The Dress with Alexandra Dudley

We were married on the 28^th May 2022 after two postponements. It was a spring wedding with a church ceremony and a reception at home. We had English asparagus on the menu and a marquee decorated with seasonal local flowers. I married Frederick Aimery Kynaston Hall.

The Dress with Alexandra Dudley

THE JOURNEY

I did a full on day of try-ons with my mum. I went to seven designers and must have tried on at least 30 dresses. I fell in love with ‘the one’ right away but was swaying between that and something entirely different until making my decision. It was between two beautiful dresses at Stewart Parvin and Phillipa Lepley.

THE VISION

I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted before my bridal appointments but I’d always thought I’d go for something slim fitted and quite simple. It was the feeling of first trying on a sample couture A-line dress from Phillipa Lepley that made me so sure that I wanted to wear something classic and specifically a dress by Phillipa. I felt like I was floating, almost as though the dress was carrying me. My dress was completely bespoke and ended up being quite different to the original sample I tried on. Phillipa reduced some of the petticoat for me so that it didn’t feel so big and shaped a neck-line that was just at the edge of my shoulders. She also added a beautiful simple sash.

THE DECISION

I absolutely loved the trying on process. I tried on some wild dresses. Many of them I would never really think to wear but was open to the idea of finding something I hadn’t thought of. I think I knew in my gut all along which dress I wanted but I struggled with the idea of which one was ‘more me’ and what people would expect. In the end I followed my heart and went with the one that made me feel the best.

THE SUPPORT NETWORK

I mainly relied on Phillipa and her wonderful design team. I knew I wanted to wear a broach that was a gift from my mother in law so from my first fitting the team were working the idea of the broach into what would be the final dress. The veil was Phillipa’s suggestion and is probably one of my favourite parts of the whole day. It wasn’t designed specifically for me but it almost felt like it was. It was hand embroidered with tiny erigeron daisies. They are daisies that grow in all sorts of unassuming places; between pavement cracks, out of walls. They are often pink tinged and whenever I see them I feel a spark of joy. I kept seeing them in the run up to my wedding too. It felt like a good omen, almost magic.

THE ACCESSORIES

Phillipa helped me with the veil and I already knew I wanted to wear the broach. I wore earrings from Kiki McDonough which were a gift from Freddie (my husband). I didn’t want anything to overpower the dress so kept it simple. I wore the most beautiful Jimmy Choo shoes for the ceremony and then a wonderful pair of ornate block heels from Emmy London as we had our drinks reception on the grass.

ADVICE FOR BRIDES

Go with your gut and go with what you feel best in. I was so worried about what people would think at one point but it should be a decision that is entirely yours.

THE SECOND DAY OUTFIT

We did a next day lunch and I knew I wanted to wear all white and be ‘the bride’. We hosted a lunch for close friends and family which was brilliant as it meant I could wear something completely different to my dress the day before but still feel bridal. I wore a very simple but beautiful slip dress from The Own Studio. It was quite slinky and a little more daring than my wedding dress but felt perfect for the next day which was a lot more relaxed.

FAVOURITE PHOTO (OF THE DRESS)

I have so many it was difficult to choose. I’ve shared two. One where we are kneeling at the altar which was a time I can remember feeling so much comfort and joy from my dress. I could almost feel how beautiful the train looked from behind. The other is a bit of a fun one where Freddie and I are dancing. Phillipa made a button and loop so that I could lift up the train of my dress for dancing.