• 5 Star Weddings: Describe a Charlotte Balbier Bride?

Charlotte Balbier: A Charlotte Balbier bride is a bride of the next generation she is confident in her own style and a free spirit who knows her mind and what she wants. Assured in her fashion choices and everyday look a Charlotte Balbier bride will dare to be different with her choice of wedding and wedding day style.

• 5 Star Weddings: How do you make your signature gorgeous fabrics?

Charlotte Balbier: I work hard to always use the finest fabrics and make sure I do my research on what is out that there is both new and fresh and classic and elegant. I adore lace, and French and Italian laces have long since been a favorite of mine to work with.

• 5 Star Weddings: What do you think attracts brides to come to your collection?

Charlotte Balbier: All my brides comment on how unlike anything else the brand and collections are which is always lovely to hear as my aim always has been to keep the brand fresh and exciting for brides to be. Many brides email me with the same dilemma… what Charlotte Balbier gown do they pick as they often love more than one.

• 5 Star Weddings: What inspired you for the new collection?

Charlotte Balbier: Welcoming my 10th anniversary as a British bridal designer this year my latest collection embodies a celebration of style and grace that has been the key to the brands success since launching in 2003. Now 10 years on and exclusively stocked in 40 boutiques nationwide, the label is set to embark on a fresh and exciting journey with the new direction proving that to innovate and lead by example are always top of the priority list for me and the team behind me.

• 5 Star Weddings: What is your favorite dress from the new collection?

Charlotte Balbier: So hard to pick just one as they are all so lovely, I have a special place in my heart for ‘Rose’ though. This gown is the ultimate in femininity, a real dreamy wedding gown.

• 5 Star Weddings: What would be your top tip for planning your wedding?

Charlotte Balbier: As a bride to be myself (Set to say ‘I do’ later this year) my top tip is be super organised, the more organised you are the less stressed you will be.

• 5 Star Weddings: In your opinion what makes a 5 Star Wedding?

Charlotte Balbier: Having your wedding your way. So many couples are influenced by what they think they should have or should do. Prioritise a list and then divide your budget in order of priority. For example my main priorities were a photographer, flowers and of course the dress. But for another couple it could be food, entertainment and cars, every couple is different and that’s what makes every single wedding so exciting because they are unique.

I would rather use my budget on what I want and not what people expect you to have, for me cars are not a priority so I am only using a small part of our budget on these but I have blown the budget on amazing flowers and I can’t wait!

• Copyright: 5 Star Weddings
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This exclusive and upmarket event returns to one of Hampshire’s most prestigious venues – the Four Seasons Hotel for one-day-only on Sunday 18th November 2012.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional wedding, or a Bride and Groom seeking a unique and contemporary affair, The Luxury Wedding Show has attracted the very best of the best, delivering a unique and glamorous experience, with an abundance of ideas to help you plan your perfect day!

Designed to be fun, inspiring and with that special touch of luxury and glamour, The Luxury Wedding Show will feature beautiful bridal fashion shows and ‘live’ entertainment throughout the day, and is your chance to meet leading experts from the world of couture bridal fashion, floral design and photography, along with specialist cake companies who will tantalise your taste buds, and the connoisseurs who specialise in sought after, desired accessories to ensure your wedding day is the ultimate dream day.

The show will also feature Best British Bridal Designer for 2012 – Ritva Westenius. Andrew Peart, Director of Sales and Marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire said;

“This beautiful 500 acre English country estate in the heart of Hampshire is an intimate haven of Georgian charm that exceeds 21st century expectations. With a vast array of private dining and event space, pristine outdoor lawns and terraces, the Four Seasons offers a wealth of alternatives for Hampshire based wedding ceremonies and receptions, and is the ideal place to celebrate your wedding no matter how large or small.

“Our staff will see to every detail to ensure we make your wedding day unforgettable.

“Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire prides itself on culinary creativity, sourcing the finest local produce which enables us to offer an extensive array of menus. Alternatively we can create bespoke menus, carefully customised for your special occasion.
“We are delighted to welcome back the Luxury Wedding Show to the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, both the show and the venue will epitomise all that is required for a memorable and unique occasion.

”Bridget York, Creative Director of The Luxury Wedding Show said:

“The Luxury Wedding Show has created a platform for the finest suppliers of wedding essentials to showcase their work in world-class prestigious venues. The Four Seasons Hotel in Hampshire, where the show is being hosted on Sunday 18th November will provide a stunning and stylish environment for exhibitors, visitors, and brides-to-be.”
That is why if you are planning a wedding, you should visit the Luxury Wedding Show at the Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire this Sunday.

Doors open at 11am until 4:00pm and the Bridal Fashion Shows take place at 12.30pm and 2:30pm.

If you are interested in either exhibiting or visiting The Luxury Wedding Show at the Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire, visit: luxuryweddingshow.co.uk or Telephone: 0208 429 7520 for further information and to request an Exhibitor Pack.

For Tickets register at: luxuryweddingshow.co.uk and quote; LWS2012 to obtain complimentary Tickets.
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
Dogmersfield Park, Dogmersfield
Hampshire
RG27 8TD

Doyen of wedding dress designers Sassi Holford stole the show as she unveiled her 2013 couture collection at Haberdashers’ Hall on 24th September. Her elegant creations are regarded as a benchmark for wedding dress styles for the year ahead and her show was the culmination of It’s The Agency’s inaugural wedding event.

ITA arranges some of London’s most exclusive weddings and for the first time it brought together some of its most prestigious partners to showcase their most stunning wedding trends for 2013.

The wonderful Sassi Holford is a self-taught and self-made bridal designer from Taunton, and has been creating beautiful wedding dresses for 30 years. She shot to fame when she created the dress for the royal marriage of Autumn Kelly to Peter Phillips, son of the Princess Royal.

Purple Tiger Floral Design dressed large Oriental water jars with twisted branches hung with iridescent, waxy blooms and glass droplets to complement Sassi’s stunning Collection. In addition they filled neo-classical urns with flowers that matched the priceless paintings in Haberdashers’ Hall.
Hall of Cakes exhibited a beautiful eight tier classic vintage wedding cake to showcase their design skills, sugar craft artistry and attention to detail. To taste there was chocolate cake with cocoa buttercream, lemon sponge with a lemon zest cream filling and carrot cake layered with a tangy orange buttercream.

A tasting menu from the Haberdashers’ Hall culinary team led by Head Chef Pawel Dolzonek confirmed Chester Boyd’s status as preeminent wedding caterers. They wowed guests with innovations such as lobster hotdogs, tempura courgette flowers, and hibiscus flower cocktails. Music came from Niche

The London String Quartet playing a selection of their highly varied repertoire including wedding favourites, classical music and chart hits.

A visit to the Luxury Wedding Show is a must for all those planning their perfect wedding. Whether you are looking for a traditional wedding, or are a Bride and Groom seeking a unique and contemporary affair, The Luxury Wedding Show at St Ermins Hotel, has attracted the very best of the best exhibitors, delivering a one-off and glamorous experience, with an abundance of ideas to help you plan your perfect day.

Bridget York Creative Director of the Luxury Wedding Show said;

“We are delighted to be working with Ritva Westenius and showcasing her 2012 collection at the St Ermins Luxury Wedding Show on 25th March. As a truly renowned and respected award winning designer, Ritva Westenius knows how to create a show-stopping dress guaranteed to take your breath away”.
The Luxury Wedding Show has attracted the very best of the best and is designed to deliver a unique and glamorous experience, with an abundance of suppliers showcasing their work, including William Clarke Flowers, Swarovski Crystallized, Lovexposed Photography, The Abigail Bloom Cake Company, a show full of ideas to help you plan your perfect day.

Gemma Wren, Catering Sales Manager at St Ermins said; “We are so lucky at St Ermins to be able to provide such an inspirational setting for a central London wedding, from our sweeping staircase in the striking lobby, to our opulent Crystal Ballroom and beautiful tree-lined courtyard, St Ermins Hotel is distinctly individual and delivers the picture-perfect setting for those memorable and important wedding day photographs”.

The hotel has many distinctive individually designed rooms and features, coupled with beautiful outdoor spaces providing a truly enviable setting. A sense of warmth and repose throughout the hotel make it the perfect backdrop for that most special day. This, along with their dedicated wedding team’s commitment to personal and attentive service, will ensure your wedding day is a truly personal and memorable experience of a lifetime.

“We are delighted to be hosting the Luxury Wedding Show here at St Ermins Hotel”, said Gemma Wren, “both the show and the venue will epitomize all that is required for a unique and memorable occasion.”

Lois Beaumont Operations Director of The Luxury Wedding Show said; “We are very proud to be hosting The Luxury Wedding Show at St Ermins Hotel, this beautiful central London venue will provide a stunning and stylish environment to bring together those that share a passion for style and luxury, and the most unique and desired collection of everything that is required to plan a bespoke and luxurious wedding”.

That is why if you are planning a wedding, you should visit the Luxury Wedding Show at St Ermins Hotel on Sunday 25th March. Doors open at 11am until 4:00pm and the Bridal Fashion Shows featuring the ‘Best British Bridal Designer of the Year’, Ritva Westenius, take place at 1:00pm and 2:30pm.
Tickets can be purchased on the door at £10.00 or you can register in advance at www.luxuryweddingshow.co.uk and quote STE2012 to obtain complimentary tickets.

If you are interested in exhibiting at The Luxury Wedding Show at St Ermins Hotel, visit: luxuryweddingshow.co.uk or Telephone: 0208 429 7520 for further information and to request an Exhibitor Pack.

The main highlights from the trunk show that caught our attention were the infamous and very popular “Khloe Kardashian dress and the exclusive Hilary Duff mermaid gown, both of which are on the watch list for key trends in bridal fashion 2011.

A 5 Star Exclusive: Key features and trends that are expected this year are the beautifully form fitting mermaid style gowns, in ivory, champagne and blush. Whilst the stretch Mikado, the beautiful material used in the Khloe “Ethel” dress will continue to resurface as it provides the right balance of shape and figure hugging elegance.  Next year, has signs of a more organic look with hints of a return to the two-piece bodice and skirt.

The Trunk show ends on 27th March when the luxury collection returns to the US, so head down to Browns in Mayfair for this exclusive opportunity to view the stunning gowns have some champagne and meet the New York representatives.

Copyright 5 Star Weddings 2011