TALKING POINT

More news – and new products that make the wedding world so special

The pride of New York, and always fast to dazzle the design senses, Reem Acra has brought together rich textiles, embroidered laces, and handmade embroideries in her Bridal Love and Dream collection for 2022.

LOTS OF LOVE

You almost certainly saw Rebecca Baddeley of the Halesowen store, The Dressing Rooms, at Harrogate, and discovered she was there selling. She’s been retailing private label Lux & Love for some four years in TDR, under the name Rebecca’s Choice, and was asked to become the company’s UK agent. Her husband, Lawson, stepped into those shoes and is heading up sales in the UK, Ireland and Europe. The gowns are spot on in fashion terms and impeccable in quality and make. Best of all, a store can sell them for whatever they like, (TDR retails them at a minimum X 4 margin and sometimes even X 10). There is no undercutting as images are not permitted online, which protects stockists from the bride who shops around for the best price. Want to know more? Lawson can be contacted on 07725 478569 or by email at uk@luxandlovedesigns.com. And yes, Rebecca did her Harrogate shop. She bought Lux & Love, of course, and Ellis.

One of our favourites from the latest collection from Herve Paris is Alize, RRP £1,450. This is a ‘see it and fall instantly in love’ kind of dress.

FEET FIRST

One for the fellas. Duke + Dexter’s bespoke service make the big day extra special with their unique designs. From custom hand painted works of art to embroidery options across all their styles, a truly one-of-a-kind shoe for a groom and groomsmen can be created – the possibilities are endless. More info about Duke + Dexter’s wedding bespoke service at www.dukeanddexter.com

WEDDINGFLATION

According to Norton Finance, who is seeing an increase in interest in loans to fund the big day, the average UK wedding costs between £18,000 and £32,000, and couples could be forking out an extra £1,000 to get married this year, due to record inflation rates and pent-up demand after almost a year and a half without nuptials.

Here are the top wedding trends that brides, grooms, and wedding guests can look forward to in 2022. Macro weddings. It’s back to big old school receptions and a move away from intimate ‘minimonies’ of lockdown. Thanks to triplejabbed, 50-plusers, and acceptance of preceremony Covid testing etiquette, big weddings are likely to find their way back into thediary next year. Sequel Weddings. Many couples are plumping for ‘part two’ of their day and celebrating with friends and family like it’s 2019. Wedding Weekenders in the UK. There’s little chance of a return to pre-pandemic destination weddings abroad. You’re more likely to get an invite to a British Isles-based weekender in 2022 instead. Great for keeping the carbon footprint manageable too. Sustainable Weddings. Green credentials are reaching every aspect of wedding planning, and some are money-saving, too. Grooms have been renting morning suits for years, but the trend’s finally reaching brides, hitting the press thanks to brides like Carrie Symonds who rented her £2,830 wedding dress for £45 last year. When it comes to minimising single-use plastic, 2022’s couples are likely to be shunning the likes of plastic confetti and crockery, instead hiring tableware, using eco-friendly table-scaping, and keeping invites and thankyou’s online to reduce waste. Outdoor venues are likely to be a feature for big events for as long as Covid is still around.

VALLY – A SUPER-STAR FROM VICTORIA JANE

Here’s the definitive princess gown, the one that wedding day dreams are made of. The open scoop neckline is inspired by Bridgerton, which is bringing Regency era elements into bridal and mainstream fashion looks. A beaded tulle bodice, pocketed skirt, and detachable long sleeves feature, and there’s a detachable modesty bodice for brides who want a bit more cover. Vally comes in ivory/nude or ivory/ivory and in UK sizes 6 to 30. RRP is £1,850.

www.ronaldjoyce.com

South African designer Elbeth Gillis has launched a delicious capsule collection for 2002 – just five gowns focusing on the female shape and celebrate curves. Sensational sleeves, collars, bows and overskirts can be added to superbly-cut basic shapes, allowing a bride to get fully involved in designing her special gown. Shown here is Charlotte, a strapless gown in Mikado, with hidden pockets and a side front slit, worn with an off-the-shoulder collar. Email sales@elbethgillis.com for details.

HATS ON

Hitting headlines, an enchanting hat from Poirier’s Festival Collection, from Jupon. In ivory or vintage pink, it has its own polkadot veil. The style number is HT-103. Check it out at www.

jupon.com

FLORAL THEMES

Flowercard has been researching which flowers have been most searched for in 2021 for bridal bouquets. Here’s the top ten:

1 Poppies 2,930,500 2 Peonies 2,302,700 3 White Roses 1,172,500 4 Hydrangea 2,081,600 5 Daffodils 1,797,600 6 Lavender 1,515,400 7 Orchids 1,403,600 8 Dahlias 1,352,500 9 Chrysanthemums 1,216,500 10 Foxgloves 1,203,800

Now this should inspire you when it comes to instore display...

ROMANTICA

Please contact sales@romanticaofdevon.co.uk for more information about becoming a stockist. www.romanticaofdevon.co.uk