Billed as ‘the nation’s coolest wedding fair’ – MOST CURIOUS has launched it’s dates for the Spring 2016, and I am delighted to tell you all about it. Catch all the action from the 11th to the 13th March at the Truman Brewery, East London and the 20th of March at St Andrews Hall, Norwich.
Why on earth is a wedding photographer writing about a wedding fair, I hear you ask?
Well, attending this fair last year made me smile, and really got me thinking about what wedding fairs are about and what they are supposed to do for a bride or groom, and her/his entourage. It also taught me a lot about the approach I needed to develop and nurture into my business Ikonworks.
Is a fair supposed to inspire and enlighten, and light a spark? Or be a typical market set-up with the trestle tables lined up alongside each other, covered in terribly ironed white table clothes? Six of each type of exhibitor, in a conference room bamboozling your brain? Meaning at the end of your planned attack route, you don’t know whether you are coming or going and each pitch has sadly melded into the next one? I say the former, what about you?
Most Curious could not be more different. I found creative, exciting, bold and different suppliers present, each giving inspiration via their diverse, eclectic and damn right amazing stands last year. I am attending this rather mighty fair again, with Helen from The Wedding Bazaar, a delight which awaits me next Friday night as I am going to photograph the press launch. I dare you to make the journey to the Truman next weekend, I promise you will be glad you did!
A couple of years ago Becky Hoh-Hale the shows creator is quoted as saying;
“Gone are the days when there was a set way for weddings to look, any couple with an ounce of creativity wants to make their day aesthetically about them. We unite the expressive and loved-up with the right suppliers – both of whom have their finger on the pulse and creativity in their hearts!”
Exhibitors to the shows are carefully selected by Becky and her team looking at not just their products and services but their outward attitudes and commitment to the cause – are they cool and unique? Well, yes of course. Can you talk to them about the different choices you want to make for your incredible day? Most definitely. The one thing that came across last year was the significance of everyone’s absolute passion, their flawless attention to detail, and their total dedication to their craft and business – putting the people interested in engaging them at the very top of their lists. Making this “the wedding show for the style savvy couple”.
Becky founded a Most Curious after styling her own wedding nearly eight years ago. She worked for two years planning, and organising the perfect look for her day. The idea for a Most Curious came from a wish to help other brides and couples who wanted a quirky, vintage event, who did not have the time to do what she did and meticulously collect from auctions and car boots, charity shops and vintage outlets.
The UK wedding industry has a huge amount of immensely talented people within it, something I talked about in my first post for Wedding Ideas. I know we are going to come across some new and exciting ones at Becky’s fair this year again. You can read a blog post from Helen of The Wedding Bazaar here. I love how she talks so beautifully about this fair and what it means to not only you our audience of brides to have something unique and different, but also what it means to Becky to give you something well truly different and special.
I loved this quote from Becky – A Most Curious Bride –
“knows what she wants for her wedding, but is not exactly sure where to get it. We know we are fulfilling our tasks with these type of brides, because we see them do a little skip when they walk into the show and mouth “this is what I mean”.
So here are the details, why don’t you come and see what all the excitement is all about?
These are some of the suppliers I personally can not wait to meet for the first time;
Bridal jumpsuits…. OH MY!
When a dress seems too much fuss… When you say ‘I do’ at the registry office… When you need a one-stop-shop for your bridesmaids… When you want to dance like there’s no tomorrow… House of Ollichon introduce the first, British ‘dress-less’ bridal collection offering brides and ‘maids a range of luxury jumpsuits, playsuits and combos. Using beautiful French bridal lace, quality Italian crepes and stunning British embellishments this collection is made with love and experience right here, in England. Elegance has Evolved…
Some truly exquisite blooms!
Vervain is a flower studio that specialises in creating unique wedding floristry tailored to your style and day. Vervain was founded by India Hurst, a florist, floral designer and grower. Being a grower means that whenever possible India uses home grown seasonal British flowers and she aims to encourage brides to become more creative with their wedding flowers. There really are no limits to what can be created!
Bringing back the bow tie with style and cool…
Colonel Moutarde’s story can be summarised in one sentence which also acts as a slogan: Bow ties are back! It all started with a frustration – Remi had a tough time finding a bow tie to his taste, so he decided to design and sew his own! His passion for sewing was passed on by his mother and grandmother. Today the Colonel is proud to have the largest collection of bow ties in France. Their products are still handmade in Lille, France and Le Colonel is looking forward to welcoming you to his new shop in Brick Lane, London, opening soon!
Original and exquisite millinery…
Chloe Haywood London (BTAA Fashion Accessory of the Year Winner 2015) is a luxury millinery label where all designs are handmade in England using fairtrade, upcycled, vintage and recycled materials, making each design completely unique. The designs range from hats and headpieces to hairbands from ready to wear to bespoke services – the whole bridal party catered for. Hatastic also offers fascinator workshops especially for hen parties
Goddess dresses, for the extrovert bride
Couturier and Corsetiere… Belinda Chorley has over 20yrs of experience serving fashion designers, especially Vivienne Westwood. BB is run under a clear philosophy: limited number of couture dresses; bold design with an emphasis on cut and the latest textile trends; and a personal, boutique service that enables brides to purchase couture garments at off-the-shelf prices. Stars that Belinda has made for under her label include Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightly, Chloe-Jasmine, and Alicia Vikander to name a few!
A unique jewellery forager and designer
Statement jewellery and headdresses made in Cornwall from mostly found, recycled and antique materials. I collect natural things such as twigs, conkers and seed cases for my Tolkein-inspired woodland collection, combined with simple oxidised eco-silver branch jewellery that can be worn again and again…The Beach Bride collection has headdresses made from driftwood, sea-glass, shells and even sea-weed for a real laid-back, modern mermaid look. And my antique collection is colourful and eclectic with pretty porcelain and enamel brooches crocheted into full-on headdresses with soft tulle, antique lace, old pearls and collected crystals that really sparkle. Or forget all that, and just go for a simple handmade eco-gold chain that looks ancient, stylish hammered eco-gold earrings or a dainty old gold pendant that you’ll wear forever…
Because its polite to write…
Alice Gabb is a stationery designer and modern calligrapher based in East London. As well as her wedding stationery, Alice will be launching a collaborative collection of honeymoon travel journals, bespoke dress boxes and all manner of perfect wedding keepsakes with bookbinder and box maker, Kitty Farrow.
These lovely wonderful people I personally can not wait to see again;
Sixpences, super second collections, a ready-to-wear and a now a shop… she’s unstoppable!
The fabulous Charlotte Mills, the shop girl with the beautiful shoe collection, hand finished with a silver sixpence in the left shoe and the leather sole is embossed with “Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” Charlotte has incorporated each of these traditions in to every pair. The Sixpence is also the something Old, The Something New is the shoe, the Something Blue is detailed on the insock. Not forgetting the Something borrowed inside the shoebox. You can read a feature I wrote about her on Wedding Ideas last week here.
Meringue Girls and Fondant Fox
Be still my beating heart – did I hear you say gin and tonic meringues on a cake..
Meringue Girls and Fondant Fox create amazing bespoke sweet treats and cakes! We can provide everything from favour boxes and mini kiss jars, to rainbow meringue tiers and gorgeous wedding cakes, all handmade made with the highest quality natural ingredients. Everything we create can be personalised for your big day – we’ll work with you to choose your perfect colourings, toppings, flavours and sizes.
Velvet Johnstone offers made to order and bespoke wedding dresses… or separates and jumpsuits! each piece is crafted with loving intent for the bride looking for something as unique and special as themselves…. the aim to make vj brides feel like the best and most magical version of themselves on their big day.
Hand made excellence, and just lovely to boot!
AM Faulkner Bridal is the exciting & innovate bridal range from London based milliner Ann-Marie Faulkner. Hats, headpieces and veils are designed and produced by hand using a combination of high quality, traditional fabrics such as silk and lace and also contemporary, innovative materials such as wood and metal to create unique, individual pieces with a modern twist. All accessories are made by hand in Ann-Marie’s London Studio.
These girls are just fabulous!
One Flew Over is a London-based Florist created by Charlie and Jess, who offer a completely bespoke floral design service for weddings. They favour a natural, foliage-heavy style, rich in texture with an organic and woody feel, hand picking seasonal stems from New Covent Garden Market to ensure the quality and freshness of their blooms. Working with the bride and groom, One Flew Over create beautiful and original wedding looks; encompassing bridal, ceremony and reception flowers and arrangements.
So talented and so lovely, a creator of beautiful things…
Daisy Sheldon Embroidery is a bespoke embroidery and design studio, based in Cheltenham. I specialise in bridal, creating beautiful and unique veils, and also lingerie. I use specialist embroidery machines, as well as embellishing with hand stitching and beading. Each wedding veil and lingerie set from the collection is lovingly handmade with customisable options to suit each bride. Or, a completely bespoke service is available. The perfect family heirloom.
This girl knows romance..
Lorie X pieces are inspired by romanticism, great love stories, and the beauty around us. Offering something completely unique; bespoke gowns & separates feature hand inked and digital prints that are used in a delicate way to achieve a modern bridal look – which has each brides’ story tied up within. Beautifully fitted and made from luxurious silks, laces and brocades, the outcomes are individual and extra special. Designed and created in East London.
and finally..
Most Curious will basically celebrate and incorporate great design, fashion and lifestyle trends into the wedding world with these two carefully curated shows, ensuring total inspiration for the coolest couples! Fashion shows, live music, craft beers and street food will ensure a whole day out’s worth of nuptial research and enjoyment!
You can take a look at the images captured from last year here, alongside Helen’s gorgeous offering about the show, and you can also read a brilliant article from Emma of Coco Wedding Venues and Katrina Otter.
The article is a review of the fair, and a brilliant 101 guide for attending wedding fairs. Katrina covers everything from why you should do your research to, making a plan of action, to of course who to take with you and finally ensuring you have a glass of bubbles! Take a look here.
To allow you to come up with a plan of action take a look at the suppliers for both London and Norwich here.
I hope you have enjoyed the post, and that you can make your way to Most Curious next weekend.
Love Tasha at Ikonworks x
