Phillipa Lepley bride Emma

Phillipa Lepley bride Emma’s country wedding at Weston Park reflected the first hint of autumn – ‘It was one of those perfect early September days where the morning mist clears to afternoon sunshine and the foliage is full of the last of summer.’ – Phillipa Lepley bride Emma

A perfect example of the endless possibilities of a couture wedding dress, Emma’s gown combined elements of two existing designs in the Phillipa Lepely collection to create a bespoke piece that aligned with her bridal vision. 

‘The first dress I tried during my initial appointment, the ‘Cheltenham’, was breath-taking: simplicity at its finest and almost regal. However, I had fallen in love with the romance of Phillipa’s Vienna Bow designs, and by dropping the neckline a little and integrating the hand-tied bows at each shoulder, the dress took on a beautiful softness.’ 

Phillipa Lepley bride Emma

Emma’s gown was crafted from exquisite heavy-weight Italian duchess satin fabric, a silk that Phillipa uses throughout her couture collection as she is forever inspired by the fabric’s rich warm ivory tone against the skin. Emma opted for a full skirt, fitted to the high hip with a long bridal train – a timeless and classic silhouette when contrasted with an internal corset. The bridal look was completed with a narrow satin belt, highlighting the corseted waist further.

‘I had dreamed of my wedding dress since childhood, sketching out designs over and over at a young age. Whilst these evolved through the years, my love for classic silhouettes and flowing lines never wavered. It is the timeless elegance of Phillipa’s designs that drew me to her and, once I tried one, I knew nothing could compare to the flawless femininity of her gowns.’

Phillipa Lepley bride Emma

In the months leading up to her wedding date, Emma visited the Phillipa Lepley Conservatory in Chelsea, where her dress underwent a series of detailed fittings. Each element of the design was considered and adapted to beautifully highlight proportions. 

‘Without a doubt, the fittings were my most treasured part of our wedding preparations. To witness such artistry as the dress was literally built around me was a dream. I cannot overstate the care and precision that went into every step, every stitch.’

Phillipa Lepley bride Emma

The beauty of a Phillipa Lepley couture dress is that each design element can be adapted to suit the bride’s preferences. The result of Emma’s gown was an iconic Phillipa Lepley silhouette, timelessly beautiful with its romantic shoulder bows and full feminine skirt. When asked how she felt wearing her dress, Emma replied ‘Radiant and graceful, it is truly the most exquisite I have ever felt.’

The couple’s marriage ceremony was held in St Andrew’s Church, followed by a champagne reception in the formal gardens, and a wedding breakfast in a spectacular Victorian Orangery. They finished the celebrations with fireworks and dancing into the night.

Photography: Rebecca Goddard 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.