Ahead of The Designer Wedding Show, taking place from 7-9 October in London’s Battersea Park, we quizzed seven of our favourite industry experts, all showcasing at the event, about exciting new bridal trends...

Showcasing the stunning new autumn bridal collection from Vera Wang – who designed Kim Kardashian’s three wedding dresses – Browns Bride creative director Caroline Burstein reveals what’s in store ahead of their appearance on The Designer Wedding Show catwalk. “Vera Wang's silhouette is all about soft sculpture: her dresses combine sophistication and style and she just knows how today's modern bride wants to look and feel.”

brownsfashion.com

Hair maestro Michael Van Clake – check out his hair how-tos for creating an elegant asymmetric top knot and a romantic curly side knot – upped the ante with a heads-up on the trends to watch. “The 2012 bridal season will see a definitive mix of old-style 'Parisian couture' glamour coupled with a nod to the sexy screen sirens of the Sixties and Seventies. Hair will still carry that 'classic couture' feel but will be softer with a more romantic edge. Look out for glamorous screen-goddess long waves; princess-inspired half-up half-down dos and the slightly dishevelled, tousled red-carpet updos.”

vanclarke.com

Having designed the bridesmaids dresses for the royal wedding, Nicki knows a thing or two about giving little maids their own starring moment. “Following the interest in the royal wedding, we are seeing a huge move towards the use of both lace and more sculptural fabrics, with clients requesting a more formal look for their bridesmaids. We are being asked for more muted colours this season, with pale gold and a soft silvery grey proving popular. Our new colour palette also includes beautiful, soft colours such as pink champagne, strawberry fool, eau de nil and leaf green. Don't be swayed by other people's ideas; stick to your own vision. It is, after all, your day."

nickimacfarlane.com

Bridal shoe impresario Freya Rose designs and hand-makes stunning catwalk-worthy wedding shoes. She told us to look out for lace, “whether it’s on the whole shoe or just a bow or trim.” Delicate French Chantilly lace has been used in the latest collection. “Bows are also big; we’ve featured everything from cute, classic bows to oversized origami-style ones in our new 'Boudoir' collection, which can be seen at the show itself.”

freyarose.co.uk

Wedding cake designer Peggy Porschen – whose sublime, tiered triumphs have graced the head tables at the weddings of Kate Moss and Stella McCartney to name but a few – told us that, “brides are opting for elegant and understated designs, which display detailed craftsmanship and skill. After the Kate Moss wedding and with the new Great Gatsby film coming out in 2012 (based on the 1925 F. Scott Fitzgerald novel), I predict a huge surge towards Gatsby-esque Twenties designs, with pearls, swags and tiers of varying heights.”

peggyporschen.com

Bond Street stationery stalwarts Smythson said that more brides than ever are choosing their bespoke, personal service, “at the moment we are seeing a trend in brides using our Smythson black cab, engraved motif on their save the date cards, if getting married in London in 2012. We are also currently engraving a London red bus!”

“Monograms, featuring a couple's entwined initials are now being used, not only on invitations, but on the order of service, menus, place cards and thank you cards. Brides like the continuity that this offers them on their entire wedding stationery.”

smythson.com

We caught up with the experienced events bods at wedding-venue-wonderful Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, which hosts ceremonies and receptions for both intimate groups and royal-wedding-worthy guest lists...

“Picture your party dining over the house’s special Chantilly Blue China by candlelight in The Great Steward’s Dining Room (suitable for 60 guests) or enjoying the bijou charm of the portrait-lined Pink Dining Room (for 14-20 guests). And if you’re planning a larger affair, Dumfries House will make available their Tapestry Room, a cedar wood-panelled space that’ll host up to 110 for a service, or even the specially constructed marquee that offers up to 150 guests use of the garden – perfect for the ultimate big Scottish summer wedding.”

dumfries-house.org.uk

To get up-close-and-personal with the experts at The Designer Wedding Show which runs from 7-9 October at London’s Battersea Park) and to find out who else will be exhibiting at the event, visit designerweddingshow.co.uk or call the box office on 0871 230 5579 to book your tickets.