Beautiful Joanna | A Halfpenny London bride

Today, we have a gorgeous gallery of images from a traditional Cotswold countryside wedding, with a modern, formal twist. Beautiful bride Joanna Llewellyn-Davies married her love, Maxwell, in September last year and she wanted a wedding dress that ticked all the boxes.

“I tried on close to 40 dresses and thought I had found ‘the one’ but found myself picking faults with it and having doubts. All the others just weren’t me, or look quite right, or different enough,” Joanna said. “However, doubts aside, I was about to book in a final appointment to go back to try it on again when a close friend recommended Halfpenny as she thought ‘it has to be the most Jo bridal shop’ and she knew I’d love all the dresses.

When I first came into Halfpenny London I fell in love with the décor, the rails of dresses and the intimate, friendly feel of the place. My headspace was very much ‘I’ve tried on 40 dresses and I think I’ve already found the one but a friend said to come here ‘just in case’. The lovely member of the team grabbed a few dresses and showed me to the dressing room, making me feel incredibly comfortable as my mum and cousin nattered away.

The first dress I tried on was the Cheryl, it was like nothing else I’d tried on yet – no fuss, no lace, no beading and no low cut cleavage (YAY!!). I remember loving it but thinking it wasn’t bridal enough? I think by this point I was under the illusion that a wedding dress needed to be all frills and drama to hit the spot. However, I came out in it and to my surprise my mum gasped! The lovely assistant then added the Christian skirt and my cousin said ‘this is the dress Jo, this is the one’.”

I’m thrilled that Joanna found everything she wanted in our Cheryl dress and Christian skirt but this is a story we hear a lot. When you’ve found the one, you’ll know. It doesn’t necessarily mean everyone in tears, or jumping with excitement. For many, many women, it’s just a feeling of calmness, of feeling like the best version of themselves, or a million other sentiments I could list here. We asked Joanna how she knew this was her dream dress and this was her answer…

“It’s Halfpenny, is that not everyone’s dream dress!? Ok, being serious, I didn’t realise how much of a dream dress it was until the day. I walked into the ceremony and the movement of the skirt with the safety of the Cheryl was perfect. I removed the skirt and redid the bow and it was instantly the dream dress for the evening. Halfpenny was perfect for me because it gave me the ability to do what Halfpenny does amazingly well – change up the outfit with a completely different look without even having to go to a changing room. The ease of removing that skirt was just brilliant – I didn’t miss a minute of the party and I had a completely different second look!!

I think the main moment of realisation was when I saw Max’s face. It wasn’t anything like he expected and he loved it. THEN when he saw the skirt being removed (I waited for golden hour) he was blown away by the Cheryl – the feel, the fit, the different look… and that was the best feeling in the world to see his face. I knew then I chosen the perfect dress for the perfect day. The skirt was an added bonus. Who knew the Cheryl dress would be so perfect that your husband and mates can pick you up crowd surfing to Black Sabbath and still be elegant!!

I don’t think I’ve ever received as many compliments as I have on my wedding day – I know that’s how it should be but woah, that dress. The dress of dreams. One of the best compliments of the day was from a friend’s partner who doesn’t normally have much to say: ‘woah, her dress looks like it was designed and made especially for her’.”

Joanna completed her look with personalised accessories and a long veil.

“It was the perfect veil to finish the look. I never intended on wearing a veil until I questioned my friend on whether I should or not and she said ‘if you’re doubting it get one, when else will you get to wear a veil?!’ I had two hair pieces both made by maid of honour (@immiekatecreates). The white rose hair grip that I wore for the ceremony was incredibly sentimental for me. The white roses came from my mum’s veil that her mum made for her big day.”

The entire Halfpenny London team wishes Joanna and Maxwell the biggest congratulations and we’re sending them all the love in the world. Thank you to the lovely couple and also photographer, Sam Docker, for sharing this beautiful gallery with us.

Love,

Kate & the Halfpennys xxx

CREDITS

Photographer: Sam Docker / @samdocker.co

Venue: Old Gore by Yard Space

Accommodation: Bibury Farm Barns

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Hair band and rose grip: @immiekatecreates

Jewellery: Crystal Heaven Jewellery

Flowers: @fleur_rebelle_avec_amour