Phillipa Lepley bride Isabella

Isabella admired the Phillipa Lepley window displays while she was studying at Imperial College London. ‘At the time I didn’t imagine that several years later I would be trying on those beautiful gowns for my own wedding! However, having met my husband in Kensington and since then continuing to call it our home for many years, there was no doubt that I would visit Phillipa’s atelier in my search for a wedding dress.’

Isabella’s corseted, princess seam silk crepe gown was perfect for a wedding in the sun-kissed French Riviera. Along with a beautiful, elongating silhouette full of movement, it featured an exquisite high neck embroidered tulle yoke. The yoke consisted of hand-beaded concentric circles, wrapping around the décolleté and shoulders, with beaded vines that wound organically in and out of the perfect lines of embellishment. A carefully selected collection of bugle and seed beads were used to provide the yoke with a subtle sparkle. Isabella says, ‘[the yoke] leant the gown a regal feel, and I was enchanted by how the wildflower beading shimmered so beautifully. Paired with the sumptuous clean crepe of the body and skirt the overall effect was just mesmerising.’

‘From the moment I put it on, there was no other dress that could compare. My experience with other wedding dresses elsewhere was feeling like I was playing dress-up, with the dresses wearing me rather than the other way around. With the Monte Carlo Lineaire that was not the case. The long, elegant silhouette and enchanting allure of the beaded yoke made me feel subtly glamorous and like the bridal version of myself.’

Isabella paired her couture dress with a long silk tulle veil. ‘I truly believe that less is more and the two-tiered veil thoughtfully suggested by the Phillipa Lepley Team was just the finishing touch and lent an added sense of whimsical volume.’

‘My appointments with The Team at Phillipa Lepley were always glowing and serene moments in the otherwise at times stressful periods of planning a wedding abroad. Being part of the dress creation process was truly magical and I loved every minute of it. It felt very special to have that experience and the opportunity to enjoy my dress for longer than just our wedding day. The team are absolutely lovely, and I will always cherish the memories of us chatting away as my dress took shape. Their eye for detail is really second to none. Bringing family (none of whom had seen the dress in person) to the final fitting to see the dress was a particularly fond moment for me when the veil went on and everyone sporadically burst into tears at the final result.’

By coincidence, Isabella was married at The Fairmont in Monte-Carlo in the ‘Monte-Carlo Lineaire’ dress. ‘The Fairmont is an iconic Monaco hotel and it was wonderful having our guests be able to stay only a moment from the celebrations. It meant that we could enjoy the day before and after with our guests, which really made everything feel so extra special and prolonged the celebrations. On the day itself, we held the ceremony outside under a beautiful flower arch in the Riviera sunshine with the nuptials starting at 4pm. Instead of speeches during dinner, we’d asked a couple of people from each side of our respective family and friends to partake in the ceremony in the form of delivering a poem or small speech. We felt this was a much more intimate and solemn way to incorporate our friends and family and make the moment even more personal and memorable rather than speeches during dinner where we’d rather have the guests relaxing and enjoying themselves. We had a trio of violins playing for our ceremony and during the champagne cocktail hour afterwards the Fairmont served canapés of foie gras crème brûlée, salmon, purple artichoke hearts and other local delicacies. We snuck off for our bride and groom photoshoot during the cocktail hour and returned to join the guests for al fresco dining, also on the terrace.’

‘A live saxophonist and DJ duo gradually took over the music from the violins and as the sun set the lights of the Monte Carlo casino provided a mesmerizing backdrop to our first dance. We celebrated deep into the night and the following morning enjoyed brunch with all the guests at the Fairmont. The atmosphere was absolutely magical and we couldn’t have wished for a more perfect wedding surrounded by friends and family in such a stunning location.’

‘The dress made me feel truly exquisite, incredibly feminine and elegant, like the most beautiful version of myself and it was so special seeing it all come together on the day. The dress could not have been better suited for the location and looking back at the pictures it all feels incredibly magical and surreal. It was an honour and privilege to work with the Phillipa Lepley Team.’

Photography: Gabriella Vanstern

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.