When I reference First Lady Chic, obsess madly over details like dipped hems and wrap a belts round someone’s head many brides might be quite alarmed. Then there are brides like Laura. Laura not only got all the references, obsessed over the same details, pinned the same images but dutifully went off and found the pill-box hat that I was crafting out of a belt.
Having a wedding dress shops with many brides means I should be quite Mummy-ish and not have favourites. I am afraid you may detect a spot of favouritism because dressing Laura was fantasy shopping. There is a profound joy in dressing a willowy, beautiful, fashion obsessive who is prepared to take a cool, brave look and wear it fearlessly. The vicarious pleasure in styling one of my favourite dresses just how I myself would wear it ( were I 20 years younger and three stone lighter) is immeasurable.
The dress is Jesus Peiro, Style 4038. It’s sharp lined, crisp razmir mikado minimalism is a signature look for the label. There is a strong Mod/60s influence to the design but Merche, the amazing lead designer behind the label, never gets too close to faux vintage.
We did discuss at various points whether the dramatic detachable train was too much for Stoke Newington Town Hall and the decision to boldly go was definitely the right one. The pared back simplicity of the dress is framed beautifully by it.
Long sleeves, buttoned back and a sweeping boat neckline flatter Laura’s perfect size 8 figure. In a season where see though lace and backs bum-grazingly low and frankly some fairly slutty wedding dresses are made appropriate by some good campaign images the Jesus Peiro dress is refreshingly cool and modern. Think Emilia Wickstead at the high-end, Cos on the High Street.
Millinery and wedding dresses do go beautifully together but with the recent rise of ghastly Fascinators it has been hard to find the right ones for the shop. I dispatched Laura to Rachel Trevor Morgan whose work I have been a fan of for years and by a marvelous coincidence there was exactly the right style ‘pill-box’ in their sample sale. Our genius in-house designer Laurie re-trimmed it to match the bow on the belt and accessory heaven was made!
If Laura’s fashion credentials weren’t already obvious then her choice of florist should perfectly illustrate this. Scarlet & Violet were Kate Moss’s choice of florist for her wedding and the wedding industries arbiter of taste Laura Caudery also chose Vic Brotherson’s blooms for her wedding at Fetcham Park. Any bouquet with an anemone is good with me.
In case you were wondering whether Laura & Julian were too hip to be true and a bit frightening can I also finish by adding how lovely they are as a couple and how brilliant it is that they to Ripley as a couple to give me a masterclass on styling and visual merchandising for the Chapel. Laura is the Creative Visual Merchandiser for Mulberry and Julian is a designer who has worked with some of the biggest brand names on the planet. On a chilly December Sunday over coffee & cake we chatted through the challenges of The Chapel and they delivered a fabulous report and suggestions list the recommendations of which are being evolved and adopted.
With a honeymoon baby due soon and maternity leave on the horizon I shall be tempting/begging Laura to come back to Ripley for baby cooing & a spot of afternoon tea whilst encouraging her moonlighting as a freelance Miss Bush Visual Merchandiser and Approver of all Things Cool.
So many thanks to Laura and Julian for sharing their photos exclusively on the Miss Bush blog. Yes the wedding is super stylish, yes I will love using Laura as a Miss Bush ambassador. Beyond that it was simply so great to meet Laura ( and her Mum!), so lovely to dress her and we chatted so easily about all things style related that I very much hope we can work together on another project…
View the full Gallery
Suppliers
Photography: Matt Penberthy
The Dress: Jesus Peiro at Miss Bush
Hat: Rachel Trevor Morgan sample
Make up: Emily McEwan
Bridesmaids: Dresses by Dessy, hair slides by Wolf & Moon
Groom’s suit: Beggars Run
Venue: Stoke Newington Town Hall
Reception Venue: Rose & Crown Stoke Newington
Flowers: Scarlet & Violet
Catering: Arnold & Henderson
Band: The Jukebox Jets
DJ: Wedding Smashers
Emma Meek, MD of Miss Bush
Miss Bush is Surrey’s leading designer bridal shop
