Calling all brides and grooms to be, the most glamorous event in the wedding calendar, The Scottish Wedding Show, makes a welcome return to the SECC from 22 – 23 February. In the lead up to the show, some of its top exhibitors give the lowdown on trends within the wedding industry right now.
Angela Smith, The Scottish Wedding Show’s show manager, says: “Twice a year we gather the UK’s best in class exhibitors under one roof to make the SECC the ultimate ‘one-stop-shop’ for brides and grooms to be. Up to 300 exhibitors will be on hand over the show weekend to give couples advice and share trends for weddings in 2014.”
CANAPES
The retro revival is still going strong. Martin Kirkland, founder of The Ice Cream Cart Company, has been taking his vintage ice cream cart to weddings for the past five years and demand is still growing. Martin says: “Vintage continues to be a big trend in weddings and the old-fashioned ice cream cart ties in nicely. Ice cream canapés are a unique way to welcome your guests at the reception and are exciting all year round, to match the weather in summer or even in winter to tie in with the cold outside.”
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographer Ashley Coombes keeps an eye on trends past and present in the wedding industry.
“In recent years, trends like Trash the Dress, Bridal Boudoir and First Look – where the couple gets together on the morning of the big day to capture their first glimpses of each other – have been coming and going in bridal photography.
“One trend that’s been gathering attention is to stage a shot of the wedding party running away from something and Photoshop a dinosaur into the frame in post-production. The resulting shot is funny, ironic and a bit different to your standard bridal party shot.
“In the last year, however, I’ve noticed a move away from the gimmicky shots as couples want a more photo-journalistic approach to the memories of their wedding day.
“Couples are becoming more appreciative of good photography. After all, these pictures are their memories and it pays to book a photographer who cares about the ingredients of a good photo: light, composition and timing.
“Engaged couples no longer want a wedding album full of staged snaps around the venue. They’re looking for images which invite interest and evoke emotions; pictures that will take them back to how they were feeling at that moment, rather than remind them who was there and what they were wearing.”
EVENT DESIGN
Greg Anderson, managing director at Blue Parrot Company aims to launch something new every year to keep up with the trends within the wedding industry.
Greg says: “Our giant illuminated ‘LOVE’ letters have proven extremely popular for wedding receptions over the last year. This year we’re building on that trend by introducing illuminated initials for the newlyweds. The letters are really eye catching and give off a gorgeous halo when used as the backdrop for pictures.”
HEN/STAG NIGHTS
Gone are the days of simply heading out for a few drinks and donning some choice accessories on a hen night. Party planners have been getting braver and more adventurous when it comes to trying new things and with so many activities available now, brides and grooms are spoilt for choice.
With the trend for activity based parties growing, hens and stags to be are looking for fun fuelled activities to intersperse the traditional drinking.
Penny Dunn, sales and marketing manager at Snowfactor, has seen a big increase in the popularity of their hen and stag packages since the trend has kicked in: “Snowfactor is ideal for these kind of parties as there’s an activity for everyone – skiing and snowboarding for the active guests while those who are just after a bit of fun and a giggle can try sledging. To top it off, the conditions are always perfect.”
For the ultra-adventurous, also on site is the UK’s largest indoor urban ice wall – just waiting to be scaled by the stag or hen. Parties can finish (for the time being, anyway) with an après ski toast of a chilled glass of bubbly or a skein of the finest Bavarian beer in the Bar Varia overlooking the slopes.
From cars and cupcakes to bridal gowns and bands, not a single detail will be overlooked at The Scottish Wedding Show – Scotland’s biggest and best wedding event.
Advance tickets start at just £10/£36 for a Group of 4* and all advance ticket visitors will be treated to a ½ price cocktail voucher and £5 voucher towards a treatment at the Beauty Zone. Alternatively, you can guarantee your seat at any of our sensational catwalk shows, for just £11.50* in advance!
For the ultimate experience, treat yourself to a VIP ticket for the fantastic price of £40! VIP ticket holders will have the opportunity to gain advice from Ultimo founder, Michelle Mone, who will make a series of special appearances within the VIP Area, and will receive an Ultimo goody bag worth over £35.
For full information visit www.thescottishweddingshow.com or call 0141 587 6088.
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/thescottishweddingshow and Twitter: @TheWeddingShow for all the latest news and the chance to win fabulous prizes.
* Advance tickets at reduced rates available until Friday 21 February and will be subject to a booking fee.