I Want: Photo Booth

They don't seem to do them anymore, but as a teenager I always loved finding the old school photobooths that let you take four different photos, all printed in a column you'd stick on the fridge or on your mirror of you and your friend mugging to the camera.

There is something about the informal nature of the photobooth that delights everyone. People aren't pretending to have fun for the camera, the camera is the fun! A company called Boothnation provides old style photobooths for events, with new school digital photography. It is fully kitted out with professional lighting, a high end digital camera and the ability to instantly view your images, as they are taken. The booth can also be completely customised to your event.

A photo booth at your wedding is a relaxed and entertaining way to get people together and having fun, whether it be 6 people crammed into the booth laughing or a special moment with the bride and groom, these are truely unique images other wedding photography options just can't capture.

I'm so having one.

Holly

For the love of Origami...

I am one for design and being unique and so I could not let this slip by without a mention. For those looking for exceptional decorative additions or even a highly imaginative wedding dress, look no further than the works of Zoe Bradley. Her paper fashions include stunning headpieces, dresses, sets and installations crafted from various papers, and boxes, and sometimes even plastic spoons. But her 'forte' is her signature use of various "luxury" papers in a sculptural way. They may be more suited as sculptural pieces and highly impractical for the bride to wear, however what an artistic way of making a wedding stand out. Paper flowers and decor could keep forever if looked after correctly, so no fear of them wilting away. Large unique statuettes could great guests, adorned with intricately designed flowers or patterns, and gifts could be given in the form of fun origami to challenge wowed guests.

I think this could make a simple wedding look highly imaginative and designed.

Gemma

Wedding Trivia: Phantom Bridesmaids

In medieval times, the bride and groom would supposedly be on guard for any evil spirits that might be trying to halt the marriage and stop the ceremony, perhaps ghosts of relatives that were against the union. So the bride would enlist the help of friends who would dress exactly like the bride as a decoy for those clearly short sighted spirits, so that they would not be interrupted during the wedding. The tradition of dressing like the bride obviously died out, but the idea that the bridesmaids should all dress the same continued.

Being asked to be a bridesmaid back then, I imagine, wasn't as flattering.

Holly

I Want: Vera Wang

I start work tonight at the Wedding Shop at Selfridges, W1, and I couldn't be happier that every day I'll be sitting at my desk doing my work with a daily view of the most luxurious Vera Wang wedding dresses in her collection. Yes, this is a shameless plug. Come to the Wedding Shop and peruse my wares...

Anyway, in preparation for starting work there I have been looking at some of her recent collection and drooling, so I will share it with you.

  

Vera Wang has been designing dresses since the 1980s, so I'm not showcasing anything new. But there is a reason her dresses have been so popular for over two decades. Hearing the name 'Vera Wang' brings to mind images of the perfect wedding. And her dresses really are all they are cracked up to be; traditional fused with modern, where only the best fabric is used to craft your perfect dress. And yes, that comes at quite a price, but you're only doing this once, right?

Holly

Diane von Furstenberg Head Dresses

After hearing about the new Diane von Furstenberg Spring collection from a close friend, I found myself loving the head pieces made to complement the new line. They are predominately made with flowers and feathers and have a very 'feminine hippy' vibe to them, and I think they would make a stunning addition to a simple cut wedding gown and a great alternative to those who wish to divert from the traditional veil or tiara that so many brides have. A plain dress could be accented beautifully with one of these pieces; a colourful band could incorporate colours, textures and shapes inspired by anything from the location and time of year to the flowers and the invitation, allowing a central theme to be replicated throughout in an simple and seamless way. I think I'll be having one of these!

Gemma

The Ultimate Dress

Chocolate Fashion is something of the future, with designers looking for new ways to shock people and use different and uniques materials for the wow factor. Here (right) we can see creations from Designer Anita Jakobson, who presents a creation by Eva Rachline and Chocolat Chapon at the 14th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris.

So, when looking at this and applying it to weddings, we've seen the profiterole dress and the sugar dress, we've even seen a bride have a wedding cake made in her own likeness, but this dress (left) is surely the best of them all. The tasty knee length gown was designed by Ian Stuart and Rococo Chocolates and is a stunning start to a new wedding dress revolution. Come on ladies, beat the credit crunch with a disposable wedding dress that will not only look stunning but make you feel delicious!

Gemma

Design Idea - Black and Gold

Don't fear the dark side.

Black may not be a colour you would commonly associate with weddings, but hear us out. Teamed with something like gold, red or even an emerald green it can produce some very classy very elegant weddings. It seems to be both feminine and masculine at the same time, and may suit a couple trying to veer away from the pastel family. Its contemporary, but somehow also timeless in its elegance.

Instead of white tablecloths, try black, with gold floating candles as centrepieces. White can still make an appearance in the form of flowers, such as tulips or orchids. Gold and black balloons, or bare trees adorned with black and gold material and fairy lights could be beautiful centrepieces.

Sashes on dresses have become increasingly popular, so why not use a black sash on a white dress (not as Gothic as it might sound). Consider a long white dress with lace, adorned with a wide satin sash round the waist. Bridesmaids could wear black dresses with hints of gold in the form of a shawl or bolero, or even a gold sash like the bride's black one.

This theme would be best suited to somewhere like a hotel or a blank canvas of a space.

Might be a good colour scheme to consider if your husband-to-be always wanted to be James Bond for a day...

Think "Casino Royale-esque" black tie with gold accents, cocktails and an Aston Martin to take you to the the reception, personalised playing cards as favours, and tables named after all the Bond films. But that's another blog entry...

Holly

Dress: Maggie Sottero

Cake: Cake's by Ann

Hotel: Savoy