The Bristol Bride: The styles gliding down the aisle in 2016 – Bristol Post

Wedding season is in full swing and, as everyone knows, the most important thing about the day is witnessing the lifelong commitment being made between two people getting that first glimpse of the bride in her gown.

Ok, so we know the wedding is about far more than just the dress.

But even so, there can be no denying that Bristol’s brides of 2016 have donned some stunning bridal fashion.

We spoke to Susan Byron of Just For You Bridal, and Marie Jones of Sodbury Jewellers, for their opinions on what’s hot and what’s not when it comes to current wedding trends.

THE DRESS

With over 500 gowns to choose from, there is no one best-selling dress at Just for You, according to Susan – but there are certainly some key styles emerging at present.

Lace, which has dominated bridal fashion in recent years – no doubt due in part to the Duchess of Cambridge’s groundbreaking Alexander McQueen gown – is starting to diminish in popularity slightly as brides turn towards a different look.

“We are finding girls are increasingly drawn to satin or mikado fabrics which are both simple and stunning,” said Susan.

“Style wise, there is a division between a ‘slim silhouette’ (Fitted towards the thighs with a full lower skirt) and the ever popular, full-skirted ‘Fairy Princess’ look.”

“Another emerging trend is the fifties- inspired look, characterised by off-the-shoulder sleeves, a small waist and a full skirt.”

In her many years’ experience, Susan sums up the Bristol Bride as traditional and classic, generally opting to feel comfortable and confident on her wedding day rather than seeking the ‘shock’ factor of some edgier styles.

“We believe the dress should compliment the girl; not the other way around, and we find invariably that Bristol girls get this right,” she said.

Read more: Our Win A Wedding 2015 couple tell us about their honeymoon of a lifetime

THE RINGS

Marie Jones of Sodbury Jewellers, who create bespoke pieces for Brides- and grooms-to-be, has also noticed some newly emerging trends in engagement rings and wedding bands in recent times.

The diamond is still the most-sought after stone for an engagement ring, but some brides are now opting for the ‘princess’ – or square- cut style, where the classic round diamond once dominated.

Bristol brides know their stuff when it comes to diamond quality, says Marie – which is why Sodbury Jewellers only supply GIA certificated diamonds which are independently assessed for clarity.

“The diamonds have their individual report number laser engraved, so that it can be authenticated anywhere,” she explained.

But what about the setting? “Whether gold, white gold or platinum, the most important thing is that both engagement and wedding bands should be of the same metal so that they wear together evenly,” said Marie.

By creating bespoke designs, Sodbury Jewellers can offer beautifully matching engagement and wedding bands allowing the two to be worn together.

Platinum has become popular in recent years due to its hard wearing quality, but palladium, which offers the same advantages, is around half the price – meaning it is increasingly the metal of choice for budget conscious brides and grooms.

Are you celebrating a landmark wedding anniversary in 2016?

The Bristol Post are on the hunt for the longest-married Bristol couples to discover the secrets to a lasting marriage.

If you can help, email hollythatcherbnm@gmail.com

WIN A WEDDING 2016

One lucky Bristol couple are being offered the chance to win their dream wedding – courtesy of the Bristol Post.

Our Win a Wedding competition is giving couples across the city the opportunity to compete for everything they could need to make their special day – with help from local Bristol suppliers donating their time and services to build a dream wedding package.

The lucky winners will be getting married at Old Down Estate in Tockington on Friday, March 3, 2017.

To enter, all you need to do is send a picture of yourselves and explain why you think you are the couple that most deserves to win.

The pair who receive the most votes from readers will win a beautiful ceremony and reception at Old Down Estate, Tockington; a dress from Just for You Bridal worth £1000, suits courtesy of Menshire; flowers by Bijoux Wedding Flowers, a wedding cake by The Icing Centre, and even the rings, courtesy of Sodbury Jewellers.

And with the entire day captured by Studiowise photography, you’ll have memories of your wedding to last a lifetime.

To round it all off, the £16,000 package even includes a Honeymoon with Flights provided by BMI and accommodation by Thorntons Travel.

For full details of the wedding package and to enter, click here.

A special supplement featuring all entrants will feature in the Bristol Post on September 2, and readers will have until Thurs, Sept 29 at 12pm noon to vote for their favourite.

from Hairstylez http://cityhairstyle.xyz/the-bristol-bride-the-styles-gliding-down-the-aisle-in-2016-bristol-post/