British Bridal Exhibition, Harrogate

250 bridal wear collections by 150 designers equals a whole world of wedding dresses.

Top bridal wear names and independent, often innovative designs, featured at this year’s British Bridal Exhibition in Harrogate. From bridal gowns to mother-of-the-bride, kiddies and bridesmaids’ attire to accessories and menswear, as event director Wendy Adams said: “Harrogate is the place to be seen if you are in bridal.”

Far from old-fashioned, lacy meringues, these days catwalk trends play as big a part in planning the big day as they do on the runway. The impending Royal wedding will see a surge of copycat dress designs later this year with the rumour mill currently including everyone from Victoria Beckham to McQueen designer Sarah Burton designing Kate’s creation. However, the British Bridal Exhibition has a few inspirational ideas of their own. Here are ten of our favourites...

Ronald Joyce
This elegant and feminine range has taken old-fashioned, regal qualities and adapted it to suit young, modern women. These dresses are a safe, classic option suitable for those looking for the wow factor as oppose to a fashion statement. www.ronaldjoyce.com

Amanda WyattFifty years of bridal fashion heritage has resulted in a lot of different design options from Amanda Wyatt. The latest collection includes many different designs for the décolletage because, let’s face it, not everyone feels comfortable going strapless on their big day, or any other day for that matter. www.amandawyatt.comElizabeth StuartCelebrity-inspired simplicity describes a varying range of bridal wear from Elizabeth Stuart. From the high-neck, rhinestone-embossed Jennifer Aniston-style wedding dress to the a subtle, lacy version of Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sex and the City frock, brides looking for a dress to wear rather than a dress that wears them should look no further. www.elizabeth-stuart.com

White RoseThis company prides themselves on catering for all price ranges. The collections are described as romantic with crystals, beading and plenty of embroidery where possible. With lots of regional stockists (Stockport, Bolton, Cheshire, Wirral, Warrington and Sowerby Bridge), for brides on a budget it’s worth a look. www.whiterosebridal.comImpression

Impression
Can’t find a dress for your shape? Impression offers a style guide on their website suggesting dresses for apple, hourglass, inverted triangle, pear and rectangle-shaped ladies. They also have suggestions for small and large busts. www.impressionbridal.com

Callista
Forget crash dieting, Callista specialise in ‘brides with curves’, and the dresses really do pull you in and hoist you up in all the right places. Details aren’t compromised either with plenty of embroidery placed strategically to add beauty as oppose to bulk. www.callistabride.com

ILY Bridal coutureFloral and leafy designs are featured heavily in this range with materials including traditional taffeta, silk, satin and modern decorative additions such as ostrich feathers, Swarovski crystals and even leather. It’s not the classic bridal wear we’re used to but they certainly have some stand out gowns. www.ilybridal.co.ukThe Dessy GroupThe Dessy Group is a bridesmaid dress manufacturer. Judging by the fact that the dress was modelled in Harrogate, floaty Grecian cuts in bold colours are the look for 2011 weddings. www.dessy.com

The Earring BoutiqueFew jewellery shops specialise in bridal jewellery beyond rings, but the Earring Boutique recognises that brides need more options when it comes to accessorising. Classic earrings include detailed pearl studs and drop earrings. The destination range features bridal styles with a splash of colour and pizzazz. theearringboutique.com

The Earring Boutique