Gorgeous Holly | A Halfpenny London bride
Beautiful bride Holly Gardner married Thomas Saunders in July last year in Thomas’s hometown of Monaghan in Ireland, choosing the local cathedral as their venue. Although completed in 1892, St.Macartan’s was built in a 14th-century Gothic style, as Holly explained:
“The catherdral has almost an austere interior,” she said. “However the altar has the most beautiful monolithic honed concrete altar piece, with a beautiful tapestry to the rear. We are both architects, and loved the visual contrast this represented, so we chose a very neutral colour theme with very controlled pops of yellow. Thomas’s parents got married there, and since Thomas’s mother, Helen, had passed away a couple of years before we met each other, we both felt that getting married in the cathedral was a nice way to feel like she was part of the day.
Similar to the cathedral, Hilton Park, where we had the reception, has the most beautiful colonnade structure where the dinner was held, which the wonderful wonderful Joanna & Fred have lovingly restored. Similar to the cathedral, the architecture sings on its own. Our florist provided us with big bunches of wild flowers and grasses which myself and my bridesmaids arranged and laid out the day before the wedding. I found this to be such a cathartic process and was the point at which I saw everything come together. I really wanted everyone to feel relaxed and happy and the team at Hilton Park (especially our wedding co-ordinator Kim) really made this possible for us. We stayed the whole weekend and cured our hangovers by swimming in the lake and lying on the grass.
A stunning venue required an equally incredible dress and Holly was on a mission to find it. Her research led her to our flagship boutique in Bloomsbury.
“I had spent a while researching local designers before making appointments, I wanted to have a more personal experience and really appreciate and am interested in the design process. My appointment at Halfpenny London was just wonderful start to finish. The stylist, was fantastic. I felt instantly relaxed and she was so accommodating of setting up a zoom call for my mum, sister, & bridesmaids to join as it was just after the first lockdown and unfortunately my mum couldn’t make it down from Scotland. All the styles I had pre-selected to try on fitted perfectly!! I was kind of in shock, that everything fitted and it really helped me imagine myself on the day. The stylist really listened to what we had planned for the wedding, the style I was after, and how I wanted to feel on the day. I can’t say how much I appreciated that.
The first time I saw the Mayfair dress online, I thought it was a design classic. The silhouette is so unique in the way it celebrates the female body in the most modern, comfortable way, whilst layering on top the most incredibly romantic skirt. And the sleeves, they are a thesis in themselves. I mean wow. I really felt it really highlighted my collarbones and shoulders really elegantly and created an elegant line across the chest. I felt wonderful as soon as I slipped into it, I couldn’t quite believe how comfy it was!”
I adore the Mayfair dress with its frothy silk organza sleeves and frilled skirt. Holly looked sensational and it was the perfect dress for her big day. She worked closely with her florist, agreeing on a minimalist but romantic, unstructured neutral style for the day and the bouquet complemented her style beautifully.
“I had always pictured getting married somewhere scenic surrounded by nature but I am a city girl at heart and really wanted to have a nod to that somehow. So I picked a mini city hand-bag, to keep my mini lipstick, tissues and my speech to hand! I found a lovely little soft box style bag in Arket, which I love and use all the time now! My shoes were probably the hardest to decide on, I knew they wouldn’t be seen much but wanted to be comfy and dance the night away in, so I went for Loeffler Randall Camellia organza sandals in cream, which were perfect!”
Every detail of the day was so well thought out and incredibly beautiful. I’m obsessed with these images by Fran Mart. Incredible details and dramatic landscapes. Stunning!
“I honestly can’t credit Kate and the team more, you are curating the most beautiful collections that celebrate the female body in all its forms. I had the most wonderful experience with you all, from the start until now. Thank you for everything.”
What gorgeous words! I’m absolutely thrilled Holly had such a great experience with us and over the moon she chose to wear Halfpenny London on her special day. Huge congratulations to Holly and Thomas! Sending you both all the love in the world.
Love,
Kate & the Halfpennys xxx
CREDITS
Ceremony Venue: St.Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan
Reception Venue: Hilton Park / @hiltonpark
Photographer: Fran Mart / @franmart_
Florist: Zoe Conville / @zoeconvilledesignhouse
Grooms Suit: William Hunt Saville Row
Wedding Bands and Engagement Ring: No.13 / @no13jewellery
Cake:Baked by Corri / @bakedbycorri
Caterers: Yellow Door Deli
Make-Up Artist: Mary Ellen Darby / @maryellendarbyweddings
Hairdresser: Caroline Martin / @inspirehairdressing.ie
Band: Haste to the wedding
Earrings: Eileen (The Magpieology) / @themagpieology