The Un-Wedding Show At Shoreditch Studios: Party For The People & The Planet!
The Un-Wedding Show photographed from the mezzanine at Shoreditch Studios so you can see lots of people below the pink and red glitter canopy
Written by Melissa Woods
Photography by Em J Photos
The Un-Wedding Show has always been a party, the biggest party on your wedding planning journey aside from your un-wedding, of course! And this time was no different! In fact, it was the best party we’ve thrown yet, thanks to the amazing selection of the UK’s most unique independent wedding suppliers, ‘YOU’ our incredible attendees!
Shoreditch Studios really is the perfect space for a non-traditional wedding or, the UK’s coolest wedding fair, ahem…
And we’ve no doubt we’ll be seeing a lot of un-weddings adopting these incredible glitter canopies installed by Book Of Love directory babe, Mariel Osborn which are available to hire, don’t worry! The wibbly wobbly, red and pink glittering decorations were the perfect decorations for getting the party started!
So what makes a great party?
Whether you are planning your wedding, your hen do, stag do or hun do, the formula is simple - good people, great music, a unique venue, and cocktails! Oh wait, I’ve just described The Un-Wedding Show at Shoreditch Studios!
This was our 2nd time back in this alternative wedding venue space and it’s safe to say it’s starting to feel like home. The sun was shining all weekend which made cocktails in the courtyard from The Swig & Filly so much sweeter! And this time we were really lucky to be able to treat all of our guests to delicious canapes from London’s finest sustainable wedding caterers, Klose + Soan who were also cooking up a flavour storm of delicious street food to give you all an idea of their creative catering skills for your wedding or event.
A close up of a paloma cocktail with an orange slice and The Un-Wedding’s ‘House Of Love’ logo as a cocktail topper
Lots of guests enjoying the sunshine and cocktails in the courtyard at Shoreditch Studios for The Un-Wedding Show
Party For The Planet!
Let’s face it, as much as we all love to throw a party, weddings being one of the biggest excuses, there is always a cost to the planet.
This time around The Un-Wedding Show was thrilled to partner with our Book Of Love directory babes, Patchwork, to support the launch of their brand new business model and pledge to donate 50% of their fees to 1 of 3 environmental charities of your choice - Friends Of The Earth, Survival International or Client Earth.
Patchwork is the one and only alternative gift list + honeymoon fund for un-wedding couples because their beautiful platform allows engaged couples to crowdfund the one thing they really want instead of asking for cash or, accumulating a load of stuff you don’t really want or need which eventually ends up in a landfill site.
When you use Patchwork you can choose to pay a one-off fee of £50, £25 of which goes straight to your chosen charity or, you can pay a monthly subscription of only £6, £3 of which goes to charity each month on your behalf and you can raise funds for absolutely anything… weddings, christenings, baby showers, a new bike… a flock of sheep even! … True story! Take a look at some of the templates people have used here or create your own!
A silver grid wall with silver metallic fringing behind it and lots of beautiful makeup images. There is a neon rainbow to the left and a poster with an eye illustration and writing around it that says ‘makeup for self expression not good impressions’
A close up of a hand painted wooden sign by Sylvie Signs that says ‘Rudy & Gene invite you to party’
Bespoke printed wedding newspapers hanging up at The Un-Wedding Show, one features the exhibitor logo - a smiley face with upside down heart eyes and the words ‘The Un-Wedding Show Exhibitor - 26th + 27th February ‘22’
A close up image of playful bouquet of oversized flowers in a clear vase at The un-Wedding Show
A rock n roll vibe wedding table set up featuring orange, pink, blue and black. There are flowers, candles and personalised bottles of beer on the table. The place settings are shaped like lightening bolts.
patterned hairbands for bridesmaids by Francis Louise
Creative Independent Wedding Suppliers
It’s always truly humbling to see the lengths that our careful curation of independent wedding suppliers go to in order to showcase their talents, services, and products to our alternative couples.
The Un-Wedding Show is famed for introducing modern couples to new ideas when it comes to wedding planning and everyone was blown away by the creativity displayed over the course of the weekend.
Some new and unique suppliers included Joypad, the retro gaming specialists who are available to hire for your wedding or private event. Their gaming pods are totally customisable with a full library of your favourite games. Needless to say, this was a popular stand at The Un-Wedding Show and we can’t wait to see Joypad making an appearance at some of your un-weddings.
We also welcomed Ollie Draws, for the first time ever, a live events illustrator who captures your wedding in another light - a charming addition to your wedding photographs!
A colourful and impactful floral arch by Boom Blooms, inspired by ‘Encanto’ at The Un-Wedding Show.
A close up of an ‘Encanto’ inspired floral arch with a range of textured flowers in bright pink, orange and lime green.
Textured and colourful florals in purple, blue, orange, pink, green and yellow forming a floral arch at The Un-Wedding Show
Colourful flower heads suspended in mid air to look like they are falling.
Encanto Inspired Flowers
The show-stopper of the whole event has to be the incredible ‘Encanto’ inspired floral installation by London-based florists and sisters, Eram and Aelia of Boom Blooms! I mean, just LOOK!
If colourful and impactful flowers are your priority for your wedding then I guess you know which florist to use, right?! Ir maybe you just LOVE the movie and are planning an Encanto-themed wedding?! Now that would be AMAZING! Imagine saying ‘I do’ in front of this beautiful ceremonial arch…
I’ve seen Boom Blooms in action at previous events and there is no floral arch, flower cloud, or bouquet too big for these girls who like to play around with colour and texture to create wedding and event florals that your guests will be talking about forever!
Sustainable Wedding Options
As the wedding industry begins to thrive again after the pandemic it is so nice to see so many wedding businesses switching their focus to sustainability and catering for eco-conscious couples. In an industry that’s historically lavish, The Un-Wedding Show’s suppliers prove that you can still throw an awesome party whilst also being mindful of the planet.
Something Borrowed offer a fantastic service where couples can hire their wedding outfits or resell them. Hiring wedding outfits isn’t necessarily a new thing but hiring stylish wedding outfits is!
We were thrilled to see some of our favourite labels available to hire for your wedding including ‘Oui The Label’ bridal and our very own Book Of Love directory babes, Rewritten who stylish and sustainable bridesmaids dresses that your wedding party will be happy to wear!
Rock The Frock Preloved provide another welcome alternative for brides who are passionate about sustainability by re-selling bridal gowns that have only been worn once! Also, a great option for brides on a budget too!
I was fortunate enough to witness a bride-to-be trying on a pre-loved, long-sleeved wedding dress with an open back which she went on the purchase at a fraction of the original price and she was delighted with it!
We also love sustainable jewellery designer, Laura Nelson, who creates handmade pieces from recycled precious metals. We especially liked Laura’s scrap metal range whereby she reuses all of her left-over materials to create something beautiful and completely unique.
And no un-wedding show would be complete without our OG Book Of Love directory babe Francis Louise showcasing her sustainable, modern accessories for brides, grooms and the whole wedding party… even the littlest members!
You can see more images from the weekend in the gallery below and a list of all of the awesome suppliers who showcased so you can hit them up if you were able to make it!
JOYPAD (Mezzanine)
INDIA BEL CEREMONIES (Mezzanine)
A photo of 2 suppliers chatting and facing their stands at The Un-Wedding Show. The vibe is very bohemian with lots of textured florals and pampas grass . In the background is a velvet banner that says ‘Let’s glamp with the canvas tribe’ and you can see some beautiful satin bridesmaid dresses hanging up in a rust colour.
a pink flyer from Sidey Clark Photography that says ‘confetti love & smiley faces’