Mrs Kelly Clarkson Blackstock

Huge congratulations to Kelly Clarkson, the original (and most loved) American Idol, who on October 20th, tied the knot to fiancé Brandon Blackstock!

The happy couple celebrated their nuptials with a romantic and intimate country rustic wedding at Blackberry Farms in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

The bride donned the beautiful Jessamine dress from Temperley Bridal’s Iris collection, and accessorized her stunning lace gown with a headband from Maria Elena Headpieces and a bouquet of Sunflowers and Bluebonnets.

During her engagement shoot earlier this year, Kelly stunned in creations from Marchesa and Monique Lhuillier, and it was clear from those pictures that the wedding was going to be a beautiful and romantic affair.

Kelly and Brandon kept the details of the wedding preparations very much under wrap, and although at one point they had thought about a big wedding, they instead opted to elope, in the hopes of maintaining the intimacy of the day intact.

Kelly then shared a short but sweet video of her big day, allowing her fans to share their love and joy...

The American songbird and her talent manager husband got engaged last December, after which Kelly proudly shared her yellow canary diamond sparkler with a few extra diamonds around it, for good measure. Talk about a gorgeous ring.

And even though she didn’t have a big wedding, she certainly made sure not to miss out on the bridal experience. Back in July she tweeted an absolutely stunning photo from her engagement shoot, in which she looks absolutely angelic, even a little like a princess, one might say.

Shortly after, in August, Kelly tweeted another shot from the engagement photo shoot, this one a romantic embrace with her soon to be hubby.

And if the stunning pre-wedding photography wasn’t enough, she even released a song about getting hitched. Her video for Tie It Up was released last August and is a feel-good country blues tune that every bride-to-be will love.

Congrats again to the blushing bride and groom!

All the best, Gaby xXx

BRIDES the show: Garden Party Catwalk

Every girl loves a good catwalk, especially if there are wedding dresses involved, and the Garden Party Catwalk at BRIDES the show did not disappoint.

The white willow trees decorating the runway were without a doubt one of my favourite features, adding a romantic feel to the stage.

Gliding down the walkway, the show’s models gracefully showcased a wide variety of styles and designers. There was definitely a gown for every taste, and not just for the bride, as there were a few whimsical pieces for bridesmaids and flower girls thrown in for good measure.

My favourite designs of the show?

* Sassi Holford: 3D guipure-lace column dress over champagne stretch duchess-satin slip

* Stephanie Allin Couture: Fitted corded-lace dress with matching overlay and wide floral embellished sash

* Ritva Westenius: Organza cutwork over duchess-satin dress with beaded belt detail

* Sassi Holford: Ballgown with rose pink appliqued tulle skirt, tulle overlay bodice and duchess-satin sash

Here is what the Garden Party Catwalk had to offer…

Naomi Neoh (BOA Boutique): Smoky grey silk dress under fine lace overlay with plunging back

Emma Tindley Couture: Ivory silk-chiffon and French lace dress with illusion back and full circular skirt

Jesús Peiró (Miss Bush Bridal Wear): Dress in embroidered tulle with short puffed sleeves

Phillipa Lepley: Strapless slipper-satin gown with chiffon overlay and needlepoint draping on bodice.

Sassi Holford: Ballgown with rose pink appliqued tulle skirt, tulle overlay bodice and duchess-satin sash

Nicki Macfarlane: Pastel silk dresses with organza overlays and ivory lace and floral details

Quintana Couture: Ivory silk-chiffon dress, embellished with silk-satin organza flowers, silk and cotton layered skirt

Emma Hunt: Soft pink slipper-satin dress with Levers lace overlay and beaded tulle waist

Ian Stuart: Satin and sequined tulle dress embroidered with dragonflies

Lace top sweetheart dress 

Maids To Measure: Ivory chiffon dress with long sleeves. Pastel chiffon dress. Short tulle dresses with pastel sashes

Katya Katya Shehurina: Empire-line dress of champagne tulle and gold French lace 

with shoulder detail and handmade brooch

Amanda Wakeley: Silk-crepe dress with full skirt and Swarovski-crystal beaded bodice

Miss Bush Couture: Silk-satin dress and sheer capelet with tulle overlay, 

and hand-embroidered leaves in lace and organza

Ritva Westenius: Organza cutwork over duchess-satin dress with beaded belt detail

Stephanie Allin Couture: Fitted corded-lace dress with matching overlay and wide floral embellished sash

The State of Grace: Oyster silk and gold lace applique gown 

with plunge front and low cowl back adorned with back jewels

Sanyukta Shrestha: 1930s-inspired bias-cut organic silk dress with detachable embroidered bolero

Anita Massarella: White French corded-lace dress with cap sleeves and silk-organza double circle skirt

Caroline Castigliano (The Designer Bridal Room): Antique pink satin-faced organza dress 

with corded-lace cups and cummerbund 

Nicki Macfarlane: Nude silk dresses with gold sequined trim

Phillipa Lepley: Fine lace blouson-type gown over slipper-satin underlay with V-neck and spiral-detail skirt

Twobirds Bridesmaid: Pastel-coloured jersey-blend dresses

Quintana Couture: Sheer French lace and silk-georgette jacket with silk-crepe and silk-chiffon dress

Katya Katya Shehurina: Trumpet silhouette dress in ivory French lace 

and blush pink tulle with microfiber underdress

Louise Selby: Oyster satin dress with silver metallic and cream lace top with cap sleeves

Sanyukta Shrestha: Soft A-line silk gown lined in hand-loomed bamboo with pleated silk-chiffon overlay

Mirror Mirror Couture: Silk-satin-backed crepe bias-cut gown with detachable chiffon cap sleeves

Angelina Colarusso: Soft oyster silk-crepe dress textured with silk tulle, organza and lace

Emma Hunt: Ivory silk-satin and chiffon dress worn with long-sleeved jacket with beaded lace-applique hem

Anita Massarella: Sequined tulle 1920s-style mermaid dress with Swarovski-crystal straps

Ritva Westenius: 1920s-inspired pure silk-slipper-satin dress with hand-beaded bodice

Sassi Holford: 3D guipure-lace column dress over champagne stretch duchess-satin slip

Phillipa Lepley: Lilac corded lace bias-cut gown with tulle overlay

The State of Grace: French Chantilly lace Nehru-collared coat over gold silk-crepe bias-cut 1930s-style slip dress

Katya Katya Shehurina: Ivory floral French lace and white tulle dress 

with hand-embellished brooch over pastel underdress

Little Bevan: Olive silk under ivory lace;ivory silk under lace;pastel silk organza and lemon lace

All the best, Gaby xXx

* Special thanks to my Husband/Photographer for the night, for getting these great shots.
* Dress descriptions courtesy of Brides Magazine

BRIDES the show: Preview Night

Tonight I attended the preview night of BRIDES the show, with my friend Mariana. What a fantastic event.

From the shuttle between Sloane Square and Battersea Park, to the lovely goodie bags (thank you Bobbi Brown, Ivy Ellen and Michael Van Clarke), it was impeccably organized and a truly breath-taking show room.

From the moment you enter you are greeted by smiling faces pointing you in the direction of their stand. Our first stop: Bobbi Brown, where Mari was treated to a bridal style makeup makeover!

I was seriously impressed with the brand, they had a mini stage where they had a series of ‘how to’ demonstrations and gave great tips for brides who are looking to DIY their wedding day look. Will definitely be visiting them again at a later date for more details!

Our next stop was the Laurent-Perrier champagne bar, where we were treated to a complimentary glass of bubbly (don’t mind if I do).

We also visited the David’s Bridal stand, America’s most loved bridal shop, which has recently opened its first British store in London’s Westfield Stratford. If you’re there this weekend don’t forget to book an appointment and get a £50 voucher towards your wedding gown!

A few of the other stands visited included: Robert Shack Photography, The London Designer Bridal Room, Michael Van Clarke, Richard Payne Photographer, Ian Stuart Bride, Confetti, Ritva Westenius and Intricate Creations.

All in all, a fantastically fun evening. Will certainly be back for the Saturday show to continue checking out what’s in store for Brides-to-be.

For those of you who missed it, you can still get tickets for this weekend at the door and find out details of the March 2014 show at http://www.bridestheshow.co.uk.

All the best, Gaby xXx