North West Wedding Accessory Designer 2017!

I won!!!

And I haven't stopped smiling since the announcement was made at a glittering awards event at Mitton Hall in Lancashire on Tuesday November 8th!

As usual, The Wedding Industry Awards pulled out all the stops for their annual awards bash...

Mitton Hall was awash with wedding loveliness, as the industry's finest turned out, resplendent in gorgeous gowns, and sassy suits, to enjoy cocktails, canapes, and wedding chat, ahead of the nerve wracking awards announcements.

Each category was hotly contested, with the region's best battling it out for those coveted Wedding Industry Awards pins and trophies.

The unveiling of the winners was met with whoops, high fives, tears, hugs, and exuberant on stage antics (yes, that's you Fun Time Frankies - winner of the Best Wedding Band).

This award means A LOT, being as it is, one of the few that is awarded on the basis of specific feedback from brides who have used your service in the last 12 months. And having won my category in 2016, I really felt that it was a high bar that I needed to reach to do the same again this year.

The rush of excitement, and emotion I felt when the winner of North West Wedding Industry Awards, Wedding Accessory Designer of 2017 was announced as Glorious Tiaras, meant I don't really remember going up on to the stage to collect my award, but the pictures show that I did!!!

I really am so very grateful to all the Glorious brides who voted for me. It's now on to the national Wedding Industry Awards ceremony in London on January 12th 2017, where one amazing accessory designer will be crowned the best in the land, but for now, I've got some Glorious accessories to make for next year's brides...

Glorious Tiaras and Dollface Make Up - We do!

It's gives me goosebumps and great happiness to announce a very exciting collaboration between Gemma Lucas of Dollface Hair and Make Up, and myself, offering the Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester bride-to-be an incredibly useful service!

Gemma Lucas - Dollface Make Up
www.dollfacemakeupstudio.co.uk

Heidi Reid - Glorious Tiaras
www.glorioustiaras.co.uk

I first met Gemma in the autumn of 2014 having spotted a few of her make-up related updates on Facebook. I took my then, very sorry eyebrows, to her Cheshire studio for a HD makeover (love the results), and we got to chatting about her bridal hair and make up service.

Gemma is a very experienced make up artist having trained and worked as an Advanced Artist for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, worked backstage on Britain's Next Top Model, The National Wedding Show, and the Scottish Fashion Awards.

Bridal hair and make up with Dollface
www.dollfacemakeupstudio.co.uk/gallery/bridal/

Our make up, brides,  and hair accessories chat, led us naturally to a problem that many brides-to-be face when trying to choose a style that suits them, and that they love, for their wedding day look. Gemma explained how difficult it is for many of her clients to envisage what their style might look like when teamed with an accessory. A chignon accessorised with a large diamante comb, will look very different teamed with a smaller comb, or with a scattering of crystal hair pins, wrapped with a fluid hair vine, or set off by a pearl laden band. Without those accessories to hand, to play around with during a trial, many of Gemma's brides were struggling to find a style that they were confident enough with to have it replicated on the day of their wedding.

I think you can guess what happened next...!

From here on in, when you book and attend your bridal hair and make up trial with Dollface Make Up Studio, you will be treated to a full 'try on session' with a choice of Glorious bridal hair accessories, as part of your trial. That way you can know for sure whether you suit a cascade of pearls running freely around your fishtail plait, or a glitzy Hollywood glamour comb tucked neatly down the side of your half up do.

Ava side tiara
www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/side-tiara-ava

There will never be any pressure for you to place an order for any of the accessories used during your trial, but of course if you do fall head over heels in love, Gemma will tell you where to find me and my very wonderful HD brows!

If you'd like to book a bridal consultation with Dollface you can contact Gemma at:

www.dollfacemakeupstudio.co.uk
info@dollfacemakeupstudio.co.uk
07816 291001
www.facebook.com/dollfacemakeupstudiouk
twitter.com/DollfaceMUp

Dollface Makeup Studio
Mawson Hairdressing 
42 Chesterfate 
Macclesfield
SK116BA

Glorious Tiaras can be found at:

www.glorioustiaras.co.uk
glorioustiaras@gmail.com
07904 301059
www.facebook.com/glorioustiaras
twitter.com/glorioustiaras

Glorious Tiaras
Makers' Place
Heritage Centre
Roe Street
Macclesfield
SK11 6UT

How to get the most out of a wedding fair

www.glorioustiaras.co.uk


When planning your wedding, a trip to a wedding fair can offer up really big rewards.

For starters, you'll find a good variety of wedding industry professionals under one roof, meaning that instead of spending several weekends trawling around local bridal shops, wedding accessory suppliers, and cake designers, you can see them all in the space of a few hours. Those exhibitors are also keen to do business on the day, so they'll be competing hard to win your time, attention, and money!

However, wedding fairs, especially the big ones, can seem overwhelming, but follow these essential tips and you'll come home at the end of the day having made a serious dent in your 'to-do' list, made some good savings, and enjoyed a fun day out!

1. Register beforehand Many of the shows charge an entry fee, but if you book your tickets beforehand some offer discounted entry, whilst others waive the fee altogether.
2. See who's exhibiting and take a look at their websites You're a busy person! You don't have time to attend a show that doesn't have exhibitors doing what you want! It also helps to know who you definitely want to make the time to go and see whilst your there.
3. Take a shopping list with you It sounds simple, but it'll help keep you on track in what is a relatively short space of time. Most shows run for 5-6 hrs, and by the time you've stopped for coffee & a peek at the catwalk show...
4. Don't go alone If nothing else you'll need someone to help you carry bags, hold up mirrors whilst you try stuff on, and take pictures on your mobile phone. An extra body is also useful to go and queue at the busier stands and have a giggle with as you go around.
5. Try to get there early Goody bags are chock full of nice giveaways, but shows usually only have a limited number, so grab yours before they run out! You'll also get the pick of the time slots for trying on dresses; having your hair done, hands hennaed, or enjoying a free advice session with an expert wedding planner.
6. Make a note of the catwalk times on the way in The catwalk shows are a unique way of gaining inspiration for your wedding day look. You won't want to miss out on seeing how the pros put things together, and the suppliers of those catwalk outfits will be at your show if you see something you absolutely HAVE to have.
7. Book time slots with exhibitors It will help you to structure your day, and make sure you get to try on that special dress; have your hair styled for free; even get your teeth whitened at a special discount!
8. Ask for discounts It's a bride-to-be's and groom-to-be's market. Exhibitors want to fill their order books before they pack up at the end of the day and are happy to offer discounts to make that happen. Some will advertise 'book today' discounts, but if not it's always worth asking, especially if you're thinking of buying more than one product or service from the exhibitor.
9. Ask questions You've paid your entry, made time to be there, and your business is in demand, so don't go home wishing that you'd asked for references, found out how long something would take to make, or whether you could have it in a different colour/size/quantity.
10. Try things on; ask for samples It's important that you get a real feel for the products on offer. I'm amazed at the number of brides-to-be who visit my show stand with it's mirrors, and comfy place to sit, and still try to get an idea of how a hair accessory will look by just looking at it sat on the table! The uniqueness of a show is that you can look, touch, taste, smell, and try on, so get stuck in!
11. If you like something book it! Remember this is a busy time of year for the wedding industry and the most popular designers, venues and entertainers will book up fast.  It's heart breaking to set your heart on something and then find you can't have it because your chosen supplier just doesn't have availability. Even worse to find out you could have had it if you'd booked it 20 minutes earlier...You'll normally need to put a small deposit down to hold the service, but so worth it to know that your name is now in their diary.
12. Ask if you can pay a deposit or spread payments Many exhibitors are happy to offer you flexible payments arrangements, but you won't know unless you ask.
13. Collect business cards In some cases you will need to 'go away and think about it'. Take a business card or brochure so you've got the exhibitors details, but be sure to make a quick note about why you liked them on the back of the card, you'll pick up a few and it's easy to forget by the time you get them all home, which honeymoon company had the best flights, or which cake maker offered the best customer service.
14. Don't feel you have to share your details Lots of exhibitors will want your email address to send you promotions after the show. Some you'll be keen to receive - a sample sale on that dress you wanted? Yes please! Others you won't - insurance for your day when you've already got a policy sorted? No thanks! Don't be afraid to say no (politely). 
15. Enjoy the freebies! There are often plenty on offer. Free wine tasting, free make-up consultations, free cupcakes, free hair styling, and if you have the time, enter a few of those competitions - you might be the lucky couple that wins a free spa break, and let's face it, you could do with a foot massage after a long day at the wedding shows!

Come and see me exhibiting at the following shows:

Hollin Hall Wedding Fair at Hollin Hall Hotel, Kerridge, Cheshire 3rd April 2016