The Hampshire Wedding Fair™

A big “Thank You” to our exhibitors, visitors and Swanmore Parishioners who all helped make this year’s Hampshire Wedding Fair the best yet!

In spite of the uncertain weather, we welcomed more than 250 guests to visit over 50 stands. The fashion show was a great success and we are sure that couples planning their wedding will have found many suppliers to make their special day extra special. From Photographers to Fireworks, Beauticians to Bridal Wear, Catering to Chocolaterie, we had lots to offer!

There are photographs from this year’s show (and last year’s) available for viewing here on our photo gallery. These are courtesy of Brian Pancott and there are more available on his website.

So make a note in your diary for 18 April 2009 when The Parish of Swanmore is planning to host “The Hampshire Wedding Fair” again, but check back here regularly as we may have more exciting news for you!

To register an interest in NEXT year’s show please email us at
enquiries2009@thehampshireweddingfair.co.uk

For queries about THIS year’s show, please e mail
enquiries2008@thehampshireweddingfair.co.uk

(There were two sour notes to the day. A non-exhibiting company parked their van nearby and may have caused confusion to our visitors. For the avoidance of doubt, our delicious hog roast was provided by Go The Whole Hog of Botley.

The second was that a Waterlooville/Denmead based company fly posted visitors’ cars in the car park. Fortunately the fliers were spotted and removed almost immediately, but if any visitor feels their car has been damaged in any way, please contact us and we will be pleased to pass on the details. As for the company, judging by their flier, it isn’t anyone we would recommend or endorse)

We look forward to seeing you at The Hampshire Wedding Fair today!

11:00 Doors open (Complimentary glass of bubbly for the first 100 visitors!)
12:25 Fashion Show
15:30 Prize Draw
16:00 Show ends

Over 50 stands and products on display including
Hog Roast
Licenced bar
Live Music

as well as many other products and services to make that special day - Special

Brought to you by From This day Forwards - Wedding and Event Consultants

This link will provide a map. Those with GPS need to enter the venue’s post code, SO32 2PA.

For any last minute questions please e mail us at
enquiries2008@thehampshireweddingfair.co.uk

Come rain or shine, you are assured of a very warm welcome and a wedding fair with a difference. We look forward to seeing you there!

With just under a week to go, all the preparations are in place. With over 50 exhibitors lined up, this year’s show is bigger and better than ever! Look out for the Blue Signs and pink indicator arrows on the approaches to Swanmore, and to get you near the area, this link will provide a map. Those with GPS need to enter the venue’s post code, SO32 2PA.

Come rain or shine, you are assured of a very warm welcome and a wedding fair with a difference. We look forward to seeing you there!

For any last minute questions please e mail us at
enquiries2008@thehampshireweddingfair.co.uk

With two weeks to go, things are really hotting up in preparation for The Hampshire Wedding Fair.

The exhibitor’s list is finalised, and you can follow the links on the sidebar to see the exciting range for the 2008 fair - and we look forward to welcoming previous exhibitors as well as several new ones.

For those planning to vist the fair, don’t forget to arrive early and claim your complimentary glass of bubbly, and choose your seat for the Fashion Show, starting at 12:30. We have a range of spectacular dresses to show you, featuring both off the peg designs from Catherine Jane, Orchid and House of Nicholas, as well as bespoke designs from talented local designer, Toni-Ann, alll showcased against the backdrop of this pretty Victorian Church. The fashion show also includes a range of menswear as well as “Mother of the Bride” and guest outfits.

And don’t forget to stay to the end to hear if you are a winner in the Prize Draw!

For last minute enquiries by exhibitors (current and prospective) and visitors, we have set up a special e mail address:
enquiries2008@thehampshireweddingfair.co.uk

Plans are well advanced for the 2008 presentation of The Hampshire Wedding Fair. Following a similar format to last year we are looking forward to welcoming both last year’s exhibitors, as well as some exciting new ones. The list of exhibitors that have agreed to attend is on the right, and is being updated on a regular basis. Photographs from last year’s fair can be found here.

Winners of last year’s prize draw Rachel Bradberry and Stephen Parry enjoyed a romantic break in Henley courtesy of the Hotel Du Vin.

The couple had attended The Hampshire Wedding Fair in April 2007 out of interest, and were delighted when they were lucky enough to win this luxurious prize. Stephen had been planning to propose to Rachel for some time, and was thrilled when presented with this opportunity to finally pop the question.

“I had been waiting for the perfect moment to pop the question to Rachel and couldn’t believe my luck when the ideal opportunity dropped in my lap.”

The couple agreed to use their prize of dinner, bed and breakfast at this renowned hotel to celebrate their sixth anniversary together. Stephen contacted Event Organisers and Wedding Consultants From This Day Forwards as soon as they had booked the hotel for November and together they began the search for the perfect engagement ring.
“It was fantastic to receive such help with purchasing something so important. I was very nervous about getting the design right, but thanks to From This Day Forwards I felt I could leave most of my worries behind me from the moment I made the call. Their knowledge was incomparable and I felt I could place complete trust in them. They helped me to make sure that such an important moment of my life went down as a great success, and for that I am eternally grateful.”

After visiting several jewellers and viewing many stones with his Consultant Stephen commissioned local jewellers Simon Lawson to craft a bespoke pink diamond trilogy ring in white gold.

“The service I received from Simon was thoroughly professional, I enjoyed feeling I was really part of the process of making something that would be so special in our lives together. Simon ordered several stones into his shop in Bishops’ Waltham and then invited me to examine them closely with him in order to choose the perfect diamonds for the ring. His extensive knowledge and enthusiasm ensured that the end result was perfect.”

When November finally arrived Stephen was fully prepared to pop the big question to Rachel, and proposed during a romantic stroll down the river in Henley.

“I was speechless” Rachel said, “The ring is absolutely beautiful”

The couple then enjoyed an exquisite dinner and the fabulous accommodation that the hotel had to offer before returning home to spread the good news to their family and friends.

Rachel and Stephen are planning a country wedding in Devon, near Rachel’s family home, for June of 2008. The garden themed wedding will take place in the church Rachel attended with her family as a child, and the reception will be held in a marquee in the grounds of a nearby hotel.

Rachel and Stephen’s wedding plans are well under way and we wish them every happiness in their future lives together

Congratulations to them both!

Make a note in your diaries for 12 April 2008 when The Hampshire Wedding Fair will once again be held at St Barnabas, The Parish Church of Swanmore.

The day is still in the early planning stages, but come back here to see how this exciting day is developing!

Meanwhile don’t forget to look at the photographs from last year’s event in the gallery!

are now available for viewing here.

The dust has settled on what has been judged to be a most successful fair! Thank you to all of you who attended - we hope you had an enjoyable day, and thank you to all our exhibitors and sponsors for making the event so special. We will be contacting you shortly with a report on the day and we will also be posting some photographs taken during the event.

We look forward to seeing you at The Hampshire Wedding Fair today! Don’t forget that doors open at 11am, and the first 100 receive a glass of bubbly!

The fashion show starts at 12:15, and after that there are nearly 50 stands to browse, covering all your wedding requirements. These are situated in the church centre and the marquee across the road.

Refreshments will be on sale all day, and you can try a delicious Hog Roast, wash it down with a glass of Pimms from the outside bar while listening to the jazz band.

Finally, don’t forget to enter the prize draw for an evening meal (with wine), bed and breakfast any Sunday nioght (excluding bank holidays) at the prestigious Hotel Du Vin, Henley on Thames.

See you there!

The Hampshire Wedding Fair thanks all its sponsors, including Linden Homes, Lighthouse Marquees, Hotel Du Vin, Solent Design Studios and Sign Tec of Swanmore