Rose’s Timeless Ivory Duchess Satin Wedding Dress

Rose had always admired the timeless elegance of Phillipa Lepley’s bridal gowns. She says, “When I decided the style I was going to go for, I knew I needed to book an appointment. It was all the more fortunate that when I came to book there was a sample sale going on”.

She and her mother were welcomed by knowledgeable staff who showed them a selection of gowns. The lady who assisted Rose in the first appointment made some dress suggestions – including the gown she ended up selecting! Rose says, “We went downstairs so I could try the dresses. The shop has a very serene and luxurious feel and the whole team were just lovely. It was a joyous experience!”

The wedding dress Rose chose was not like what she had originally imagined getting married in, which in her mind was going to be more boho with lace. She had tried dresses along those lines on at other boutiques only to find they weren’t right for her or the formal wedding she was planning.

Rose knew when she had found the perfect dress. She says, “I felt elegant and bridal but also comfortable and just like me. It fit really well and I was positively beaming. The colour also worked perfectly with my skin tone, as I am quite fair.  

Rose’s dress was an utterly timeless bridal design. Created from sumptuous ivory Italian duchess satin, Rose’s wedding dress featured a corseted bodice with a scooped neckline and a full, gathered ball gown style skirt with a long train. Pockets were cleverly hidden within the deep folds of silk, and a clean line of buttons perfectly completed the back neckline.

Following her initial appointment to select her dress, Rose took advantage of Phillipa Lepley’s virtual consultation service to select her veil and chose a hand embroidered silk tulle veil. Stitched with organic fern and leaf motifs, the intricate detail of the two tier veil created a perfect balance to the golden, glowing silk of her dress.

On her wedding day Rose describes feeling like she was living a dream. “I was just desperate to get down the aisle to see Jonty. I was so excited to see him and see his reaction – I think the pictures say it all!”

When asked what advice Rose would give to brides planning their wedding she says, “Try not to wed yourself to one style if it doesn’t work for you or your style of wedding. I tried to make the boho dress work for me and it just didn’t do anything for my figure or for our elegant winter wedding.

I would also strongly advise any bride to be’s interested in a similar style to go to Phillipa Lepley’s enchanting boutique. My dress and embroidered cathedral veil are works of art!”

Photography: Richard Skins Photography 

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.