Blog for Brides
Simple, elegant wedding dresses
Simple, elegant wedding dresses A simple wedding dress can create the most dramatic statement especially if you have the figure to carry it off. These dresses are elegant and often made in beautiful silks that drape to accentuate your natural beauty. Less certainly can be more and there are many reasons why brides opt for a simple gown: 1. A [...]
What to do if you are not happy with your wedding dress
What to do if you are not happy with your wedding dress There is so much pressure on a bride to find her dream wedding dress: it has to fit well; make you feel like a million dollars; and impress not only your groom but all the guests too. No wonder it’s not easy to get it right. There is [...]
Why bridal handbags are on the up
Why bridal handbags are on the up There is a growing trend for brides to opt for a clutch or wrist bag. And whether you are having a traditional, boho or modern wedding a handbag is a great to have on hand. Ros, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant Couture hand beaded wedding dress and bolero with coordinating bag and fascinator True [...]
Top tips for glamorous plus size brides
Top tips for glamorous plus size brides Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day - and shape or size should not be a barrier to looking absolutely fabulous...There are bridal boutiques that specialise in plus size wedding dresses. But most boutiques will not hold stock of larger size samples so always ask before you make an [...]
9 top tips for shopping for your dream wedding dress
9 top tips for shopping for your dream wedding dress Shopping for your wedding dress is exciting - and daunting. Doing your research first can take the pressure off you and help ensure you find the dress of your dreams. There is so much that could go wrong – and so much pleasure if you get it right. Where you [...]
Wedding dress trends for 2020
Wedding dress trends for 2020 New year and a new decade… so what will 2020 mean for wedding dress trends? Celebrity style has affected wedding dress trends closing the gap between wedding dress and red carpet gown. This season wedding collections on the catwalk are featuring tiered gowns; lace is as popular as ever; but the main story for the [...]
Wedding dresses that shows off your legs
Wedding dresses that shows off your legs Many brides opt for traditional style wedding dresses which are either elegant, long and flowing or full-skirted princess style. However there are no rules and you are free to push the boundaries as even church weddings have seen a relaxation of the traditions of covering arms, décolletage and legs. Laura, bride, wearing Elizabeth [...]
7 tips for wedding dresses with long sleeves
7 tips for wedding dresses with long sleeves Wedding dresses with sleeves regained popularity when HRH The Duchess of Cambridge wore a wedding dress with lace sleeves in 2011 and this trend is still going strong. Another trend that endures is the low back - and this is where sleeves work well because these help to keep your wedding dress [...]
Tips for getting married abroad
Tips for getting married abroad When Sainsbury’s Bank contacted me to see if I would be interested in sharing their blog “Tips for Getting Married Abroad” I said yes because many of my brides have overseas weddings. Amy, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant Couture wedding dress for her wedding in Barcelona Planning a wedding abroad? As the weather starts to cool [...]
Jessica & Will’s DIY meets couture wedding
Jessica & Will’s DIY meets couture wedding When Jessica started planning her wedding she knew she wanted a DIY wedding. Her family are very creative and the wedding was very much an extended family effort. This made the wedding preparation extra special as Jess knew she could call on them to help decorate the church and venue and make the [...]
Be brave and choose a short wedding dress
Be brave and choose a short wedding dress When a bride starts her search for a wedding dress, it’s assumed she will be looking for a long dress and it takes courage to say no that is not me. Tradition still impacts on weddings and often when it comes to choosing a wedding dress most brides follow etiquette. But if [...]
Customise your bridesmaids’ dresses for a look with Wow Factor
Customise your bridesmaids’ dresses for a look with Wow Factor Brides are having increasing numbers of bridesmaids - often into double figures - which can take up a big chunk of the bridal budget. I have just completed 10 couture bridesmaids’ dresses for one of my brides and they all look absolutely amazing. Each young woman has had a custom-made [...]
Coping with wedding stress
Coping with wedding stress Wedding stress is something all brides feel to a greater or lesser degree. At the moment I have two brides with wedding days looming on the same date. They are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of the weddings they’re planning and the degree of stress they are feeling is also polls apart. One [...]
9 tips for choosing Bridesmaids – and what you can expect
9 tips for choosing Bridesmaids - and what you can expect Choosing bridesmaids can lead to hurt feelings and disappointment for those not on your list and misunderstandings about who is paying for what among those who will accompany you down the aisle. As a designer of bridal couture, I tend to get close to my brides during fittings and [...]
Make your own statement with your wedding day look
Make your own statement with your wedding day look Clothes express who we are and this is all the more true on your wedding day... Traditional, boho or vintage - what happens when you close your eyes and visualise what you will look like as a bride? Do you see a white or ivory dress, a train, lace, embellishment, veil, [...]
Gorgeous floral appliqué wedding dresses
Gorgeous floral appliqué wedding dresses Ultra pretty floral appliqué wedding dresses are romantic and glamorous. Flowers appear in many of my designs and many of my signature couture wedding dresses are appliquéd with gorgeous handmade flowers or cut out lace flowers with beaded centres. Jessica, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture wedding dress and silk velvet cloak appliqued with hand made [...]
Choosing the right accessories for your wedding day look
Choosing the right accessories for your wedding day look You have found your wedding dress the next step is choosing accessories. These are important as they provide the finishing touches. Your wedding dress is the star but the right accessories will elevate it to another level. There are so many things to consider shoes, veil, tiara, earrings, belt or sash [...]
Beautiful outfits for brides marrying for a second time
Beautiful outfits for brides marrying for a second time These days more and more women are marrying twice or even three times. The dilemma is what to wear the second time as often more mature brides are nervous about wearing a traditional wedding dress. But there are no rules and if you are having a formal wedding and would like [...]
Top 11 tips for commissioning a couture wedding dress
Top 11 tips for commissioning a couture wedding dress Some brides know that the only way to achieve their dream wedding dress is to go the couture route with a gown designed and made exclusively for them. Some trek round the bridal boutiques and then choose couture as they cannot find a ready made wedding dress to fit their vision. [...]
How much should you spend on your wedding dress?
How much should you spend on your wedding dress? If you buy your wedding dress from a bridal boutique the average price is £1,500 - but you could spend a lot more or a lot less depending on the option you choose. Aside from the boutiques there are wedding designers like myself who will make you a couture wedding dress; [...]
Why bridesmaids should not wear the same dress
Why bridesmaids should not wear the same dress Along with many other wedding day traditions, bridesmaids’ style has also moved on. Gone are the days when everyone wore the same colour and style of dress. Now many brides recognise that the same design may not work on all friends and/or family who are bridesmaids. There is another reason: brides are [...]
Travelling with your wedding dress
Travelling with your wedding dress When you are travelling whether to a venue in this country or abroad it pays to consider how to transport your wedding dress. When a couture wedding dress leaves my salon, I am always conscious that it is just the start of its journey. I pack my wedding dresses on a padded hanger in a [...]
Shopping for your wedding dress
Shopping for your wedding dress It can be difficult to know when is the right time to start shopping for your wedding dress. Every wedding and every bride is unique but it should be one of the most fun parts of the wedding planning. The ideal time to start looking seriously for your wedding dress is 12 months ahead. First [...]
How to make flowers for bridal and bridesmaid hair accessories and sashes
How to make flowers for bridal and bridesmaid hair accessories and sashes Come and join Elizabeth to find out how to make beautiful flowers for hair accessories or sashes to create the perfect final touch to your look. Be inspired by the exquisite flowers that adorn Elizabeth Bessant Couture outfits, wedding and bridesmaids dresses and accessories and learn a new [...]
Deciding who to ask to be your bridesmaids – and who you leave out
Deciding who to ask to be your bridesmaids - and who you leave out Deciding who in your family and close circle of friends is to be your bridesmaids can be difficult as toes are so easily trodden on if you over look someone who expects to be asked. Traditionally brides would have 2 or 3 bridesmaids and a flower [...]
Lace for your beautiful wedding dress
Lace for your beautiful wedding dress Wearing a lace dress on your wedding day will make you feel like you have stepped out of a fairy tale. But the real reason that lace has stood the test of time is that it is flattering, fabulous and looks beautiful for any wedding style. Until the middle of the 19th century lace [...]
Eye catching ivory wedding dresses with a touch of colour
Eye catching ivory wedding dresses with a touch of colour Many brides know before starting their search for a dress whether they are looking for a white, ivory or a coloured wedding dress but they may not have thought about accents of colour. Yet some of the most exciting wedding dresses I have designed and made have included touches of [...]
Brides – what to wear for your post-wedding brunch
Brides – what to wear for your post-wedding brunch Wedding celebrations now often extend into two days of celebrations - sometimes even three. More and more, family and friends are scattered all over the country or abroad and a wedding is a lovely opportunity for everyone to get together. And so post-wedding brunches have become the norm and that means [...]
Planning a trip to the National Wedding Show
Planning a trip to the National Wedding Show When you start planning a wedding suddenly there is a mountain of things to think about: your wedding dress; your bridesmaid dresses; and also venues and colour scheme - the list goes on! Not surprisingly it can all feel rather overwhelming. The National Wedding Show, Olympia is one of the most convenient [...]
Buying vintage wedding dresses
Buying vintage wedding dresses You would have thought that as a long time member of my team, it would have been easy for my assistant Rebecca to find her dream wedding dress. She is an expert at hand beading wedding dresses, she also has helped many times at my client parties and on my stand at The National Wedding Show, [...]
Wedding dress trends for 2019
Wedding dress trends for 2019 Bridal fashion trends come and go and are often influenced by Royal or celebrity brides. After Kate Middleton’s wedding to Prince William suddenly every bride loved lace, structured bodices, sleeves, and of course a cathedral length veil. Even those brides who wanted a simpler look still borrowed something from Kate’s style. Then brides moved from [...]
Should the bride change for the evening celebrations?
Should the bride change for the evening celebrations? I am sometimes asked if the bride should change for the evening party and there isn’t really a right or wrong answer to this question. Around 25 years ago it was the norm to have a second dress for the evening event but then brides did not tend to spend as much [...]
Video your wedding dress to relive the moment again and again
Video your wedding dress to relive the moment again and again Capturing your wedding day and all those special moments is a challenge. Photos provide a record of your special day but are just glimpses back in time - the moment before and the moment after are lost. Film captures movement and sound: the emotion of your first kiss as [...]
20% discount for Berketex brides left with no dress
20% discount for Berketex brides left with no dress Many brides have been left distraught this week following the shock collapse of the UK bridal chain Berketex Bride after 50 years on the high street. These brides will have lost their deposit and now have little time or budget to find a new wedding dress. 1950’s style wedding dress by [...]
Working with a designer to create your dream wedding dress
Working with a designer to create your dream wedding dress I often meet brides who have a clear vision of their wedding dress but can’t find a gown to match their dreams. As an independent couture designer, I find working with brides to bring their ideas to life so fulfilling and creative. If you want to be involved in the [...]
Last minute wedding dresses – how to avoid disappointment
Last minute wedding dresses - how to avoid disappointment Recently a bride-to-be contacted me wanting a dress for her wedding with only 10 days to go before she was flying out to the wedding destination! She told me she had been to numerous bridal boutiques and could not understand why no one could help her. I explained that bridal boutiques [...]
Canapés and capes for winter weddings
Canapés and capes for winter weddings Getting together with my lovely clients at my annual Autumn party is something I really look forward to. This year it was extra special as it was the first time anyone had seen my restyled salon. I wanted to move away from the white walled showroom look of the big design houses so I [...]
Bridal trends for Autumn/Winter 18/19
Bridal trends for Autumn/Winter 18/19 Following a weekend of shows when we exhibited at The National Wedding Show and Brides the Show both at Olympia, it was surprising to see how much brides’ ideas for their dream dress have shifted since the Spring 18 shows. The reason is clear - the Royal Wedding and Megan Markle’s choice of dress because [...]
My top 6 tips for choosing the right bridal hairstyle
My top 6 tips for choosing the right bridal hairstyle Finding your dream wedding dress is the first step to creating your wedding day look. But the right hair style is equally important because this will frame your face and create your wedding day look. The important thing to consider is not how much you love a hair style but [...]
A creative break in Paris
A creative break in Paris Last year Sue came to me via a recommendation to have an outfit made for her daughter’s wedding, she was lovely and we hit it off immediately. As she came for her fittings, she mentioned how she wished we had met before her daughter’s wedding dress had been ordered from another designer. Then fate stepped [...]
Short wedding dresses with real style
Short wedding dresses with real style There are many reasons why you might decide on a short wedding dress - though one could simply be you are a big Audrey Hepburn fan! However if you have set your heart on a short dress you may find your choice is limited as there isn’t as much demand as there is for [...]
My 10 top tips for hot weather brides
My 10 top tips for hot weather brides If we listen to the experts, this summer is just the start of things to come. Many of my brides have struggled this year with wedding day temperatures of 30 degrees plus that have taken us all by surprise! If you are planning a wedding overseas you will have more idea of [...]
DIY weddings make a personal statement
DIY weddings make a personal statement Wedding costs are rising all the time and I am beginning to see a trend against commercialism. Some brides are turning their backs on the long list of wedding industry suppliers and doing it themselves. No longer just for rustic weddings, more and more brides are bringing a beautifully creative and personal touch to [...]
A bridal photoshoot in the beautiful Surrey Hills
A bridal photoshoot in the beautiful Surrey Hills Sometimes things just come together in a magical way. And the photo shoot for my latest collection of bridal gowns just seemed to fall into place... A break in the weather during an otherwise wet week, the offer of a fantastic location, and a team that gelled so well - I couldn’t [...]
Creating unique wedding dresses that wow
Creating unique wedding dresses that wow Some brides want a wedding dress that is totally unique and as a couture designer, this is my chance to be really creative. Look carefully at my bridal collection and you will see my signature Deco hand beading and appliqué flowers used in many different ways on my wedding gowns. But sometimes a bride [...]
Complete your bridal look with a veil
Complete your bridal look with a veil Most brides still opt to wear a veil on their wedding day - even if they are not having a church ceremony. Wedding dresses come in so many styles and colours. Recent trends for red carpet inspired gowns often don’t make it clear the wearer is the bride especially if all the women [...]
The Royal influence on weddings
The Royal influence on weddings After months of speculation and so many rumours that she would wear Erdem or Ralph & Russo, everyone was surprised when Megan Markle, now The Duchess of Sussex, emerged from her car in an exquisitely elegant Givenchy wedding gown. Lucy, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture wedding dress Megan’s choice of designer Clare Waight Keller for [...]
Dressing for a destination wedding
Dressing for a destination wedding Dressing for a wedding in a warm climate is very different to a traditional white wedding at home. Brides planning a ceremony abroad need to take into account that it could be 90 degrees plus and however beautiful the location, if you don’t get the dress code right everyone will be miserable. That is unless [...]
Planning for a wet summer wedding
Planning for a wet summer wedding If there is one thing you can be sure of it’s that the great British weather cannot be trusted even if it is your wedding day - and no matter how much you wish for sunshine there is no guarantee. You will probably be checking the forecast as your big day gets ever nearer [...]
Choosing a bouquet to suit your wedding dress
Choosing a bouquet to suit your wedding dress Wedding bouquets and flowers are integral to any wedding - adding colour and setting the theme for the day. Traditionally flowers brought the bride good luck in her future life - so getting it right was, and still is, very important. But first, you need to decide on your wedding dress as [...]
Choosing the right shade of white for your wedding gown
Choosing the right shade of white for your wedding gown White weddings create so much excitement and top of most brides’ list is her dress - but while a huge amount of thought usually goes into the style of gown, often not enough consideration is given to the shade of white. We talk about a white wedding but rarely is [...]
Who pays for the bridesmaids’ dresses?
Who pays for the bridesmaids’ dresses? After the cost of the wedding dress and mother of the bride outfit, the most asked question about finance I get is: ‘Who pays for the bridesmaids' dresses?’ Traditionally, the bride’s parents paid this bill but wedding etiquette has changed so much and now it is down to each bride to make decisions that [...]
Couture wedding dresses that won’t break the bank
Couture wedding dresses that won't break the bank Many brides I meet want a beautiful dress but not layers of silk, a dramatic train and a veil. Instead their dream dress is no fuss, yet stunning. This season I have included some simple, elegant wedding dresses in my collection that start at £1,200 giving more brides the chance to experience [...]
Winter forest wedding inspires my new collection
Winter forest wedding inspires my new collection My new wedding dress collection was launched at the National Wedding Show, Olympia last weekend to an audience of brides all eagerly looking for something different for their special day. Gorgeously romantic, my wedding dresses are made from soft draping fabrics – silk velvet, chiffon, crepe and lace, some with cowl backs. Handmade [...]
Valentine’s Day brides
Valentine’s Day brides If you are getting married around Valentine’s Day romance should be the theme of your wedding. That means roses in pink, blush and dark red; delicate lace; and hearts perhaps reflected in the sweetheart neckline of your dress or your earrings. Camellia wedding dress by Elizabeth Bessant couture Red can look rather harsh against a white wedding [...]
Something old, something new…
Something old, something new… I often wonder why the tradition of wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a silver sixpence in your shoe is still held dear by today’s brides? The rhyme describes the five objects a bride should carry with her on her wedding day to bring luck - although the silver sixpence seems to have [...]
Choosing to be a bride later in life…
Choosing to be a bride later in life… In 1983, when I was 25 years old, I suddenly realised all my friends and colleagues were getting married. Having just finished art school and embarking on a successful art career I was torn in my head, I was going to be an artist, a bohemian, someone who didn’t conform. But I soon [...]
Choosing the right bridal gown for you
Choosing the right bridal gown for you I meet a lot of brides when I am on my stand at the twice yearly National Wedding Show. Choosing a wedding dress is one of the biggest and most exciting decisions brides-to-be will make and those at the show will be looking for inspiration for their special dress. Traditional boned wedding gown [...]
Exotic, exuberant…the National African Caribbean Wedding Show
Exotic, exuberant...the National African Caribbean Wedding Show I was so excited when the National African Caribbean Wedding Show organisers contacted me and asked if I would like to showcase my bridal and mother of the bride collections on the catwalk at their 2017 event. But I hadn't anticipated the sheer exuberance, colour and creativity that makes this a really stand [...]
Wedding capes to complete your winter look
Wedding capes to complete your winter look As a regular exhibitor at the National Wedding Show I was pleased to be asked to display one of my wedding gowns in their Bridal Showcase next month. I emailed them photos of two dresses and they instantly replied asking to use my gown with a matching veil that creates a cape effect [...]
Couture Fashion Week
Couture Fashion Week It is that time of year when the world’s wealthiest consumers of high fashion and top journalists gather in Paris for Couture Fashion Week. These collections will be available to commission for Autumn/Winter 2017 – 2018… if you can afford them. There are very few global clients who can afford to invest in haute couture with price [...]
Finding a last minute wedding dress…
Finding a last minute wedding dress… Imagine this: you have planned your special day, ordered the flowers, and chosen the dress of your dreams - only to find at the last minute that your wedding dress designer has gone out of business! Unfortunately in today’s economic climate this does happen all too often. And the stress of finding a new [...]
Dower & Hall jewellery to complement your wedding look
Dower & Hall jewellery to complement your wedding look Cascade wedding dress by Elizabeth Bessant couture There was an instant bond when I met Daniel Dower of Dower & Hall for the first time; two creative people whose designs complement each other so well this could have been a collaboration. Daniel designs and creates beautiful contemporary jewellery and it was [...]
Choosing the colour theme for your wedding
Choosing the colour theme for your wedding Grecian gown by Elizabeth Bessant at Chelsea Old Town Hall Colour evokes a mood, sets a scene and makes the world beautiful. Nature does it so well and may inspire you to hold your wedding out of doors or in a weathered barn. Or if you want a more sophisticated feel to your [...]
Detachable overskirt solves day to evening wedding dress dilemma
Detachable overskirt solves day to evening wedding dress dilemma Todays wedding celebrations almost always include an evening party. Often this is a chance to invite extra guests who you weren't able to be include in the main event. Those guests will want to feel part of the wedding and will be looking forward to seeing the bride in her wedding [...]
So will you choose a coloured wedding dress?
So will you choose a coloured wedding dress? Black silk gown with pearl beading by Elizabeth Bessant Couture When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840 she started the trend for white or ivory wedding dresses. At that time most brides wore coloured dresses partly because white fabric was very costly. Victoria's dress originally featured an over-skirt of handmade Honiton [...]
Finding a dress that suits all your bridesmaids can be tricky
Finding a dress that suits all your bridesmaids can be tricky Today's bride will often ask all her closest friends to be bridesmaids - school, uni and work all add to the number along with sisters and favourite cousins. But while it is lovely to ask so many, it is highly unlikely they will all be 5’8” and size 10! [...]
Rustic, vintage, bohemian weddings – options for your special day
Rustic, vintage, bohemian weddings - options for your special day Many couples are now opting for low key informal ceremonies rather than traditional church weddings. The number of venues with licences especially in London means there are so many different, cool options for an alternative event. This trend could be interpreted as a rebellion against their parents’ formal weddings. But [...]
The right wedding underwear makes all the difference
The right wedding underwear makes all the difference Bridal lingerie is so important as wearing the wrong underwear will spoil the look of a couture wedding dress! As a wedding dress designer, I regularly see women coming to fittings wearing the wrong size bra - and this is not just those with a large bust. The golden rule for choosing [...]
Catwalk of Dreams
Catwalk of Dreams Elizabeth Bessant bridal couture on the catwalk at The National Wedding Show Backstage at The National Wedding Show at Olympia last weekend was chaotic, packed with models and make-up artists stylists, dressers and bouquets. But that was all forgotten when the models went down the catwalk, graceful, elegant and stunning. Everyone of the eleven shows over the [...]
Finding your dream wedding dress… at the right price
Finding your dream wedding dress… at the right price Every bride wants to find the dress of their dreams and the best service. And it doesn’t matter if your budget is £1,000 or £100,000 your criteria will be the same. Before starting what could become a lengthy search, it is a good idea to decide your priorities as this could [...]
The world of couture
The world of couture Amy wearing Elizabeth Bessant bridal couture Paris is the home of haute couture and purists would say couture created anywhere else in the world cannot claim the title of – HAUTE COUTURE. Traditionally, a haute couture gown will have many hours of hand work using the finest materials. The gowns created are exquisite. Couture houses are [...]
Dressing for a winter wedding
Dressing for a winter wedding Rosamund wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture at her winter wedding We are now in December and while most of us are planning Christmas, some of my lovely clients are planning gorgeous winter weddings. A winter wedding is very romantic, but also brings its complications. Snow is great in photos, but no one enjoys being cold, so [...]
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