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 went back to my roots as an artist for inspiration. The end result is a warm, friendly space with specialist paint finished walls. My sketches of new designs for bridal and mother of the bride collections line the walls and some precious books brought from home add to the intimate feel. It was a brave decision but everyone loves it.

What makes my client parties so special is bringing together existing clients and potential new clients to swap wedding stories. Jessica, my winter forest bride who regularly appears in my blogs, met and chatted with Lucy, who I met at the National Wedding Show last month. Lucy is planning an alternative wedding with a 1950’s feel and was interested in hearing about Jessica’s experience of organising her DIY wedding.

Jessica, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture wedding dress and silk velvet cape
Catherine, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture Grecian style wedding dress

Weddings generate so much excitement. My lovely bride Catherine, who married this summer in one of my Grecian-style wedding dresses, came with her friend Laura who is planning a winter wedding in Switzerland. Laura was interested to hear how I made Jessica a long hooded cape from ivory silk velvet decorated with handmade lotus flowers and hand-painted vines. Jessica wore this over her wedding dress to keep warm on the forest walk between the church and reception venue. Laura is also wanting to wear a cape to keep her warm in minus freezing temperatures.

Ros, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture wedding dress and marabou-edged bolero

More brides are choosing winter weddings so keeping warm is an important consideration.

This doesn’t mean compromising on your wedding dress as a cape is a sophisticated way to keep out the cold. Capes can be styled to fit with your look.

When Ulrike got married in winter in New York, I made her a fur edged cashmere angled cape with diamante clips to wear over the silk suit I also created for her.

Not everyone opts for a cape. Ros needed to keep warm but didn’t want a cape so I made her a marabou-edged ivory silk bolero.

My current collection features a range of shoulder capes and I am happy to make you one even if you have already bought your wedding dress.

Weddings are very special for mothers as well as brides and there was also a gathering of my mother of the bride and mother of the groom clients at my party.

It was lovely to see them proudly sharing wedding photos on their iPhones. When I make you an outfit you become a member of a special group who have enjoyed wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture! Seeing my clients and getting such lovely feedback is the most rewarding part of my work as a couture designer.

Elizabeth Bessant couture gold dress worn with beaver velvet cape with fur collar
Elizabeth Bessant couture lace wedding dress and cape