Bridal fashion news and inspiration

SilkFred expert shares tips on styling mis-matched bridesmaid dresses

As more and more couples opt for non-traditional weddings, bridesmaid fashion has also gone through its own evolution. The thinking of 'all of my bridesmaids have to look the same no matter their personal style or body shape' has been replaced by wanting your bridal party - not only to look unique - but to also feel comfortable. However, opting for mismatched bridesmaids' dresses comes with its own challenges. Without careful planning, the bridal party may appear disjointed rather than united - after all, you don't want your bridal party to look like every other wedding guest. Georgie Mitchell, wedding planner, co-ordinator and in-house wedding guru for online fashion destination SilkFred, has shared her top tips to pull off this popular non-traditional wedding trend.

How to wear diamonds correctly

Diamonds, the epitome of luxury and elegance, often hold deep emotional significance. As such, these sparkling gems demand a certain level of etiquette when adorning them. Blake Asaad, founder of GOODSTONE, shares ten rules to ensure you wear your diamond jewellery with grace and sophistication. Avoid the temptation to over-accessorize. Let one statement piece shine, be it a necklace, earrings, or a bracelet. Over-accessorizing can detract from the elegance of a look.

Choose sustainably and pick a pre-loved engagement ring

Choose a sustainable engagement ring, that are often budget-friendly by investing in a pre-loved design from S&R Jewellers who specialise in pre-owned designer, luxury, vintage and antique jewellery. Family founded and operated since 1770, S&R Jewellers has a rich history, and years of expertise. Beautiful, fully authenticated pieces in superb condition including secondhand engagement rings and watches are available with many items complete with certification and the original packaging, adding to their appeal. Offering one of the largest collections of pre-owned Tiffany & Co. items for sale, at S&R jewellers, couples can find great deals on rings such as the Etoile Diamond 3mm Band with a 35% discount off the original selling price.

Pandora brings lab-grown diamonds to Denmark

Identical to mined diamonds, the lab-grown kind are just as beautiful. Grown, cut and polished with 100% renewable energy and set in 100% recycled silver and gold since 2022, its hard not to be in awe of this feat of engineering. To coincide with the launch of Copenhagen's new flagship store in Denmark, the campaign shoot aimed to be just as inspiring. Actress and self-empowerment advocate Pamela Anderson takes centre stage as she poses proudly with Pandora's most impressive range. Alexander Lacik, the CEO and President of Pandora, states that "lab-grown diamonds represent the future of luxury"

Beaverbrooks offer extra 20% off diamonds, jewellery and watches in summer sale

The Beaverbrooks summer sale has just got even better! Enjoy up to 50% off, plus an extra 20% off diamonds, jewellery, and watches. These savings are available online and across 63 Beaverbrooks stores nationwide for a limited time only. The stunning collection of jewellery is perfect for brides, grooms, mums and bridesmaids. Sale highlights for brides include a silver cubic zirconia pearl necklace, £17 reduced from £45 that's beautifully crafted with a classic aesthetic. It's a timeless design that will complement every outfit. A brown men's leather bracelet in stainless steel with a brown leather plaited strap, £25 reduced from £65 is the perfect pick for the groom and groomsmen.

Top jewellery care tips from the experts

Jewellery is not just an accessory; it often holds sentimental value and can be a significant investment. Whether it's a family heirloom passed down through generations or a modern piece purchased for a special occasion, jewellery represents more than just its material worth. Over time, exposure to everyday wear, environmental factors, and improper handling can cause jewellery to lose its lustre, develop scratches, or even sustain damage. Blake Asaad, founder of GOODSTONE, provides expert insight into the importance of proper care and maintenance for preserving the beauty and value of jewellery pieces.

HALFPENNY LONDON x NET-A-PORTER has launched

The new HALFPENNY LONDON x NET-A-PORTER collection has launched this month featuring beautiful bridal dresses and fashionable capes, gloves and more. Kate Halfpenny, the founder and creative director of Halfpenny London says, "I love to see brides experimenting with their style and enjoying the celebrations surrounding their wedding day. Whether it be for the wedding ceremony itself or to surprise guests with a second outfit, this new collection of dresses and statement accessories is perfect for brides seeking an effortless look. Available worldwide on Net-A-Porter, every piece is made in the UK and carries Halfpenny London's ethos of individual expression at its core."

Bridgerton-inspired wedding dresses

With the recent release of Bridgerton Season Three, viewers are falling in love with the stunning gowns gracing the screen. Brides-to-be inspired by the show and dreaming of a Bridgerton-inspired wedding gown need look no further; whether brides are seeking puff sleeves, beautiful blues, romantic ensembles, or a gown fit for a queen, here's a selection of dresses to help achieve their royal dream look.

Freya Rose unveils her new Zodiac jewellery collection

Multi-award-winning British designer Freya Rose recently launched her divine Zodiac collection - a unique representation of horoscope-inspired accessories. Intricately handcrafted, the heavenly new collection of star sign pendants offers a fresh take on zodiac jewellery. The collection is an embodiment of ethereal strength. An essence of graceful movement aligns with clean elliptical form and alluring symbols of the zodiac to create elegant pendants that connect with the stars. Freya says, "I've always been drawn to the stars and had a fascination with astrology. I wanted to create a collection that's inspired by the belt around the heavens and the studies derived from astrology, but are pieces of art in their own right which appeal to the zodiac lover and others for their personal connections."

New label Marc Cain Glam is set to launch

The new label Marc Cain Glam is set to launch soon, perfect for weddings and special occasions. With Glam, the collection combines sophistication and exclusivity, featuring vibrant colours, fine fabrics and magnificent prints that have been developed in conjunction with AI software, turning every piece into innovative art. The first collection Floralia Sunset features dark violet, bright magenta, fiery orange and a radiant, bright yellow – making the pieces reminiscent of a summer sunset. Whether classic designs or colour blocking, the pieces can be mixed and matched as desired. The silhouettes are feminine, while opulent details such as glittering sequins enhance the styles.

Lisa Snowdon's New Wallis Collection for Debenhams has launched

Debenhams, the iconic digital department store, proudly unveils its continued collaboration with TV and radio broadcaster Lisa Snowdon celebrating her fourth collection with Wallis for Debenhams. This eagerly awaited edit embodies effortless glamour, bold silhouettes, and refreshing hues capturing the essence of summer style. Lisa Snowdon's latest Wallis collection for Debenhams is a testament to Wallis's century-long legacy of inspiring women. Every piece in this collection is meticulously designed in-house to deliver confidence and style to the wearer. Set against the stunning backdrop of Mallorca, the collection features vibrant pieces and essential holiday-season styles perfect for updating any summer wardrobe.

V V ROULEAUX LAUNCHES BESPOKE HAT ATELIER V V CHAPEAUX

Ahead of the British Summer Season V V Rouleaux, London's iconic haberdashery has opened a bespoke hat atelier - V V Chapeaux - within its Marylebone Lane shop. The inspiring destination spotlights the brand's bespoke hat design service, which offers a modern twist on the millinery with all the magic of V V Rouleaux's customisation for the season and beyond. Bespoke hats can be designed, created and delivered in 3-5 days, and an edit of over 100 ready-to-wear headpieces are also available offering a clever option for last-minute event or occasion dressing. The service is led by Founder and Creative Director Annabel Lewis.

Pandora UK partners with Switchboard to celebrate Pride and support the LGBTQIA+ community

Pandora, the world's largest jewellery brand, is pleased to announce its UK partnership with Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ support line, in celebration of Pride 2024. This summer, Pandora will contribute a donation of £20,000 to Switchboard, celebrating their 50th anniversary of providing free, confidential support to LGBTQIA+ individuals across the UK, helping them continue creating space for people to feel heard and find the support they need. In addition, Pandora is launching a new Pride charm, which will be available for purchase online and in selected stores across the UK and Ireland starting this week.

Let The Wedding Shop at ASOS take care of your big-day outfits

The Wedding Shop at ASOS features everything from low-key dresses to voluminous pretty bridesmaids' styles. There's also sequin suiting, party dresses for the evening reception, aisle-ready bridal party attire and fashionable finds for guests attending weddings this summer. Highlights in this trendy lineup include the ASOS DESIGN Alexa sequin long-sleeve wrap dress and the embroidered mini dress in cream. This Amelia full-length gown features kimono sleeves while this pretty pearl-embellished flutter-sleeve dress provides something blue. What's more, you can sundown in style on your honeymoon in a selection of dresses, separates and stylish accessories.

QUIZ Unveils Summer Luxe Collection Inspired by Dubai

Quiz has launched its latest summer collection; Summer Luxe inspired by Dubai celebrating tropical colours, timeless silhouettes and dreamy designs. The collection features a range of pieces ideal for the holiday shop, embodying the essence of tropical luxe and bold summer fashion. From sunset hues to the tranquillity of oceanic themes, each look is a testament to the dreamy ambience of Dubai. "Our design team meticulously curated this collection to capture the essence of luxury summers spent in opulent retreats and destinations like Dubai" said Katie Sharp, Designer, "We wanted to create pieces which transport our customers to their ultimate escape, whether they're lounging by the pool or strolling along the beach."

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.