Last updated at 16:21, Tuesday, 20 September 2011

BRIDES-TO-BE browsed beautiful dresses, incredible cakes and fabulous flowers at the North-West Evening Mail’s Designer Wedding Show.

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Sunday’s event brought together high-profile designers, exclusive specialists and unique boutiques from across the county, putting on an amazing display for any couple planning the perfect wedding.

The Low Wood Bay Hotel in Windermere provided a stunning setting for the magical occasion, which pulled in more than 200 visitors.

Couples and their families browsed stalls showing off the county’s finest wedding outfits, hair and beauty stylists, flower shops, cake makers, photographers, jewellers and entertainers, including a magician and classical harpist.

Among those setting up stall was Julia Tasker, from Julia Tasker Bridal Couture in Bowness.

She said: “I really think wedding shows are beneficial, we can talk to the brides, give them advice on styles and shapes, that sort of thing. I think its very important, definitely.

“It gives brides a taste of what’s on offer and what they might be looking for before they come and visit us.”

Chloe Johnson is getting married in June 2013.

The 21-year-old, of Dalton, said: “It’s nice to see the different types of things all under one roof.

“It gives you an idea of the places that you might want to go shopping to.

“Some of the shops we’ve seen stands from, we didn’t even know existed until we came here, and now we definitely want to go and visit them to see more.”

There was the chance for brides-to-be to see their ideal dresses in all their glory when professional models took to the runway for two catwalk shows.

As well as showcasing some of the boutiques’s finest wedding gowns, they strutted their stuff in mother-of-the-bride outfits, suits for the men and adorable outfits for flower girls and page boys.

Lindsey Walsh, 24, of Gleaston, is getting married in 2014.

Sunday’s was her first wedding show.

Miss Walsh said: “It’s been amazing, my favourite bit was the catwalk show, seeing all the dresses and seeing how the models moved in them.

“Both my mum and my fiance’s mum loved the mother of the bride outfits.

“I’ve seen some of the most gorgeous wedding dresses, and the jewellery’s beautiful – I’ve found my wedding ring.

“It’s definitely given us a lot of ideas.”

As well as giving brides-to-be inspiration for the big day, the event also gave the county’s shop, salon and boutique owners the chance to find out more about women’s wishes for their fairytale weddings.

Despite celebrating their 10th anniversary in business next year, the family owners of Marrime in Kendal are still keen to keep their ideas new and fresh by talking to potential customers.

Cheri Ashworth, who runs Marrime in Kendal with her mum Lesley and sisters Honey and Kiri, said: “You get to meet brides on a one-to-one basis, talk to them and really get to know the girls.

“It’s also nice to meet other business mpeople in the industry.

“It means you can help the ladies when they come into your store and give them advice on all the other aspects of their weddings as well as the dresses.”

From seasoned experts to wedding show newcomers, Sunday’s event was the first time out for the team from Salon Central in Ulverston, which opened in July.

And for Salon Central beauty therapist Sarah Judge, who is getting married in March 2013, it was the perfect opportunity to mix business with pleasure.

The 23-year-old said: “I’m definitely going to have a look around, that’s a definite perk of being here.

“There’s been some amazing dresses around, some really gorgeous things.

“I think these types of shows are a great idea.

“It’s been a really good day for us, there’s been lots of interest.”

First published at 09:01, Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk