Finding the perfect wedding dress is a huge part of planning for the big day. In our new series, Olivia Harper Lower shares her journey to find ‘The One’ for her big day in the Cotswolds.
The Journey
I first discovered my dress designer, House of St Patrick, during a weekend break with my then boyfriend, now husband, in Barcelona. We were walking around the city when I spotted the dresses through a boutique window. As a fashion fan and someone who works in the industry, I have always been very specific about the kind of dress I imagined myself wearing down the aisle. I wanted something timeless and classic, but with a stylish edge of difference. The designs immediately captured my attention and stayed with me.
When I began seriously looking for my dress, my bridal party and I, my sister, best friend and mother, visited a handful of London bridal boutiques and designers. While everything was beautiful, I kept finding that the designs fell into two camps, either very classic or very edgy, with nothing in between.
The following week I went back to researching and remembered the Spanish designer I had seen years before. After a few quick Google searches, I discovered they were stocked on Connaught Street at Bridal Rogue Gallery. I took my bridal party there the next weekend and was instantly struck by The Britannia, which Lidia, my wonderful bridal stylist, had pulled for me.
The dress was a classic princess cut mikado silk gown with straps and a square back and neckline. The real statement, though, was the skirt, with its tiered structure shaping the silhouette. It was the perfect blend of classic design with a fashion led twist and I instantly knew she was mine.
The Vision
Once I had found the dress I knew was right, I surprised myself with my veil choice. I had always wanted a veil that went over my face for the ceremony. While trying on the dress, we discovered that a mantilla cathedral style veil, so long it extended beyond my train, was the perfect match.
The silk framed my face beautifully and did not detract from the statement of the dress. I then had the veil embroidered at Bridal Rogue Gallery with mine and my husband’s initials and our wedding date, which made it feel even more personal.
The Decision
After the first round of trying on dresses, I felt quite exhausted. Everything I tried felt either too classic or too edgy and neither reflected what I had in mind. Taking time to properly research designers who aligned with my vision made all the difference.
Once I tried on the dress I chose, I felt completely at peace and never questioned it again. We even celebrated afterwards with a gorgeous lunch and cocktails with my bridal party, which made the day feel even more special.
The Style Support
I truly valued my bridal party’s opinions throughout the process. Choosing a dress is such a meaningful moment to share. My party was small, just my mother, sister and best friend, so I trusted their instincts completely.
The moment I stepped out in the dress, my best friend burst into tears, which felt like all the confirmation I needed.
The Accessories
Alongside my veil, my shoes felt like a happy coincidence. Shoe designer Amina Muaddi released a pair of lace bridal heels featuring the same mantilla style lace as my veil. It felt like fate.
They matched perfectly and were surprisingly comfortable thanks to the classic Amina heel shape, making the transition from day to night effortless.
Advice For Brides
Enjoy the process and trust your gut. You do not need to rush your decision because time feels tight or because it is another box to tick. Take time to research, understand what you love, and think about how you want your body to feel on the day.
This is one of the most significant days of your life, so feeling effortless and serene is just as important as how you look. Whether you surprise yourself or stick to a long held vision, wait for the moment when it feels right. As corny as it sounds, when you know, you know. Do not rush that feeling.
Favourite Photo
Our photographer, Agnes Black, captured the dress beautifully, from its structure and shine to the way it seemed to carry me effortlessly throughout the day. These photographs were taken just before I collected my bouquet of calla lilies and walked down the aisle behind my bridal party with my father.
It was the final moment of anticipation, completely uninterrupted. The sun was beaming down, my veil sat perfectly against my face and the fabric moved so naturally. It was serene, emotional and felt like the dress was captured in its purest form. In that moment, I truly felt like the ultimate bride.
READ NEXT: Inside Olivia Harper Lower’s Super-Chic Cotswolds Celebration
