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Ellie and I taking a breather!
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If you follow the wedding blog over on Twitter or Facebook (and why ever not?! – go get involved) and catch my feeds of a Sunday, you will know that the last few months have been absolutely manic behind the scenes here at Brides Up North HQ. And I’m talking every. single. weekend.
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We are verrrrry near to completing a full season of fabulous Brides Up North branded luxury wedding exhibitions for Spring 2013, with just one to go (diarise this: we are at Sarah Beeny’s Rise Hall on Sunday 9th June, bringing together the best wedding suppliers in East Yorkshire under Ms “Restoration Nightmare”’s very, very lovely roof) and with eight (EIGHT!) under our belt since the season kicked off back at Allerton Castle on a frosty morning in early February, I’m ready for a summer holiday!
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I think I have aged at least ten years since New Years Eve.
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Each event is hard, hard work and takes months of planning, promoting, sales and admin. Oh the admin! Luckily I have a full time assistant here at Brides Up North HQ now (hello Kate!), but this blog and it’s related events are my (other) baby, and I invest a lot of time and energy into making sure that each and every event is individual, venue appropriate and just right.
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Last Sunday, it was time for my tiny team to head North West for the very first time, to the unique and authentic vintage venue that is The Bowdon Rooms, Altrincham. Just on the doorstep of Hale and Bowdon, this delectable dance hall with it’s high cornices and sprung floors is prime for a wedding party.
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Matt Bowen Photography & Florence The Vintage Caravan
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And what a swell party it was! Our wonderful team of wedding industry suppliers decorated the venue from head to toe with their vintage and luxury loveliness. Feathers, sequins, beading, antique lace and the odd cloche hat sat beautifully alongside fresh blooms and pretty printed papers.
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It didn’t stop inside either, outside Matt Bowen Photography brought along his gorgeous new girlfriend: Florence The Vintage Caravan (available for hire as a photo booth on your big day) and Event In A Tent and Woodland Weddings invited visitors into their cosy tipi for delicious canapes by Greengages. As the weather – amazingly – was in our favour, the garden also played host to an impromptu jam session from Dominic Halpin and his swing band, who also entertained hourly on the main stage.
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Pretty florals from Barkers The Florist, who beautified the whole venue with their blooms
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And oh! the music. The venue is an operating jazz club, so I was keen to reflect this on the day. Performances from Dominic and the boys along with Minerva Ensemble, It’s A Wind Up! vintage DJs and with Phil Lyons and his New Vintage Band on site kept the place buzzing all day long.
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Stunning stationery from Uberfly Invites
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There wasn’t much time to chat once doors opened! My wonderful friend Ellie and I (big love to Ellie) were on our feet all day greeting brides to be and their families, and shifting a whole lot of Brides Up North goody bags.
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Luckily, my friend and fellow exhibitor Martin Hambleton Photography was around to catch a bit of the action in these beautiful images showing off the talents of our other suppliers, although even he got a little bit side-lined!
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Martin says: Well done on organising such a brilliant show! I’m sorry there aren’t as many images of brides browsing – every time I moved away from the stand looking for shots, someone stopped to look at my albums so I had to dash back (that’s not a complaint)!
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Martin, that kind of distraction I absolutely do not have a problem with!
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Delicate table settings by Pretty Little Trio
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If you didn’t make it on Sunday, we are doing it all over again in November! As part of our Autumn tour, we’ll be back in Altrincham on Sunday 3rd November 2013 for another beautiful event filled with wedding inspiration and some winter vintage sparkle.
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But first, a little rest, if you please!
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Enjoy these images and do visit our wonderful exhibitors’ websites when sourcing your wedding suppliers. I would personally recommend each and every one of them.
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Until next time North West!
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Pearls, lace and sparkle by Beautifully Vintage and Melanie James Bridal
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Cakes that taste as gorgeous as they look by Marie Antoinette Cakes. Doing my diet no favours whatsoever.
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Fancy frocks by The Little Bridal Company
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Lovely linens and delicious details by Perfection On Linen
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Pretty paper by All The Little Details and favours by Romantica UK
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Elegant styling by Look Darling
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That date for your diaries again – Sunday 3rd November 2013 at The Bowdon Rooms, Altrincham – save it!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2013 Martin Hambleton Photography
This is not a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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