We are so pleased to welcome back Magpie Wedding (formerly the National Vintage Wedding Fair) to London’s Excel and Manchester Central, who are once again curating the Vintage Village. Their ethos is to provide creative inspiration with a touch of the artisan and key trends for the free thinking and design led couple. So, whether it is boho, vintage, festival, ethical or minimal you are after for your big day, their shows and their village here at the National are the ones to visit.
The owner Kate Beavis, has teamed up with Karen Whybro from Rock The Frock, the UK’s leading alternative bridal boutique, to share the key bridal trends you will want in 2018. And the best bit is, Karen will be with us this weekend bringing along dresses that fit these trends available for you to try on and fall in love with.
Trousers/Jumpsuits
Bridal separates have become a common alternative for one-piece dresses and brides are now taking the non-traditional look one step further by opting for trousers or jumpsuits. We love the idea of wearing a skirt around the trouser element for the ceremony, then dancing the night away in comfort while creating a totally different look for the reception!
Gather The Light Photography/ separates by Rock The Frock Kerrie Mitchell Photography/Jumpsuit is Velvet Johnstone
Florals
Florals were a big feature of the 2018 catwalks and three-dimensional textures are now feeding into bridal boutiques for flower loving brides. Applique flowers, floral laces and textured fabrics are all set to be a big trend for 2018 & beyond!
Veil is Sash & Veil
Jodi Hanagan Photography/ Dress is Lucy Can’t Dance
Capes
Who doesn’t want to be a super-hero bride? Capes, whether as part of the dress or in place of a veil, are frequently asked for in the boutique and we can totally see why! There’s something really cool about wearing a cape on your big day and it adds amazing detail to the back of your dress!
Gather The Light photography/Dress is by Rock The Frock
Low backs
What’s the saying? Business up front, party at the back? And, for brides-to-be in 2018, backs are just as important as fronts! Remember, your guests spend rather a lot of time admiring the back of your dress during your ceremony and a low back is a great way to add detail without having too much on show!
Credit Manopla Studio/Dress by Lucy Can’t Dance
Colour
Colour has been around for a while now but the way it’s integrated into the dress has developed massively over the last year or so. Dip-dye, ombre and hand-painted skirts have been a huge hit in the boutique from designers such as Lucy Can’t Dance and Chantal Lauren; brides love the option of choosing any colour they want to match their particular theme or style!
Jodi Hanagan Photography/ dress is Lucy Can’t Dance
Dress is Chantel Lauren
Embellishments
Embellishments are HOT right now and we’re seeing them everywhere from dresses to veils, shoes to socks! We love the celestial trend, especially on the special touches like these beautiful glittery peep toe shoes from Merle & Morris. For something a little less glitzy, organic additions like the floral pieces on the Bouret two pieces or preserved petals on the Sash + Veil draped veil is feminine & beautiful.
Shoes by Merle and Morris
Kat Jones Photography/ separates by Bouret
Make sure you drop by the Vintage Village this weekend at ExCel and at Manchester Central on 28-29th to try on some of these looks; the dress of your dreams may just be there!
See what brands will be joining us in the Vintage Village here