AS TIME GOES BY

Last night's Living Vintage Fashion Show at the Mourne Golf Club in Newcastle showed the true romance of a vintage gown - the perfect choice for the bride who wants to channel her inner Grace Kelly.

  

More images of fabulous vintage dresses from the show will be added to our Frock Around The Clock blog this week.



A REAL GEM!

Diamond Dolls at Dream Jewels of Moira currently has a sale on wedding dresses with dramatic reductions! Owner, Brenda, has a great eye for all things gorgeous and glamorous and her boutique is one of Northern Ireland's best kept secrets. Divine vintage dresses, jewels, hats and bags sit alongside contemporary designer pieces in the art deco style surroundings, dazzling visitors at every turn.

Brenda's wedding dress collection is a mix of vintage and vintage-style new gowns at very attractive prices, and is offset to perfection by the vast range of vintage headpieces, jewellery, gloves, and hand-crafted tiaras and fascinators by local designers.

If you are searching for something really extraordinary for your wedding or other special occasion, Diamond Dolls at Dream Jewels should be your first stop. Brenda sources her stock from all across the globe and her care and attention shows in every detail of her gorgeous boutique and vintage collection.

Diamond Dolls at Dream Jewels is located at 84 Main Street, Moira, BT67 0LQ. Contact Brenda on 02892619279 / 07752891140 or by email to info@diamonddollsdreamjewels.com.

The website http://www.diamonddollsdreamjewels.com/ is coming soon!

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

Check out the website of The Vintage Goldsmith, specialists in vintage-inspired jewellery who are committed to providing unique pieces at any budget.

Based in Northern Ireland, The Vintage Goldsmith sells both vintage-inspired fine jewellery and upcycled genuine vintage jewellery whereby a genuine vintage piece is returned to new condition and kept true to the original design.

You can view a portfolio of their current collection on the website, and also in their Etsy shop.

Apologies for the long delay in posting - things have been hectic since the Vintage Bridal Fair on 13th June, but I'm getting back into my stride. I anticipate that I will be holding the event again next summer so will continue to bring lots of alternative wedding ideas to this blog in the meantime.

Well, you have probably already read my earlier posts about Sharon Hay from Innocent Chaos introducing her vintage brooch bouquets to an adoring public at the Vintage Bridal Fair. These little darlings are proving to be very popular with brides and Sharon has been coming up with lots more ideas on the theme.

You can now keep up to date with her creations at her own blog http://innocent-chaos-jewellery.blogspot.com/. Check out the bouquet that she made using only vintage butterfly brooches. She is now in the process of of creating one that features vintage cameos and I can't wait to see the finished design.

Sharon will be appearing at our next Vintage Sunday at the Empire -

Sunday 1st August, 12 - 4.30pm at the Empire Music Hall, Botanic Avenue, Belfast. Admission £2.

NICE DAY FOR A WHITE WEDDING

600 visitors flocked to Ireland's first Vintage Bridal Fair last Sunday, 13th June at Malone House in Belfast and were treated to some fabulously unique bridal exhibits. From vintage wedding gowns and accessories to jewellery, tiaras and fascinators, as well as unusual creations such as bouquets made from vintage brooches, there was everything that the modern bride could possibly need to create a vintage style wedding.

Here are some images from the day:

We will be posting less regularly now, until we decide on a date for future vintage bridal fairs. However, you can keep up to date with our other vintage events and goings-on at http://frockaroundtheclockvintagefairs.blogspot.com/

FROCK ME

There will be frocks galore at our Vintage Bridal Fair this Sunday - vintage bridal gowns, prom dresses, evening gowns, and day dresses for special occasions.

Bang Boutique have sourced a large selection of old shop stock which includes a number of fabulous 1950s and 60s dresses, all with original tags attached. Perfect if you are looking for a unique dress to wear to a wedding, a garden party, day at the races or for afternoon tea with your girlfriends.

Other items in the Bang Boutique collection will include 1950s satin bullet bras with matching suspender belts, again in unworn condition with original tags attached, and stockings in original packaging.

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair will take place on Sunday 13th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast from 12 - 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 lucky ladies to visit the event.

GOODIES! GOODIE GOODIE YUM YUM!

The first 100 lucky ladies to visit our Vintage Bridal Fair this Sunday will receive a goodie bag containing free gifts and a multitude of discount vouchers which can be used against wedding stationery, cakes, flowers, gowns, jewellery and much more!

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair will take place on Sunday 13th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast from 12 - 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 lucky ladies to visit the event.

PEARLY QUEENS

The pearl has long been a symbol of unblemished perfection which makes it the ideal jewellery choice for weddings as they signify innocence and purity. On the wedding day, pearl jewellery is traditionally presented by the Father of the Bride or the Groom to symbolise love, virtue, spirituality and prosperity. They also make lovely gifts for the bridesmaids.

Another beauty of pearls is that they can be worn time and time again after the wedding day as they are a classic fashion accessory (think Coco Chanel) and usually form part of every woman's jewelry collection. Symbolising a girl's past, present and future they are often passed down from one generation to the next.

You can expect to find pearl jewellery and accessories in all shapes, sizes and designs at the Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair this Sunday from a variety of designers and sellers. Here is a sneak preview:

Cream pearls by Sharon Hay @ Innocent Chaos

Pearl and watch pendant necklace by Sharon Hay @ Innocent Chaos

Hair accessory by Fionnuala Eastwood @ Fionedesign

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair will take place on Sunday 13th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast from 12 - 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 lucky ladies to visit the event.

PIN UP BRIDES

Burlesque classes are a fantastic way to have fun and let your hair down with the girls, so what better activity could there be for a hen party to celebrate female solidarity? Whistle Bait Babies, Northern Ireland's premier burlesque troupe, come to the rescue with their fabulous classes teaching the beautiful art of burlesque!

Whistle Bait Babies burlesque classes are suitable for all women regardless of age, shape and size, and there is no nudity involved. The fabulous Pixie will teach you how to pose, strut and shimmy, some basic chair dance techniques, how to remove your gloves and stockings seductively, and a number of other little tricks to boost your body-confidence and delight your loved one on your wedding night.

Image © Whistle Bait Babies

You can meet Pixie at our Vintage Bridal Fair on Sunday 13th June to discuss your requirements and book your hen party. Come along to Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Belfast from 12 Noon to 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 lucky lady visitors.

IN THE MOOD

Mood Event Decoration will be exhibiting at our Vintage Bridal Fair on Sunday 13th June, providing you with highly creative and inspirational solutions to venue decoration and styling. They create boutique themes with innovative centrepieces, striking room decor and exquisite table styling all to suit your individual style and budget, ensuring that every detail of your special day is perfect.

We are loving these vintage-chic style birdcages which make beautiful table centrepieces. Other centrepieces available for hire include table top chandeliers, candelabras, apothecaries, luminaries and illuminated vases, to name but a few. Mood Event Decoration can also provide a bespoke service for table centrepieces and styling - visit their stand on 13th June to discuss your wedding reception requirements.

Images © Mood Event Decoration

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair will take place on Sunday 13th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast from 12 - 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 visitors

A POCKET FULL OF POSIES

The bridal bouquet is one of the best-loved wedding accessories; the size, shape and composition having changed as often as fashions for the wedding gown. And now it is time for something completely different with a beautiful bridal bouquet made from vintage brooches and other treasures. Totally unique, eco-friendly and utterly gorgeous, these works of art will never lose their blooms and will remain a beautiful keepsake of your wedding day forever.

These one of a kind Bridal Brooch Bouquets are designed and created by Sharon Hay from Innocent Chaos, and are handcrafted from new and vintage brooches, pins and earrings arranged together to give your wedding ensemble that extra bit of Vintage gorgeousness! Sharon will create a Bridal Brooch Bouquet to order using a design and a colour scheme of your choice, and can incorporate your own sentimental treasured jewellery into the piece to complete the time-honoured something old, something new, something borrowed something blue tradition.

Something tells us that you won't want to be tossing your bouquet at the end of the Big Day!

Gentlemen’s buttonholes and Flower Girl bouquets are also available on request. The range is available at http://www.innocentchaos.co.uk/, Atelier Belfast and of course at Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fairs! Sharon's Bridal Brooch Bouquets will be making their debut at our Vintage Bridal Fair on Sunday 13th June, where you can visit the Innocent Chaos stand to discuss your bouquet requirements.

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair will take place on Sunday 13th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast from 12 - 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 visitors.

TEA PARTY

Vintage china teacups and cakestands have made something of a big comeback in recent times, what with our love and adoration for cupcakes and other retro sweet-treats but, for some of us, vintage china never went out of fashion as it is definitely true that a cup of tea tastes best when served in a china cup! It is time to rediscover the joy of an old fashioned tea party.

With pretty chintzy patterns and delicate little handles requiring them to be held elegantly in a dainty little hand, it is no wonder that vintage teacups have become the choice of the modern bride to add a vintage touch to the wedding proceedings. I met one bride-to-be recently who was buying up all the vintage teapots that she could lay her hands on as she was planning an 'Alice in Wonderland' themed wedding!

Tea Party will be exhibiting at our Vintage Bridal Fair on Sunday 13th June with a beautiful selection of vintage china teasets, cakestands, glassware and linens - perfect for creating a vintageously elegant table setting! And why not make your way to the Ani & Lulu's Cupcakery stand to purchase some deliciously decadent frosted cakes to go with your china? (if you can manage not to eat them on the way home!)

Or what about one of these cake stands made from vintage cups and saucers by the very talented Sharon Hay of Innocent Chaos? They also make wonderful jewellery display stands - a great idea for bridesmaid gifts!

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair will take place on Sunday 13th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast from 12 - 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 visitors.

GET ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME!

There is nothing quite like the elegant styling of a classic or vintage car, which makes them the perfect choice of wedding transport for the vintage bride.

Classic Dreams offer a dedicated personalised wedding car hire service using original classic cars, helping your wedding day run like a dream. Choose a stunning 1964 Bentley in a light champagne colour with red leather, carpets and polished walnut interior to add a real presence to your photographs, or a 1955 Riley RME with two tone bodywork, black over white, a dark tan leather interior and a fantastic art deco dashboard. Or how about a 1969 Daimler Saloon in old english white with red leather interior and lots of chrome?

Classic Dreams dress their cars with fresh flowers for every wedding, which come as a simple white arrangement or can be colour coded to your requirements, and for the Bride and Groom champagne is provided for the trip from the ceremony to the reception, all provided at no extra cost.

You can visit Classic Dreams at our Vintage Bridal Fair on Sunday 13th June to view a selection of their cars and discuss your wedding transport requirements. The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair will take place on Sunday 13th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast from 12 - 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 visitors.

VINTAGE INSPIRATION

So, you are inspired by a certain era and know exactly what you want your wedding gown to look like but you can't find a vintage original - what is a girl to do? A beautifully designed and hand made vintage-inspired gown could be the answer, so we are lucky to have Lizzie Agnew exhibiting at our Vintage Bridal Fair on Sunday 13th June.

Inspired by some of fashion's most glamorous eras, Lizzie Agnew designs and makes beautiful vintage style gowns and dresses from her studio and award winning boutique, Atelier, in Queen's Arcade, Belfast. Since attending St. Martin's School of Art in London, Lizzie has spent over 20 years designing and creating beautiful garments, her work has appeared in numerous publications including The Guardian and The Irish Independent. She offers a unique design service and by working closely with the client can create a fabulous gown for any occasion.

Whether it's a wedding dress, evening gown, or just a gorgeous frock Lizzie's beautiful designs, and her use of luxurious fabrics such as fine silk dupion, shantung, taffeta and velvet will make any woman feel sensational in a classisc garment which can be treasured for years to come.
 
Also very popular are Lizzie's 'Dresses To Go'. These pure silk, vintage style, wrap dresses are available in a wide range of colours. If you have a particular colour in mind, Lizzie can make up a special order for you - perfect for bridesmaids! There are three parts: a 50's style tiered petticoat, fully lined silk skirt & matching bandeau bodice. Size is not an issue! It will fit most figures - from size 8 to 14 - and as with the colour, sizes outside this range can be made to order.
 
 

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair will take place on Sunday 13th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast from 12 - 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 visitors.

ALRIGHT PETAL

Wedding flower specialists The Camomile Lawn offer old-fashioned, friendly customer service so we are happy to have them exhibiting at our Vintage Bridal Fair on Sunday 13th June.

Florist Carolyn Webb prides herself on attention to details; tied with her artistic flair, experience, passion and drive, you are sure to receive flowers of an exceptional standard. Whether you desire wedding flowers that have a vintage feel or are cutting-edge contemporary, Carolyn will assist you in achieving the look that you have always dreamt of.

Telephone 07988865662 to arrange a wedding consultation - a warm welcome awaits you!

The first 100 lucky ladies to visit our vintage bridal event will receive a goodie bag which will contain a voucher entitling them to 10% off the total value of any wedding flowers booked with The Camomile Lawn before 31st December 2010!

HEAVENLY BODIES

Every bride wants to enhance her natural beauty and radiance on her wedding day, with many indulging in several well-deserved pampering and beauty sessions before the big day. With this in mind Beauty Haven will be offering tasters of some of their popular treatments at our Vintage Bridal Fair on Sunday 13th June.

Ladies visiting the event will be able to avail of free indepth skin analysis using the  Beauty Haven skin scanner. Also available will be arm and hand exfoliation and mini manicures. Perfect for making hands beautiful in readiness for close-up photographs of the rings!

In addition to this the first 100 lucky ladies to visit the event will receive a goodie bag which contains a voucher entitling them to 20% off any beauty treatment at the Beauty Haven salon on Stranmillis Road, Belfast.

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Bridal Fair will take place on Sunday 13th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast from 12 - 5pm. Admission costs £5 and there will be goodie bags for the first 100 visitors.