Georgina Heffernan: What kind of an influence do you think Kate Middleton's dress will have on wedding trends?
Franc: I think that it will have a huge impact and we will begin to see a lot more lace used in bridal gowns; lace is back in fashion and has never gone out. I think that we will also see a lot more tiara's being used, they've been really out of style for the last few years but, after the Royal wedding, I do see them making a bit of a comeback.I loved Kate's dress and the moment that I saw it, I was reminded of Grace Kelly's wedding gown because it was so demure, classic and elegant. I loved the full skirt and the fitted bodice that really accentuated her tiny waist. I think that her dress was great because it was timeless and romantic and it certainly had the 'Wow!' factor.
GH: What are the key wedding styles for spring/summer 2011
Franc: Well, we can't really discuss trends without going back to Kate's McQueen gown and the impact that it's bound to have on fashion. Just seconds after she emerged from her car outside Westminster Abbey; designers around the world were drawing up versions of the dress, setting in motion a mad rush for mass-produced versions at a fraction of the cost.
It's incredible how small the world has become, over 24 million viewers tuned in to witness the royal wedding and in America the story was absolutely huge and it dominated the news headlines for 14 days nonstop. Obviously the impact that is going to have on fashion is absolutely huge.
GH: Is it possible to have your dream wedding on a tight budget?
Franc: Whichever way you go about it, the cheapest option for a venue is always going to be a hotel. All of the facilities and staff costs are covered by a hotel, whereas, if you do it at an alternate venue, such as your home, you are still going to have to fork out for catering, seating, and food. So if you are in doubt - opt for a hotel is you want to get the best value for money.
If a wedding in a hotel is not quite your thing, it's time to think outside the box. Perhaps you want to hold your wedding at a restaurant or a nightclub? Remember, it's your wedding so you can do whatever you like. I think that people can get panicked when they try to stick to the traditional wedding formula but I encourage people to put their own stamp on things.
If you love music, spend your money on the entertainment and have an amazing band play at your wedding. If you adore fashion, you can make your dress the focus of attention. Don't pretend to be anyone else and go down the conventional route. It's your dream day, after all, so don't be afraid to put your own stamp on it.
GH: Over the course of your long career as a wedding planner, have you ever had to deal with a totally unreasonable bridezilla?
Franc: I have never met a bridezilla - just a few misunderstood women. As a wedding can be such a pressurized event, it can often magnify any tensions or flaws that there may already be within the family unit. The classic one is when the bride will ask, say, her three best friends to be her bridesmaids but then she will get very frustrated because she feels they're not doing enough for her.
That's usually because she's read some ridiculous wedding handbook and has created a vision in her mind of 'How it should be.' The problem is that none of her friends have any idea about what she expects from them. Honestly, it's a recipe for disaster .If you want your wedding to run smoothly, honest, open communication are the keywords.
GH: What's been the most memorable wedding that you have planned?
Franc: Nearly every wedding I've done, there's been a moment of magic when I think 'Wow!' One that sticks out in my mind was a reception, where we released thousands of floating lanterns into a lake, late at night. The sky was twinkling with stars and the moon was silvery and bright. The effect was just breathtaking and when the lake was almost covered with tiny sparkling lanterns we had a fireworks display. It took my breath away
GH: What are the options for cash strapped brides who still want to look fabulous?Franc: There are so many different options for woman on the high street that it's relatively easy to pick up your dream dress without breaking the bank. There are many charity shops that stock incredible designer creations and many bridal shops offer last year's dresses at less than half the price. Seriously, I've seen wonderful dresses that have been reduced to less than 500 euro just because they are last season's style!
In recent times, many women try to save by purchasing their wedding dress on line. Some are lucky but for others it's a disaster, so if you are going to buy a dress off the internet be warned, you may not always get what you wanted. The most important thing is to choose a dress that will suit your figure, rather than driving yourself demented, trying to starve yourself into a dress.
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