The spring edition of Brides The Show, took place last weekend (22 & 23 March) at Battersea Park, London, welcoming over 5,000 brides-to-be and their bridal parties to a wedding planning event like no other.

UKAWP Partners of the Show

The UKAWP were proud to be partners of the show for the second time with 2 of our members contributing to the workshops on offer.

Andri Benson from Always Andri (Regional Ambassador for the UKAWP) was in the imagination room showing brides, bridesmaids and mothers how to create pretty flowers using paper, and said this about her experience:

 I ran two workshops in the imagination room on both days and they were really popular. I spoke about how they could include this into their wedding planning as a fun pre-wedding get together or hen party idea which seemed to appeal to them. It was great being able to interact with the brides on a more personal level and not just direct selling as it were as I’m a big believer in sharing the knowledge.

Kelly Chandler from The Bespoke Wedding Co (Supreme Member of the UKAWP) was on the sofa advising brides how to create a unique and beautiful weddings; whatever the budget.

I spoke to a group of around 30 brides, grooms and bridal parties from my  ‘On the Sofa’ session on how to  make their wedding beautiful and unique. The talk included some really practical tips on how to focus on the basics first and then some of the creative elements that can really elevate a wedding from ordinary to exceptional, including the best use of flowers, clever lighting and tablescapes (chargers, glassware, linens etc). The group seemed to really enjoy the talk with many coming up to ask questions afterwards. I think what marks out this show as different is it’s pure interactivity and the willingness of so many industry experts to give advice, for advice’s sake rather than for a quick sale!

Superb Exhibitors

Visitors enjoyed 130 of the very best companies and brands in the luxury bridal market, handpicked to ensure their quality including; Bobbi Brown, Laurent-Perrier, Virgin Wines, Ian Stuart, Terry Fox, Suzanne Neville, The Savoy, Babington House, Laduree, By Appointment Only Design Turquoise Holidays.

The Catwalk

The catwalk brought the whole event to a stand still throughout the weekend with two incredible trend shows, ‘Dresses with Drama’ and ‘Roman Holiday’; all styled by Brides’ own fashion director Bryony Toogood.  Art with a Heart presented sketches from 19 A-list celebrities asked to draw their dream wedding dress. All were available through auction to buy and raise money for the British Heart Foundation, celebrities included: Grayson Perry, Julien Macdonald, Daisy Lowe, Lulu Guiness, Erin O’Connor and Zandra Rhodes.

Event Director Anjali Potter said; “After such a strong launch event in the autumn we were so pleased to be able to follow up, with what is effectively a second launch for spring, with an event that both visitors and exhibitors alike have responded to in such a positive way. We are now hugely excited at the prospect of what our move to Islington for October’s event holds for us.”

Anjali continued: “The move to Islington’s Business Design Centre will allow us to attract wider and different audience bases, as well as develop new styles of presentation within the show. It is all about offering the industry real value and point of difference in the two events we host annually. 

Moving forward we will develop, brand and promote the events in line with the fashion seasons with Islington playing host to the Autumn Edition, and likewise Battersea to the Spring Edition.”