Bridal fashion news and inspiration

Slow-fashion influencer Monica Marriott-Mills share her bridal styling advice

Monica Marriott-Mills is a slow fashion influencer with a passion for elegance and luxury on a budget. With over 70,000 followers across her social media channels, Monica is a trusted voice in the world of luxury fashion, bridal, second-hand fashion and lifestyle. Among Monica's favourite brands is Sekonda, celebrated for its value for money and elegant designs. She appreciates Sekonda's commitment to offering attainable luxury looking watches, making it accessible to a wide audience without compromising on style or quality.

UK fashion brand Raishma launches at John Lewis

British womenswear brand Raishma has launched its best-selling Studio collection with John Lewis. Available online, the Raishma Studio collection with John Lewis offers stunning printed dresses that can be worn from day to night. Each piece is beautifully cut, inspiring confidence for all shapes, with prices starting at £125 and available in sizes 8 to 18. This exciting collaboration marks a step forward in the UK growth strategy for the Raishma brand which announced an exclusive collection with REISS earlier this year, as well as a launch across five Fenwick stores and online last month. CEO and designer of the brand, Raishma Islam, said: "We are very excited that the Raishma Studio collection is now available with such an established and prestigious retailer as John Lewis.

Experts at NEXT reveal how to make savings on wedding fashion and decor

Low-budget, small-scale weddings are on the rise according to Pinterest as searches for 'small wedding ideas on a budget' are up 350% over recent months. The pressure of having a big wedding, coupled with the costs associated with the 'big day' is influencing people to opt for smaller, more intimate weddings or elopements. The number of people choosing to elope and marry privately is also increasing, with Pinterest searches for 'elopement inspiration' up 30% too. For those looking to get married in style, BUT on a budget, the team at NEXT have compiled some tips on how to save on wedding fashion and decor.

Fashion guide for mothers-of-the-bride and -groom from Colour Me Beautiful

As the mother-of-the-bride or -groom, all eyes will undoubtedly be on you on the big day. It's your moment to shine, and selecting the perfect outfit is paramount. With a plethora of choices available, navigating the world of fashion can feel overwhelming. But fear not, because Cliff Bashforth from Colour Me Beautiful is here to guide you through every step of the process, from choosing the right colours to finding the perfect hat or fascinator to complement your ensemble.

VoucherCodes advises on how to save on your dress shopping

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips for saving money on your attire be it the wedding dress or your wedding guest outfit. "We know how important it is to pick the perfect outfit ahead of the big day, which requires time to plan and browse. But with rising costs and weddings being more expensive than ever to organise, I've put together my top tips to help you save that extra bit of cash when it comes to purchasing your big-day look. Tip 1 – Sample Sales. Boutiques, bridal salons, and retail stores will often host sample sales throughout the year, where designers will significantly reduce dress prices as they look to clear out their stock ahead of a new season.

Katie Loxton unveils bridal gift sets and garment weekend bag

For stylish accessories, check out Katie Loxton's beautifully crafted personalised pouches with hidden sentiments, luxurious jewellery and bridal gift sets. Every piece is designed to make the wearer feel their very best and is perfect for brides and the bridal party. The stunning jewellery pieces are coated in 18-carat gold PVD, ensuring they are sweatproof, perfect for dancing and allowing them to be kept and worn for years. Katie Loxton's latest innovative launch is the Fold-Out Garment Weekend Bag. Featuring multiple pockets for storage, this versatile travel essential transforms into a hangable garment cover, perfect for storing your special dress (crease-free!). With personalised embroidery and engraving available on all orders to add that extra special touch, items are packaged in a luxurious gold bow gift bag.

Never do this with your wedding dress

Brides-to-be have been told how to store their wedding dress before and after the big day to prevent discolouration, damage, and mould. Interior experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk have named five storage solutions for keeping wedding dresses in perfect condition. The gown should be kept away from a basement or loft and instead hung in a wardrobe to reduce the risk of moisture and mildew damage. Fabric garment bags should be used for storage, rather than a plastic covering which may create the perfect environment for mould growth. The day after the wedding, dresses should be taken to a specialist cleaner to remove any stains in order to preserve the gown

Laura Ashley launches 2024 fashion collection perfect for guests

Laura Ashley will be relaunching its fashion range, available at NEXT, and online this month. The collection includes 47 pieces, ranging from dresses, blouses, skirts, trousers, shorts, and skirts, in sizes 6-22. Laura Ashley's iconic floral heritage prints will be a prominent feature throughout the collection. Evolving the classic big prairie dresses and high necks in traditional Laura Ashley styles while still appealing to the growing consumer demand for vintage fashion. The prints, trims, and accents in the range celebrate the brand's history, drawing inspiration from the fifties and sixties archives with classic patterns such as Salterbeck posy, Linaria, Wild Cherry and Camelot.

Grace Loves Lace unveils new Muse collection with built-in shapewear

Australian bridal brand Grace Loves Lace has announced the launch of its new ground-breaking collection Muse with built-in shapewear. An industry-first and inspired by feedback from real brides, this built-in shapewear is intended to sculpt the bride's silhouette and accentuate their curves without restriction. It is formed from a power mesh sculpting fabric built into the gown's lining – intending to empower and never restrict its wearer. Stemming from the brand's core belief that style and comfort can and should co-exist when it comes to bridal wear, the shapewear technology has been designed to be undetectable, meaning brides can avoid bulky undergarment seams, providing a targeted sculpting solution that snatches and smooths.

River Island reveals trending wedding guest outfits

Natalie Fuorvito, the fashion lead at High Street brand River Island shares her advice for wedding guests this season, along with popular products trending on the site. Natalie says, "Get a feel for the vibe of the wedding. Before deciding on my wedding guest look I always consider the dress code which is often stated on the invitation. If not, the design of the invite and choice of venue can give you a clue about the general feel of the wedding." Natalie also recommends expressing your personality with show-stopping silhouettes. She says, "Whether you like to wear vibrant bright colours or opt for softer pastel shades, weddings are the perfect time to experiment with colour."

Jewellery experts reveal six common mistakes which could ruin your jewellery

Jewellery, though considered one of the most prized possessions with significant sentimental value, is often overlooked when it comes to proper care and maintenance. With the rise of TikTok cleaning hacks like baking soda, salt and vinegar, many of us are falling for the uninformed methods that often do more harm than good for our precious pieces. In light of this, jewellery experts at LibertyLondon.com have revealed the six most common mistakes people might be guilty of when caring for their jewellery.

Hobbs unveils The Event Collection in time for wedding season

Hobbs reasserts the brand's reputation as the ultimate destination for occasion season with The Event Collection which caters for every attendee, from wedding guests to bridesmaids and mothers. Hobbs continues to deliver elevated elegance through its commitment to using premium and responsibly sourced fabrics, from the floral cotton tweed of the Suzanna set to the pure silk Skye dress and the covetable wool-silk Marciella coord. These luxe materials are complemented throughout the collection by a flattering palette of pale pink, blue and sage green, punctuated by carnation pink and deep blues. Designed with coordinating finishing touches, this careful consideration ensures every attendee experiences the effortless ease of selecting perfect-fitting styles with the assurance of a flawlessly matched outfit.

Raishma Announces REISS Exclusive Collection

Growing British womenswear brand Raishma has announced an exclusive collection with REISS.'Raishma curated by REISS' is a luxury collection specially created by the UK-based dress brand, headed by leading couture designer, Raishma Islam. The collection comprises embellished mini and maxi dresses for women keen to embrace colour and texture into their occasion wear wardrobe. REISS, the premium international fashion brand, approached Raishma in 2023 to forge the collaboration and the curated collection is available now online, with prices ranging from £450. For the last five decades, REISS has established a unique style of attainable luxury collections showcasing unwavering elegance and attracting a loyal following of discerning individuals, stylish celebrities, and Royalty; a customer base that aligns well with the Raishma brand.

The Fashion Awards 2024 presented by Pandora set to take place

Pandora and The British Fashion Council (BFC) are delighted to announce that The Fashion Awards (TFA) 2024 presented by Pandora will take place on Monday 2nd December 2024, returning to the Royal Albert Hall. TFA unites the global fashion community in London, the home of fashion and creativity, to amplify leaders of change, celebrate excellence and support the next generation of creative talent. The event serves as the main fundraiser for the BFC Foundation, which supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry through its focus on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring. The BFC and Pandora will build on the success of last year's collaboration, continuing to evolve the event as an entertainment platform that highlights the role fashion plays at the intersection of culture.

Nobody’s Child brand new SS24 Wedding Edit

Nobody's Child brand new SS24 Wedding Edit offers something for the whole wedding party and has been designed to be loved season after season! With sustainability at the forefront of Nobody's Child ethos, it new range is made from responsibly sourced satin blends and recycled materials. Cool enough for summer weddings, dresses feature barely-there spaghetti straps and draped cowl necklines add a Grecian touch, while for country gardens nuptials, watercolour florals complement the setting.

Sanyukta Shrestha wins Britain's Asian Wedding Awards 2024

The UK's leading name in Sustainable Luxury Bridal, Sanyukta Shrestha has been honoured with Best Wedding Outfit Designer - Highly Commended Award of the Year 2024 at Britain's Asian Wedding Awards. She tells us, "As a designer, I feel gifted to be able to understand cultural needs and fulfil a bride's dreams by weaving her heritage and family values without compromising her unique vision and personality. We were thrilled to be the finalists for two amazing awards 'Wedding Boutique of the Year' & 'Best Wedding Outfit Designer' this year. After winning this award, I feel the pure joy and connection from our brides towards my vision that weaves into their beautiful unique dreams. I feel very lucky." She adds, "On behalf of all our team in the UK and Nepal, I would like to thank all the brides and our well-wishers who voted for us and Britain's Asian Wedding Awards for this incredible honour."

Sanyukta Shrestha announced a finalist at British Asian Wedding Awards 2024

The UK's leading sustainable bridal designer, Sanyukta Shrestha has been announced as a finalist for the Wedding Outfit Designer of the Year 2024 and Wedding Boutique of the Year Award 2024 by Britain's Asian Wedding Awards 2024. Sanyukta comments, "Very excited and honoured to be the finalist again for not just one but the two great awards this year after winning Britain's Asian Wedding Awards 2023 for the Wedding Boutique of the Year Award in London last year. Winning this prestigious award in 2020 and 2023 was an unforgettable moment and being voted by the brides, this nomination again has added another milestone for our brand. This achievement is dedicated to all those who have been part of our journey."

Jewellers Queensmith share top tips for women planning a Leap Year proposal

With the last leap year taking place in 2020, many people will be excited for the one day that comes around four years when it's deemed acceptable for a woman to propose to her other half. Whilst some women may take this opportunity to control the direction of their relationship and ask that all-important question, London-based jewellers Queensmith asked their Instagram followers how many women would propose on a leap year to find that only 3% would await February 29th. Meanwhile, as many as 36% said they would propose anytime, any year, despite societal norms and traditions. Queensmith has shared tips to help women pull off their proposals on February 29...or at any time that feels right.

Morilee by Madeline Gardner celebrates 70th year anniversary

Morilee by Madeline Gardner recently celebrated its' 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of excellence in the bridal industry. Morilee dresses are one part whimsical, two parts unique, and always magical! Like the bustling streets of New York City that are home to their design studio, their dresses are ever-evolving, blending the latest trends with an iconic elegance that truly transcends time. Morilee has remained dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of brides and customers worldwide, helping them create unforgettable moments and cherish lifelong memories. With its commitment to innovation, impeccable design, and attention to detail, Morilee has set the standard for bridal and special occasion wear over the years.

Phase Eight host Sample Sale on the 22nd and 23rd of February

Occasionwear favourites Phase Eight are set to host a Sample Sale on the 22nd and 23rd of February at Sandown Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher, KT10 9AJ. Prices will start from just £10 and shoppers can expect ready-to-wear and event styles with up to 80% off! On Thursday the 22nd of February, the sale will take place from 10 am until 7 pm with the last entry at 6:30 pm. On Friday the 23rd of February, it will be hosted from 10 am until 3 pm with the last entry from 2:30 pm. It's free to enter and plenty of free parking will be available. Please note, it's a cashless sale and customers should bring their own bags.