Gowns Galore!

The Designer Vintage Bridal Show team have one goal, to make sure that visitors to our shows are able to meet, talk to, gain valuable advice and ultimately fall in love with some the hugely talented collection of wedding services on offer over the show weekend.

A wedding isn’t just about the gown, but we all know that it’s the first thing (perhaps after setting the date) that is on a bride-to-be’s mind.

This September, blushing B-to-B’s will be all of a fluster over some of the names joining us at Hagley Hall and frankly we are super excited too!

The hottest designers and boutiques have already secured their place on the 22nd and 23rd September and will reveal some truly beautiful, vintage inspired gowns alongside delicate, original pieces looking for a new home.

Temperley London, Two Birds, The Wedding Club, Lizzie Jayne (50′s inspired bridal gowns), Tobi Hannah featuring her Lara Hannah collection, Leluxe Clothing, Sarah Willard Couture, Vintage Frocks ‘n’ Crocks and Lindsay Fleming Couture will also feature some of their collections on our regular catwalk shows.

So even if you have already chosen your dress or simply want to check out every single style to inspire you, put the 22nd and 23rd September firmly in your diary. You can buy your ticket now and save!

Fancy a sneaky peek?

Temperley London Amoret in Ivory

Temperley London Jean in White

Temperley London Elisha in White

Temperley London Arianna in Ivory

Two Birds

The Wedding Club - Emma Case Photography

Leluxe Clothing - Rebecca

Lizzie Jayne - Clarissa - Caught the Light Photography

Sarah Willard Harriet Lace - Sian Robertson Photography

Sarah Willard Isadora - Sian Robertson Photography

Chessgrove Day Spa – All In A Day’s Work

We have been ‘noses to the grindstone’ this past few weeks organising our third Designer Vintage Bridal Show, so when we were recently invited to spend the day at Chessgrove Day Spa in Worcestershire, thanks to the generosity of Ian Fews (also of Fews Marquees), how could we possibly refuse?

When you join us this year for the show, you won’t fail to notice the incredibly grand marquee that will grace the lawns of Hagley Hall, helping us to make this our biggest show yet.

So, back to spending the day being pampered…

Chessgrove Day Spa

On arriving at Chessgrove Day Spa, we were welcomed by Sarah Rider, a lovely lady who’s role was to make us feel at home, get us booked in and settle us down for a welcome drink. The staff at Chessgrove are very knowledgeable without being know-it-alls, very personable without being too ‘in your face’ and very, very good at what they do. Sarah showed us round the facilities, pre-ordered our lunch and gave us thorough instructions on how the day was to pan out. We instantly felt relaxed, the weight of trying to remember where we needed to be and at what time was taken away as the staff would come and find us for our treatments, so we could concentrate on take a load off!

The changing rooms are cosy, however we never felt like we were being intruded upon or uncomfortable in other’s company. Lockers are large and filled with dressing gown, slippers, two towels, a bag for your wet cossie and space to hang your clothes. There’s always a member of staff around too making sure lockers are refilled, old towels are removed and generally that things are clean and dry for new arrivals.

Hot Tub relaxing

After changing into our swimsuits we decided that the outside hot tub should be the place to start proceedings. A weird feeling, being outside in the drizzle, but being submerged in hot, bubbly water, but you soon get used to it. We were joined a while later by two ‘regulars’ to the spa and so after a polite chat (as polite as you can get wearing next to nothing in a hot tub, with two strangers) we opted for the outside sauna.

I think I like saunas more than I actually do. I love the idea that my body is being cleansed and that I’m possibly losing a few calories while baking in triple X degree heat, but the truth is I’m not very good at sitting still and so after a few splashes of water on the hot coals, I removed myself before I turned into a tomato!

Lots of massages on offer

After drying off inside, we shuffled (that’s what you do in slip-on slippers and a dressing gown) upstairs to wait for our first treatment – a back, neck and shoulder massage. Our therapists Heidi and Steph couldn’t have been nicer. Polite, relaxing, attentive and no cheesy talk which can sometimes be a spa hazard. The Chessgrove Spa treatment floor boasts 6 individual treatment rooms, with an exclusive double treatment suite which provides an intimate atmosphere where you can share your spa experience with someone special. Not suitable for a day with a mate, but certainly something we were both keen to go back and try with our other halves.

The massage was much needed and all that lying around helped our appetites kick in just in time for lunch. A light affair but not ‘health foodie’ – you can opt for afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, cakes etc or choose from a long list of the most delicious sandwiches – garlic chicken mayo on ciabatta with salad for me, brie and cranberry on granary for Rachel. Both served with a glass of pink fizz from their fully-licensed bar which was the perfect accompaniment!

Fully licensed bar

Our plan for the afternoon was slightly scuppered as we wanted to relax by the pool before our final treatment, but the swimming pool is used for private lessons in the afternoon, which they would normally tell you about on booking. As our day came about slightly differently this bit of information was missed, but it certainly didn’t worry us. We’ll just remember for next time to get our swim in early.

Instead we idled the next couple of hours away in the indoor vitality hydro pool, complete with various massage seats and a cascade shower. We also took it in turns in the Experience Shower; a true blast of the senses with a combination of monsoon, mist and invigorating ice. There was a strange mix of oohs, aahs and screams coming from there that afternoon, something I’m sure is quite common!

After showering and changing, we made our final ascent to the treatment floor for an express pedicure each, able to chat more with our therapists and mull over our fantastic day.

For those of you wanting to take the experience home with you, there’s a boutique selling everything from gift ideas and candles, to a wide range of pampering products. I didn’t manage to buy myself anything but was given a pair of the complimentary slippers as a souvenir so I didn’t have to walk across the car park in bare feet or risk messing up my beautifully painted toe nails.

All in all, a fabulous, relaxing, friendly, fairly healthy day and one I would recommend over and over. Chessgrove Day Spa doesn’t do bedrooms (as the name implies) but I’m all for taking a day out to re-motivate yourself and avoid the hustle and bustle of every day without having to plan massively in advance.

Keep an eye on their Facebook page and Twitter feeds, there’s always a good offer to be had.

Why Brides Love our Show

You may have already seen the fantastic write up on Love My Dress in recent weeks about gorgeous bride Claire, who popped into both our February and October shows last year and came away with an armful of bookings and orders for some of the best wedding suppliers and designers in the UK.

Here’s what she had to say about her experience of the Designer Vintage Bridal Show…

“I have to admit that the thought of traditional Bridal Fairs, especially some that you see covered on the television, filled me with utter dread, so I hadn’t really considered going along to any Fairs until I saw the advertisement for the Designer Vintage Bridal Show.

“I think that it actually would have been a really good option at any stage of the planning process, but it was perfectly timed for me as I already had a reasonable idea of what I wanted and what I needed was some trusted suppliers who shared my ‘vintage’ vision and could make my clumsy descriptions come to life!

Photography Credit: Chris Barber

“All in all, it was absolutely invaluable to me and I left having met my entertainment (It’s a Wind Up), my florists (Passion for Flowers) and Cheryl from Vintage Glamour Days who provided all the china, Audrey the vintage caravan, some vintage props and a lot of moral support! In fairness, if I hadn’t already found my Jenny Packham dress and my Rachel Simpson shoes, it could have been a clean sweep of all the key elements as they were also represented on the day!

“The Show had a lovely atmosphere and everyone was really friendly and welcoming. I think The Designer Vintage Bridal Show would be really beneficial to brides-to-be at any stage of planning, from those who are newly engaged and simply want some inspiration whilst they’re deciding what they want for their big day, to those who are just looking for the finishing touches.”

Gowns Galore!

Chessgrove Day Spa – All In A Day’s Work

Why Brides Love our Show

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