National Wedding Show

Still feeling in need of some inspiration, Doug and I spent yesterday afternoon at the National Wedding Show where it was to be found by the bucketload.

All last week people were telling Doug not to go, that it was a miserable experience, that he'd hate it. Understandably then, he wasn't feeling too up for it when we arrived at Olympia to be confronted by a whole lot of pink and white. I, on the other hand, have always wanted to go to the wedding show and was expecting to enjoy it. However, I know my boredom threshold for these exhibitions and so we had quite a specific plan – arrive, watch some shows, speak to some florists/dress designers then go for a well-deserved Thai.

Collecting the show programme, we went for coffee first to digest it, both feeling pretty knackered after a bit too much wine the night before. For once, we'd timed something unintentionally well as the "inspirations" show was about to start. We headed for the theatre area expecting tips on budgeting (much needed) and planning but instead found ourselves at a session all about cakes. Now, I know the cake is important and, to some people, is the centrepiece of the evening, but we're not all that fussed and when they wheeled out a massive pink and white monstrosity by a fabulously expensive French cakemaker we were somewhat aghast. It was, quite honestly, hideous, but on the plus side has made me even more certain that Waitrose will be our cakemaker of choice!

We were on the verge of leaving when we realised we were gradually being surrounded by champagne-flute-wielding gaggles of excitable women. Wondering what was going on I checked the timetable to find that the catwalk show was next – perfect timing. Divided into scenes and showcasing around 70 outfits (mostly dresses, some suits) the show was actually very useful for a dress-confused girl like myself. I was particularly taken with a strapless Chandrika Thomas dress and several of the Enzoani dresses caught my eye. I loved the Candy Anthony scene too, and am now considering (though none-too-seriously) the possibility of a knee-length 50s style.

After the show we had a look around the stands but, being Sunday afternoon, found that many suppliers' interest had waned slightly. The flowers area was somewhat disappointing, with very few displays of anything like what we want, but we were impressed with Mathew Dickinson and did get a couple of colour ideas. I looked at a few dresses too but variety was limited and many were dirty from lots of brides-to-be having tried them on.

Although we picked up some ideas and got our minds back in the wedding zone after a couple of busy work weeks, I don't think we'll go back to the show next year. So many of the stands were irrelevant to us, since the venue, photographer and honeymoon are already decided, and there just wasn't enough for the men. Doug did pick up a few suit hire brochures but the whole event was geared so much more towards women – there were more mums in the room than there were grooms!

All in all, a useful afternoon, but if you're getting married and you missed it, just head out and buy some mags for the same inspiration at a much cheaper price!