FASHION Apprentice Bride

WeddingPathers at the Birmingham NEC for the National Wedding Show earlier this year might have spotted a camera crew and some wannabe Apprentices.

Essential viewing tonight, Episode 8 of The Apprentice at 9pm on BBC1 goes to the National Wedding Show! With just half the candidates left standing, Alan Sugar is sending Alpha and Renaissance to the NEC Birmingham. The challenge is to sell wedding dresses! With just one day to research the market and stock their stand, it has to be less-than-easy.

Will the candidates be able to adapt their usual hard-sell techniques for this most emotional and personal of purchases? And how will the boys cope with selling such ‘girly’ products? The team who make the most money on the day of the show will win. Winner of the first series, Tim Campbell knows how tough the process is, saying “the tasks in the show are really intense and nothing can be more intensive than dealing with someone’s special day. Even with a captive audience the candidates have to get it right first time.”

If you miss tonight's episode, catch the repeat on Saturday 17th May at 10.40pm on BBC2. Or see the re-run on www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer.

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FASHION Runway Bride 2

Get runway style with some of the key looks seen on the catwalk at the National Wedding Show in Olympia. Autumn/Winter 08 collections showcased an eclectic mix of 50s style, masses of vintage lace and a glamorous smattering of diamante, crystal and beaded detailing.

Black & White

The catwalk opened with dramatic monochrome tones and shades of grey for the twilight bride with a dramatic 50s style black dress with white woven ribbons by Anna Maria d'Amato Bridal Couture.

Understated Elegance

Classic gowns with simple lines from Sarah Arnett strutted down the catwalk in style. Plunging neck and backlines made a welcome return with figure skimming silhouettes and flowing trains.

Hollywood Glamour

Giving weddings starlet status, Jenny Packham at White Mischief brought screen siren style to the catwalk. Droplets of diamante and crystal, hung over a simple white dress with subtle hints of burnished silver and encrusted beadwork.

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FASHION In Coleen's Bag

Before jetting off to Miami for a sun-soaked wedding with Wayne, Coleen McLoughlin chose lots of the girly goodies that can be found in Margo's shop for her week-long hen party celebration across the pond.

She blew £800 online shopping at diamon-t.com. So what was in her shopping basket? Top of the list was a pink customised hen party t-shirt for each of her 25 girlfriends, saying 'Coleen's Hen Party'. We called up Margo to see what she had in stock and apparently Hen Party & L Plate T Shirts are £9.99 - who needs personalisation?

Mrs Rooney-to-be definitely wants personalisation as she also bought a t-shirt for herself saying 'Soon to Be Rooney'. Chez Margo, the personalised Soon To Be Mrs XX come in vintage silver glitter print and are a hot buy at £25.99 each.

Finally, personalisation really tickled Coleen's fancy as she went on to order a number of bikinis (all in pink!) with slogans in crystals saying things like 'Mrs Rooney to be', 'Bride to be' and 'Just Married' - Margo has them in stock for £29.99. So there is no hiding Coleen's light under a bushel in Miami. She even went for a customized beach towel saying 'Mrs Rooney' - Miami beach here we come! Ok, Margo, I know you have the towels too - and yes, they are £17.99.

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FASHION Runway Bride 1

If you missed the National Wedding Show in Birmingham, it's not too late to pick up the trends from the catwalk. We've picked out some of the key looks that were strutted down the runway in February.

Golden girls

Golden dresses for wow-factor weddings with floral corsages and appliquéd flowers. Layers of golden satin fall into an A-line skirt with a bow detail by Maggie Sottero at Prudence Gowns.

Sophisticated silver

A dramatic gown in sliver and grey lace from Jonquil was accessorised with a matching lace umbrella.

Sparkling bride

Sparkling lace is key for 2008. Sumptuous fabrics dressed up in shimmering beads and glittering crystals featured in strapless designs from Benjamin Roberts at Margot Raybould and Pronuptia.

Next week, we'll get the low down from the London show.

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FASHION Girls' Pearls

Traditionally, the bride wears pearls on the wedding day. Representing purity and innocence, pearls are the perfect wedding day accessory. But pearls are not just for the twin-set society...

Yarwood-White has some beautiful pearl accessories, including the wow-factor headdress, Fern Hair Vine (£165) - a fab alternative to a traditional tiara. Worn on the top, back or side of your hair, it is made with ivory freshwater pearls and subtle Swarovski crystals.

Lustrous Jewellery pearl boutique has a pretty bridal collection made with naturally cultured pearls. We love the Lilac Teardrop Pearl Necklace (£78) with freshwater pearls dangling from a silver chain.

Catherine at Daisy Chain Accessories says Pearl & Crystal Cluster hairpins (£19.99 for six) are a hot trend right now. Perfect for the vintage look, they are a great addition to a hair updo or a lovely alternative to a tiara.

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FASHION Mum's the Word

We have spent weeks looking at fabulous wedding dresses so it's time to spare a thought for the rest of the wedding party! What are the mums wearing? We have found three gorgeous outfits!

Black & White

Chic but informal. Black and white is perfect for the wedding photos as it complements any colours being worn by others in the party and flatters most figures.

J Taylor spot dress £45, bolero £25, Jon Richard at Debenhams pearl-effect and pave crystal illusion necklace £12, Debut black clutch £18, all from Debenhams (08445 616161).

Pretty in Pink

Pink is a classic choice for mothers of the bride and groom and adds a soft romantic touch to the wedding line up. Combined with white or ivory, it is great for summer weddings.

Go for bespoke with this fabulous made-to-measure silk bodice, skirt and jacket, from £1250, By Storm (0141 942 8900).

Dressy Mum

For something a bit different, a long dressy coat can really transform an outfit. We love hand embroidered silk coats by Charlie Rollo-Walker, a St Martins student now based in Saigon, Vietnam.

Hand embroidered silk coat, from £600, A Right Charlie.

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FASHION Veiled Beauty

Not so long ago the WeddingPath Forum was buzzing with the 'veil' word... To veil or not to veil - that was the question.

Funnily, even b2bs not keen on the idea, changed their minds after trying one on! 'When do you ever get the chance again?'(rhpm), 'I was absolutely sure that I didn't want to wear a veil until I tried one on' (SoloLeigh) and from Already Married alanakelk 'I loved my veil, it made me feel like a true bride'.

As usual, the WeddingPath Forum was packed with advice!
Top tip for windy weather: 'I'm having small diamante droplets on the edge so that my veil won't blow away' (leilaandbarry).
Trying on a veil? 'Try Bhs - they have them out to try on - you'll get a good idea if you like it or not' (mrstrott).
Styling ideas from an Already Married... 'Your veil needn't cover your tiara. If you don't put the veil over your face it should sit just behind your tiara anyway. You can also attach them to the back of your head if you're having your hair up, so again your tiara is on show. You can also take your veil off if you don't want to wear it all day' (seona).

Have you thought about the length of veil? Ultimately, you need to have chosen your dress to know what kind of veil will work. Strapless gowns are great with veils, but if you have a lot of beautiful detail on the back of your dress, it is a shame to cover it up.

Before getting onto the veil trail, here are some typical styles and lengths.

Blusher or shoulder length veil is what most brides opt for. It is worn on top of the head and can be easily pushed back. Just make sure it is not too voluminous or your face will get lost!

Fingertip is another popular length. As its name suggests, it just reaches to the tips of your fingers. Capturing 50s chic, it looks great edged with lace or satin and is figure-flattering as it draws attention to your waist.

Chapel or long veil reaches to the ground. It has a dreamy effect worn over a full-length gown and is perfect for a formal church wedding. It can also be worn at the back of the head so that tall brides don't get too much added height.

Cathedral length veils fall like a train behind the dress and are usually only seen at Royal weddings or very grand occasions!

Mantilla is a Spanish-style veil, traditionally made from lace, covering the bride from the top of the head to the ground.

Any questions? We'd love to hear from you! Why not post a comment or send an email to amanda@weddingpath.com with your veil news.

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FASHION Straps Off

We saw strapless dresses in our Trend Report as a big focus on the catwalk for this season. And lots of the lovely WeddingPathers that entered our Rainbow Club shoes competition, agreed with Margo and said 'strapless' was best! So we have hunted around the bridal boutiques for three more strapless styles with plenty of ah-factor!

→DESIGNER: Pronuptia
THE DRESS: Flower
THE LOOK: Elegant empire-line gown with a strapless bodice and simple floral detailing
PRICE: £675
CONTACT: 01273 323046
WEBSITE: www.pronuptia.co.uk

←DESIGNER: Lyn Ashworth
THE DRESS: Rosalind
THE LOOK: Strapless gown with billowing organza skirt and ice-blue sash with a diamante brooch
PRICE: £1865
WHERE TO BUY: 01580 761948
WEBSITE: www.lynashworth.co.uk

→DESIGNER: Jade Daniels
THE DRESS: Style 2058
THE LOOK: Strapless gown with full tulle skirt scattered in sequins and embroidery detailed bodice
PRICE: £995
WHERE TO BUY: 01909 774471
WEBSITE: www.jadedaniels.com

Look at more strapless styles in Dare to Bare and find out which strapless dresses were voted by you as WeddingPath winners in Favourite Dresses.

•All prices are approximate and subject to change

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Win a Benefit Makeup Bag!

It's Monday! We are celebrating being a week nearer your big day with the chance to win a gorgeous cosmetic bag by Benefit - packed with goodies!

Gabbi (£21.50) is the perfect place to stow away your wedding day makeup with handy pouches and pockets inside. Go to benefitcosmetics.co.uk to find out more sensational facts about the bag! And because we love you dearly and want you to feel especially pampered and important as a b2b, Benefit have kindly filled the bag with goodies.

You'll get a box of Thrrob (£22.50), pressed pink powder that simulates a flirty flush and comes with a natural bristle brush; Erase Paste (£18.50) a blendable concealer with special brightening shades to hide all that bridal stress and fatigue; two pots of Creaseless Cream Shadow (£13 each) which shades and contours eyes and Bad Gal Lash (£14.50), the ultimate mascara in rich black.

WIN! WIN! WIN!
Email the answers to these questions along with your name, address, and the date & place of your wedding to amanda@weddingpath.com

1. Which is your favourite venue reviewed on WeddingPath?

2. Where is your gift list registered?

3. What is your WeddingPath address?

Make sure I get all your entries by lunchtime on Friday 25th.
The winner will be announced in Week Ahead on Monday 28th. Good Luck!

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Comments - Latest by: ClaireReed2Be:
I've entered

Win Your Wedding Shoes!

You still have a chance to win!

WeddingPath have got together with Rainbow Club to offer a gorgeous pair of wedding shoes to the value of £60! You can opt for classic ivory/white or choose to have your shoes dyed to match your colour theme - at no extra cost.

To enter the competition, email your name, address, the date and place of your wedding along with the answers to the following questions. We will announce the lucky winner on Monday 28th April so be sure to get your entries in by Friday 25th April.

Rainbow Club will send the winner a letter to take to a local stockist where you choose your shoes and decide on whether to have them dyed or not! You will receive your shoes in the post with a lovely message from Rainbow Club! To find out more about Rainbow Club shoes go to www.rainbowclub.co.uk. Good luck!

WIN, WIN, WIN!

1. What is your favourite 'look' in our Fashion Trend Report? Margo says it has to be 'strapless'...

2. What is your WeddingPath site address?

3. How did you find out about WeddingPath?

Email amanda@weddingpath.com

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