Bride-to-be & MUA, Yasmin Salmon, On Wedding Dress Shopping At Sassi Holford

Effortless sophistication is the name of the dress game at Sassi Holford, and her elegant wedding designs have seen her named Best British Bridalwear Designer three times. Gowns are dreamt up, designed and handmade at the atelier’s headquarters in Taunton Somerset, and this iconic British brand has a global following that includes royalty and A-list who approve of its contemporary craftsmanship and sustainable standards.

The look

Sleek, chic and elegant, Sassi Holford is known for signature corsetry and immaculate tailoring that sculpts and flatters the figure so that on your big day you look as amazing as you feel. This is contemporary British couture in clean, architectural lines that make for standout styles – from classic A-line structures to svelte fit-and-flare sheathes to pared-down ballgown silhouettes. It’s modern romance to a tee.

Luxe fabrics are the order of the day, think silk Mikado, Italian crepe, soft organza, and fine lace. And the attention to detail adds subtle elevation to deceptively simple affairs. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find waist-defining seams, hand-appliqué and subtle 3D florals.

With our capricious British weather, brides will be pleased to know that Sassi Holford gowns have versatile styling elements that include detachable sleeves/straps, overskirts and swirly capes for day-to-night transformation. Bridal pieces also have bespoke possibilities should you wish to add personalised touches to signature styles.

Alongside being known for bespoke luxury, Sassi Holford prides itself on sustainability and all gowns are designed and handmade in England by talented cutters and seamstresses, keeping the carbon footprint down. The design house also recycles and reuses garment by-products, donating fabrics to fashion colleges and charities, and most of the fabrics come from Europe from small supply chains.

A snapshot of the space

Sassi Holford is situated at 9 Walton Street, SW3 just steps from Brompton Cross and between South Kensington and Knightsbridge Tubes. Any bridal nerves are quelled immediately by the calm ambiance of this elegant and light-filled boutique. Think full-length mirrors so you can see every section of gown, curated rails for effortless browsing and soft lighting that keeps everything (and everyone) serene. Visits are by appointment and a dedicated stylist leads your personalised try-on, keeping the space calm and focused on you.

Brides are welcomed with up to three guests for a relaxed, unhurried session – and the generous changing space not only has seating for your guests, but room to move (and as all of us know, some dresses do demand a twirl).

Once your dream dress is in sight, you can stay local for a celebratory toast or lunch as the store is surrounded by chic Chelsea cafés and wine bars. My personal favourites are Daphne’s, Dinings SW3 for modern Japanese or Jak’s Café.

Who is dressing you?

Sassi Holford’s first commission was in 1981 making “a friend in need’s” wedding dress, and this British bridal couturier now has 40+ years of craftsmanship behind her. Plus, the in‑house atelier patterns and hand‑finish of every gown means bespoke and made‑to‑measure are part of the brand’s DNA.

Quietly polished and detail‑obsessed, Sassi Holford designs let the bride be the headline. It’s little wonder then that fans include Autumn Phillips, whose royal wedding gown was created here, cementing the designer’s reputation for impeccable, camera‑ready elegance. Collections are kept small and considered, and the modern‑romantic restraint feels timeless rather than trend led.

The experience

The generous 1.5-hour session allowed me to try on as many dresses as I wanted. Meanwhile, bridesmaids and the mother-of-the-bride can enjoy the dress parade on comfy seats with champagne, tea and coffee all on hand, and you’re looked after by a bridal expert.

As dresses tend to come in light hues, it’s advised that brides don’t wear heavy make-up or get a fresh spray tan for the trying-on session! What you will want to do is wear nude underwear and bring shoes with a heel height similar to those you’ll wear on the day. Do book as early as possible as prime Saturday slots go quickly (aim to start the process nine to 12 months before your wedding). My top tip would be, don’t be afraid to ask about bespoke tweaks on necklines, sleeves or structures as this is exactly the kind of craftsmanship Sassi Holford is known for.

The follow-up will be try-ons and styling refinement. Next comes measurements and the fitting plan. Expect two to three fittings with in‑house tailoring (more fittings are needed for couture), a final fitting, then collection.

The collections

Alongside Sassi Holford bridal you’ll find elegant eveningwear and occasionwear. There’s one main bridal collection a year, so this is on the store rails, plus a considered edit of signature/previous-season ‘icons’.

You can expect several dozen gowns to browse, with your stylist shortlisting the best options for try-on.

Gowns are made-to-measure to standard UK sizes and the pattern is refined to your measurements for an enhanced fit. For customisation, you can choose a collection gown and have light design tweaks where feasible. There are also couture/bespoke options.

Frock fabrics are sourced sustainably from premium European mills – fine silks and French/Italian laces – and adorned with hand-finished embellishments created in-house.

My Top 3 Favourite Dresses and Designs from the Sculpted Light 26 collection

Mabel: A contemporary bateau neckline, drop waste and full skirt with train. This is a more fashion-forward style for a bride that wants that wow factor walking down the aisle. https://sassiholford.com/collections/bridal/sculptedlight-2026/mabel/
Jessica Collar: Although this is more of an accessory, it’s a beautiful addition to any gown and adds sophistication and a sculpted element to a simple strapless dress. https://sassiholford.com/collections/bridal/sculptedlight-2026/jessica-collar/
Vera: My favourite – classic, simple and elegant. A beautiful lightweight dress that you could wear all night long. I paired it with a gorgeous tulle neck scarf, giving it a glamorous, old-Hollywood feel yet it’s still fresh and contemporary. https://sassiholford.com/collections/bridal/sculptedlight-2026/vera/

The extras

Sassi Holford does have some heels in-store, but I recommend bringing your own. For your bridal party, there are occasionwear and mother-of-the-bride collections in-store with pieces also shoppable online.

The current collection at Sassi Holford is Sculpted Light 26, and it has a more minimal, modern feel than previous collections. Sassi describes it as, “Bridalwear that flows effortlessly but is grounded in beautiful structure”, with pieces that feel “as powerful as they are romantic”.

The budget

Sassi Holford bridal dresses start from around £2,000, bespoke from around £6,000. The end price depends on alterations and embellishment. Cost of alterations depends on what needs doing.

To book a 90-minute appointment is £45.