Cape Town - Planning your wedding can be one of the most stressful events in your life. No matter the size of your wedding, good planning and keeping track of myriad details can be overwhelming.
Now planning for your wedding just became a lot easier.
The Wedding Expo offers just about everything you will need to pull off a perfect day.
Founded by Amanda Cunningham in 2002, the two-day event has become a premier affair, showcasing the latest in wedding trends.
Cunningham identified a need for a professional showcase for a growing wedding industry.
“The inaugural show in Durban was a smashing success with more than 100 wedding industry companies presenting their businesses to 4 000 visitors.
“It has grown over the years and the last show had 270 exhibitors and over 11 000 visitors,” says Cunningham.
“We knew that the event would be hard work and that it would, as with anything new, take time to gain the trust of a market.
“We had also identified a growing need in the wedding industry for a professional show and were therefore confident that the show would quickly gain traction, which it did and we soon moved to a larger venue – the Ticketpro Dome and started a second show in the year… we are looking forward to a similar success in Cape Town.”
Capetonians will have an opportunity to visit the matrimonial event, showcasing a variety of wedding wares and services at Cape Town Stadium over the weekend.
The show is aimed at anyone who is getting married and individuals who are looking for service providers and event planners… as well as anyone who has an interest in planning events and weddings, explains Cunningham.
You will find everything from “Make Me a Bride make-overs”, the perfect wedding stationery, beautiful floral decorations, the latest trends in wedding gowns, accessories, table decor as well as honeymoon ideas.
Also on hand will be South Africa’s top wedding planners, photographers and caterers, each with a wealth of experience, expertise and advice on how to tailor your wedding to your individual needs.
“The ‘Make Me a Bride’ stage has a full line up of bridal make-overs, conversations with experts about choosing your photographer, choosing your wedding gown, tips about hair and makeup, as well as creative inspiration for table and flowers.
“Our master of ceremony, Bailey Schneider from Smile 904 FM, will be chatting with Leah Francisca Bridal and Jade Customised Events and giving away fantastic prizes from The Laser Beautique,” says Cunningham.
The Wedding Expo events in Joburg and Durban will take place next year.
“The Wedding Expo is a one-stop-shop where the consumer is able to find more than one example of what they are looking for in one venue at often discounted prices as well as be exposed to new product and often new companies.
“Visitors will be able to engage with the exhibitors using their senses – touching, smelling, hearing, seeing and tasting.
“Their time at the expo will be entertaining,” she adds.
* The Wedding Expo will take place on Saturday and Sunday (October 3 and 4) at Cape Town Stadium from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are R80 per adult while children aged two to 12 years will pay R30 each.
Visit http://www.wedding-expo.co.za/for-brides/ for more information.
Invitation trends
* Metallic is a huge trend for the season, replacing the usual neutral of white, cream and taupe with bronze and gold. The Metallic creates a striking statement on stationery, with foiling, embossing and metallic prints.
* Light hues of blue are also popular, especially duck egg blue. This stunning colour will keep the groom happy while the muted tones make the design soft, elegant and romantic. Navy is also a popular choice for a more contemporary, urban edge to invitations and decor.
* Laser-cut detailing adds another layer of interest to invitations, place cards, menu cards and other stationery elements. Whether it’s the actual invitation or another element of the stationery, this trend allows you to be as creative as you’d like.
* Soft, gentle and romantic, watercolour floral detailing is a big trend summer trend. We are seeing roses, peonies, sweet peas, hydrangeas and other lush flowers featured across stationery detailing in soft, romantic colours of pinks, faded purples, muted greens and creams.
* Hand-painted calligraphy fonts are a popular option as they add punch and excitement to a stationery suite.
Cake trends
* Vintage-themed cakes are very popular at the moment - whether it’s lace detailing, scalloping, delicate pastel colours or pearl detailing, thisimaginative trend is here to stay.
* Tiered cakes are back in favour and the more, the merrier. Generally, at least three tiers, and often the tiers have different flavour cakes.
* The naked cake (a cake without icing) trend continues without pause. This is a particularly popular trend for people who want to serve their wedding cake as part of dessert or who are more excited by cake flavours than elaborate layers of icing.
* Butter cream icing is a great alternative to a more formal fondant icing design and offers a wealth of decorating choices, whether it’s messy-iced and decorated with fresh flowers, piped in beautiful patterns or features of ombre or other colour detailing.
* Textured cakes are another popular trend. It’s a fun way to include detailing to your wedding party - whether it’s brocade, patterns, herringbone, lace or ruffles representing a reference to your dress fabric or decor elements – it creates a striking centrepiece.
Dress trends
* Illusion necklines are by far the hottest trend around at the moment. This super-flattering trend is comfortable to wear, and offers more support and modesty for brides.
* Encouraged by celebrities such Nicky Hilton who wore a Valentino gown at her wedding to James Rothschild, long sleeves are an all-season look. The hottest looks include sheer sleeves with lots of embroidery, lace or applique.
* Whether it’s floral materials, floral detailing in lace, applique, beading, laser-cut flower embellishment orfabric flower details on waistbands or necklines, floral embellishment are must-haves for brides.
* Boldly coloured dresses are popular with adventurous brides. From sand to taupe, blush and other colours all the way to extremely daring options of bright reds andeven, occasionally, black wedding dresses. Brides are realising the opportunity to express theirpersonality in something other than classic white or cream.
* Metallic colours are a massive trend in all things bridal this season, and metallic colours are also making an appearance in wedding dresses through accessories, belts, beading and lace overlays.
Nontando Mposo, Cape Argus