Gorgeous Marie | A real Halfpenny London bride

Beautiful bride Marie and her lovely husband said ‘I do’ in August last year at the STAM museum in Ghent, Belgium, which is a site dedicated to the couple’s city and its history. The most important thing for them both was for every single one of their guests to feel welcome and comfortable. They created a really warm, authentic and laidback atmosphere, giving them the wedding they had hoped for, full of smiles, love and friendship.

“We went for a simple and intimate city wedding of 50 guests in our hometown, resonating a warm summer night spent outside with family and friends eating, drinking, laughing, dreaming. One of those nights that turns into sunrise before you even know it started.”

Marie’s search for her wedding look started online and eventually led her to our Bloomsbury boutique…

“Since I spent a lot of time away from home for work, I did not want to spend my scarce weekends at home going from one bridal store to the other. So, I did a lot of scouting on the internet, before actually booking an appointment somewhere. What I found did not really console me: I could not identify with the narrative of many bridal stores for different reasons. Also, too often, the real brides pictures felt all too traditional and not authentic. I was looking at brides, but could not really see the women behind them anymore. More modern collections were often limited to boho inspired brides, or open back dresses. Neither of those were styles that I would feel comfortable in or that would feel like me. So when the few dresses that I really liked, all appeared to be designed by the same person, and then saw the real brides on the Halfpenny website (who all looked gorgeous, and still very much their own person), I did not hesitate and booked an appointment.

I was quite nervous but was put at ease immediately by the stylist, who was warm, sincere and very welcoming. She made me feel comfortable and was very patient. I had a wonderful experience. Also, the store is just beautiful, and just like the dresses, feels very authentic.

I did not really have a dream dress. I even had a hard time imagining exactly what the dress had to look like. I just knew how I wanted to look and feel like in the dress: like myself, and also like a bride, but mostly, like me. I wanted to look like the best version of myself, but also timeless, elegant and still a little bit of ‘vavavoom’. For the start of our day, the city hall ceremony, the Laura top did a great job to create a more formal look, with a little bit of modesty and elegance added to it. I had promised myself to go for a “no regret dress”: I did not want to turn 70 and regret that at 30, I went for a dress that did not show off my gorgeous body simply because I felt insecure about it.  The Dion dress definitely made that happen, together with the support of the ladies at Halfpenny, I have to admit.”

Marie’s beautiful words really resonated with me. All I ever want is to allow a woman to showcase who she truly is on her big day. Forget all the trends and go for the one that makes you feel completely, 100% authentically you. Marie looked totally sensational in both of her outfits and I’m truly honoured she chose to wear Halfpenny London on her big day.

Wishing these two lovely people every happiness in their new lives together.

Love,

Kate & the Halfpennys xxx

Images by Omar Augusto Santaella