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There are definitely a few differences between bridal magazines in the US and the UK.
I’ll only delve into the UK Bridal Magazines at the moment, but remind me to tell you about the cheese!
In the US, when you purchase a bridal magazine you’ll often receive just the magazine; occasionally it will be a special issue with an insert, or perhaps include a CD ROM. But in England, you get a bridal package. In fact, you could probably use the packet to lift weights. I purchased two wedding magazines, Brides and You and Your Wedding:
Inside I found:
Woooooooaaaaaah.
The pink ones are an invitation catalog, the mini Brides is a wedding planner, and the one on the top right is a fancy dress catalog. In You and Your Wedding there was a surprise second magazine! The red square thing is actually an additional CD!
In the UK magazines they show you the fashions from the UK…
… the US…
… and Europe.
Not to mention that many of the articles include the names of specific shops, because you could potentially visit any store in the country. After all, it isn’t exactly huge. Here is a page with a notice about a new shop in Cheshire:
You can see how large it is on the page!
There also seems to be a lot more information for grooms inside, which is pretty cool for Mr. D’orsay! There are the usual articles, advice and fabulous dress pictures as well.
There is a fabulous huge wedding fashion show extravaganza in London in February that I keep seeing ads for. It’s 16 pounds for a ticket, but I’m thinking I’ll head down (maybe with my FSIL?) and take tons of lovely photos for you all!
Does anyone else read wedding magazines from abroad? What differences do you notice between them and mags from the US?
What is the price difference between the UK ones with all the goodies and the US ones? Are the UK ones much more expensive or about the same price?
I’m South African, so we get both UK and US imported magazines, as well as some average-ish local ones. I have to say I always preferred the UK ones! They just seemed more *me*. I was working in a bookshop most of the time I was engaged, which meant free reading of *everything*, so I got to read a lot without paying a cent…good times!
I love all British magazines vs. American ones. On my first trip to the UK I had several magazines in my carry-on. I love all the free stuff they give you in order to get you to buy the magazines. It’s mostly all junk, but I found myself going “Ooh, lip gloss! I’ll buy that one!”
oooh, that’s something I miss about London–it wasn’t just bridal magazines, but regular magazines like Cosmo. They all always had some sort of goodies–a tote bag, and on one memorable occasion, an itty-bitty-amost-not-there-bikini!
I actually just got back from spending 4 months on a study abroad in the UK and I wanted to find bridal magazines so I could try and check out the differences… but I couldn’t find them! The bookstore and magazine shop on campus didn’t have them and I always forgot to check when I went into town. Now I wish I had looked harder!!!
That’s pretty awesome! I’ve seen UK magazines like Cosmo at Borders. I wonder if that one comes with all of the extra stuff.
LOVE the feather capelets! They’re so popular there!
That is so cool! I had no idea there would be any difference! Do they cost more in relation to US magazines?
The biggest difference between US bridal mags and ones in Austraila is the the Australian ones are about $15-$20 each! I had to ask my fiance for one as a christmas present because I feel too guilty spending that much!
Heh - I think it is important for readers to know that British magazines usually come with some kind of token - I bought british cosmo and british glamour over the summer - one came with a free book and one came with a free pair of flip flops. I think the freebies with newsstand magazines is just a British thing…maybe added incentive for purchasers?
I just got back from study abroad in London, and the bridal magazines we’re FANTASTIC.
One came with No. 7 mascara 
I wish the U.S. ones were like the UK ones…
Oh heck, I wish I was back in London!
I love the gifts with the UK magazines, once it was raining and I needed an umbrella so I just bought a magazine that came with a free umbrealla. In my experience with non-bridal magazines, the UK ones were ore expensive, mostly due to the exchange rate but now that the pound is weaker it may not be so different.
Wow! I wonder, since thy provide you a packet- if there is less of a need to buy further magazines? Does the packet rate similarly between all the magazines…
Thinking ahead, that is just a lot of extra stuff to either throw out, give away or recycle. Oui.
The best magazine gift I’ve seen so far was the Glamour one a few months ago. They gave away full size Nails Inc nail polish (which itself retails for £10) with a £2 magazine. And it was colours you’d actually wear, not the crap they couldn’t get rid of!
They also gave away a full size Benefit lip gloss last year as well.
The UK magazines generally retail in the £4 or £5 region so around $6.50 at the current rate.
I must admit that although we have these great magazines, I love going to Borders and finding Martha Stewart Weddings… The grass is always greener on the other side!
I got the Nails Inc. polish and the Benefit lip gloss too– you could choose between a few different shades, on the newsstand, if I recall correctly.
Magazines here are great, but a thing that sucks is that it’s hard to find good deals on subscriptions. A lot of the offers, you’ll save only 10% off the newsstand price, not like in the US, where you’ll save tons.
Anyone here in the UK find a cheap website to order magazines?
Ha! Gotta love the “bikini in a magazine”. And yes I have one. Eh. TWO.
But gotta second that there’s a lot more for the boys in UK (and Irish, and Italian) mags. FI was downright disappointed in the US bridal mags my mom brought me, as he’s used to the Italian variety where half the mag is dedicated to the groom!
In general, I like European magazine of any sort over the US versions - they are so much more creative! When I am shopping for a new hairstyle, I ALWAYS get the Euro mags, even though they are more expensive. US versions just seem to show slightly different versions of the same thing. Yawn!
Except for Martha Stewart anything (as a crafty-nerd, I can’t say a word against Queen Martha!)
I love the fashion and photos in the European bridal magazines…but how easy is it to purchase something in there from here in the States?
This makes me want to buy a UK wedding mag! Are they available in the US?
i love European magazines! When I was visiting Europe this summer I picked up two or three in England and got two bags and a paperback book along with the magazines. When I was in Poland there was a magazine that came with a travel hair dryer!
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Mrs. D'orsay, Baltimore/Lancaster UK Age and Occupation: 24, nonprofit communications Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web site developer and designer; co-owner of men's skincare shop Engagement Date: August 10, 2008 Wedding Date: August, 2009 Venue: Oakland Manor About Me: I'm a Maryland raised environmental policy wonk/activist/organizer and communications aficionado. In the past year I've lived in Baltimore, MD, Tucson, AZ, Miami, FL and Lancaster, England. In my not so spare time I enjoy planning trips with Mr. D' Orsay, visiting friends and family and crafting like a mo-fo. I also enjoy modern dance classes, rugby and soccer but have been banned by my mother, MOHs, and Mr. D' Orsay from playing till after the wedding. I have an unnatural addiction to cheese and shoes, but love Mr. D' Orsay more than either and can't wait to become Mrs. D' Orsay!
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