Brangelina's Big Day

Seriously, I go away for a week and come home to find out Brad and Angelina have only gone and tied the knot!

Deep in darkest Devon without a WiFi connection, who knows what other news I've missed, but not to panic. I've soon caught up on all the wedding goss and found a picture of the stunning Versace dress.

Was there ever a doubt that Ms Jolie would choose anything other than a classically elegant white gown? I think not - but I love the fact that the veil looks like her kids have gone crazy with the crayons and scribbled all over it. As a personal touch their drawings have actually been embroidered onto it. Such a sweet idea - I wonder how many brides-to-be will be copying that one?

Tres Jolie!

V&A Wedding Dresses: 1775 - 2014

As an early birthday treat from my sister I finally got the chance to visit the V&A's latest must-see exhibition at the weekend. Wedding Dresses: 1775 - 2014 takes you warmly by the hand and guides you through the history of the white (and not so white) wedding - starting with a very wide court mantua, which calls to mind 'here comes the bride more than 40 inches wide', and ending with more current creations by Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and Jenny Packham . With 70 dresses on display there are more highlights than I can mention, but I'll try.

If anything can challenge the view that once you've seen one white wedding dress, then you've seen them all it's this exhibition. There's a huge variety on display depending on the bride's personal style as well as her status before you even start to consider the zeitgeist. But that's not to say there's not a running theme when it comes to wedding dresses. The late 19th Century saw the medieval revival that has given us the princess dress - so it would appear that fairy tale meringues are not a product of the 1980s after all. The idea of looking to the past for a wedding dress has been with us longer than that.

In contrast a couple of dresses from the 1930s could have passed for much more modern creations. One in particular with wide lace sleeves and 18ft train by Norman Hartnell has more than a hint of 70s hippy chick about it.

Of course, I was expecting tiny waists from the early dresses, but what surprised me was the bridal footwear. The shoes were larger than I'd envisaged - showing the wearers had long and narrow feet.

Not every dress will have you swooning - be warned there are some shockers. A space age silver collared coat from the 60s now looks like an Austin Powers costume even though it must have been cutting-edge at the time. And then there's an embroidered dress coat and pointed gold headdress that we are told were designed by friends of the bride - one has to wonder if they remained friends afterwards!

Upstairs it's onto the celebrity dresses, with gowns borrowed from Dita von Teese, Lisa Butcher, Gwen Stefani and the Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla's Anna Valentine dress coat looked a darker shade and the gilded Philip Treacy headdress appeared smaller but no less impressive. However, for me the highlight had to be seeing Kate Moss' Galliano dress in the flesh. The detail is so intricate it took 710 hours to sew on the 120,000 sequins and the effect is stunning.

Wedding Dresses: 1775 - 2014 runs at the V&A through until 15th March 2015, so if you get chance to go I'd definitely recommend it.

Olivia Palermo's White Wedding

Wedding season is well and truly in full swing - but if you're one of those people who think that when you've seen one white wedding dress you've seen them all, think again. Olivia Palermo has only gone and changed the game.

Who'd have thought that New York's No. 1 style queen would go and get married with her hair scraped back in to a simple ponytail and wearing a cream cashmere jumper, but that's exactly what she did - and she looked absolutely fantastic doing it.

Olivia turned to Carolina Herrera to come up with a low-key take on a wedding ensemble for the secret ceremony in The Hamptons this weekend, and she ticked all the right boxes with the afore mentioned cashmere jumper paired with a billowing organza skirt - the circle hem perfectly positioned to show off those Manolo Blahniks - a pair of old favourites providing the bride's 'something blue'.

It just goes to show there's a lot to be said for keeping things simple - but if you were expecting more from Miss Palermo - or perhaps as I should now say, Mrs Heubl - apparently this is only part one of the celebrations, so we can look forward to more wedding outfits from the happy couple very soon...

Kelly Looks Lovely in Lace

Kelly Clarkson may have failed to get Jane Austen's ring on her finger, but she looks blissfully happy now that Brandon Blackstock's put a ring on it.

It was revealed that American Idol winner Kelly and Blackstock had tied the knot when she tweeted the news: "I'm officially Mrs. Blackstock. We got married yesterday at Blackberry Farms in TN, the most beautiful place ever!"

As for the dress, the bride wore a beautiful gown by Temperley no less.Pipping designs from Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier and Marchesa to the post (or rather, alter) the v-necked, lace 'Jessamine' dress is from the Iris collection won out in the end. That's the same collection Made In Chelsea's Millie Mackintosh chose her 'Bluebell' wedding dress from when she married Professor Green last month.

Looking at Temperley brides it comes as no surprise these wedding dresses are so popular. As for Kelly's 3 back up dresses, that's a bride's prerogative.

Millie Mack Marries in Temperley

Congratulations go out to Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green who wed in a romantic country ceremony yesterday. The Made In Chelsea star looked absolutely stunning in her Temperley gown and Louboutin heels. I'm always a big fan of Temperley bridal designs, and Millie's wedding dress with lace bodice and frilled peplum skirt from the Florence collection is no exception. For the bridesmaids it was dusky pink, bias cut dresses from Ghost (£195), ironically a style named the 'Chelsea'!

On the topic of Chelsea, somewhat surprisingly Caggie Dunlop and Rosie Fortescue were both spotted arriving at Babington House in Bath for their friend's wedding - putting paid to those reports that Pro Green had banned any MiC stars attending the nuptials. Let's just hope there was no champagne thrown in anger!

Dress Deja-Vu: Pippa's Peplum

All eyes were on Alnwick at the weekend for the society wedding of the year no less. The Duke of Northumberland's daughter, Lady Melissa Percy tied the knot to Thomas van Straubenzee wearing a beautiful bejewelled white gown with short sleeves - not to mention that unmissable coronet!

With the Duchess of Cambridge resting-up ahead of the royal birth it was down to little sis Pippa to lead the parade of well-dressed wedding guests - but have we seen Pippa's printed peplum dress somewhere before?

If Pippa Middleton's monochrome print dress gave you a case of dress deja-vu it could be because Kelly Brooke has been spotted sporting the very same one.
Designed by Dannii Minogue's former Project D collaborator Tabitha Somerset Webb, the two brunettes prove that the style works equally well as a day dress as it does as a wedding guest look.

Whilst Kelly simply slipped on a pair of peep-toe Louboutins, Pippa completed her outfit with an Olivia Roat Milinary fascinator and Gucci heels.

So, who wore it best?

Jenny Packham - By Royal Appointment

As the royal family gathered at Westminster Abbey to mark 60 years since the Queen's coronation all eyes were on Kate, who looked a peach in Jenny Packham  - oh, and her favourite LK Bennett Sledge courts.

It's fair to say the Duchess of Cambridge is quite a fan, having been spotted wearing Jenny Packham designs to a string of royal engagements over the past couple of years - but for me one dress particularly stands out from the rest.

Almost a year on since we saw Kate wearing her teal Jenny Packham gown to a London 2012 gala, it still ranks as one of my favourite DoC looks - but did you know the stunning dress with plunging neckline and lace detailing is also available as a bridal gown? If I ever meet my Prince Charming the Aspen, as it's known, would definitely have to be at the top of the wedding dress wish list.

Of course, Kate's Sarah Burton creation will always be the ultimate wedding dress in my eyes - and it definitely lived up to my expectations when I went to see it on display at Buckingham Palace. This year the summer opening will showcase the Queen's Norman Hartnell coronation gown - I can't wait!

Wedding Belle

Congratulations to Keira Knightley and James Righton who have got married in the south of France this weekend. Breaking the trend of flashy (and often trashy) showbiz weddings, the couple were keen to have a low-key ceremony and made their vows witnessed by just a hand full of close friends and family. And as for the all important dress...

The bride was spotted skipping out of Mazon town hall wearing a short tulle prom dress and Chanel jacket, accessorised with Ray Ban Wayfarers and a string of daisies in her hair. It's a very sweet look - but have we seen that dress before, Keira?

Keira's choice of wedding dress looks strikingly similar to a Rodarte number the Pride & Prejudice star wore to a pre-BAFTAS party back in 2008. Well so what if it is a recycled wedding dress. She looks beautiful - and hopefully this will send out a positive message to other brides-to-be.

See, you don't necessarily have to spend £1000s on a dress you'll only wear once. Far too often we hear about couples amounting massive debts so they can get married in a castle, have a horse and carriage, release turtle doves and who knows what else. I say well done Keira!

The Breaking Dawn Bridal Gown

In the latest installment of the Twilight Saga we finally get to witness the wedding of we've all been waiting for.






















One of the best things about Breaking Dawn has to be Bella's beautiful wedding dress - designed by none other than Carolina Herrera.

The devil is definitely in the detail of this seemingly simple crepe satin gown. From the front the dress is modest, with only a slight v-neck to seductively frame the neck, but from behind it's a very different story. The entire back is revealed beneath a panel of Chantilly lacework, for a design statement which adds a touch of old Hollywood glamour. The vintage styling encapsulates the description given by Stephanie Mayer in the book, and with her design, Herrera has managed to strike the perfect balance between vamp and virgin.

















If you want to take a bite of Bella's style, the gown is set to hit Carolina Herrera boutiques in the new year. If you can't wait that long Alfred Angelo has produced this great version, complete with 152 covered buttons.

Paul & Nancy Tie the Knot

Who says you can't wear white second time round? Nancy Shevell looked every inch the elegant bride in her short white dress with intricate button detailing as she emerged from Marylebone registry office as the new Lady McCartney. And as for the designer? Stella McCartney of course!

Wedding Daze

Over the weekend I went to a wedding fair with lovely blushing brides to be Lucy and Roz. I never truly appreciated before this just how many things have to be organized in preparation for the big day - and how many choices to be made. Oh, the choices! It's a good job it's not me getting married, as I'm hardly the most decisive person.

For most brides, finding that perfect dress has to be pretty near the top of their list of priorities (who am I kidding, it's right up there at the top perched on a pedestal surrounded by doves). This is one choice you have to get right (along with the choice of groom), and there is more choice out there than you might expect. If you think when you've seen one wedding dress then you've seen them all, think again. During the fashion show we all struggled to hold back the hysterics - I don't mean a fit of uncontrollable excitement over a parade of unbelievably beautiful dresses. No, it was more like bemusement over who would want to get married in lime green crystal encrusted tulle. Then there were some cringe-worthy dance moves and a finale set to the Doctor Who theme music. In a word, bizarre.

A wedding dress shouldn't be one size fits all. All women have a different personal style that their dress should reflect, not to mention different body shapes. But wanting something different doesn't have to mean out of this world crazy, or a total abandonment of tradition.

This beautiful Annette Carey design has to be one of my all time favourites.













A romantic Jenny Packham design, perfect for a willowy boho bride.













Short and sweet - this Oscar de la Renta number is great for a petite frame and encapsulates the whole ladylike trend.











Channel the 1950s in an Ian Stuart prom dress - perfect for lovers of all things retro.













Contemporary embellishment by Jenny Packham.I love how the long necklaces draw the eye down, lengthening the body.

Grecian goddess by Amanda Wakeley.