Future brides groomed for big day
Brides to be were in seventh heaven at the fourth annual Mangapapa Wedding Affair, with 60 exhibitors serving up ideas and inspiration.
Over 400 guests had passed through the gates by midday on Sunday to browse the stalls, sip bubbly and watch a fashion show hosted by Hastings-based bridal specialists RSVP Couture.
Dresses on show ranged from vintage inspired lace designs and full skirts to strapless necklines with floral rosette or beaded detail.
"It's very individual, strapless is still the most prominent and blush is the new shade coming through, it's a peachy tone," RSVP Bridal Couture owner Janet Potts said. "The colours for bridesmaids are Tahiti, a teal bluey shade, Mulberry, a grapey colour and Jade green."
A new trend emerging was having multiple flower girls, she said.
"We have done three or four weddings like that lately."
A record number of stall holders displayed creative and inventive ways to make any wedding day special, covering everything from video and photography to men's suits and personalised wedding rings.
"People come and feel what it's like to be at a wedding, looking at table settings they might like, looking at the dresses, all in a wedding environment," Mangapapa Petit Hotel general manager Catherine Hobbs-Turner said.
"We don't run it to make a profit, we have a committee which involves people from the industry who meet to organise it along with our event manager.
"It's hard running it right in the middle of the wedding season, but we wouldn't have it any other way, it's also nice and close to Valentines Day when people are getting engaged or married."
This year a new VIP ticket option was available, with guests paying a little bit extra to get a shaded front at the bridal show and a cup of tea and sweet treats.
Mangapapa holds about 15 to 20 weddings a year, and specialises in small ceremonies.
