Have You Heard the One about the Celebrity Bride, Don’t Tell the Bride and the Gothic Bride?

And the Bride Wore Black...

Gothic Fashion Show at the Wedding House, 3-4 Great George Place, Liverpool, L1 7AG Thursday 3rd November 2011 6pm-8.30pm  

They say everything comes in threes, and for the the Wedding House in Liverpool last week, that was spookily so.  Kerry Katona was papped entering the Wedding House with a Channel 5 film crew in tow, filming the latest TV wedding craze, Celebrity Wedding Planner. The show pays up to £12k towards a couple’s wedding day, on the basis that they put their trust in a mystery celebrity who organises the wedding on their behalf.

Following on with the TV theme, BBC3’s Don’t Tell the Bride airs tonight at 9pm with bride-to-be Amanda trying on her ‘dream dress in her dream shop’; the beautiful boutique that is Cloud 9 Bridal at the Wedding House. Let’s just hope she didn’t pay a visit when proprietor Shirley Briers, ‘trashed’ one of her exclusive Ian Stuart gowns, all in aid of the Gothic inspired bridal fashion show at the Wedding House on Thursday 3rd November. 

Shirley says of the Trash the Dress trend,

"We took inspiration from Ian Stuart’s ‘Flower Bomb’ dress and added black fabric strips of tulle, ostrich feathers, black flowers, diamante brooches and ribbon bows. The top edging was a beaded belt, the skirt was then ripped and graffiti was added. Black lace, a big tulle bow, ostrich feathers and a diamante brooch were also added to the top hat, courtesy of Rocks for Frocks. The gloves were the bride’s ‘something borrowed’. We wanted a gothic twist to the Trash the Dress trend, which involves a bride wearing her dress after the big day for a photo shoot in an inappropriate environment such as a beach, urban setting or muddy field. The rich dark interior and gothic exterior made this a perfect and unique backdrop for our own Gothic Trash the Dress catwalk.”

 For one fright only, each boutique gave an appetizer of their AW collections with a nod to the Gothic-Glam trend in their very own distinct style. Brides-to-be and their hentourages fell in love with the romance, magic and mysticism of the iconic gothic grade II listed building in all its lit up glory, whilst enjoying entertainment from in house band Kikosi and flowing pink fizz. Gothic models included a bevy of local beauty queens from Miss Liverpool Galaxy 2011 (Sarah Fairley), Miss Galaxy International 2011-2012 (Jamie Lee), Miss Merseyside Galaxy 2011 (Brooke Baday) and Miss Teen Merseyside Galaxy 2011 (Sophia Hatoum).

Organisers of the event, Kate Bentley of Eat Your Heart Out Vintage and Danielle Jenkins of Hollywood Glamour explained  

“We wanted a fashion show to represent the gothic heritage of the newly re-launched Wedding House. Our collections are influenced by the timeless style of the past as well as catwalk trends from the present; offering the finest selection of fashion forward vintage clothing. Materials of luxe lace, velvet, silk and floaty chiffon, translate the look from the runway to the big day. We’re delighted with the turnout and reaction from all our visitors.”  

Not everything on the night was so scary; guests were spellbound by the cute flower girls modelling dresses from boutique Ruby & Tom, the Gothic inspired wedding cake made by Edible Magic and the dessert table by Half Dozen Designs. With thanks to Tatty Lashes Handcrafted stationery, Beauty Box, Miss Bouquets, Rocks for Frocks, and Calidad Creations.