Changeable Wedding Dresses – Two Looks In One

While some brides choose to have two dresses made for their wedding celebrations, an increasing number of Phillipa Lepley brides are working with our expert team to develop couture looks that can be seamlessly updated and refreshed for the evening or reception.

There are myriad of beautiful ways to create a wedding gown that can be changed throughout the day – the possibilities are certainly endless, especially with bespoke bridalwear.

The couture journey at Phillipa Lepley is a truly memorable experience, where brides undergo a series of refining fittings, watching their dress come to life on them. For many brides, through this very unique couture process, the dress holds such a special place in their heart even before stepping down the aisle. Changeable wedding dresses allow the bride to wear their wedding dress – which holds such sentimental value – all day, but enjoy the variety that comes with changing up the looks through the day’s celebrations.

Wearing a veil is perhaps the simplest way to do this. Cathedral-length veils are classic and elegant but can also make a bold statement. Hand-embroidered silk tulle adds a personal touch to a veil, by including personal initials, wedding date or favourite flowers. The embroidery can be used to complement the embroidery you might have on your wedding dress, or as a contrasting design to a plainer fabric such as silk crepe or duchess satin. A veil can be used to make a more daring dress more demure. Even a short veil adds a feeling of romance, whimsy or drama when worn over a simple wedding dress. For the evening, the veil can be removed so your wedding dress takes centre stage.

A removable and interchangeable top or overlay worn over a timeless, corseted Phillipa Lepley silhouette as a base wedding dress helps to create a regal and elegant look for the wedding ceremony. A high neck with long, full-length sleeves, an off-the-shoulder, ruched silk tulle top or a sweeping neckline with delicate lace-edged cap sleeves enhances a simple gown. Whimsical balloon sleeves made from billowing organza and dramatic capes are another serene and eye-catching ceremony option.

Come the evening, fun cover-ups such as full-length tulle overlays or jackets, embellished with 3D petals, tiny clusters of crystals or pearls completely transform the dress giving it a subtle shimmer for the evening. Alternatively, sashes can be tied around the waist of the dress finished in a bow or embellished hand-beaded belts can add extra sparkle for the dancefloor.

Brides getting married in the autumn or winter, or simply looking for extra coverage, might opt for detachable sleeves on their wedding gown. Held in place securely with discreetly hidden fixtures, sleeves could be removed to create a fresh, more relaxed and light look for the reception, creating two equally magical bridal looks within one exquisite dress.

Anything is possible when designing a couture wedding dress with Phillipa Lepley. Phillipa and her team have years of experience designing for brides, offering advice and insight on styles, silhouettes, fabric, and embroidery to create changeable wedding looks that seamlessly blend together. All of our dresses are hand-crafted in the London Atelier by a team of highly skilled artisans, using only the finest luxury fabrics. Each element of a design can be tailored to suit your requirements for the day due to the level of intricate artisan detail involved.

Phillipa Lepley is recognised globally as a leading British wedding dress and eveningwear designer, renowned for bespoke couture dresses of the utmost luxury. Her wedding dress shop in London, Chelsea, has over 50 dresses, all of which have been made in England from start to finish at her Atelier.