Hundreds seek wedding inspiration
Last updated 21:36, Wednesday, 08 October 2008
Hundreds of brides-to-be and their families and friends spent an enjoyable day at The Live the Dream Wedding Event last month.
Packed audiences watched four spectacular catwalk shows featuring bridal gowns and outfits for the mother-of-the-bride and guests.
But it wasn’t just the latest styles that were unveiled on the catwalk during the event, held at Carlisle Racecourse on September 28.
A range of vintage dresses from the 1930s to 1980s sent in by readers of Cumbrian Weddings appeared at the end of each show.
The dress Jackie Wilson, from Irton, wore on her wedding day in 1977 was one of those featured.
She said: “It was wonderful to see my dress being worn by someone else on the catwalk. Seeing it brought back a lot of memories.”
It was the third time the Live the Dream Wedding Event has taken place.
Carol Milnes, of event organisers CN Events Management, said: “Once again it has been an excellent day and the weather has been with us.
“The nostalgia dresses in the catwalk shows have gone down a storm.”
There were more than 80 stands exhibiting all the essentials for your wedding day – from catering and entertainment to bridalwear and photography.
Christine Bell and Sue Wilkinson had travelled to the event from Appleby.
Christine said: “There has been a lot to see today. While there are a lot of things specifically for weddings, I have got lots of ideas generally.”
A marquee was set up outside by Juniper Weddings, who took several bookings on the day.
Julie Prior, of Juniper Weddings, said: “I think people appreciated being able to actually go into a marquee because they could get the feel and atmosphere of it.
“We don’t just provide the marquees though, we can organise everything else, from catering to entertainment.”
As well as being able to talk through ideas with exhibitors, visitors were able to try out some of the services being offered.
Paul Hepherd, of Chocolate Eruptions in Wigton, had set up a chocolate fountain with marshmallows and fruit to dip into the layers of Belgian chocolate.
He said: “It has been really popular today. Chocolate fountains can be used instead of a wedding cake, as a wedding breakfast desert or at the evening reception.”
But this wasn’t the only food to sample. Yvette Rogers and her team from Mange Tout catering had made 500 pancakes for the public to taste.
“We have had lots of people coming to try the food,” she said. “We have had such a positive response from people and it has been a really enjoyable day.”
Richard Mattinson, from Workshirts, Wigton, who can print custom made T-shirts for any occasion, including hen parties, returned to the event after exhibiting at the March event, while newcomer Sarah Rainford, who set up The Beauty Room at Wendy’s Hairstylists in Cockermouth 10 months ago, exhibited at the event for the first time.
n Knowing Me, Knowing You – the winners: pages 4 & 5
