Dressing up for a Summer Wedding

Apart from the obviously important act of marriage itself, it seems to me the greatest attraction of a wedding is and always has been the ‘dressing up’ from the bride and groom downwards. This isn’t as superficial as it may first appear. It is a an act of complete respect to dress up for an occasion - I’m never impressed by the ‘dressing down’ brigade. To don one’s finery for weddings goes back centuries along with other aspects that we still retain in the 21st century wedding. Bouquets were originally a collection of herbs and flowers that had culinary and medicinal properties that demonstrated a bride’s knowledge of such things. These were later to include flowers that had symbolic meanings of love, devotion, faithfulness etc. Today’s wedding reception still holds aspects of rural life when a whole village would dress in their best clothes and assemble in a hall to feast and dance in honour of the newly weds. There is no need to break the bank to continue these traditions - less is often more! But to treat yourself to something extravegant is all part of the experience - an event that allows you to be a bit indulgent is worth keeping in my book.

Ideas for a Summer Wedding from The Shop Floor Project

These include a range of stunning designer tights, available from the Modern Hosiery department; a collection of hats from award winning milliner, Karen Henriksen; the brightly coloured handmade textile shoes of Hetty Rose to the elegantly simple shoes of Finnish designer Julia Lundsten;

a diverse choice of original jewellery that will add a distictive statement to any outfit; a beautiful summer scarf by American designer Alena Hennessey will keep a summer breeze

at bay; with a handmade gold leather clutch bag by Natalie Thakur to add a final touch of luxury.