The Wedding Expo®, South Africa’s premier bridal exhibition, will kick off the spring/summer wedding season in style this September with a brand new Trends Theatre focused on the latest wedding ideas and inspiration for 2012.
Top industry experts have been invited to participate in workshops and panel discussions that will cover topics such as cakes, flowers, catering, dresses, decor, event planning, hair and make-up … in fact, anything and everything to do with weddings! The open forums will also give the public an opportunity to ask any questions they might have for the top of the industry!
Nicole Allen, editor of Wedding Inspirations magazine, will be hosting the talks at the Trends Theatre. “The Trends Theatre is going to be a brilliant way to find out from wedding experts what’s hot and what’s not for the coming season. It’ll be informative, interesting and fun and visitors are guaranteed to pick up loads of useful tips!” says Nicole. Top trends on her radar include the return of more demure, elegant wedding dresses with sleeves, lace and intricate detailing, as seen on Kate Middleton. “Look out also for textured embellishments like feathers, flowers and bows and interesting necklines, such as Charlene Wittstock’s off-the-shoulder design” adds Nicole.
Other experts participating in the trends talks will be Biji from Biji Couture, Johan Harley from Jem Catering, Guy Granger and Anton Rautenbach of the Wedding Emporium, Kristin Masters of Garnish Couture, Stefan Norval from Afresh Events, Eve Levinsohn from Eve’s Bridal, Annica Johan of Annica’s Designer Wedding Cakes and Rudie Stoop of Rudie’s Events.
A sneak preview of what to expect from our experts:
Biji from Biji Couture says: “The current biggest trend in weddings is personalisation. Couples are choosing to make their weddings a true representation of their personalities. This starts from venue choice and follows through to everything from stationery to the choice of the menu. Brides still dream about their ideal dresses and couture offers the bride the opportunity to have a one-off, completely customised gown that fits not only her figure, but also her personality perfectly.”
Kristin Masters from Garnish Couture lists some key fashion trends to look out for as feminine and floral designs, soft pink and nude hues and tones, the vintage feel, three dimensional fabric flowers, lace, dropped waist silhouettes, as well as texture and layers.
As far as food goes, Johan Harley from Jem Catering says: “The worldwide trend towards local, organic and green is here to stay; clean, classic plating is the way to go and the focus should be on food – which means fewer elements complementing each other and no garnish, including flowers.” Johan also predicts a definite move away from the conventional buffet, but says that more formal, classic look dessert canapé buffets in the colours of the function are likely to be a hit. “Another trend will be to serve surprise elements that create confusion by presenting a lookalike of a traditional dish with and unexpected contrasting taste,” he adds.
According to Rudie Stoop of Rudie’s Events, weddings and wedding styles have come full circle. “Wedding vows and the reasons behind the celebration will take centre stage again. It really is all about marriage, rather than just an excuse to have a massive party with all the bells and whistles,” he believes. “Weddings will also become smaller and more intimate. This allows for the use of more unique and exciting venues. Garden weddings and weddings at home seem to have become trendy again.”
Stefan Norval of Afresh Events says that “economizing on decor use and still making a big impact is the way to go in 2012. Colours this season are mostly pastels, especially yellow, pink and orange. Base colours are also showing a shift towards grey, navy blue and other strong colours rather than traditional whites and cream.”
All the experts agree that while vintage weddings may not be new, they are likely to remain hugely popular in 2012 as they represent old-fashioned values and romance. In terms of dresses this means that lace is the fabric of choice, and colours lean towards ivories and creams. Fascinators have taken over from tiaras as the headpiece of choice, and as a result the birdcage veil has also seen a revival.
In conjunction with Annica’s Designer Wedding Cakes, The Wedding Expo® is introducing the Cake and Coffee Café where you can indulge, unwind and also pick up gorgeous ideas for your wedding cake. Owner Annica Johan will share her knowledge of new cake trends at the Trends Theatre on Saturday 10 September between 11:30 and 12:00 and on Sunday 11 September between 13:00 and 13:45.
The Trends Theatre will run from 10:00 to 16:00 during The Wedding Expo®. You’ll find a full schedule online at www.wedding-expo.co.za.
The Wedding Expo®, 10 – 11 September 2011 at the Coca-Cola Dome, Northgate, Johannesburg. Doors are open from 09h00 – 17h00; tickets are available for R100 at the door or book online and enjoy a discounted ticket of R80. For more information visit www.wedding-expo.co.za.
Since its inception ten years ago, the Wedding Expo® has succeeded in unravelling some of the best kept secrets and trends of the wedding industry. This year is no different; the Wedding Expo® introduces the Cake and Coffee Café in association with Annica Johan of Annica’s Designer Cakes. Annica’s Designer Cakes not only offers the best in designer cakes for weddings and special occasions, they have also opened a coffee shop to cater for everything from your early morning coffee to croissants to your Sunday afternoon treat.
The Cake and Coffee Café at the Wedding Expo® will offer the most delectable treats to ever emerge from an oven. Brides and their entourage can take time out and indulge in the most delicious cakes, petite fours and all things pretty. Just to wet your appetite, these are some of the mouth-watering treats you can look forward to: white chocolate roulade with apple and Earl Gray tea mousse, homemade assortment of Pies, mini baked chocolate & nougat cheese cakes with berry coulis and a lot more.
This will be the place to rest your weary feet and be seen as you take in all the beauty you’ll be treated to at the Expo. You will also be able to discuss and decide what to view next while mouth-watering events are taking place in your mouth and your taste buds are having a ball.
Your groom will of course not be left behind in the fun. While you are enjoying Annica’s cakes he will also be treated to the South Africa vs Wales World Cup rugby match on the big screen at Castle Corner on Sunday 11th. There will also be a prize for the couple wearing the country’s colours with pride and enjoying the best of both worlds.
So this is a chance to put all the wedding preparation bickering to a halt and enjoy each other’s company and plan your perfect day down to the very last bit of confetti!
The weekend of the 9th and 10th of April marked The Wedding Expo™’s seventeenth exhibition and tenth year anniversary, cementing its status as South Africa’s leading bridal show with a record number of visitors through the door. Visitor numbers hit the 15 000 mark, up 2 500 from last year’s show.
“So much preparation goes on behind the scenes between shows – both from the side of the exhibitor’s and The Wedding Expo™ team – to ensure that the standard of the show keeps improving, so it is rewarding to see visitor numbers increase each year. This assures us that we are succeeding in our vision to streamline wedding preparation for as many brides-to-be as possible so that it is an effortless and enjoyable task,” comments Amanda Cunningham, Managing Director of The Wedding Expo™.
The show’s constantly improving standard was clearly evident in the exquisitely decorated stands, with every exhibitor vying for the covetable title of ‘Best Stand’. The aesthetic benchmark was set so high this year that a joint winner category for first place and special mentions category were necessary additions to the line-up. The Best Large Stand award was shared between Wedding Emporium and Café Fleur / Cor De Rosa, Best Small Stand status was awarded to Garnish Couture and Ruby Rain Décor, Beeld and JC Le Roux were awarded top honours in the Best Large Custom Build Stand category and The Wedding Specialist took the award for Best Small Custom Build Stand.
The eight bridal couture fashion shows displaying top local and international talent, and emceed by entertaining media personality Craig Urbani, were a splendid treat for brides-to-be looking for their perfect wedding gown. The admiring audience was privy to a preview of the latest collections by local designers Garnish Couture, Gerald Carrington, New Romantics, Immagika, Dzigns Bridal Emporium and Biji Couture and David Tlale; and international ready-to-wear ranges by Olivelli, Viola Chan, Maggie Sottero, Bride & Co, La Collezione Dei Conti, Oleg Cassini, and Blingtique.
Another sure draw card for the show’s visitors was the opportunity to enter the wildly popular bi-annual Win a Wedding competition which coincides with the April and September shows and will award one lucky engaged couple with a complete wedding package valued at over R200 000 and sponsored by Askari Lodge, The SA School of Weddings, NWJ Fine Jewellers, Art of Make-Up, Morgan and Brown Bridal, Sealy, Tres Jolie, Harpgigs and S Bacher & Company. Now in its third year, the April Win a Wedding competition, which was made possible through a media partnership with the Beeld newspaper, recorded an unparalleled number of entries. Over 5 000 hopeful entrants submitted their forms during Saturday and Sunday’s shows transforming the Beeld stand into a hub of activity and excited energy.
“We are thrilled with the success of the April show and have already started our preparations for a spectacular September show! One thing is for sure, The Wedding Expo™ will keep getting better!” concludes Cunningham.
Next show:
Date: 10th and 11th September 2011
Venue: Coca Cola dome, Northgate, Johannesburg
Time: 9H00 – 17H00
Ticket price: R80 including the spring edition of Wedding Inspirations magazine
Fashion show times: South African bridal couture shows take place at 11H00 and 14H00 daily and international collections are showcased at 12H00 and 15H00
Media Contacts:
Marina Smithers
Marina Smithers PR
Director
082 556 2084
Clio Stevens
Marina Smithers PR
Account Executive
071 355 7882
You’re dreaming of a white wedding but you just don’t know where to start?
The SA bride’s most trusted bridal expo; The Wedding Expo is the only place to start!
With a budget most would say………but those in the know confirm that the only place to get the best information and the best advice to plan your wedding is at South Africa’s most trusted bridal show, The Wedding Expo.
The dates to diarise are 4 and 5 September at the Coca-Cola dome in Northgate, Johannesburg were the best in the bridal industry will gather to showcase their products and services to the eager bride-to-be as she searches for her favourite wedding gown, the perfect cake and the best photographer.
So, if you are looking for anything from your wedding ring, to a beautifully personally designed wedding gown, to a romantic honeymoon and fantastic photographer and more, you simply cannot miss out on a day at The Wedding Expo which is certain to help you make all those difficult decisions.
Make sure to plan your time around the 4 fashion shows, look out for the incredible win a R200 000 wedding competition (you’ll find the details in the Star, Pretoria News and Independent Newspapers the week before the show), keep an eye on www.wedding-expo.co.za to see what competitions the individual exhibitors will be running and don’t forget about the bridal workshops but you’ll have to book as space for the workshops is limited.
So for best advice, beautiful stands, spectacular fashion shows, interactive bridal workshops, awesome competitions and soooo much more the only place to be is at The Wedding Expo!
Date : 4 and 5 September 2010
Venue : Coca-Cola dome, Northgate, Johannesburg
Cost : R80.00 per person
Hours : 09:00 to 17:00
Fashion shows : 11:00 local designer couture
12:00 imported and retail gowns
14:00 local designer couture
15:00 imported and retail gowns
Bridal workshops : R375.00 per person on Sunday 5 September
Includes: entrance to show, workshop, goodie bag, catering, VIP seats to the fashion spectacular and spot prizes! Email Janet on janet@wedding-expo.co.za to book or for more information.
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