Phillipa Lepley bride Roseanna

Married at Crathie Kirk in Balmoral, Phillipa Lepley bride Roseanna wore a high-neck heavy-weight duchess satin dress with a bespoke embroidered top.

Famed for exceptional, figure-enhancing corsetry, Phillipa Lepley designs include the renowned signature internal corset with a bespoke fit that defines the waist and shapes a desired silhouette. Roseanna’s custom corset was specially engineered for her and contrasted with a full, A-line skirt and petticoats to create a beautiful feminine shape.

Sumptuous Italian duchess satin – a staple in Phillipa’s designs – was moulded over the corset to create a strapless bodice base.

Phillipa has been sourcing her incredible duchess satin for 35 years from Lake Como, falling in love with the fabric for its luxurious quality and the way it moves when draped on the body. Roseanna opted for a rich golden ivory which reflects the light beautifully over the skin.

A high-neck embroidered top with delicate cap sleeves completed Roseanna’s bridal look.

Bespoke embroidery was developed for Roseanna by Phillipa’s Head of Embellishment who drew special artworks of the high collar for her to approve. Each flower motif was carefully considered ensuring the placement would perfectly compliment her, before being hand-embroidered onto the design using couture needle and threadwork. Once the design was finalised, Roseanna received her paper doll – a visual representation of her bespoke embroidery and a keepsake of her couture journey at Phillipa Lepley.

A bespoke collar was developed for the top, with a lighter maiden’s fern embroidery chosen nearer the face to soften the design. The design was sprinkled with pearls and glass beading to add a subtle sparkle all over.

The top was finished with a beautiful scalloped motif edge at the hem, while delicate buttons and loops closed the centre back, becoming a beautiful focal piece of the symmetrical design.

When designing a wedding dress with Phillipa Lepley, each element is carefully considered and refined over a series of couture fittings at The Conservatory in Chelsea.

During Roseanna’s fittings, Phillipa’s specialist team drew and defined each line on her frame, making sure to choose proportions that best suited Roseanna. As the design evolved, each dart and seam was perfected to mould exactly to the body.

‘Phillipa’s team were very receptive to working with me to create the design that I wanted and I loved the final result. The dress fitted perfectly but was also very comfortable to wear. The process was executed in an unhurried and flawless manner from start to finish, a true couture experience with very impressive attention to detail from every member of her team including Phillipa herself.’ – Roseanna, on her Phillipa Lepley experience.

A bespoke gentle neckline on the bodice was chosen, while the top was made to sit slightly longer on Roseanna’s waist to balance proportions. The Atelier also stitched her grandmother’s ring into a discreet pocket inside her dress, a heartfelt detail close to her on the special day.

Roseanna and her husband married at Crathie Kirk in the grounds of Balmoral, followed by a traditional Scottish reception and Cèilidh on the grounds of the family’s highland estate. A long bridal train effortlessly ‘puddled’ behind Roseanna as she explored the stunning estate grounds and lake, surrounded by wonderful natural foliage that Phillipa adores.

She paired her wedding dress with a simplistically beautiful two-tier silk tulle veil, perfectly enveloping her bespoke embroidery.

Roseanna’s wedding dress is reminiscent of the iconic silhouette Phillipa Lepley is known for around the world. The elegant combination of rich duchess satin and high-neck embroidery created a regal bridal look fitting for this wedding in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.

Photography by Alex Lloyd. 

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.