Oxfordshire Wedding Fairs 2022
One of Oxfordshires best Wedding Photographers explains how to have a “Wonderful Oxfordshire Wedding”.
Finally, the time is close that we can look forward to a traditional wedding.
By traditional, I don’t necessarily mean the wedding dress or the style of photography, more so traditional in the aspect couples have taken for granted for years - a time where their budget dictated guest numbers, not a virus. A time where formal wedding attire does not include a medical face mask.
At long last, the headache of COVID-19 looks to feature less and less with your immediate wedding plans.
So with one headache firmly in the past, planning a wedding for many couples is a time to come together and review multiple sources of literature and social media platforms to orchestrate THE perfect wedding. But this can be a stressful time, like juggling plates !! Finding a date that the venue is free alongside the registry office/church, photographer, makeup artist and all the other wedding suppliers you might be trying to secure is certainly a new headache.
Modern weddings are big business and tieing up multiple suppliers with times and dates can be quite a chore. With spare time clearly at a premium, spending precious spare time researching trusted professional suppliers that will ultimately structure your special day is something that you must get right.
But that comes at a cost both financially and in terms of time.
How long does it take to plan an average wedding?
Clearly, there is no individual answer to this question, but reviewing an average wedding where the couple has not involved a wedding planner, the hours spent planning this process will shock you.
Couples that have been engaged for a period of 10-18 months will have spent an average of 200-300 hours planning their special day. That’s between 8-12 full days, not to mention the sleepless nights!!
Utilising a wedding planner is one option that will reduce this stress if your budget will stretch to including this service.
Another option that is both free and fun to do, is to research wedding groups hosting wedding fares in your area.
What should I expect at a Wedding Fair?
Wedding groups are literally as the name suggests groups of wedding suppliers that all meet and work with a common goal and a common purpose. To offer their services to couples planning their perfect wedding all under one roof. These meetings are referred to as Wedding Fairs.
Think of it as planning a day trip out shopping.
How many times have you spent hours wandering around multiple shops trying to find the right products? You have probably visited several different individual shops at different locations before your shopping list is complete.
Now compare that to visiting a shopping mall where literally all your shopping needs are under one roof.
Wedding Groups attending fairs offer their services all at one location. Generally, they offer a photographer, makeup artist, a photo booth specialist, hairstylist, wedding jewellery specialist, wedding disco service, a florist, a dress supplier, and even a magician !! And to really get you in the wedding mood they all locate within stunning wedding venues in your area.
Wedding Fairs are a real opportunity for you and your partner to be (and sometimes the whole family!!) to attend stunning wedding locations to first meet the staff at the venue and have a look around. Once you have taken in the stunning wedding suite and surrounding grounds etc, you can then take a stroll around, meeting the professional suppliers that all literally there on hand to answer all of your wedding questions.
Importantly bear in mind that all the individual wedding suppliers that make up a wedding group will be known to one another. Invariably they will have worked alongside each other at previous weddings and seamlessly integrate to form a well-oiled machine that delivers on each of your expectations.
Now that’s not to say that true professional wedding suppliers that are not known to one another cannot deliver this. It just helps to be able to hit the ground running on your special day.
Are Wedding Fares free to attend?
The short general answer to this is yes.
Some exceptions might arise where some fairs are ticketed purely to ensure there are a set number of attendees if the fair is hosting a showcase event.
This is where the suppliers will conduct a “mock wedding” using models wearing the dress suppliers dresses, and the make-up is completed by the groups make-up artist (MUA). The venue will generally have staged a room to showcase this event giving the attendees a real sense of how their wedding could look at the location. Showcase events are still generally free but tickets are on a first come first serve basis.
Please bear in mind that even if the fair you attend is not a showcase event, you can still get a real feel for the venue and the suppliers - just without the models wearing and using the products etc.
The other bonus of attending wedding fairs and ticking off things to book is often there are financial discounts to be found.
Wedding groups will often offer group booking discounts or other savings if you book a service on the day.
Planning ahead and securing bookings are vital when juggling your plates!!
At a time where wedding budgets can take hits from all directions - any discounts or special offers should be taken full advantage of. Furthermore, wedding fares are free to attend and you can stay as little or as long as you need to.
Are there wedding fairs in Oxfordshire?
Yes, welcome to Wonderful Oxfordshire Weddings (WOW).
Here at WOW, yes pun intended, you will find us as a group of experienced wedding professionals promoting our services located in many of Oxfordshire’s stunning wedding venues.
Being a member of WOW, and as the group’s photographer - in conjunction with the season’s generous discounts already in place, I personally offer a further discount for a deposit paid to book a wedding within 7 days of attending a fair. This will generally involve leaving a small deposit to secure your day with me or any other supplier. Please bear in mind that the Covid Pandemic forced many couples to postpone and re-plan their weddings altogether. Therefore weddings booked originally for 2020 and even early 2021 have been moved to later in the year or 2022 and beyond.
Invariably the attending wedding specialists will be in a position to tell you there and then their availability for your chosen date but this can quickly change as more enquiries occur.
Unlike some of the larger wedding groups, where there may be multiple same suppliers attending the venue, at WOW we only have one supplier per category within the group. This intimacy allows a genuine friendship amongst the suppliers all encouraging one another to be the best they can be as a group that will ultimately benefit you the couple.
Each of the suppliers will have a set stand where you can meet them in person to discuss your special day and find out more about how we can help you.
As the wedding photographer within WOW, I work closely with the Wedding Makeup Artist Charlie Jennings and the Wedding Hair Stylist Angela McKnight.
Having a good understanding of these two roles on the wedding day is vital as it would be easy for the makeup artist and hairstylist to interfere with the wedding photographer trying to capture bridal preparation and vice versa. All suppliers are working within tight time constraints and all have things to undertake within this small window of time.
Within WOW, I have worked alongside these two suppliers before and we all have an understanding of one another’s roles and expectations. Having said that you have no fear of me applying the bride’s eyeliner or the makeup artist photographing the wedding ring shot!! Although it has been known for the stylist girls to hold the occasional strobe softbox for me!!
In conclusion, Wedding Fairs can be a fun trip out and you might just tick off all of your wedding needs in one go without the hassle.
Click on the link below to review our site and receive updates on our forthcoming events…
Suppliers that form WOW.
Darren Weston - Wedding Photographer.
www.darrenwestonphotography.com
I am a wedding photographer who truly believes in capturing your moment in time - regardless of your chosen photography style. I never lose sight of the importance of what you have asked me to undertake on your special day thus ensuring you are supplied with mesmerising images to cherish forever. During 2021/2022 I am pleased to be able to offer attractive savings for group bookings. As a bride click HERE to see how you can have your wedding makeup for FREE!!
Charlie Jennings - Wedding Beauty and Bridal makeup artist.
charlie@charlie-jennings.co.uk
Hello, my name is Charlie and I have 22 years experience within the make-up field. Working alongside teams of professionals and scores of clients I have a deep respect and understanding of individual’s needs and expectations. You can expect me to be reliable, punctual, and naturally supportive.
I especially love weddings and truly enjoy helping the bride in every way I can. Treating you exactly how I would wish to be treated on my wedding day! I pride myself in staying with you until you leave for the ceremony ensuring you and your bridesmaids are glowing.
My aim is for you to look back at your wedding day and remember having a makeup artist who made you feel calm, pampered, and effortlessly beautiful.
Angela McKnight - Wedding Hair Stylist
Hello, I am Angela I have many years experience in the hairdressing trade. I am creative, easy to work with, friendly and efficient.
Many salon owners recommend me to their clients for specialised long hairdressing work.
I have done stage presentations for Redken, Schwartzkopf, and Racoon and have designed hairstyles for one of Laura Ashley’s photoshoots at the Royal Opera House and for the feature film “Tortoise in Love”.
I enjoy working with long hair and have a huge amount of experience in dressing hair for weddings, parties, and special occasions.
I was part owner of the Richard’s group of salons and, until recently, owner of Anya Hairdressing, Bath Street Abingdon.
Pixxel Box - Wedding Photobooth Suppliers
Hello - Pixxelboxx is owned by two business partners who have been friends for many years, Conner Crawford & Shane North. Pixxelboxx Limited was created in January 2016 starting out as a photo booth hire company. Following their success since then, they have expanded in other areas of event hire including:
Sweet Carts
Popcorn Machines
Candy Floss Machines
Chocolate Fountains
Chair Covers / Sashes
And much, much more!
Pixxelboxx is passionate about offering great and reliable service to each of their customers and this can be seen by the reviews and comments from previous work.
info@pixxelboxx.com
07920 099432 - Conner
07904 962076 - Shane
Karen Liddle Cakes
Hi All - I make cakes, mini cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cake pops and much more for any occasion whether it’s for a wedding, birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or whatever special occasion deserves a special something to go with it.
www.karenliddlecakes.co.uk
07990 595955
karenliddlecakes@gmail.com
Allerston Taylor Regency Carriages - Vintage Wedding Car Suppliers
www.regencycarriages.co.uk
01296 655021
07761 656857
allerstontaylor@aol.com
Hi there - Allerston Taylor & Regency Carriages is a family run business established in 1998 by Andrew & Louise Taylor, offering a friendly and professional service for your wedding day.
We offer a selection of vintage and classic Rolls Royces, Daimlers, Vanden Plas Princess Limousines, Austin and Jaguar.
Our cars are all owned by us, therefore, we can guarantee that you will receive personal attention and service to suit your individual needs.
Our cars will be immaculately presented for your wedding day with ribbons and bows to match your colour scheme, flower display and champagne for the newlyweds.
Our smartly dressed chauffeurs will be of the utmost assistance to you and your bridal party and will convey you in style and comfort.
Our cars only ever do one wedding per day so you can sit back and relax on your journey and know that you will not be rushed.
All of our cars carry large umbrellas, mineral water, tissues and first aid kits.
The cars are maintained by us in our own workshop to the highest standard and kept in pristine condition.
We invite you to come and view the cars and meet with us. We will be delighted to show you around the cars and offer our advice on your wedding day transport requirements. Pictures really do not do the cars justice and we strongly believe that you should view and sit in the cars before choosing a car to make one of life’s most important journeys. You are able to view the cars by appointment 9am – 9pm. Please contact us to arrange an appointment.
We are based in Westcott near Aylesbury and cover all of Bucks and areas within a 50-mile radius. If however, your wedding is outside of this area we can probably still accommodate your requirements with the use of our car transporter.
Please contact us with your wedding details and requirements and we can let you know availability and give you a personal quote.
Oxford Disco and Karaoke
Hi - We are Gary and Bridget from Oxford Disco and Karaoke Company - We will make your event Spectacular. We are one of Oxfordshires Professional Wedding and Events Company offering a range of packages to ensure your event sounds and looks amazing.
www.oxforddiscos.co.uk
gary@oxforddiscos.co.uk
07500 554483
Wedding Florist - Rebekah Pugh
I am Rebekah, a mum of three and wife of one.
I grew up around flowers as my dad (and occasional Go tell the bees helper) was the Head Gardener for a National Trust Property. It was here I started to flower arrange and even went to classes as young as 8 years old. My passion is community, helping others and being kind. Go tell the bees aims to tie everything together - a love of flowers, a love of supporting and caring whilst meeting people and providing comfort and care.
https://www.gotellthebees.co.uk
Rebekah email - hello@gotellthebees.co.uk
07841 431219
Wedding Videographer Abbie Breach
After completing my degree in filmmaking at university and taking a love to being behind the camera, I soon became intrigued in wedding videography and being able to capture a couples special day.
To be apart of your day is an honour right from the moment I am approached by you. I make a promise to capture every intimate moment for you to cherish and look back on in years to come.
From our first meeting together through to the final edit, I will be sure to meet every single one of your wants and needs while making you feel as comfortable as possible.
Abbie Breach - 07775 355143
Not Just Travel - Sian Pages
After the wedding celebrations are over and the guests have gone home, it’s time to lie back relax and look forwards to your wedding vacation.
As your Personal Travel Expert, Sian is here to make planning your next holiday stress-free and easy. Whether you know exactly what you want or need some travel inspiration, she will use her knowledge and expertise to create a bespoke holiday you’ll love. From the whole package to those finishing touches such as car hire and travel insurance, Sian has got you covered!
Upcoming Wedding Fair events.
Now that you have met WOW’s friendly and professional team on line, why not come along to say hello in person …
If you are interested in joining our mailing list so you are updated of our pending wedding fair meetings yet to be announced please click the link below to register. We promise we will never share your details with third party agencies nor will we bombard your mailbox with spam !!