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 I have never seen such a seismic shift in one season.

Silk velvet wedding dress and cape by Elizabeth Bessant Couture

In the spring, brides were wanting illusion panels, low backs, appliqué, beading, crystals and overskirts to add volume. Now they are wanting to keep silhouettes simple but beautifully cut and it’s all about the fabric. Full length cathedral veils are well and truly back – regardless of whether the ceremony is inside a church.

Comfort is a word I heard so many times at the weekend with brides clearly moving away from illusion panels and low backs which will make finding the right bra to go under your bridal gown so much easier. And strikingly whatever the season brides were planning their weddings, still the conversations were very similar.

Capes were very popular for Autumn/Winter weddings. There was a lot of interest in my ivory silk velvet wedding dress and shoulder cape.

As styles become simpler, fabrics become far more important as brides still want to make a statement and achieve a look that has real stand out. Silk velvet is very tactile and perfect for a luxurious autumn winter look.

Jessica’s wedding last winter was held in the English countryside. She wanted to have a long hooded cape to go over the lace and tulle wedding dress with appliqué flowers that I made her to keep out the cold on the forest walk from the church to reception venue. The cape was made in ivory silk velvet with an ivory silk lining, handmade lotus flowers and hand painted vines entwined around the hood and over the shoulders to tie in with the dress. The cape added drama while keeping Jessica warm and she was very happy with her unique wedding photos.

Jessica, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture wedding dress and cape

Catherine, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture wedding dress

Investing in lovely fabric pays dividends. Catherine’s wedding was this summer and she always knew she wanted her wedding dress to be beautiful but simple and relaxed. I made her a silk satin draping dress with a cowl back and my signature Deco beading on the shoulders and belt. Catherine’s wedding photos tell it all – I have never seen a bride looking so relaxed, comfortable and happy. The dress was cut so it moved and floated and looked stunning but without a train or layers of petticoat to worry about keeping in place.

Trends are interesting especially in fashion as these tend to go from one extreme and then shoot to another opposing extreme. At the end of last year, I was beginning to see a move to simpler wedding dress styles with less bling and in response designed a simpler collection for the Spring wedding show. However since Harry and Megan’s wedding the move to clean uncomplicated outlines has gone main stream but with long dramatic veils adding a touch of old fashioned romance – again imitating the royal style…