The Wedding Expo®, South Africa’s premier bridal exhibition, will kick off the spring/summer wedding season in style this September with a brand new Trends Theatre focused on the latest wedding ideas and inspiration for 2012.
Top industry experts have been invited to participate in workshops and panel discussions that will cover topics such as cakes, flowers, catering, dresses, decor, event planning, hair and make-up … in fact, anything and everything to do with weddings! The open forums will also give the public an opportunity to ask any questions they might have for the top of the industry!
Nicole Allen, editor of Wedding Inspirations magazine, will be hosting the talks at the Trends Theatre. “The Trends Theatre is going to be a brilliant way to find out from wedding experts what’s hot and what’s not for the coming season. It’ll be informative, interesting and fun and visitors are guaranteed to pick up loads of useful tips!” says Nicole. Top trends on her radar include the return of more demure, elegant wedding dresses with sleeves, lace and intricate detailing, as seen on Kate Middleton. “Look out also for textured embellishments like feathers, flowers and bows and interesting necklines, such as Charlene Wittstock’s off-the-shoulder design” adds Nicole.
Other experts participating in the trends talks will be Biji from Biji Couture, Johan Harley from Jem Catering, Guy Granger and Anton Rautenbach of the Wedding Emporium, Kristin Masters of Garnish Couture, Stefan Norval from Afresh Events, Eve Levinsohn from Eve’s Bridal, Annica Johan of Annica’s Designer Wedding Cakes and Rudie Stoop of Rudie’s Events.
A sneak preview of what to expect from our experts:
Biji from Biji Couture says: “The current biggest trend in weddings is personalisation. Couples are choosing to make their weddings a true representation of their personalities. This starts from venue choice and follows through to everything from stationery to the choice of the menu. Brides still dream about their ideal dresses and couture offers the bride the opportunity to have a one-off, completely customised gown that fits not only her figure, but also her personality perfectly.”
Kristin Masters from Garnish Couture lists some key fashion trends to look out for as feminine and floral designs, soft pink and nude hues and tones, the vintage feel, three dimensional fabric flowers, lace, dropped waist silhouettes, as well as texture and layers.
As far as food goes, Johan Harley from Jem Catering says: “The worldwide trend towards local, organic and green is here to stay; clean, classic plating is the way to go and the focus should be on food – which means fewer elements complementing each other and no garnish, including flowers.” Johan also predicts a definite move away from the conventional buffet, but says that more formal, classic look dessert canapé buffets in the colours of the function are likely to be a hit. “Another trend will be to serve surprise elements that create confusion by presenting a lookalike of a traditional dish with and unexpected contrasting taste,” he adds.
According to Rudie Stoop of Rudie’s Events, weddings and wedding styles have come full circle. “Wedding vows and the reasons behind the celebration will take centre stage again. It really is all about marriage, rather than just an excuse to have a massive party with all the bells and whistles,” he believes. “Weddings will also become smaller and more intimate. This allows for the use of more unique and exciting venues. Garden weddings and weddings at home seem to have become trendy again.”
Stefan Norval of Afresh Events says that “economizing on decor use and still making a big impact is the way to go in 2012. Colours this season are mostly pastels, especially yellow, pink and orange. Base colours are also showing a shift towards grey, navy blue and other strong colours rather than traditional whites and cream.”
All the experts agree that while vintage weddings may not be new, they are likely to remain hugely popular in 2012 as they represent old-fashioned values and romance. In terms of dresses this means that lace is the fabric of choice, and colours lean towards ivories and creams. Fascinators have taken over from tiaras as the headpiece of choice, and as a result the birdcage veil has also seen a revival.
In conjunction with Annica’s Designer Wedding Cakes, The Wedding Expo® is introducing the Cake and Coffee Café where you can indulge, unwind and also pick up gorgeous ideas for your wedding cake. Owner Annica Johan will share her knowledge of new cake trends at the Trends Theatre on Saturday 10 September between 11:30 and 12:00 and on Sunday 11 September between 13:00 and 13:45.
The Trends Theatre will run from 10:00 to 16:00 during The Wedding Expo®. You’ll find a full schedule online at www.wedding-expo.co.za.
The Wedding Expo®, 10 – 11 September 2011 at the Coca-Cola Dome, Northgate, Johannesburg. Doors are open from 09h00 – 17h00; tickets are available for R100 at the door or book online and enjoy a discounted ticket of R80. For more information visit www.wedding-expo.co.za.
The Wedding Expo®, the most trusted bridal show in South Africa launched its ten year anniversary by giving back to charity at the April exhibition. This exciting initiative will continue for the September exhibition.
Tying in with the wedding anniversary tradition of tin symbolising a ten year union, The Wedding Expo® will mark its decade in the industry by donating tinned goods to two Non Profit Organisations – Mother of Peace Communities and Tshwane Place of Safety Association. Donations are vital to the functioning of these non-profit organisations, especially as the cold weather approaches and the rate of occupancy increases.
Mother of Peace Communities is a foster home in Northriding run by a group of volunteers who dedicate their lives to looking after 22 children who have survived extremely traumatic backgrounds. Mother of Peace Communities aims to provide a safe and structured family environment where children will be cared for, nurtured and loved. Tshwane Place of Safety Association focuses on fulfilling the needs of new-born babies and young children up to 6 years of age. The ‘parents’ who volunteer at the organisation are well trained in health and emotional security guidance and demonstrate immense love and patience when looking after the babies and toddlers in crisis (abandoned, abused, orphaned and often HIV-infected) in their care.
During the April exhibition, The Wedding Expo® bought a tin to represent each of the 300 exhibitors. In addition to this contribution, the exhibitors were requested to bring at least one tin. The Wedding Expo® then matched every tin bought. Approximately R25 000 rands worth of tinned good were bought and donated across the two charities.
For the September show taking place 10 – 11th we are wanting to encourage the public to get involved in our this initiative. The Wedding Expo® will match all public donations This drive is expected to accumulate a stock of food that will last until the end of the year.
The idea for the tin-collection crusade originated while The Wedding Expo®’s Managing Director Amanda Cunningham was trying to think of a special ritual to mark the expo’s ten year milestone. “The wedding industry is one of love, celebration and sharing special moments and I want to extend this love to reach people who may not be able to afford even basic necessities. It is important to bring attention and assistance to these people, and through a tinned food drive, we can achieve this goal. I feel this is the perfect way to commemorate our decade in the industry,” explains Cunningham.
All of the expo’s attendees are urged to get involved by dropping tins off in the collection bin located at the show’s entrance. Although the campaign’s main focus is on food-collection, especially milk powder and soya milk, all donations are welcome. If it can fit in a tin – crayons, clothes, or toys – then it will go to good use! Members of the public or retailers who are not attending the show but would still like to get involved in this project are welcome to contact The Wedding Expo® directly.
Since its inception ten years ago, the Wedding Expo® has succeeded in unravelling some of the best kept secrets and trends of the wedding industry. This year is no different; the Wedding Expo® introduces the Cake and Coffee Café in association with Annica Johan of Annica’s Designer Cakes. Annica’s Designer Cakes not only offers the best in designer cakes for weddings and special occasions, they have also opened a coffee shop to cater for everything from your early morning coffee to croissants to your Sunday afternoon treat.
The Cake and Coffee Café at the Wedding Expo® will offer the most delectable treats to ever emerge from an oven. Brides and their entourage can take time out and indulge in the most delicious cakes, petite fours and all things pretty. Just to wet your appetite, these are some of the mouth-watering treats you can look forward to: white chocolate roulade with apple and Earl Gray tea mousse, homemade assortment of Pies, mini baked chocolate & nougat cheese cakes with berry coulis and a lot more.
This will be the place to rest your weary feet and be seen as you take in all the beauty you’ll be treated to at the Expo. You will also be able to discuss and decide what to view next while mouth-watering events are taking place in your mouth and your taste buds are having a ball.
Your groom will of course not be left behind in the fun. While you are enjoying Annica’s cakes he will also be treated to the South Africa vs Wales World Cup rugby match on the big screen at Castle Corner on Sunday 11th. There will also be a prize for the couple wearing the country’s colours with pride and enjoying the best of both worlds.
So this is a chance to put all the wedding preparation bickering to a halt and enjoy each other’s company and plan your perfect day down to the very last bit of confetti!
The Wedding Expo® has announced the successful registered trade marking of their brand name underpinning the success and distinctiveness of the brand.
Amanda Cunningham owner and director of The Wedding Expo® explains that this has been a long time in the making and marks a new way forward for the leading bridal show in South Africa.
“The bridal industry has been growing over the last few years and the show which I started nine years ago is now a trusted brand associated with high quality exhibitors, a platform where a company can safely showcase their products and services and one where the bride-to-be knows that she can find everything she is looking for under one roof,” says Cunningham.
It has been a long but necessary process to ensure that small bridal shows around the country cannot be confused with the brand created nine years and 16 successfully hosted exhibitions ago. The Wedding Expo® which started with one show per year, expanded in 2005 to two shows in Gauteng and has grown into a sort after bridal show which is trusted by exhibitors and brides-to-be alike and now boasts three shows – two in Gauteng and one in Cape Town.
The registered trade marking of the brand name comes at a time when the group of companies within the main brand grows now including a publishing house for Wedding Inspirations magazine and a website which provides a platform for companies in the bridal industry to advertise their own brands.
“I love the bridal industry and the exhibition industry – The Wedding Expo® is a fantastic partnership of the two. I look forward to unraveling any confusion created by a hitherto generic term now that we have successfully trade marked the brand. I see a new era for the industry and The Wedding Expo®,” concludes Cunningham.
Date : 4 and 5 September 2010
Venue : Coca-Cola dome, Northgate, Johannesburg
Cost : R80.00 per person including your copy of Wedding Inspirations magazine
Hours : 09:00 to 17:00
Fashion shows : 11:00 local designer couture
12:00 imported and retail gowns
14:00 local designer couture
15:00 imported and retail gowns
Bridal workshops : R375.00 per person on Sunday 5 September
Includes: entrance to show, workshop, goodie bag, catering, VIP seats to the fashion spectacular and spot prizes! Email Janet on janet@wedding-expo.co.za to book or for more information.
Follow Us
