Meet the bridal NEXT! Judges Norwich - Journalist and all round fresh-talent scout Wendy Roby

A champion for the arts, particularly for new and emerging talent, Wendy Roby has written for Norwich Magazine, The Guardian, Mixmag, Dazed & Confused, Grazia and the BBC, as well as being a former guest on Radio 1’s Review Show with Nihal. Once Co-Editor of a music blog that was named one of The Sunday Times’ ‘100 Best Blogs in the World’, she now writes best-selling funny books for the publisher Michael O’Mara and has a regular column for Drowned in Sound where she is also Singles editor. Nuff said we can't wait to have her as a bridal NEXT! Judge! Here's her interview - we love it!


1. Do you have any pre-formulated wedding dress plans?

Being an old lady spinster with no current plans for marriage [no young Wendy, less of the 'old' and 'spinster'!] I don¹t spend a great deal of time thinking about my wedding dress. Mainly because I am a bit keener on finding the right cove to snog (forever). But if I did, I¹d like to think it¹d be like The Lord of the Rings ­ One Dress, To Rule Them All. The sort of dress you¹d feel absolutely amazing in, but which might look a mental a few years down the line. I¹ve never really been a terribly elegant or classical sort of dresser, so it would need to make me grin, and have a sense of fun about it.

2) What will be the most important aspect of your wedding? What do you think you
will spend the most time planning?

Almost certainly the most important thing about a wedding, apart from a)
having located the right chap and b) being surrounded by nice people you
love, is the food. And by food, I mean Brays Cottage pork pies, and Orange
Blossom real ale. Although some friends of mine gave their guests a full
English breakfast, and I thought that was a super idea.

Most Curious's impression of what Wendy's wedding cake might look like....

3) Who excites you the most in the wedding industry or in wedding
ideas right now?

I think given the recession, anyone who can do creative, romantic, original
things on a budget is good. I think eloping is kind of brilliant, too.

4) What will you be looking for at Bridal NEXT! ?

I want to see a dress that makes me say 'Cor!' out loud. (I fully expect
this to happen.)

5) What are you working on right now?

Today I am about to go and teach some young chaps about working in the music
industry. Later I will be mostly: doing a website for a massage therapist
and listening to Anna Meredith (while going 'Cor!'). I¹m doing some research
for a TV comedy too, which is so much fun I don¹t mind if I don¹t get paid
(this is rare).


Follow Wendy on @wendy_roby and her hilarious blog.

Bridal NEXT! Meet The Judges ~ Emma Harrowing, Fashion Journalist

As the first of our Norwich Bridal NEXT! Judges, fashion & lifestyle journalist and Norfolk fashionista Emma is always on the look out for local talent, and is a huge advocate of local Norfolk independent businesses. Her prominent position as key fashion writer for the largest regional publications The EDP and The Evening News allow her a great platform for championing fresh new talent. With her finger firmly on the pulse of upcoming trends, she is also Chairman of the annual Norwich Fashion Week- a fantastic event which unites both independent retail and national brands to showcase the very best of up and coming designers, inspirational style, skilled industry professionals, and a host of must-buys from around the region. All this and more mean she is perfectly qualified to judge our fabulous Bridal NEXT! designers, and peruse the fabulous talent which has made the cut.


Emma has given us the goss on what she'll be looking for at Bridal NEXT!, who she's loving right now on the design front and what she imagines for her own big day.


1) What do you envisage your dress would be like on your big day?

I haven't really thought about it! If I was to get married, I guess that it will be something simple in Ivory. I quite like the growing trend for dresses with cap sleeves, rather than to have a strapless dress. Ideally I'd like it to be designed by a Norwich designer.



2) What do you imagine will be the most important aspect of your wedding? And what do you think you will spend the most time planning?


Definately the ceremony itself. It's the most important part - knowing that you mean the promises you are making and that you will be best friends and soulmates forever. In terms of planning, I think the most time consuming part will be planning the party afterwards!


3) Who excites you most in the wedding industry or in wedding ideas right now?


Drayton designer Jane Kenning excites me with her simple take on the classic dress designs of fashion icons such as Marilyn Munroe and Audrey Hepburn. Her designs wowed Norwich Fashion Week this March and she never gives up on taking wedding design to new levels. Her Levi's corset was met with a bit of controversy from the jeans brand, and celeb Alesha Dixon never got the corset Jane designed and sent to her when she was on Strictly Come Dancing - but her drive to push the boundaries and put herself out there without a fear of failure is something to be admired.














Jane Kenning Designs


4) What will you be looking for at Bridal NEXT! ? 

Something original that takes risks and wedding design to the next level.

5) What are you working on right now? 

I'm writing a piece about mens fashion for next week's fashion pages in the Norwich Evening News, and editing a piece about hat designer Piers Atkinson who is originally from Wymondham for next week's fashion pages in the EDP. I'm also researching a future feature about bridal flowers.


6) What is on your desk today? 

A can of Diet Coke, lots of fashion press releases, old newspapers, some rubber bands, a few beauty samples and a tiny plastic bat - it's a bit of a mess!


Check out Emma on Twitter, where she often tweets live from fashion events in the region, as well as highlighting plenty of local talent on @NchFashionPaper and @NorwichFashion.

Featured Norwich Exhibitor ~ Sugarfish Productions

Inspired by some of the world's best wedding cinematography, Sugarfish Productions is the brainchild of Gary Thompson and Brendan Granger and was born out of a mutual desire to change the face of wedding videography. Tired of seeing plenty of unimaginative, poor quality and outdated work within the wedding industry, the pair saw that after the huge changes and evolution of wedding photography in the last ten years, it was about time that wedding cinematography followed suit and became what photography has become - beautiful, personal, and unique. The guys describe Sugarfish as their true "calling" and aim to offer some fresh new talent to their field, proving that there's far more to videography than just pointing a camera and pressing record. Like all awesome photographers, the duo understand what makes a wedding - the people, the emotions, the details and those little moments that are the ones you'll want to relive forever. Sugarfish couples are all about being themselves on their big day (and before it too!), along with having fun and an appreciation for amazing storytelling - principles that the guys have built the brand on.

Co-owner and Filmmaker Gary

Co-owner and Filmmaker Bren

At Curious HQ,  we think their vids are totally up our street - you know we love anything that breaks away from so-called tradition and offers something truly unique. We're so excited they are making their Most Curious debut in Norwich this Sunday, and here's a little taster of what they offer to whet your wedding appetites - we just know you'll agree it's something pretty special, yes?

Featured Norwich Exhibitor ~ Flamingo Amy

Joanna Millington Photography

Once in a while, something super special decides to up sticks and head to Norfolk.  And boy, are we glad the amazing Flamingo Amy made such a decision in 2003 after completing her degree in Fine Art in our very own NUCA (or Norwich School of the Arts as it was known back then).  Now firmly established as one of the UK's leading vintage hairstylists, Amy offers unique and beautiful bridal hair styling inspired by bygone eras - everything from 20s finger waves, to 60s beehives, to 40s victory rolls - and all exquisitely done with a unrivalled attention to detail.

Originally from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, inspiration struck Amy at a Rock'n'Roll weekender in 2008 (where she met her husband incidentally!) when she was asked to style a friends hair - and after agreeing to give it a go - and with a rather succesful outcome, she had her lightening bolt moment and realised her true calling.  Then followed the opportunity to train at Nina's Hair Parlour which is a salon dedicated to Vintage style in London, and from there she joined uber cool salon Flint which is on Bridewell Alley in Norwich , where she works both in salon and on a freelance basis.

Her services include visiting brides on the morning of their wedding at their venues throughout the county (and indeed the country), styling and trialling brides to be in the salon, as well as taking on plenty of creative projects, working on photoshoots and doing hair demonstrations in both London and Norwich (including demos for the awesome Tatty Devine!)







Tatum Reid Photography



Amy will be at the Norwich Most Curious Fair with her amazing pop up salon (as seen in the photo at the top - crazy cool huh?!) and is looking forward to meeting lots of brides to be - PLUS she'll be offering mini trials to the first three brides to be that come to see her at the pop up salon. We'll finish with a pic of Amy's amazing Whirling Turban Wedding dress from her wedding day in 2009 - and you know how we LOVE a  birdcage veil!

The Final 8 Announced - Norwich Bridal NEXT!

After the weekend's success of Bridal NEXT! London, we're thrilled to announce the shortlist for Norwich -a carefully selected portfolio of 8 new designers and suppliers of  fashion, flowers, accessories and everything else the design-conscious couple needs for their wedding.

To apply for one of the coveted places, entrants had to have graduated in 2010 or later and to have set up their business no more than 18 months ago. So far ( and a definate to continue), the event has been an amazing platform to support emerging talent AND offer the chance for super savvy brides and grooms to discover something new and unique for their big day.


The eight fledgling businesses chosen to exhibit at the Norwich fair are:

1. Sophie and Smith

http://www.facebook.com/sophieandsmith

Norwich-based Sophie ColIins set up Sophie & Smith earlier this year, after

studying fashion and textiles on and off for five years and suddenly found there

was a real lack of fashion related careers available in the city. ‘I felt it was

a real shame not to channel my creativity and passion into something that meant

more to me than a retail job.’

She is inspired by fabric manipulation and muted colour palettes, something

which attracted her to Bridal design. She likes to look at current trends as

well as historic couture to create a ‘mash-up of interesting and textural

pieces.’

She adds that the brand will hopefully come full circle, ‘I want Sophie & Smith

to exude luxury and creativity and hope to one day create job opportunities for
people like me who have a love of Norwich and a desire to design and create

beautiful individual bridal gowns and accessories.’

2. Lorie X  

www.loriex.co.uk

Laura Hall designs pattern-cut bridal gowns and corsets which typically mix

luxurious Duchess satins and sand-washed Habotai silks with specially sourced

vintage lace to ensure each dress is truly unique.

Inspired by writer Charles Dickens’ notion of tragic romance, she also combines elements of Victoriana with

digital print for a modern twist, incorporating her own inky hand drawings. With

digital print making it possible for short runs of cloth to be produced, a bride

can even have her own choice of words or illustration in the printed section of

her gown. “Perfect for those not sold on the traditional idea of 'marriage' and

looking for an anti-wedding wedding dress,” says Laura.

3. Love Blooms 

 www.loveblooms.co.uk

Suffolk-born Clare Robinson established Love Blooms floristry after a career as
a fashion buyer in London where she now lives.  She has clients in the capital
but also regularly travels back to East Anglia, particularly Norwich, to provide

her fresh new breed of floristry for weddings. Not frightened to get sculptural

she loves a working with an unusual brief and is currently inspired by the idea
of a mix of jewellery and floristry to create flowers that are actually worn on

the body in an interesting way.

Jo Millington Photography

4. My Bow K 

www.mybowk.co.uk

Another local Norwich designer, Keeley Walsh creates a new kind of bouquet from
vintage, found and other striking buttons, beads and brooches, often with
sentimental meaning, creating a keepsake as well as a decorative piece. ‘ My
inspiration came from wanting a unique memorable bouquet at my own wedding,’
says Walsh. "Tired of looking at images of dull flowers, I tried for months to
create an amazing brooch bouquet from meaningful jewellery from relatives and
friends. Knowing that it  would surely not only wow my guests as I walk down the
aisle but make them feel they were also a part of my day through their
contributions.’
She is a teacher of ICT and Business studies by day and bouquet maker by night.

5. Yew Swee Ling 
www.coroflot.com/Ch33ki3

Malaysian Chinese Yew Swee Ling is an international student who has just
completed her MA in Fashion and Norwich University College of the Arts, after
studying the subject in both China and Australia. Her work explores themes of
13th century smocking techniques and applying this to modern garments. She likes
to use lighter weight materials than traditionally used to create volumous
pieces, with a simple, romantic feel, a definite new take on bridal.

6. Mystic Magic 
www.mysticmagiconline.co.uk/

Ashley Pearce had always been told by his family that he had an amazing
imagination, and cut his ‘craft’ teeth at our county’s famous Fairyland
Trust. Following a life changing experience watching Phantom of the Opera, he
knew his calling was theatrical mask-making - which has lead onto him setting up
Mystical Magic, creating bespoke head pieces for the most daring of brides.

7. Michele Hartman Shoes  
www.facebook.com/mhshoesdesign

London College of Fashion graduate Hartman explores romance and luxury for the
themes of her collections, with the shoes made from an Italian satin which can
be dyed to whatever colour the bride wishes – ideal for pairing with her dress.
There are accessories to match the shoes or Michele will help you to design
something personal for your special day.

8. Melissa Morgan Designs
 http://melissamorgandesigns.tumblr.com/

North Norfolk’s Melissa Morgan began making vintage inspired pieces little over
a year a go. She sources antique jewellery to create en trend bridal head wear –
pieces that are deco-inspired but to be worn in a modern way. She creates each piece from hand ,

using mixed media ideas with feathers and rope as well as more glamourous

materials.

So there's our finalists! Some absolutely amazing talent, we just know you are going to be as blown away by their pieces as we are.  At the Norwich fair, the final 8 will be given the chance to be crowned the Most Curious One To Watch 2012 as chosen by a panel of local fashion and design experts on the day. This exhibitor will win the opportunity to be stocked in Norwich's vintage and

handmade fashion hub Antidote, as well as receive exposure on online presence

from Most Curious and the relevant judges - yikes!

Most Curious will also feature both the One to Watch and Highly Commended

designer's work in an inspirational bridal photo shoot, which of course, we will bring to you when the time comes right here on this blog.

Our fabulous Norwich judges are:-

• Emma Harrowing, Fashion Editor EDP
• Julia Rigg, founder of Goldfinches Vintage
• Anne Moore, owner of Antidote, handmade and vintage fashion boutique
• Wendy Roby, freelance writer who writes for Grazia and Dazed and Confused

And as before, we will be profiling our amazing judges on this blog running up to the Norwich date. Eeep!

Our Best Dressed Winner 2012

So A Most Curious Wedding Fair LONDON = DONE. It was a wonderful day and are currently posting more of the official images by Ellie Gillard Photography onto the Facebook page as I type. We'll post a few more on here, tell you all about bridal NEXT! (amaze!) and more but remember round 2 is around the corner with A Most Curious Wedding Fair NORWICH at St Andrews Hall on Sunday 21st October!

Ok, we're getting off the point for this post (never miss a chance to plug!) - right now we want to tell you about our Best Dressed Stand Winner for London Autumn 2012. This is chosen by the Most Curious Team, myself (Becky HH) and Gemma Goodwin. We have never done this before but, boy, are we glad we did it this year - the winner is..... FEDERICA BRUNO COUTURE. She made her showpiece, new launch dress FLOAT, yes we said FLOAT. It was always gonna be the person who can defy gravity with their stand. Well done Federica, you are a true creative gem we have had a real pleasure meeting you and long may the new Fed and Most Curious friendship live! We'll tell you all about her in another post but for now here is the story behind the stand. Well done Ms Bruno!


"The idea about the stand came out really spontaneously and quite randomly... I wanted to have my pink and white gown as centre piece of my stand because that's my latest creation. Also I knew that I wanted to have it lifted up somehow, because the voluminous tulle skirt is made of 15 layers which create an amazing shades of colour if seen from underneath. It goes from ivory on the outer layers to a pink magenta inside, with all the shades of softer pinks in between. And I wanted to show this a bit more.

I first thought I could use an arch structure (similar to the ones used in a patio or a garden) and I wanted to hang the dress that way...but the idea was quite banal, I mean not so unique, not so 'wow'...and I wasn't excited enough.

One day I was walking on the street with my girlfriend and we where talking about the stand project. Than I saw some balloons in a shop display and I just thought 'why I don't make the dress fly?! Yes! Helium balloons will make it fly!' Of course I wasn't technically sure of this as the dress is quite heavy and big...but I knew an idea was 'the one' if it makes me think, 'I can't stop to think how i just have to make it real!' The numbers of balloons needed was just crazy considering that a standard size helium balloon can only lift 14g and the dress weight was around 3kg...that tells it all. The only solution was to use a giant special latex balloon, big 5'5"! Together of course with lots of smaller ones!

Even find a balloon company willing to help me in this challenge was not been easy, most said that wasn't possible, or other that I was just a bit crazy... but at the end I've found someone and together we made it real! We made it happen! 

We had to use almost 50 standard size balloons, plus the giant one and more have been placed underneath the skirt to help the lift!

The message that I wanted to give is that we have to make our dreams fly, our thought to go free, give a sense of magical, sweet and romantic but also I wanted it to be fun!

A part from the creative element, I also wanted to incorporate something to represent the craftsmanship side of my work, as it's a really big part of it, so I thought to have my vintage sewing machine and all the tools I use as designer and dressmaker...so I've used reels, tailor scissors, buttons and painting brushes and I've put them as stems of "flower" in the pots with flowers!'

And then when all the fun was over Federica set her balloons free. One of the most beautiful moments of the day.

GO WEST! - Make sure you check out the very boho Cornish Brides section

One of The Way Out West Cornish artisans George Mackay Flowers

It started with a tweet about love themed Tug of War ropes, with the cornwall-based canvas and rope enthusiasts Lizard Sewing, and we now have a whole mini section of the fair dedicated to the most creative bridal orientated artisans and suppliers in the West Country. We like to call it our Cornish Brides section!


And we don't like to stereotype, but these Cornish lovelies, who are fantastically called The Way Out West collective, really will bring out your inner boho bride, or will be a little haven for any hippy couples pining for some flower power and universal harmony in the big smoke.


And if you don't believe us, just look at some of the exhibitors involved in the Way Out West collective who will be represented on the day, by founders Lizard Sewing who make beautiful yurt awnings and the aforementioned decorative rope work and silk painter and seamstress Things Worth Keeping, below.

Sunbeam Jackie’s handmade parasols are made using the most beautiful antique and vintage fabrics to create unique and luxurious parasols

Check out Pea Souk bespoke wedding caterers specialising in interesting vegetarian food

Abigail Brown and her contemporary silversmith work, offering statement pieces for daring brides. We love it all and can't wait to meet the Way Out West girls!

Haha, just like to end with Anna Butler of Lizard Sewing and co-founder of the collective emailed to say she likes this post but wants to point out that "many of them do eat steak, Way Out West is hard yet oh so fluffy.' We like!

Meet the Judges - Kat Williams of Rock n Roll Bride



Made U Look Photography

So, as far as wedding blogging royalty goes, it simply doesn't get much bigger or better than our final London judge - the one and only Kat Williams of Rock n Roll Bride founding-fame. Repeatedly acknowledged as one of the most influential bloggers in the country, ex-television producer Kat launched the blog in 2007 whilst planning her own wedding, and from there has grown her blog, which she describes as "a little haven of kick ass weddingness in a cookie cutter, pastel and often puke-worthy wedding world", to one of the biggest in the world, featured by every major wedding publication in the UK, as well as growing the brand to include a print magazine and blogging workshop the Blogcademy. Oooh and she is a multiple award winner too - *wowzers*

So as the queen of all that is quirky, unique, individual and awesome, who could be better placed to judge bridal NEXT!? With a mission to help ordinary people plan extraordinary weddings which reflect their individuality and personality, and she is always on the lookout for exciting weddingy newness which will fit that brief, and help you be you on your big day. A philosophy which just so happens to fit in pretty damn well with our own, as it so happens. Kat has kindly chatted to us about her own big day, what's coming up for Rock n Roll Bride and what she'll be looking for as a bridal NEXT! judge.

1) You started Rock n Roll Bride after planning your own wedding - describe your dress, and tell us would you do things differently if you were getting married this year?

My dress was by Maggie Sottero. It originally had a pink sash but we changed it for a black one... pretty radical in 2008! If we were getting married this year our wedding would be SO different! I think we'd probably have something super colourful and I'd get a dress custom made, maybe incorporating vintage pieces - I'd probably have something short and 50s-inspired with a rainbow petticoat of some description!

English Rose Weddings Photography

2) What was the most important thing when you were planning your wedding, and was this the same as what was the most important on the actual day itself?

The most important thing for us was that our day was stress-free. We wanted our guests to have fun and for noone to be stressed out about anything. Even when our original venue cancelled 3 months before the wedding (I KNOW!), we were determinded not to go crazy about it - the fact that we were getting married was the most important thing! The day went pretty smoothly. Looking back there were a few things that weren't perfect - my flowers were horrible and not what I wanted at all, and the band were a bit crap but it really didn't matter on the day - we were just so happy to be married!

3) Who excites you the most in the wedding industry right now?

The new kids on the block. I feel a lot of the industry has got very stale and samey again recently. When I first started the blog there were a lot of new designers and artists about doing fab things and really shaking up the industry, but over time that seems to have waned a little and again and now everyone has ended up doing the same thing. But there are a small group of breakthrough designers and artists who are turning things on its head and getting creative. I'm excited to see where the UK industry will be in 6 months time!

4) What will you be looking for at Bridal NEXT! ?

People doing new, exciting and different things. I'll be walking straight past the bunting, the mismatched crockery and the cupcakes.. sorry but I'm well over it!

5) What are you working on right now?

Well I'm off to New York next week for my first big 2 day blogging workshop, co-hosted by my blogging buddies Gala Darling & Nubby Twiglet. We have 30 attendees coming from all over the world - we've got people flying in from London, New Zealand, Australia, Canada as well as from all over the US! I'm SO NERVOUS but so excited at the same time! After this event our plan is to take it all over the world so watch this space, because we'll be bringing it to the UK very soon - I promise. Hey, what could be better than travelling the world with your BFFs all in the name of work?! I CANT THINK OF ANYTHING!

6) What is on your desk today?

Oh a lot of crap ha! Some Fuji Instax film which just got delivered the other day (i'm taking it to New York with me), a load of photos/frames/polaroids of me and my friends, my Butler & Wilson skull tiara (permanent feature!), my ridiculous phone, a couple of empty coffee mugs, my diary, some fish oil tablets and some carmex. Exciting huh?!

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS! - Meet our fashion show Groom's stylist and style consultant Sammy Aki

New groom's stylist on the block, Sammy Aki's resume reads like a who's who of the coolest menswear tailors, designers and retailers. From a young age, Aki developed her interest for Menswear, which saw her start off as a Luxury Men's style consultant for a number of flagship stores including Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Reiss, Thomas Pink and Topshop. After completing her BA in Spanish and Management she worked in the fashion teams at Esquire and Drapers, which led to a career as a freelance stylist, working on advertising campaigns, fashion shows and music videos.

In 2008 Aki joined Kilgour Savile Row and produced the RTW collections developing her technical understanding of fabric and garment construction. After Kilgour she spent some time as the PR Manager for the UK'S oldest Bridal brand. 

I told you right?! And guess what.... she is not only exhibiting at our show, she is styling the grooms on the catwalk. We are thrilled! We have heard a few of her inspiration words - ' Rustic Winter, Rustic Summer, Something blue and ....Pineapple'.  We can't wait!

All this amazing experience has given her fundamental insight into the industry and it also showed Sammy someone had been forgotten- the Groom. Which has spurred her into launching her own Groom consultancy service and we are over the moon to have her involved with our London fair.

Aki really is offering something new for the chicest and cool hunting grooms, telling us..

'My service is founded on enthusiasm to see discerning and dapper Grooms beside their Brides. This is a service all about personal interaction and direct recommendation...

It’s your wedding day so why are you hiring a suit! Our Groom recognises that this is his special day and intends to feel and look great from this day forward. This starts by selecting the right items that can be treasured and worn time and time again.

Let’s not forget, this is a time for the Groom, Best Man and Ushers to indulge in the finer things in life. With our guidance he will be in his element in the run up to the wedding and on the day itself. 'Brides can rest assured that they are in safe hands,' says Aki, 'and their groom will be looking picture perfect (with gifts* in tow).' 

Focused on British brands, and having first-hand experience of Savile Row tailoring Aki has a real appreciation of the signature qualities and characteristics of the best brands on the market. Obviously budgets vary so she can guide and advise each client on Ready To Wear, Made to Measure and Bespoke, to ensure each groom gets the best within the couple's budgets as well as aiming to create an outfit that reflects his personality, whilst being in keeping with the wedding. That ticks ALL the right boxes!

With a mixed heritage background Most Curious loves a little multiculturalism too and this is also one of Sammy Aki's passions, we love how doing what we do brings us to people who have similar outlooks to us! Born to West African parents and raised in North West London and Somerset, Sammy has travelled extensively internationally and worked on her fair share of Weddings, Simcha’ s, V edic Y ajna, Al Aadaa and K okookos,

“I find tradition and culture exciting, especially when two families come together in matrimony. This is a time when couples can show all friends and family what their ancestry is about, in all its Glory”

We love it! Come and meet her at the fair and see her work in action. 

Featured Exhibitor: Jordanna Marston Photography

Now, as you know, we at Most Curious HQ are suckers for super-gorgeous, candid and personality-packed wedding photography, and as it just so happens,our exhibitor Jordanna Marston Photography fits that bill in a rather spectacular fashion. With bags of style, character and the ability to really capture her clients nuptials in all their glory, Jordanna is going to be an awesome addition to our London fair, and we know you'll love her too - in her own words she wants to meet people and "make them beam with cheek-aching happiness" through her images.

Here Jordanna shares with us five of her fave 2012 shots so far, and in her own words tells us why she loves them so much (although I'm guessing that's pretty obvious - stunning stuff huh?!)

1) This is Tanya and Olly's London Engagement shoot - they are a couple from the Philippines getting married out there in November. This photo just oozes everything I think love is about - sooooo happy and relaxed in each other's company. Best of friends, and yet so romantic too, with the sun setting on Primrose Hill. Beautiful! 

2) The moment the groom - Joel - saw his bride and turned away from her to catch his tears - a very tender moment and luckily he looked straight down my lens! I like to think he was thinking, "holy smokes she looks amazing and I am a lucky lucky man!" *Blub*

 

3) Joel and Louisa (the bride I was referring to in the previous photo) - married. So jubilant. Let's get the party started! 

 

4) I love this photo of three babies that I took at a wedding on the hottest day of the year so far. They all looked so smart earlier on but ended up being stripped to their shorts. So cute and so timeless.

 

5) And to finish - Boyd and Ellie's engagement. Ellie lives and breathes the '50s and I think this shot just exudes that style and cinematic romance. Their wedding was just as vintage inspired and very fun to shoot.

Introducing a London special guest - Sara Smyth of ruby+diva

Paola de Paola Photography

Here at Most Curious HQ we are feeling super dooper privileged to have with us for our London Fair some real Wedding royalty in the gorgeous form of Sara Smyth, the co-founder of chic and unique wedding boutique ruby+diva! Sara is the creative force behind this stylish and eclectic behind the brand, which was designed to offer brides the chance to have a single place in which to plan, create and personalise their big day, and will be joining us as a guest of honour to present the prize at bridal NEXT! as well as stocking the winning design in the ruby+diva boutique itself!

Sara’s business light-bulb moment came when she realised there were no websites showcasing all that is original and fun in the world of weddings and where you can plan and buy your wedding day. Putting all that and more into one place, and ruby+diva was born -  the UK’s 1st design-led wedding marketplace bringing inspirational products and creative services from around the world into one place to help you plan your unique wedding.

 From all aspects of wedding planning including photography, the transport, the venue and even the Stag do, through to the gift list, and even the honeymoon (with a little help from travel expert Laura), ruby+diva offers a one stop shop for a vast and varied range of the UK's top creatives and designers. A stroke of genius, yes?

ruby+diva are going to be exhibiting at both the London and Norwich fairs, and we just know you are going to thank us for it - it's planning a beautiful wedding made easy! Sara took some time to tell us more about what makes her tick and also gives us a few cheeky insights into lovely r+d newness!


1) You got married in 2011 - would you do it differently if you were getting married this year?

 I married Rob on Friday 13 May 2011 and wore 'Alessia' by Jenny Packham. We totally steam-rolled into getting married, just 10 months after we started officially dating and before I had set up ruby+diva, so I didn't know about all the creative wedding designers out there. I did feel beautiful on the day but if I were to do it again I would definitely go for something a little more individual. I love 'Margot' by Charlotte Casdejus for a super-glam do and for something a little more low-key, the 'Astor' dress by Suzannah - it's a lovely vintage shape, very flattering and easy to wear.

 

2) What was the most important thing when planning your wedding and was this the same as what you felt was the most important on the actual day itself?
We planned our wedding in about 9 weeks and I guess the most important thing for me was making sure we added special touches that reflected our personalities. Neither of us are big on tradition or formality so I focused on finding a beautiful private room in a restaurant for a celebration lunch, my son, Lucas, played the guitar as I walked into the ceremony room, we had Led Zeppelin blasting out as we signed the register and we all walked down the King's Road to the reception. And yes, on the day, I was really pleased we had made those decisions and stuck to what we were comfortable with. Rob would never have made it through the day if it had been in a church with 200 guests!

 

3) Who excites you the most in the wedding industry right now?

 At the moment, I am particularly excited about the way in which colour and pattern is influencing wedding dress designers. I also love creative headwear and am especially enamoured with bright, floral head dresses. 



White Dahlia 1940′s Inspired Wedding Dress
by Joan Shum



4) What will you be looking for at Bridal NEXT! ? 

I am super excited to see the talent on offer at Bridal NEXT! and will be looking for designers who are doing something totally against the grain of traditional weddings.

 

5) What are you working on right now?

At the moment we are working on launching a few new ranges to the site, including our new 'Boudoir Luxe' section on the ruby+diva site - a collection of luxurious bedroom accessories along the lines of 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. 

 

We are just about to launch a new group gifting option so customers can set up a group gifting page and ask their friends to contribute towards any product in our e-boutique. 

 

Now, this is strictly confidential, but we are also working on a top secret honeymoon project which will be launched at the time of the Most Curious Wedding Fair -  Hush Hush Honeymoons....ssshh! 

 

6) Wow that does sound super exciting! And to finish, can you tell us what is on your desk today?

I am currently surrounded by the most massive pile of glorious samples which are coming from around the world from ruby+diva members. I arrived home the other day to find that the postman has shoved a package with over £1000 worth of lingerie under the doormat! 

 

Lumiere Photography

And to finish, here's one of Sara's gorgeous wedding photos of her big day - we are ALWAYS a sucker for a Jenny Packham gown, and this one is naturally making us swoon! *sigh*

Meet the bridal NEXT! judges - Rachel Attwell of Luella's Boudoir

Rachel on her Wedding day in 2005

Beloved by many leading bridal magazines and blogs, as well as a whole lot of brides, Rachel Attwell is the founder of Luella’s Boudoir, bridal boutique extraordinaire and providers of plenty of gorgeous vintage styling inspiration as well as a whole lot of stunning Wedding must-haves!

Rachel is the inspirational brain behind the brand, and was inspired to open Luella's Boudoir after planning her own wedding in 2005 - with a busy career, and limited time for planning and wedding shopping, she saw the need for a boutique which housed a huge selection of wedding loveliness and a cross section of brands, and offered in-house styling advice too.

As well as offering a vast and delectable selection of Wedding dresses (including vintage), bridal accessories, lingerie, shoes and fascinators (including many handpicked exclusives),
Luella's is also a one-stop haven for those in need of some wedding assistance with their range of Wedding styling and planning services.  From full coordination packages right through to just a little help in the way of inspiration with their consultation service, and their in-house Bridal Coordinator is a specialist in Vintage Wedding Design from 1920s through the swinging 60s.  All this AND set in a gorgeous girly boudoir-style haven tucked away in Wimbledon - what more could a Most Curious Bride want?

We are so excited Rachel is going to be joining us as a judge for bridal NEXT! and know that the abilities that have taken her fab brand from strength to strength make her very well placed for the part.

1) You got married back in 2005 - tell us all about your dress! Do you also think you would do it differently if you were getting married this year instead?

My dress was a very simple, strapless, A-line style and it was all about the fabric and the cut of the dress as opposed to any detailing. I firmly believe that brides should look effortlessly elegant on their wedding day and since I am quite a simple style dresser normally, this style was perfect for me.

If I was getting married now, I would definitely choose something a bit less traditional but it would still have to be made from a really nice quality fabric. One of Sally Lacock's lace designs, Caroline Atelier's simple styles or this stunning dress by Charlotte Casadejus would be perfect.


Sally Lacock



Caroline Atelier

Caroline Casadejus

2) What was the most important thing planning your wedding - and was this the same as what was the most important on the actual day itself?

The most important thing I did when I was planning my wedding was to involve all my family and friends in some way. I did lots of little social things with everyone along the way so by the time the day came they were almost as excited as we were! Most of my friends and family still say it was the best wedding they have ever been too and I don't think that it's because of any one particular detail....it's just because they really enjoyed sharing our day with us.

3) Who excites you the most in the wedding industry right now?

I am working with a number of really great designers that have really gone from strength to strength over the last few years - designers such as Charlotte Casadejus, Victoria Fergusson, Rachel Simpson and Love by Susie as well as some brand new designers including Vicky Rowe, Saving Face jewellery and Cherished Vintage. It's really nice to be sharing that journey with them and to watch them grow and flourish as they go from strength to strength.

4) What will you be looking for at Bridal NEXT! ?I will be looking for someone that has created something really new and interesting. There are lots of new designers entering the wedding industry right now but they aren't necessarily offering something different and sometimes the quality isn't there. They will also have to have thought about how commercially viable their product is in terms of the production costs, distribution etc. It's really exciting to be involved in this project!!

5) What are you working on right now?

We are currently working on updating our website. We have some great new designers coming onboard this autumn and I really want to be able to showcase their collections in the best possible way, so watch out for plenty of exciting new things!

6) What is on your desk today?
A banana because I am on a diet, my iPad because I seem to be permanently attached to it and of course lots of paperwork!

And check out this stunner - one of our personal favourites from Luella's Boudoir, this amazing vintage wedding dress is by Vicky Rowe - yummy! As well as Rachel joining us as a judge, you'll see a selection of Luella's finest Wedding dresses sashaying down the runway in our London catwalk show - what more reason do you need to check it out?!

Images courtesy of http://www.segeriusbruceblog.com/