Phillipa Lepley bride Kate

For her wedding at Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire, Phillipa Lepley bride Kate chose ‘Vienna Waltz’ for her bespoke wedding dress. Kate says, “It was the first dress I saw when I came into the shop and I thought it was so beautiful. The Phillipa Lepley team had pulled several stunning dresses for me based on our phone consultation. I tried this dress on first, and it felt perfect. It was the ideal dress I had imagined in my head but hadn’t found yet.”

The stand-out feature of Kate’s wedding gown was the off-the-shoulder neckline, engineered to sit just in the right place on her shoulders showing the perfect demure amount of collar bone and skin. A richly draped collar made of the finest duchess satin created a flattering balance to the silhouette, all expertly moulded over a signature Phillipa Lepley corset hidden beneath. Kate says, “Being 5’1 made the process of finding a dress quite difficult, I had tried on so many dresses before I came to Phillipa Lepley so it felt very special to find a bespoke dress that would fit my frame perfectly. I loved the off the shoulder design, the duchess satin, the elegant train and the buttons at the back.”

Kate’s ceremony was held at a picturesque church in the village of Great Tew, followed by the reception in Barwell Barn at Soho Farmhouse. Kate says, “Wearing my dress was one of the only elements of the day I never worried about, I was so excited to wear it. One of my favourite parts of the day was putting my dress on with my Mum, and then walking to the Church with my Dad holding his hand whilst the Church bells rang.”

“It was a joy to wear my Phillipa Lepley dress and veil. It somehow felt classic yet modern at the same time. It was so comfortable as it had been made to my exact measurements. I wore my grandmother’s pearl earrings, and my Auntie’s necklace, both pieces really complemented the dress and it felt so sentimental to wear them. My hair stylist created two looks, both of which paired really well with my dress. For the ceremony, I had a classic, elegant up-do, and then I had my hair down for the evening reception with Hollywood-style waves.”

When reflecting on her appointments at Phillipa Lepley, Kate says, “I felt like I was in the safest hands from the very first appointment right to the very last fitting. It was by far my favourite part of the planning process, and I really looked forward to my fittings as they always felt so relaxing and special.”

Between each appointment, the atelier team of seamstresses, cutters, and embellishers brought Kate’s dress to life throughout each stage of the couture design process. Kate says, “It was wonderful to see the dress created before my eyes, and the team gave me constant reassurance on any little worries I had along the way. The team were amazing throughout with a meticulous attention to detail on every element, it was an unforgettable experience and I felt so lucky. I have some really happy and special memories from those fittings with my Mum and Mother-in-law which I’ll cherish forever.”

“I’m so happy I booked my first appointment as I never looked back. I only wish I could wear my dress again!”

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.