All you need for the best day of your lives
Last updated 14:42, Thursday, 10 April 2008
More than 800 brides and grooms-to-be, mothers of the bride, family and friends attended the Live the Dream Wedding Event at Carlisle Racecourse on March 30.
Eighty-one exhibitors from Cumbria, the Borders and as far as Skipton showed all the essentials for your wedding day – from cakes and jewellery to photography and venues.
The three spectacular catwalk shows featured bridal wear from ten bridal houses, models from Premier Productions Aberdeen and hair by the team at Hair@Jibe, Carlisle.
The flowers were provided by Vandella Flowers, of Carlisle.
It was the second wedding event organised by the CN Events Management, part of The Cumberland News, Whitehaven News and Times & Star publishers CN Group.
Carol Milnes, of CN Events Management, hailed the event another success.
She said: “I am delighted with the way the event has gone. Everyone involved has put in a lot of hard work and it has been a really great day.”
Singer/guitarist John Penn entertained the crowd with requests while Two Violins and a Cello welcomed visitors with their mix of classical, pop, blues and folk music as they arrived at the event.
Twenty-eight-year-old Rebecca Williamson, who is getting married in February next year, travelled to the show from Keswick.
She said: “I haven’t done much planning for my wedding and so coming here today has given me lots of ideas.”
Sponsor of the event Hoopers, of Castle Street in Carlisle, was showcasing items available through its wedding gift list service in Cookshop and Linens, along with outfits for the wedding party, family, friends and children.
General manager Victoria Farley said: “It is our first time at the event and we decided to be the main sponsors.
“It is a great venue and we have had a lot of interest. We want to tell people that we are an affordable option for weddings.”
Lynne Thornton’s handcrafted wedding stationery business Perfect Day Designs of Cockermouth was launched at the event.
She said: “I have been really pleased with the response and have taken my first orders today.”
Visual Event, of Dixon Street in Carlisle, introduced a new concept in wedding photography at the event.
Where an evening reception has more than 150 guests, the company will come along, free of charge, with its portable studio so that guests can have photographs taken and be able to see their image on screen and printed in a matter of minutes. Prints cost £10.
Marketing manager Linda Walker said: “It is a new concept in photography. It’s a chance to get fun photographs and a new angle.
“While couples do want formal photographs at weddings they are increasingly asking for more natural photos that capture the moment and we find that when we take photos of guests during the reception they are more relaxed.”
Lisa Rothwell-Young, owner of Gretna-based Treasured Earth, was displaying her handmade jewellery and tiaras. She said: “I make the sterling silver tiaras to requirements and they are hallmarked at the Assay Office in Edinburgh.”
n To watch a video clip from the event, visit www.cumberland-news.co.uk, www.timesandstar.co.uk or www.whitehaven-news.co.uk.
