The ballroom thrummed with anticipation as the first intrepid bridal adventurers entered the hotel. Exhibitors stood back from the stalls, surveyed their displays and prowled the aisles in nervous expectation. Chandeliers over their heads sparkled invitingly whilst the catwalk and styled pagodas bathed in spots of carefully considered light.
They came tentatively at first, the betrothed couples. The early birds received the full attention of every supplier whose stand they passed, greeted with welcoming smiles and a friendly word or two about what was on offer. Forward-thinking fiancés whipped out notebooks to jot down details of things they liked and annotated flyers whilst adding to the collection of promotional literature in their goodie bags.
As the Luxury Wedding Show at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane eased into action, the grand ballroom began to fill with stylish couples seeking the most exquisite suppliers for their wedding day. Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and a whole lot of Barbour strutted through the aisles of hand-selected vendors as they sought out photographers, florists and frocks.
From decadent cakes that looked like spectacles of engineering to cases full of glittering rings waiting to be given as a symbol of unending love, every aspect of wedding planning had been catered for. Wedding planners and event stylists set up entire scenes to showcase beautiful awnings and stylish reception seating whilst lavish tablescapes had been exquisitely laid for a hypothetical wedding breakfast.
A pristine white catwalk extending out from a en elevated stage became the focus of attention as brides-to-be took their seats for two fashion shows throughout the afternoon. Debuting the 2012 collection from leading bridal designer Ritva Westenius, a collection of beaming models sashayed into the room in a legion of immaculate wedding dresses. From frothy organza to waves of silk chiffon, girls looked on with adoring eyes as the dresses sparkled and shimmied past.
Entertainment in the form of live singers specialising in both contemporary and classical tunes filled the ballroom with the sweetest melodies. The gentle sound of a harp plucked to perfection accompanied the rest of the afternoon as visitors to the Luxury Wedding Show continued to taste cake samples, sip champagne, undergo makeovers and slip into a vintage photobooth for research purposes.
By the time the doors to the ballroom finally closed, hundreds of brides scampered back out into the London night with heads full of ideas and a whole host of unique suppliers on hand to help make their dreams come true.
