Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gowns in Canada » Events

Bridal Expos Continue to Draw Crowds

Grant — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:19:15 +0000

Hard times or not, it appears people don’t stop falling in love. That much was clear at the Bridal Expo on Sunday, where, as has been the case in years past, vendors crammed into the Cocoanut Grove and tried to woo the eyes, taste buds and checkbooks of thousands of brides-to-be.

“Even with the economy, love, romance and the pursuit of happiness will never go out of style,” said Joyce Anderson, producer of the expo’s bridal fashion show.

But while the nation’s financial struggles may not stop people from saying “I do,” it does appear it is changing the way some businesses and couples take their vows.

“My family is helping out, but a lot of the things I did want, I had to cut down on,” said bride-to-be Lauren Keehn, 23, of Capitola.

The floor was packed — mostly with women, many wearing stickers that read “Bride.” Cocoanut Grove Director Sally Sessions said more than 1,500 people came last year and she expected as many by closing Sunday. Dozens of florists, caterers, entertainers, photographers, bakers and jewelers lined the walls of the Cocoanut Grove, luring their guests with promotional packages and taste testers.

“Now I’m full,” Keehn said. “I feel sick.”

The highlight of the day was the bridal fashion show, where 40 models showed dresses and tuxedoes from four different local stores.

Anderson said wedding dress styles are changing to meet the simpler needs of brides.

“People are looking at having smaller weddings,” she said, because they’re “getting married in judge’s chambers and on the steps of city hall.”

Rosa Silva, who owns Rosa’s Bridal in Seaside, said she came to the expo for the first time this year because sales are down.

“When I was younger I used to come here and watch all the models,” she said.

But Sessions said she is hoping for a good wedding year.

“The vendors that I’ve talked to are doing very good this year,” she said.

Abu Dhabi’s Premier Bridal Event

Grant — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:52:43 +0000

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi promises an even bigger 2009 edition with exclusive fashion shows, amazing giveaways, and Abaya competition. The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is back in its 7th year with a diverse line up of local and international exhibitors, grand prize draws, and the UAE’s most prestigious Abaya design.

The show, which will be a fashion and beauty extravaganza addressing all the needs for today’s bride under one roof, will be officially opened on 21 January by patron Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The CRYSTALLIZED™ Abaya Design Awards will reach its spectacular climax as all finalists’ designs are professionally modelled on Saturday, 24 January at 6 pm. Sponsored by CRYSTALLIZEDTM – Swarovski Elements and supported by the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, the contest searches for emerging fashion talent in the UAE and gives them the tools and materials to realise their visions of the national dress.

“The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is a spectacular event, and the 2009 edition will be the biggest yet, with Abaya, wedding dress and haute couture fashion shows during the four day exhibition,” said Daphne Cota, Exhibition Manager of The Bride Show.

“As the premier bridal and fashion event in the capital, it will be a great one-stop-shop event for brides and their families, as well as an inspiration for women interested in fashion and beauty.”

One lucky visitor will take home an exclusive wedding dress designed by Ahmed Al Reyaysa, the oft-proclaimed “King of Wedding Dresses”. Shattaf Jewellery will raffle off a diamond ring, Noblesse Oblige will donate an elegant Abaya worth AED17,000, and one newlywed couple will spend their honeymoon on the exotic island of Mauritius, courtesy of Emirates Holidays.

Other special features include the official Scent of the Bride Show, created exclusively by Abu Haleeqa stores, a traditional name in the Gulf fashion and textile industry.

With more fashion shows than any other event in Abu Dhabi, The Bride Show is a must attend event for fashionistas, who will savour watching models strut down the catwalk every day in haute couture Abayas and wedding gowns.

Exhibitors include elite fashion houses such as Ghawashi and Scallini and Abaya designers like Mauzan and Abu Haleeqa. Everything, from photography and custom-made travel packages to wedding cakes and one of a kind jewelery, will be on display. Established favorites and new talent will exhibit side by side, presenting every device and product a bride could possibly need to organize her special day.

German retailer Cecile has a show-stopping parade of exquisite creations from prized labels Elie Saab, Ungaro and Valentino. European wedding retailers, whose products are available exclusively at The Bride Show, will offer residents a chance to snag the latest limited collections of evening wear and weddings dresses designed specifically for women in the Middle East.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is supporting ‘Make-A-Wish’ as their official charity, an international organization dedicated to granting wishes of children with life-threatening conditions, also under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi takes place from 21-24 January 2009 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and is open from 2:30pm to 10:30pm daily. An entry fee of 10dhs applies and Thursday 22 January is dedicated to ladies only.

The Bride Show Dubai takes place from 8-11 April 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre

Bridal gowns show at Duff House

Grant — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:11:37 +0000

Banff-based couturier to Hollywood stars showcases her work. A selection of glamorous bridal gowns created by a renowned couturier whose previous costumes have graced Hollywood films goes on display today at a Banff venue.

The exhibition, entitled Period in Fashion, at the Duff House art gallery, showcases the work of Banff-based designer Gwen Russell.

The dresses merge classical period drama with contemporary styling and illustrate her expertise in cutting and corsetry.

Among the six gowns on show is a fairytale white wedding dress worn by American actress Christina Ricci in the film Penelope, which was released last year.

Other examples of her work include a tartan wedding dress and one which was designed for Miss Scotland 2007 Nieve Jennings for her entry in the Miss World contest.

Miss Russell said: “I work with silk and like to create dresses that reflect the bride’s personality and style.

Glamour

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to show this range at Duff House, with photographs of the dresses being worn and pictures of earlier dresses.”

Duff House manager Rachel Kennedy said: “The dresses give an extra dash of glamour to the gallery.”

“Gwen has always been inspired by period costume and that shows in this collection.”

In the earlier part of her career, Glasgow-born Miss Russell and a design partner produced costumes for a range of famous actresses and personalities.

These included Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman, Joan Collins, Emma Thompson and Kiri Te Kanawa and their work featured in the Oscar-winning films Dangerous Liaisons and Henry V.

The Period in Fashion show will be officially opened on Saturday by the new chief executive at Aberdeenshire Council, Colin Mackenzie, and runs until Sunday, March 22.

Duff House

The 8th Annual Wedding Show Hits Toronto in January

Grant — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:36:56 +0000

The 8th annual Wedding Show at the Carlu Hotel in downtown Toronto is set for January 9 – 11, 2009. This is a relief for people like me, who often accompany brides-to-be on wedding-related errands. (I imagine it is a relief for the brides, as well.) Think of it like a big mall, only with less garish lighting, and no food court: a series of boutiques dedicated to wedding-related details (cakes and photographers and florists and suits and make-up artists and… the list goes on and on.) Only all the boutiques are hand-selected in such a way as to balance out the services offered.

The Wedding Co.’s owner, Catherine Lash, used to be a wedding photographer. For ten years, she would meet interesting service providers at the weddings she photographed – caterers, florists and so on – and then connect them with each other and with brides-and-grooms-to-be when she deemed it appropriate. She realized that the wedding industry relies on word of mouth, and that a community (both online and at The Wedding Show) might help.

Unlike other similar bridal shows, the Wedding Show is pretty small. Anyone who has been to similar events (be it themed for weddings, or food, or shopping, or what have you) knows how overwhelming an endless selection of booths can be. The Wedding Co. keeps the Wedding Show to 100 vendors and exhibitors, carefully selecting both established and up-and-coming professionals. They also make sure to limit, say, the number of photographers at the show, or the number of florists.

The whole atmosphere is conducive to planning a wedding – calm and beautiful.

“It’s a boutique-inspired show,” Lash tells me over the phone. “The whole atmosphere is conducive to planning a wedding – calm and beautiful.” This may be the first time I’ve heard the words ‘planning a wedding’ and ‘calm and beautiful’ in the same sentence, but I’m willing to buy it. “It’s not about going up and down aisles – no pun intended!”

One of the more unique aspects to the Wedding Show is the “candy store.” Put on by the Wedding Co., the candy store is clearly close to Lash’s heart. A place for brides to learn about do-it-yourself ideas, the booth will this year feature sweet paper purses (little purses made out of pretty paper that hold a chocolate or candy, suitable for bridal showers or at place settings at the reception); origami crane folding (more on that later); and love doves (clothes pins, with cut-out wings glued to them, on which you can write people’s names and use them as placecards.)

The truth is, weddings are expensive, and people are often looking to cut corners where they can – especially in today’s economy. The candy store offers ideas for hand-made things that not only help cut costs, but also allows you to have some fun while doing it. As Lash says, planning a wedding should be about hanging out with your friends.

As for the cranes: The Wedding Co. has launched a year-long project to build a chandelier of origami cranes. Brides at the show can fold their own crane, and sign it with the date of their wedding. For every 1000 cranes made, The Wedding Co. will give $200 to cancer research. The chandelier will be displayed at the 2010 Wedding Show.

Tickets are $20 through the website or at the door; $17 if you subscribe to the free newsletter.

Divine Designs Bridal Expo 2009

Grant — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 23:31:40 +0000

Set in the “Heart” of the mighty Peace River Region, Dawson Creek, British Columbia will be the location to the 1st Annual Divine Designs Bridal Expo 2009. The Bridal Expo will showcase everything someone will need to plan their next special event from conception to completion all under one roof.

This event will take place Sunday, January 18th, 2009 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Along with the trade show set to commence at 10:00 A.M. sharp, 3 fashion shows will be shown throughout the day starting at 11:00 A.M., going every two hours, showcasing everything from Bridal Gowns, Tuxedos, Flower Girl Dresses and everything in between.

Early Bird Prizes and giveaways are just a few exciting things to take place during this amazing event. But my vision was not only to showcase the Special Events Industry in a whole new way but to also be able to give back to the community.

Divine Designs Bridal Expo 2009 has set a goal to raise up to $5,000.00 to go to the Dawson Creek Salvation Army’s Food Bank. Christmas time is a time to celebrate with friends and family. But unfortunately for many families, it is time of stress and grief. Stress and grief of not knowing if this year they will be able to afford the necessities of life such as food not to mention presents for their children. The Salvation Army’s Food Bank helps many of those families be able to celebrate the Christmas season with dignity and hope. Unfortunately, every year the Food Bank is hit hard with the growing number of people needing their support.

Tickets Go On sale December 1st. Tickets are $15.00 in Advance from the web site www. divinedesignsbridal eexpo.ca or at the Tiger box office plus or and the Highperformance co-op ticket outlet. Proudly Sponsored in Part by Energy FM and CJDC 890 am.

For more information go to: http://www.divinedesignsbridalexpo.ca

Abu Dhabi Bride Show – 2009

Grant — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:57:20 +0000

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi will open its doors in January with a glittering array of local and international fashion designers, beauty and wellbeing professionals and honeymoon destinations. Taking place from January 21st to 24th, 2009 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, The Bride Show Abu Dhabi promises to be a show-stopping affair.

The four-day event will kick-start the year to help newly engaged brides-to-be source haute couture fashion, luxury wedding products and honeymoon ideas.

‘A wedding day is one of the most highly anticipated events for women around the world and The Bride Show Abu Dhabi only adds to the excitement of their upcoming nuptials,’ said Daphne Cota, Exhibition Manager, The Bride Show.

‘Many couples who come to the exhibition have all but finished organising the entire celebrations by the time they leave. And, as the event continues to grow each year we are attracting a mixture of visitors from brides, grooms and their bridal party to women with celebrity budgets and frugal fashionistas.’

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is the largest wedding and fashion event in the capital; at the 2008 event more than 200 wedding industry experts and suppliers from around the world came together under one roof to create a style extravaganza.

One of the highlights of the event is the return of the CRYSTALLIZED™ Abaya Design Awards, which uncovers new designers with exceptional talent.

The competition, now in its second year, has short-listed 10 finalists, each of whom will be given the opportunity to have their Abaya design professionally modeled down the catwalk on the final day of The Bride Show Abu Dhabi to cheering crowds and fashion industry professionals.

Each designer embellishes their unique Abayas with CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements which add instant glamour to any outfit.

Visitors to The Bride Show Abu Dhabi will be given a rare opportunity to see up close and first hand exquisite designs from Elie Saab, Ungaro and Valentino, flown in by German retailer Cecile. With more fashion shows than any other event in the capital, brides-to-be, their friends and family can seek inspiration from 16 fashion shows, over four days, from some of the region’s most renowned wedding and fashion designers.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi will be the first must-attend event for brides-to-be in 2009 and will be followed by The Bride Show Dubai from 8 to 11 April 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.