job – it’s a way of life. Her inspiration comes from observing the way light moves across a landscape or catches in a child's eye. It’s her passion and when she’s not taking photographs, she’s running training courses, lecturing in Photography or planning her next shoot, be it a wedding, a family portrait session or boudoir photography. Her unique wedding photos are a mixture of gentle reportage photography and more dramatic fashion influenced imagery. Her experience and skill with lighting allows her to create wonderful mood and drama. One look at her brilliant website and you’ll be captivated by the images she can produce.

Her style is natural, simple, stylish and fresh and she works in a gentle unobtrusive way, preferring to remain unnoticed. Being based in Bristol means Morag is in the perfect location to carry out wedding photography in Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and throughout the Cotswolds. She regularly photographs weddings in Devon and Cornwall as well as Wales, and is happy to travel further afield and abroad. Her beautiful studio is nestled in the heart of Paintworks, Bristol's dynamic new creative quarter. It’s conveniently situated on the A4 Bath Road, very close to Temple Meads Train Station. The studio is open for makeovers, fashion and boudoir photography.

Morag’s beautiful bridal boudoir photography and sensual art nudes are all part of Bristol Boudoir Photography. When you visit the studio for an ultimate boudoir photography session, you’re greeted with a glass of bucks fizz, an hour of pampering with the makeup artist and treated to a 2-hour photography session with Morag. The visits are by appointment only, so your time remains undisturbed and private in a safe all-female environment. These shoots are ideal for hen nights, giving you an opportunity to have a little fun and purchase stunning images looking your very best. The studio can accommodate you and a party of up to 4 friends and they’ll make it a fun occasion.

Come and talk through your wedding ideas with Morag at the fair. She’ll have albums of work to show you and is offering £100 discount for visitors who book on the day. Till then, check out the wonderful images on the website and sign up to the Facebook page to be kept informed of offers. You can contact Morag or Jo at Documentary Image,  Studio 5.14  Paintworks,  Bath Rd,  Bristol BS4 3EH or

call +44 (0) 117 972 0834 or email: studio@documentaryimage.com

City Sightseeing Bristol

2012-01-21T06:44:00.004Z

Lucky, lucky us. On the day of the fair there’s going to be a fabulous retro green double decker bus parked outside the Clifton Pavilion. You won’t be able to miss it as it’ll have our banners all over the sides and lots of information [and perhaps the odd goody bag too] inside. That’s not all, the bus will be taking visitors on some delightful trips around Clifton and the Downs and a photographer will be around taking pictures of our gorgeous vintage-dressed models. It’s not to be missed!

City Sightseeing Bristol provide guided and themed tours, a-to-b travel and everything else in between. Picture yourself on an open-topper at Sea Walls – overlooking Clifton Suspension Bridge; a stunning vista. They can add a different perspective to your big day with some novel transport between your church or registry office and reception. Share the delights of Bristol with your local and visiting guests; an ideal way for your wedding party to relax before the reception starts and if you travel with them, you can even take your wedding photos on the Downs (or any other venue) and still get to your reception on time!

With a variety of modern open-top and classic buses available, City Sightseeing Bristol pride themselves on the personal service they provide, tailor-making trips to suit your wedding requirements, whether that’s carrying a group as small as you like or catering for over 80 people by offering more than one bus or a shuttle service.

For private hire enquiries and bookings contact the lovely Nicola Padden on 0117 367 0208 or by email at nicola@citysightseeingbristol.co.uk and do come along and try this fabulous green bus on the day. It’ll be a real treat.

Fishee Designs Photo Booth - Update

2012-01-20T08:06:00.001Z

Fabulous news. Owner of the vintage photobooth, Emily Fisher will be offering to take your photo on the day of the fair. For just £5 a photo you can try out the props, outfits and stills to create your own memory of the day. She’s bringing her portable studio and will post edit the photos and send them to you via email. Couldn’t be simpler or more fun.

For a modern twist on the retro booths of old, get in line to try out this fantastic idea for your wedding day and have a gorgeously vintage picture taken. Me first!

The Vintage Guide to Britain

2012-01-19T20:06:00.003Z

We’re thrilled to be listed in the Vintage Guide to Britain. Their website helps you find all things Vintage from events to shops and markets, pop-ups, holidays, museums, collectors, antiques and gorgeous vintage and retro handmade goods. If it’s vintage and it’s in Britain; it’s on their site.

There’s also a fabulous blog sending out weekly updates and a whole list of online shops where you can indulge yourself in all things Vintage. Now *drum roll please* for our wonderful followers, the Vintage Guide is offering a freebie! Yes, that’s right. If you’re exhibiting at the Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair or you’re a follower of Bristol Vintage and you’d like to be listed for free on the Vintage Guide, get in touch with them via their website, Facebook or Twitter and quote ‘Bristol Vintage’. See you there!

Flo-Jo Boutique

2012-01-19T12:35:00.001Z

At Flo-Jo Boutique you’ll find a collection of hand made undies, knicker making kits and frilly pinnies. They search high and low for their retro-inspired prints and find inspiration in vintage silks which they ‘upcycle’ into unique one-off garments.

Designing, sewing and making all things vintage inspired since 2004, they now concentrate on making one-off pieces and hosting knicker making and sewing parties so you can buy, but you can also create. Why not book the perfect Hen Party that includes learning how to make a pair of French knickers with vintage lace and a garter for the bride? There are many different packages on offer with Cox & Baloney and the Hotel du Vin where you can round off the creativity with cocktails or a high tea and very soon, Flo-Jo will be moving into their very own boutique venue on Gloucester Road. Here they’ll have a retro style 50s kitchen inspired workshop space, filled with sewing machines.

At the fair, Delia will be bringing a gorgeous selection of knickers and garters to show you just what you can make using vintage silks and lace. She’ll have some of the Fancy Pants knicker making kits too. They’re a great introductory sewing project for lovers of vintage and make perfect bridesmaids and hen party gifts. Each kit includes a fully graded reusable pattern and you can choose from their range of cute cottons, frilly elastic and satin ribbons.

If you’re after something to buy, all their lingerie is handmade in their studio in Bristol and each piece is unique. From cottons to satins to the sheer luxury of their limited edition vintage silk collection, each item can be gift wrapped to make that purchase extra special. Their website has plenty of gift ideas from aprons to eyemasks, all in gorgeous retro designs. There’s even a haberdashery section so you can buy the materials direct and do check out the double sided bunting. Delia will be bringing some on the day to show you just how fantastic it can make a room look. There’s plenty available to hire for your wedding or to make yourself with her kits. Flo-Jo is a fun place to create and they have expert advice to guide even the total beginner in the art of knicker making.

Come along and meet Delia at this year’s fair and happy knicker making!

Erika Glanville Bespoke Memory Frames

2012-01-17T07:50:00.001Z

Erika Glanville has come up with a brilliant idea with her beautiful, bespoke memory box frames. They’re a gorgeous wedding gift for the happy couple, the mother of the bride or perhaps you’re already married and want some way to display your memories of that special day; these make great anniversary presents.

There are so many little keepsakes after a wedding, so many things that have gone into making the day perfect and Erika can incorporate these into a collage that will make those memories last. Think about the invitation, order of service, swatches of fabric, dried flowers, cufflinks, jewellery, place names, ribbons and lace, a champagne cork, cake decorations, confetti and shells from a honeymoon; the list is only as limited as your imagination.

These wonderful memory boxes lend themselves to so many other special occasions and prices vary depending on your individual requirements and the size of the box, so do come along and meet Erika at the fair. Normally only available through Facebook, she’ll be bringing along some samples for you to have a look at on the day and you can chat about your wedding and what mementos you’d like to keep framed.

Contact Erika on erika@jglanville.demon.co.uk

Lilygrace Originals

2012-01-16T13:12:00.003Z

Chatting to Hazel Mathiot leaves you in no doubt that the fine artist is passionate about jewellery and the 30s and 40s inspired designs she creates are one-off collectible pieces you’ll want to treasure.

Inspired by American designer Miriam Haskell, Hazel hand makes each piece with love and care, combining both precious and ordinary elements to make what can only be described as wearable art. Her new website is currently under construction, but one peek at her current collection available on Etsy shows you the gorgeous range of earrings, pendants, chokers, cuffs and necklaces available, each sumptuously made from a beautiful array of corals, glass beads, embroidery, vintage silks, lace, organza, freshwater pearls and rhinestones.

What’s so lovely about each item is that they come with a little story. Click on any of her designs and you get a detailed description of how its been made and what precious stones she’s used. Each pair of earrings, each necklace, each choker has a whimsical name and once bought, they’re sent to you packed in a complimentary organza gift bag. Halfway between fine and costume jewellery, Lilygrace designs are playful, romantic, lustrous, delicate and dainty; think Belle Époque and Showgirl; think roses and teardrop pearls.

As she’s online, we’re lucky Hazel’s going to be at this year’s fair, so you can get a chance to chat to her yourself. Not only does she take commissions, but they’re a specialty. She can design a unique piece for you to go with your dress or for the bridesmaids, perhaps in your favourite colours and stones or incorporating a family heirloom. She’ll also be bringing along some gorgeous bridal crowns, which have yet to be launched on the site, so you get a first peek. You heard it here.

Fishee Designs Photo Booth

2012-01-13T08:11:00.001Z

Fishee Designs Photo Booth provides a vintage photography session at your wedding! They’re completely mobile and you can use their provided props, outfits and photography stills to create your very own fun, timeless memories.

Owner Emily Fisher loves taking photos and has a passion for the vintage style combined with modern technology. She works with you to provide high quality photographs with a natural, vintage feel. A true vintage girl in a modern world, Emily will ensure you relax and have fun in the photobooth and have some wonderful quality photos to show afterwards.

So how does it work? Well, Emily’s vintage photobooth is a completely portable studio that uses professional equipment and provides a relaxed environment with a modern twist on the retro booths of old. She’ll set up and take photos on the day and then edit them professionally, sending you a CD containing all the high resolution, gorgeous shots. You can then upload them direct or download them from her Facebook site. Prices start from just £250 and include all the vintage backdrops, props and authentic post production editing.

We’re thrilled Emily’s bringing her photobooth to this year’s Fair and even more excited that you can try her services on the day. Whether you dress up or just fancy seeing what you look like in true vintage photo style, Emily will be on hand to take your picture and answer any questions. She’s Bournemouth based so this is a real opportunity to have a bit of fun and an ideal way to try out this ingenious extra for your wedding party. If you’re in the area, Emily also has a studio with a more elaborate version, but wherever she is, these gorgeous vintage quality pictures tell a great story.

Bridezillas

2012-01-12T10:52:00.002Z

No, it’s not what you’re thinking. Bridezillas is in fact a specialist bridal boutique dedicated to women who know exactly what they want for their wedding as well as beautiful accessories to complete their bridal look. Bridezillas believe your bridal shopping should be one of the best shopping experiences ever and should not stop at finding that all important dress.

The boutique opened on Keynsham High Street in Bristol last year at the same time as they launched their new website. Bridezillas sell wedding accessories so think tiaras and headbands, jewellery, shoes, gifts and fabulous finishing touches including veils, shrugs and wraps, ring cushions, garters, parasols and bags. Once you’ve chosen your dress you’ll want to head over to find the perfect accessories to complement it and all without the bother of searching through department stores.

The shop itself is a delight with a dressing table all set up ready for you to sit down and try things on. The relaxed atmosphere means you can take your time choosing, after all it's the one day you want to look and feel your best and the staff are on hand to help find you something that reflects your style and personality, whether that be classic, romantic, modern or vintage. With a vast range of products from carefully handpicked quality designers, you’re sure to find the right bit of sparkle. You can also book a VIP Wedding Wednesday, a fantastic way for your bridal party to have Bridezillas to yourself for a while. They’ll close the doors to the public while you and your guests enjoy a glass of bubbly and try on some of the beautiful accessories. You can even bring in your dress, to make sure everything’s perfectly suited.

Owner Amanda Davis-Harrison will be at the fair with a selection of gorgeous accessories, including some jewellery she’s designed herself and all of which you’ll be able to buy on the day or through her website. Bridezillas became Amanda’s passion whilst planning her own wedding and discovering how hard it was to find accessories she liked. She’s made the boutique somewhere brides can find everything under one roof, where they can take their maid of honour and bridesmaids to relax, have fun.

Her boutique is a place you can take the time to choose and try things on in beautiful surroundings, but why not come and meet Amanda at the fair. You might find your perfect accessory. She's also on Facebook and Twitter.

Heavenly Vintage Brides

2012-01-11T07:29:00.000Z

These gorgeous dresses range from the 40's to the 60's but Helena of Heavenly Vintage sells original vintage pieces from the 30s, which she adores, through to the lovely tailoring of the 40s, the fabulous nipped in waists and hourglass shapes of the 50s, long A line lace dresses and cute short shifts of the 60s and even a few lovely 70s boho dresses. Each decade has so much to offer and is so different to any other and Helena feels one of the very best things about vintage wedding dresses is that there is such a wide choice - so many shapes and styles.

Heavenly Vintage’s prices range from about £350 or £400 to around £1350, with a good range in between and all the dresses for sale are in great condition. So if you’re looking for that perfect vintage wedding dress, take some time to browse their gorgeous, Heavenly collection online. Each dress is carefully chosen and sourced and vintage gowns have been adapted to make them perfect for the modern bride, whilst retaining their unique charms and remember, there’s only ever one of each! Helena also stocks headdresses made from vintage silk flowers to complement the dresses.

  Choosing a Wedding dress requires a personal service, so Heavenly Vintage work on an appointment system where you can discuss your individual requirements. Each takes 1.5 hours in their West London home, but we’re lucky enough to have Helena at this year’s fair in Bristol. She’s currently working on a collection of 'vintage-inspired' dresses, spending a lot of time trying to get the detail right with fabrics that look authentic. Unfortunately it won't be ready in time for the fair, but by the end of the Spring she’ll have even more dresses on the website to offer and in a full range of modern sizes. Helena loved being part of the Bristol Vintage Fair last year and is really looking forward to being there again in February. We’re thrilled she’s coming down from London and urge you to catch her while you can.

Beehive Brides

2012-01-10T10:14:00.001Z

Experience star wedding treatment from professional hair and make up artist Fiona Maynard. Beehive Brides offers you vintage bridal hair and make-up, by a professional, freelance make-up artist; based in Bristol and covering the South West area.

Fiona’s a fully qualified hairdresser with over 20 year’s experience, including work published in many British and continental hair magazines. A specialist in colouring and dressing long hair, Fiona decided to boost her training ten years ago to become a fully qualified make-up artist. She’s since worked across a wide range of film and television projects, including the Magdelene Sisters, BBC drama Monarch of the Glen, Messiah and Cranford and Archangel with James Bond himself, Daniel Craig. Since 2007, Fiona’s specialised in wedding hair and beauty – with a focus on vintage and retro looks to really reflect her passion and experience in this area.

She’s picked up lots of industry insider tips over her years in TV and film, all of which she uses to bring out your natural beauty and glow on your wedding day.

Fiona believes that practice makes perfect and so recommends a trial around four weeks before your wedding day. She offers a detailed consultation where you can both look at favourite pictures and styles, details of your wedding dress, any matching veil and hair decorations as well as the colour and type of flowers you’re planning. She’ll work with you to try out various options with hair and make-up until you’re both happy with the chosen look. With her relaxed professional approach, there’s no need to be nervous about looking dramatically different on your wedding day and if you’re keen on a more natural look, this is exactly what she’ll provide and you can simply relax and enjoy the pampering.

Thoroughly experienced at calming the nerves, Fiona and Beehive Brides will help your wedding day get off to a beautiful start, arriving in plenty of time so you can enjoy the luxury of a professional beauty service in your own home and using a make-up kit that includes ranges from MAC, Clinique, Laura Mercier and Clarins.

From timeless, classic glamour to full on retro styling, Fiona and her team will give you the full-on star treatment and, if you’d like a little taste of vintage, she’s offering half hour sessions on the day of the Fair! Come and meet her in person and for only £15, you can try a little 40s, 50s make up or perhaps a classic hairstyle you’ve always thought would suit you but haven’t dared try.

She’s full of tips, wonderfully artistic and can advise you on styles to suit you. Spaces will go fast, so make sure you book in advance by calling Fiona direct on 07710 415365 or through Facebook. You can also get hold of her through her website but I warn you, you’ll be spoilt for choice if you stop by the gallery section.

Jo Hansford Photography

2012-01-09T09:39:00.001Z

From the moment you click to enter Jo Hansford’s website you’re surrounded by stylish images. Jo is not just a photographer, she’s a storyteller, visually capturing the memories of your day and turning those shared moments into a treasured collection of images you can keep forever. Her relaxed philosophy provides all the reassurance you need to create natural, beautiful images.

From your first cup of coffee shared with Jo, you’ll start the process of building an understanding of how she works to use both her energy and creative flair to create your unique and relaxed images on the day. The wedding prices start at £1450 and there are many options available. There’s also an ingenious online service for your family and friends to view and purchase the pictures from anywhere in the world using an exclusive password. The site is compatible with mobile devices such as iPhones and iPads so you can view from wherever you are at your own convenience. Reprints start from £15 and albums from £295.

Receiving a 'Highly commended' at the Perfect Wedding Awards 2011, she was quite literally 'pipped' at the post and we’re certain it won’t be the only award she’s up for this year. She’ll be bringing albums of gorgeous images to the Fair for you to look through and I defy you not to get lost in them. Jo really does have an incredibly relaxed touch, inspired by the beauty, life and vibrancy of the Mediterranean she knows so well. She’s inspired by people, captivated by places, sun drenched views and corner café memories and these qualities make up the essence and flavour of how she works with you to capture your wedding day.

You can contact Jo now on 0117 953 5801 or email her at jo@johansfordphotography.com and I highly recommend you take a walk through the website. Linger at the wedding gallery by all means, but take a look at her delightful blog too, with its pictures and stories of weddings and engagement shoots. You’ll be inspired.

Custard House Clothing

2012-01-05T16:42:00.004Z

Welcome to Custard House Clothing, the home of reworking vintage clothes. If you have an item of clothing that you’d like altered or customised or perhaps you have something you’re longing to wear as a wedding guest but you’d like it to look more vintage inspired, Custard House Clothing provide a professional dressmaking service that’s perfect for you. They can help out whether it’s recreating your favourite worn out winter coat, a special dress that needs a re-vamp or making you that perfect vintage outfit you saw in a magazine. Custard House can turn their hand to anything, sorting your hemlines, linings, fixing holes and recreating an item you’ve loved but have worn to death!

With a boudoir boutique-style new shop at South Arcade, St Nicolas Market open Monday to Saturday and an outdoor stall open Fridays and Saturdays, talented owner Janine Chisholm is also available by email for any enquiries. A former student of Theatre Design, Janine specialised in Costume, completing a Post Graduate in Innovative Pattern Cutting at St Martins College of Fashion. She worked in Professional Theatre and Television for years and her passion for clothes and helping people with their dress led her to create this ingenious business that’s so much more than alterations. Janine also sells an evolving range of carefully selected vintage and vintage-inspired clothes customised by herself and talented designers Sawdust and Diamonds. There’s also vintage accessories from Mulberry china tea sets to the perfect evening clutch, vintage buttons to update your favourite cardigan, pre 1990's clothing patterns if you fancy making something yourself, scarves and sunglasses. It’s all there and more with items from local designers adding to the eclectic mix.

So perhaps you have a dress that needs a revamp? Why not bring it along to the Fair and ask her advice? Janine can inject vitality and new life into tired clothes, creating a brand new look for you that’s perfect for attending a wedding or perhaps a vintage wedding dress itself! She can offer styling suggestions and we’re thrilled to discover she’s writing a book due out Autumn this year in which she details how to rework your own clothes alongside constructive advice and some beautiful visuals. Till then, bring your wardrobe to Custard House Clothing to uplift, refresh and re-style and take a good look at their website or Facebook page. Who knows what you’ll find?

Cloth Magazine

2012-01-04T13:57:00.002Z

Just a quick note from us to let you know there’s a short story about our Vintage Wedding Fair on the Cloth homepage today! Cloth is a fantastically creative magazine and we feel very lucky that they’re mentioning us. Why not pop along to the site, or even onto Facebook and Twitter? They’re bursting with ideas and inspiration for making bespoke clothing, accessories and homeware.

http://www.clothmagazine.co.uk/

www.twitter.com/clothmagazine

www.facebook.com/clothmagazine

Rachel Goodchild Designs

2012-01-04T10:18:00.001Z

Rachel Goodchild’s website is a delight of vintage inspired giftwrap and greetings cards and she now has a brand new wedding page, showcasing the full range on offer. Of course, that’s not all from this home of vintage design; there are wedding mirrors, bespoke wedding invitations and individual wedding blogs.

The wedding blogs are a fantastic idea and a wonderful on-line resource available for the wedding couple and their guests. No more bits of paper falling out of your wedding invitation, instead use a wedding blog to include everything; the wedding list, details of the church and reception venue, maps and directions, local accommodation and transport, contact details, details of the stag and hen nights, and a display of wedding and honeymoon photographs. It’s all your wedding details in one place.

Her range of vintage bespoke wedding invitations is also gorgeous and can be personalised with your choice of photograph. You simply choose one of her lovely designs and Rachel incorporates your photo and wording. Each invitation is full colour front and back and each order delightfully and individually vintage.

That’s not all, there’s a gorgeous wedding prints limited edition poster, hand mirrors that make perfect wedding favours and wedding e-cards; a fun, stylish and environmentally friendly way to send a personal picture message to family and friends. You can create your own vintage look from Rachel’s large and exclusive library of template styles, picture designs and messages [both pre-written or using your own] as well as some beautiful fonts.

All of Rachel’s designs are simple and elegant and she’ll be bringing along some exquisite samples to the fair along with two brand new wedding ranges.

Oh and before you come and see all of these, do check out the wedding ideas section on her website. It’s choc-full of inspired articles, gorgeous hairstyles and much, much more.

http://www.rachelgoodchild.com/wedding.php

http://www.weddingblogdesigner.com/

http://www.facebook.com/RachelGoodchildDesigns

https://twitter.com/#!/RachelGoodchild

Chocolate Delores

2011-12-31T10:44:00.001Z

These scrumptious chocolate wedding cakes are designed and created in Bristol by boutique cake maker Chocolate Delores. Every one of these sumptuous delights is handmade to order, using the best quality organic, fair trade and local ingredients. They’re fun, funky, very luxurious and extremely delicious.

The company’s owned by Lizzie, who began making cakes at the age of ten for her family and later became the chief designer and chocolatier at one of Britain’s leading Organic Chocolate Cake companies. She’s now launched this wonderful designer cake business and is creating her own delicious, visually stunning chocolate cakes for Weddings, Birthdays and as she says, 'Vintage Tea Parties'!

The main ingredient of these gorgeous cakes is a delicious 72% dark chocolate. Also in the mix are Fair Trade sugars rich in molasses, organic butter and milk, free-range organic eggs and flours. Once baked and cooled, Lizzie soaks the cakes overnight in Port. They’re then layered with Madagascan vanilla buttercream and her own homemade plum jam. After that, the fun really starts and using white, dark or milk chocolate, Lizzie sets to work designing the cake of your most delicious dreams. If this is whetting your appetite, don’t worry, as on the day of the fair, you’ll have a chance to have a little taste yourself.

Chocolate Delores have created many fabulous designs for weddings, so I recommend you take a look at their mouth-watering website for more pictures of individual cakes.  Lizzie’s happy to combine styles and to work with you on any ideas you may have and being based in Bristol, she can deliver locally and beyond. You’ll also find a section on her site about her chocolate stiletto shoes. Lizzie makes these  deliciously glamorous shoes to order and we recommend devouring them along with a bottle of Champagne; a perfect way to celebrate any occasion and a wonderful idea for unique Bridesmaid’s favours.

http://www.chocolatedelores.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/ChocolateDelores

https://twitter.com/#!/chocdelores

Lovely and Vintage

2011-12-30T14:05:00.001Z

Lovely & Vintage so accurately describes this company run by Sally O’Hare. Sally sources vintage dresses and accessories and produces vintage inspired items that will really enhance your wedding day. The company’s own range of jewellery, ring cushions and garters are all hand crafted in the Cotswolds, by people who love to create, with all materials, wherever possible, sourced in the UK.

If you’re looking for something unique, distinctive and extra special, Lovely and Vintage offer beautiful collections of vintage wedding dresses and accessories for sale or for hire, tailored to your individual design or size. There’s antique lace and vintage jewellery, Victorian and Leavers lace garters both ready and custom made. The range changes endlessly and they carry so much more than they can show on the website or at the fair, so if you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, just let them know and they’ll do their very best to find it for you.

It’s not all about the bride either. Browse through their website and you’ll discover a real treasure trove and the same can be said for their table at the fair. Think of an open jewellery box laden with heaps of sparkling things for you to explore and try on. There’ll be original vintage dresses and wraps too and even something new to look out for. After a request from a bride at last year’s Bristol Vintage Fair, Sally created a pearl and vintage button bracelet to the bride’s design. She was so pleased she ordered two more for each of her bridesmaids.

Since those one-off creations, Sally’s been inundated with requests and has been able to incorporate one bride-to-be’s Grandmother’s pearl and gold buttons and another’s silver locket into bespoke bracelets. She’ll be bringing some of these beautiful pieces along on the day. They make perfect bridesmaid’s gifts and are such a unique way to transform an old brooch, locket or diamante button into something more contemporary.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue… Lovely & Vintage has something gorgeous for everyone.

http://www.lovelyandvintage.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovely-Vintage/325010424993

http://twitter.com/#!/@LovelynVintage

Clifton Pavilion

2011-12-29T13:29:00.001Z

We’re lucky enough to be holding our second Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair at this wonderful venue in 2012, but did you know you could hire it for your own wedding?

From the moment you see the Clifton Pavilion you’ll know you’ve found a perfect venue for your big day. It was purpose built for grand occasions, being both elegant and unique. It has gorgeous rooms, stunning décor and high ceilings with views from the balcony overlooking the beautiful gardens.

The team behind the venue has a license to perform wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships, so you can enjoy your ceremony as well as your celebrations. Available on an exclusive basis for up to 120 guests and with complimentary access to the zoo gardens, you can enjoy an incredible range of photo opportunities. Plus, your guests are welcome to explore the zoo and see a host of animals from gorillas to penguins, complete with a soundtrack of roaring lions and the call of the gibbons.

From your first step, through to your big day, Clifton Pavilion’s events team are on hand to assist you with everything from choosing your menu, wine and flowers to your entertainment and table plan. They use the finest locally sourced, sustainable and ethical ingredients to deliver a diverse range of menu options all created by their experienced chefs. Their functions team is professional, helpful and on hand to ensure your day is delivered perfectly, leaving you to relax and enjoy.

It’s truly a unique setting, so come along to the Fair on 26^th February and take a look for yourself. Entrance to the wedding fair doesn’t include free entry to the Zoo on the day, but there’s so much else to see and do, you won’t have a minute to spare.

http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/weddings

www.bristolzoo.org.uk

Miss Jones Lingerie

2011-12-21T13:34:00.001Z

Introducing Miss Jones… elegant, delicate lingerie inspired by more luxurious times. If you believe in sensuality, you believe in Miss Jones…

Miss Jacqueline Jones is behind every item of the Miss Jones range. A trained theatrical costumier who has styled major period dramas and movies, she’s inspired by both luxury and sensuality. Each piece is carefully made by hand from luxurious silk and French lace, perfectly embellished with Swarovski crystals, beads and pearls and finely appliquéd embroidery. It’s this precise attention to detail combined with inspired design that makes each piece a work of art, as individual as a piece of couture Fashion.

Working from her Bristol studio, Jacqueline will make every item to order and offers a bespoke design service in addition to the online collection. As everything’s made to your measurements, it’s a very personal service and she’s on hand to offer advice, add embellishments and talk you through your ideas.

From pretty panties to beautiful bras you can select individual items or have the collection as a whole. Think garters decorated with an embroidered rose, pure silk ribbon and Swarovski crystals. Think pretty, daring pasties and flirtatious masks. Every item harks back to a more luxurious time, giving the collection a flirtatious vintage feel that’s both sensual and romantic. Make your night special whether you want to be mysterious and alluring or soft and sensual, deliciously naughty or confident and seductive.

Jacqueline is working on two new pieces to launch at the Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair. There’ll be a sexy kimono-style gown that makes a lovely cover up if you’re not feeling quite so daring and a gorgeous bridal camisole adorned in crystals and pearls. Miss Jones will also be offering gift vouchers and a 20% discount for orders made on the day. Come along and see these gorgeous pieces for yourself. As her website advises; celebrate your femininity, be confident, be sensual; be Miss Jones.

http://missjoneslingerie.com/index.php

http://www.facebook.com/MissJonesLingerie

http://twitter.com/#!/MissJacquiJones

House of Istria

2011-12-20T17:28:00.001Z

If you’re looking for a unique hair accessory for your wedding, something a little different to the traditional tiara or vintage style headband then a visit to the House of Istria is a must. Founder Charlie Kingsland-Barrow creates precious vintage and floral hair accessories using pure Swarovski crystals and pearls, vintage materials, and luxury fabrics. These are occasion pieces you'll keep forever.

House of Istria is named after the heart shaped region of Istria in Croatia. The Romans called it the most beautiful place they had ever seen and with that inspiration always in mind, the designs are stunning. Everything Charlie creates is vintage or vintage inspired and each piece is made in the spirit of love and romance. There are vintage bridal headbands, bridal hair flowers, garlands, Swarovski combs and wedding fascinators. You can choose from the exclusive range available online or make a private appointment to discuss a bespoke accessory. Many of the current pieces online can also be customised to suit you, for example the colours of the Swarovski crystals can be changed to suit your wedding theme. Each and every item is made by hand from the studio in the heart of the Cotswolds.

I must admit the online shop is a bit of a treasure trove for the delicate the whimsical and the romantic. Think pearls, fine laces, hand cut silk petals, twinkling rhinestones and vintage millinery elements. House of Istria is stocked by The White Rose bridal boutique in Chipping Campden and you’ll find some custom-made pieces on Etsy too. Some designs have already appeared on the cover of Wedding Ideas Magazine and inside Cotswold Style. You can contact Charlie directly at charlie@houseofistria.com or browse through her beautiful website and blog. Best of all, you can meet her and see these pretty pieces up close at the Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair in 2012.

http://www.houseofistria.com/

Elysée DS Wedding Car Hire

2011-12-19T14:36:00.003Z

A Citroën DS for your wedding? Yes please! Paul and Nicola Kingscote are the lucky owners of the gorgeous ‘Goddess’, an immaculate cream 1972 Citroën Déesse saloon, a car you too could make a part of your wedding day memories.

Who wouldn’t want to travel to their wedding in such style in the most comfortable car ever built? You even get your own personal driver and both Nicola and Paul go out of their way to make sure you’re 100% satisfied. The car is as beautiful inside as it is outside. Citroen didn’t economise on the interiors, the soft leather armchair seats are both sumptuous and spacious and give you the sensation you’re relaxing in your living room. There’s masses of legroom and amazing all-round visibility. Being driven in this car is like riding on a cushion of air.

Elysée DS Wedding Car Hire is based in Bristol and this lovely slice of luxury costs much less than you might think. Prices start at around £300 for a typical wedding in the Bristol area, which includes collecting the bride and father, driving to the Church then taking the newlyweds to the reception. You can be confident you’re being driven by the owner, who’ll have double and triple-checked the route, plus your car will be elegantly decorated with beautiful ribbons.

Looking at the Goddess today you can see why it was named the most beautiful car of all time by Classic & Sports Car magazine. Nicola and Paul love their car and it’s not hard to see why. They’ll be at the Fair in 2012 and as a special offer, for brides and grooms who commit to a booking on the day [within the Bristol area] there’s a 10% discount! So be prepared and check out the delightful photos by Liz Armitage on their website, then come along to the Fair and have a chat with two people who can tell you so much more about this gorgeous car.

http://www.citroendsweddingcar.co.uk/

www.lumenphotography.co.uk

Make Me A Dress

2011-12-15T19:20:00.002Z

In Spring 2011 Alexandra King launched her debut bridal collection, emphasising the British craftsmanship of her label and concentrating on the individual design and cut of every hand crafted dress. One look at her wonderful dress archive reveals just some of her beautiful bespoke creations.

Every dress is hand made from start to finish in her small studio near Cheddar with the highest levels of expertise, each design unique for each customer. Alexandra uses original, vintage techniques authentic to the era of the dress you require and aims to produce each one as ethically and sustainably as possible in the UK, using vintage fabrics, fair trade and organic cottons and sourcing from UK companies who have close contact with the factories they work with. She keeps track of current trends, but her inspirations come from the golden age of couture, mainly drawing ideas from film and 20th century fashions. Think traditional design mixed with theatrics and a little sparkle.

Alexandra’s always happy to meet her customers although doesn’t maintain a shop open to the public. You’re more than welcome to visit for a consultation on your dress and for measuring, but life in the studio is a busy one so all visits are by appointment only. She also has an online shop and boutiques on both Etsy and Asos. Dresses from her bridal collection are all made to order to your measurements and take approximately 8 weeks to complete, but do note that due to this hand made process she can only make a limited number of dresses each year!

In addition to the beautiful bridal creations, you’ll find bridesmaids dresses alongside brilliant bow accessories on her website. Each item she makes is special and Alexandra King has a rare skill, making sure each creation is as unique and as perfect as it can be without being prohibitively expensive. I thoroughly recommend browsing the archives on her site and you can see the real deal on the day, as she’ll be exhibiting at the Bristol Vintage Fair in 2012 and bringing along samples of her beautiful designs.

http://makemeadress.blogspot.com/

LK Bespoke Bridal

2011-12-14T13:49:00.002Z

Lisa Keating has been designing and making bespoke bridalwear and handmade corsets for over 24 years and is known for her beautiful creations as well as her ability to make the personal styling experience exciting, effortless and enjoyable. Working from her home studio, based between the border of South Bristol and North Somerset, she’s within easy reach of the South West and it’s from here that she creates her one off works of art.

Handmade corsets are created to be worn and seen as outer garments and will enhance your natural shape, provide an elegant posture and evoke both romance and beauty. They can even reduce your waistline by 7 inches! Lisa bases each individual corset on historical patterns, but adapts them for a more comfortable modern fit. Bridal skirts can also be made to order to coordinate with your corset and corsets as underwear are also available. Whilst each bespoke item is of an incredibly high standard, they can be made in as little as a few days and are surprisingly affordable.

What makes Lisa so wonderful as a designer is her personal touch. She will make you feel special as she helps you realise your design. Each corset is individual, whether you’re looking for a classic, elegant, theatrical or vintage look. Everything is made to measure and developed from her love and knowledge of fashion history. She doesn’t make copies; the ideas you bring and the wedding you’re planning inspire everything.

Lisa is incredibly talented and when she’s not designing, she’s teaching corsetry at Heart Space Studios and also runs Vintage Hen Parties where brides to be and guests use traditional techniques to make their own garters or Bridesmaids favours, whilst they sip champagne from vintage teacups. For the Bristol Vintage Fair, we’re thrilled she’s making a vintage cup corset decorated with hand sewn twisted silk flowers and stems. I can’t wait to see these beautiful creations and if you can’t either, take a look at some of the divine pieces pictured on Lisa’s website:

http://www.lkbespokebridal.co.uk/home

Meticulous Ink

2011-12-07T10:20:00.000Z

I was absolutely delighted to hear that Meticulous Ink would be exhibiting at the Fair as I’ve had my eye on their beautiful paper products for some time. Based in the heart of artisan Bath, Athena Cauley-Yu and Charlie Cumming will ensure every element of your wedding stationery reflects you and your perfect day.

Your wedding invitation is the first introduction to your guests and Meticulous Ink can help set the tone, letting friends and family know whether it’s a traditional, relaxed or more outrageous event. From the choice of letterpressed, engraved or embossed paper to the style of print, each item will be a completely individual, unique design. From Save the Date cards to the Order of Service, they can customize and print every element of your wedding stationery in whatever format and colour, however elaborate you want. It’s a fully bespoke design service.

Intensely passionate about paper both Athena, a stationery designer and typesetter and Charlie, a dedicated illustrator and printer, front this exclusive company and they use beautiful vintage presses dating from 1870 to 1960 alongside time-honoured techniques to achieve that authentic vintage style.

Booking an appointment with Athena is highly recommended. She’s an invitation specialist and offers personal consultations. There are so many options for bespoke printing and here you can get the very best advice on the finest options to suit your wedding alongside some vintage inspiration. Being a small company, they work hard to achieve printing at a very high standard and make sure every order is different to the next. They’ll oversee your project throughout, from the consultation to design through to the inking of the press and all the quality checking in between. Taking their inspiration from vintage posters and books to modern designers across the globe, your wedding stationery will be as unique as you wish it to be or as classic as you prefer. Everything is meticulous in every way. I can’t wait to see what samples they bring to the Fair in February.

http://www.meticulousink.com/

The Wilde Bunch

2011-12-05T12:42:00.001Z

There is a refreshing wildness to The Wilde Bunch style. Working with the seasons, scents and how things grow naturally and inspired by wild flora and natural fauna, I love how everything they produce is locally sourced or Fairtrade.

Their Wedding & Event Consultation service is both friendly and free – either at your chosen venue, home or at their design studio, a very cool barn in Abbotts Leigh, which is bursting with vintage chic. They’ve transformed wedding venues from castles to barns and however grand or intimate your big day, they promise a unique tailor-made service with stunning flowers and all without that 'exclusive' price tag. Plus they’re totally mobile across Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset & Gloucestershire and not being shop-based, this allows them to offer an entirely exclusive personal design service at very competitive prices and to meet with brides throughout the planning stages and beyond.

Friendly and wonderfully passionate about what she does, owner Claire Nicholson has worked in floral & event design for the last 25 years. She trained with the Royal Horticultural Society as well as with international florists in Holland and the UK, all of which reflects her dedication to the indulgent but affordable, passionate but practical, unique but accessible and oh so wild, sweet scented and beautiful designs.

The Wilde Bunch are 'by appointment only' and we’re delighted they’ll be exhibiting at our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair in 2012. They’ll be creating a wonderful featured display, which you’ll see as soon as you walk in, plus designing the handheld bouquets for the vintage dress models you’ll see walking around the venue. Until then, do check out their website and see some more of their wonderful designs.

http://www.thewildebunch.co.uk/#

Our poster for this year

2011-12-02T23:07:00.000Z

We gave Sally Arthur the brief - romantic couple, wedding dress etc and she came up with this amazing artwork! We couldn't have asked for more - we just love it ... hope you do too. Look out for posters and postcards to pass on!

The final few pictures from Liza McCarron

2011-12-02T23:01:00.000Z

Liza's a friend and another talented photographer who came down and just snapped away on the day.

Photos from Eddie Deponeo

2011-12-02T16:01:00.000Z

Eddie (http://purpleport.com/portfolio/eddiedep)really kindly came along on the day and took some professional photos. Here are just a few:

Just a few of my own snapshots from this spring's Fair

2011-12-02T03:46:00.000Z

NEXT YEAR'S BRISTOL VINTAGE WEDDING FAIR!

2011-12-02T03:23:00.000Z

We're thrilled to announce that we now have the date for next year's Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair - Sunday, 26th February 2012. The venue will again be the stunning Clifton Pavilion, Bristol Zoo Gardens and doors will open at 10am.

As last year, we will be giving away goodie bags to the first 250 visitors, which will include wedding magazines and discount vouchers from many of our exhibitors. We already have some fabulous companies signed up so watch this space for more information on all of them over the coming months.

Last year we had the incredibly talented Kirstie writing this blog but she has moved to pastures new and although we will really miss her, we're thrilled to welcome Sarah as our new blog contributor. Sarah is a writer and also has her own blog: http://whatsarahreads.wordpress.com where she reviews books she's read and has had great feedback from some of the authors. She was also one of our models at the Fair last year - a lady of many talents! Welcome to the team Sarah!

Whilst Sarah's busily writing up entries on next year's exhibitors, I thought I would take the opportunity to post up photos from this year's Fair. Thank you to everyone who visited and exhibited and helped make it such a great success and here's to an even more exciting Fair next February!

THANK YOU!

2011-03-21T10:38:00.002Z

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

2011-03-19T10:53:00.000Z

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

2011-03-19T10:50:00.000Z

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

2011-03-18T15:03:00.000Z

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

2011-03-16T17:04:00.000Z

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

2011-03-16T13:05:00.000Z

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

2011-03-15T20:48:00.001Z

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