Ask the expert | Rachel Scott Couture on the importance of suiting your dress to your venue
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Rachel of Rachel Scott Couture is back with another top insight to help you on your wedding dress shopping journey…
Everyone’s wedding planning journey is different, and one couple’s priorities will be another’s afterthought.
However, there are a couple of things that always undoubtedly inform one another – your venue and your wedding dress!
Your entire day should be a reflection of you and your partner, and you’ll have selected your venue because you want your wedding to play out in a particular way, with a certain vibe and atmosphere.
Alternatively, you might have such a strong idea for your dress that the venue must match and reinforce that vision.
Regardless of which one comes first, they are inextricably intertwined.
Now, we don’t believe in rules when it comes to wedding dress shopping.
There is a lot of conflicting advice, but our philosophy is that regardless of your shape, size and age your dress has to complement your personality and allow you to feel like the most elevated version of you!
And I think this ethos can absolutely be applied to your entire day.
That’s why we thought it would be fun to look at different styles of wedding and things you might want to consider when matching your look to your overall day…
Destination wedding
‘Silverbell’ by Suzanne Neville
Destination weddings are a huge category on their own, and if you choose to hop on a flight for your dream venue abroad then the likelihood is that you have considered how this might change your look.
Whether it’s a romantic Italian ceremony or a Spanish fiesta, one thing to consider is your climate.
What might work in a British summer, might not be so appropriate in the Mediterranean.
Our designers are super-flexible when it comes to customising dresses.
It might be a simple case of removing a full-length sleeve, or changing to a lighter, more breathable fabric, or we take out some of the underskirts on your gown.
There are always other options, so don’t settle for less than perfect!
One thing to highlight when opting for a destination wedding is you’ll need to transport your dress.
We always recommend you put your dress in your hand luggage, so you can keep an eye on it and not be victim to missing baggage!
We will even show you how to pack your dress neatly and we will press it before it’s packed up.
We recommend hanging it out to see what creases drop out on their own before going anywhere near it with a steamer.
If you do, ensure there are no water droplets coming out of your steamer and test in a discreet area first!
Legal ceremony
When having a destination wedding, you’ll also need a legal ceremony at home to make it official, which can be a really fun excuse to try out two looks!
During a legal ceremony, you tend to find spaces will be smaller, or you might be manoeuvring through the city, so longer styles and trains could be less desirable.
We have seen some really amazing bridal minidresses recently that do not disappoint on wow factor, such as Vicky Pattinson’s custom short Suzanne Neville dress, or Sophie Habboo’s short ‘Cora Cocotte’ dress by Vivienne Westwood.
Another option could be you love a dress so much you want to wear it again and again, and there are lots of ways of reinventing your gown and creating multiple looks.
It could be a detachable train or overskirt to add volume and drama, or detachable sleeves for an extra flourish or some texture.
Like the legal ceremony, you might be travelling from one venue to another or stopping off for photos in the busier streets.
But with this aesthetic you also may not want something so traditionally ‘bridal’.
We have some amazing designers that can deliver a chic, and fashion-forward look.
Minimalist clean lines and gorgeous fabrics can really shine in a busy cityscape.
We recently welcomed New York designer Danielle Frankel who has been coined the bridal designer for the ‘cool girl’ fashion aesthetic and offers a showstopping alternative to the bridal market.
Another designer who can tick this box is Vivienne Westwood, whose styles are both timeless and contemporary.
Add an opera glove and a pair of shades for something worthy of a Vogue editorial!
Garden wedding
PHOTO | Emma Lawson Photography
The garden wedding can be relaxed and romantic and lends itself to that real fairy tale feeling.
We love designers like Temperley London for the botanical element of her dresses with floral embroidery and tasteful splashes of colour.
Or perhaps Halfpenny London for a whimsical layered look, with frothy organza arm drapes and ruffled skirts.
Ah, the wild wedding! It could be a beach, forest, or mountain but there is one thing for certain – you’re going to be outside!
And the thing we always hear brides worrying about is, you guessed it, the weather.
First of all, I’d encourage you not to worry too much as we have had brides up the hills in wind, rain and shine, and no matter the climate, it makes for some truly
breath-taking imagery.
The likelihood is, that you don’t want something too heavy or with too many layers, as you will undoubtedly need to scoop up those skirts at points.
We always add either a hand loop or a bustle to take up your train if you have one but depending on how ‘wild’ your wedding is, you might want a little more flexibility!
Andrea Hawkes is a great designer for a lighter dress, which doesn’t have tonnes of structure or underskirts, so you can dance, hike and frolic with complete ease!
When we think of a church wedding one thing that often comes to mind is traditional and classic.
This can come in a variety of different forms, and not all church weddings will have the same aesthetic!
Some might be bright and airy, whilst others are moodier and gothic, and the dress you’d wear to one you might not necessarily wear to the other.
Another aspect to the church wedding is that you might want to dress more conservatively, cover up a tattoo, or ensure your shoulders are covered during a religious ceremony.
Recently we had a wonderful bride who chose to wear the Vivienne Westwood ‘Long Cocotte’ dress which has that gorgeous figure-hugging corset to highlight an hourglass shape, but we added a tailored full length sleeve, which changed the impact of the dress and created a more modest silhouette for her beautiful church wedding.
Sassi Holford is another great designer to consider for a removeable jacket or sleeve to take you from day to night.
Her styling is a wonderful blend of traditional and timeless and would look beautifully at home in any church.
Reception dresses
Maybe you wanted that grand dress to fulfil your childhood fantasy, but now that the ceremony and photos are all done, you want something that allows you to let your hair down!
We have loads of options for fun reception-appropriate dresses, whether it’s a bit of sparkle, vibrant colour, or complete comfort for a proper boogie.
New York designer Naeem Khan is the king of beaded and embellished dresses you want to dance the night away in, whilst Danielle Frankel has some gorgeous styles that have you looking chic and bridal, but comfortable and ready to mingle.
Or if you see something you love, but you want it to be shorter and in colour, then we will just have it made that way for you!
There really is no need to compromise, especially on your wedding day!
