Where to Meet the Vendors – 1

It won’t be news to you if you’re reading this post, that there are no wedding fayre events that goth couples can go to that really cater for your tastes and requirements – (if anyone knows different please let me know).

The only one that I have ever been aware of is the one that ran at The Met on Sundays during the Whitby Goth Weekend for a couple of years.  I exhibited there several times but it wasn’t particularly successful and subsequently ended, which begs the question, if a goth wedding fayre can’t succeed in Whitby during WGW would one succeed anywhere?

Anyway, I digress somewhat.  I think it’s fair to say that it’s highly likely that the goth based businesses featured in our Directory won’t often attend any wedding fayres because goths don’t go to them, and the non-goth based businesses will exhibit at various fayres throughout the year, but will be geared up to appealling to the mainstream crowd that comes through the door.

I could be right or wrong in that assumption, however, I have decided to bring you updates of the fayres that Gothic By Design vendors are attending as I hear of them.  This hopefully, will let you know that if you’ve taken a fancy to a particular supplier then going to a fayre you know they are going to be at will be of use to you (presuming you can get there).  Could I also add, that it might be worth contacting the vendor in advance to let them know what you are interested in so that they can turn up with samples that might be of interest to you, as, as I’ve already mentioned, they will be likely to go to the fayre stocked with stuff designed to appeal to the masses.

Well after all of that rambling I can let you know of the following dates:

Debbie Carlisle Bouquets

Saturday 26 June 2010 (sorry for the short notice – my fault, not Debbie’s)
Rainbow Weddings Civil Partnership tent from 1pm to 7pm, at Sheffield Pride, Endcliffe Park.
It’s worth noting here that the Civil Partnership tent has been organised by Boho Weddings and Events, another of Gothic By Design’s suppliers.  (Why not visit just to take a peek at the type of event that Kelly, of Boho Weddings, can pull off?)

Saturday 17 July 2010
Candy Floss craft fair at Sheffield Millenium Galleries, Sheffield city centre from 10am to 4pm.

Sunday 19 September 2010
The Vintage Wedding Fayre, St George’s Hotel, Harrogate from 11.30am to 5pm.

Sunday 17 October 2010
Wedding fayre at White Hart Hotel, Saddleworth, Lancashire, from midday to 4pm.

Introducing – Debbie Carlisle Bouquets

Debbie Carlisle of Debbie Carlisle Bouquets is another vendor who I have befriended via Twitter.

I have been intrigued by the range of alternatives to traditional fresh flower bouquets that there are around once you start looking.  I feel that it is fuelled to some extent by the trend towards vintage, but whether you are drawn to them because they are fashionable or not, they are also a perfect way to hold on to your bouquet as a keepsake for years to come.

When I contacted Debbie about being included in my directory I received a very positive reply.  “I would absolutely love to be a part of your new website” she  enthused,  “I’d love to have the chance to work with some brides who want something really unusual.  I have loads of ideas buzzing around my head for potential bouquets in different colours and using more unusual jewellery – I have just been waiting for the right bride to come along so I can realise them!”

She continued, ” I hate the idea of a bride/groom being told they ‘can’t’ have something they want at their own wedding because it’s ‘not traditional’.  My aim is to create something unique for my clients that reflects their personality and theme – the more individual the better.”

When looking more closely at the varying designs that Debbie has to offer you start to see that they can be made up of a very tactile mixture of beads, jewels, ribbons, feathers and more.  “While a lot of my bouquets use vintage jewellery and buttons there is no reason why I can’t use other types of jewellery – my black bouquet uses modern costume jewellery and beads.
Basically anything is possible – as long as I can attach wire securely to it. Who knows, maybe your website will help me achieve my dream of creating my first bouquet using skull jewellery!”


One of Debbie’s latest designs is a bouquet made up of vintage jewellery pieces – see below for this colourful and sparkly creation.  Let your imagination run away with you – how spectacular would your bouquet be in this style made up of those gothic colours we love so much – black Whitby jet, amethyst, ruby, sapphire….

If you have been impressed by what you have seen so far of Debbie Carlisle Bouquets, and you are looking for that individual twist on your bridal bouquets or posies, get in touch with her  – as you have read, she’s eager to hear from you.

If you have any comment to make regarding Debbie’s work, or this blog post, please send it to me below.

Introducing – Claire Ogden Designs

Claire is one of the many contacts I have made through Twitter.  On looking through her website for the first time I realised that I had found someone who creates high quality jewellery, with a beautiful bohemian quality that was bound to appeal to my readers.

Take time to look through Claire’s ranges and you’ll see a wide variety of pieces crafted from exquisite materials that will enhance any bridal outfit.

I spoke to Claire last week.  She’s been very proactive of late, getting serious about reaching those who appreciate her work.  “All of my pieces are one offs”, she explained, “So once they’re gone that’s it.  However, I’m adding new pieces to the website all the time so people just need to keep a look out.

“Any of the of the designs can be recreated in other ways, for example, if someone particularly liked a bracelet, that design can easily be made into a tiara or necklace.  I have a bespoke service and am happy to work with people to give them what they want.”

Claire tells me that she is looking forward to working with some new designs, including more colourful materials; and Vintage and Steampunk are also taking her interest.  I have a feeling that news of new ranges from Claire Ogden Designs will come through to Gothic By Design thick and fast – so watch this space.

If you like what you see of her work get in touch with Claire, she’s waiting to hear from you.

If you have any comments on this post please add them below.

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