Lela Rose Bridal
As the Royal wedding bells are ringing, it suffices to say we are all in the mood for a bit of bridal bliss. Enter White Dossier: a bridal concierge service set up to guarantee that when you walk down that aisle, you’ll feel the very best version of yourself. We had a little buzz talk with founder Gabrielle Taylor on all the latest in the world of bridal so read on to meet your new well-connected, stylish best friend! And for a flash of inspiration, head over to their divine Instagram account @whitedossier that’s sure to take “put a ring on it” to a whole new level.
White Dossier founder Gabrielle Taylor wearing Inbal Dror at her wedding in Tel Aviv
The idea for White Dossier came about not long after I got engaged; after working as a fashion designer for over a decade I knew exactly what I wanted. Despite my clear vision, I really struggled to find what I was looking for and it made me wonder how difficult it must be for brides who don’t even know where to start in their search for ‘the one’. My own dress hunt highlighted just how useful it would be to have guidance and help to navigate the bridal market- in essence a bridal fashion ‘planner’.
As a bridal concierge, we want to elevate each client’s experience and, of course, enhance their style on the big day and any other events around their wedding. We approach bridal from a different perspective; while respecting its traditions we also encourage our brides to not be governed by them. It’s very common for brides to fall into the trap of settling for a wedding dress they didn’t actually want. It’s great to be different and wear something unexpected so we work a lot with both bridal and non-bridal Ready To Wear brands and we often encourage clients to consider the latter as a wedding day option. Sometimes that’s a sure-fire way of achieving a less traditional ‘bridal’ look that’s so in demand right now. Essentially, we want to make the experience of shopping bridal much easier.
Everything is so accessible in the age of social media, but in the same vein, there can be a distinct lack of practical information. Sometimes inspiration really isn’t enough; brides need to be able to locate and buy what they’ve seen online, whether it’s on a Pinterest board or Instagram wall and that’s where White Dossier comes in. We cut through the clutter to present brides with carefully considered and genuinely exciting outfit recommendations along with the vital information of the price and the place to get that dream look from. Another facet of the business is our support for emerging and lesser-known designers. Danielle Frankel is for instance a brand we brought to the UK for the first time through a Trunk Show at The Wedding Gallery and who’s also stocked on Net A Porter. She is a great example of the emerging bridal designers we’re supporting and drawing attention to.
We’ve recently noticed an increase in brides who are after wedding dress alternatives like jumpsuits and tailoring. These make for great city and civil wedding options, as well as post ceremony bridal attire. We love when brides with multiple wedding functions really mix up their looks. Brides who don’t want to wear traditional bridal are very much on the rise. They want our help finding a truly beautiful Ready To Wear look that can work as bridal and then enjoy wearing again. It’s always best to buy a wedding shoe you will be able to throw on with your favourite pair of jeans and a classic t shirt long past the wedding day, as the idea of buying a white satin shoe you’ll only wear once seems both dated and a waste. The same goes for bridesmaids and is it’s why the Paris based brand Les Heroines is proving to be quite popular with our clients. It’s not just about the wedding dress anymore; it’s about the entire wedding wardrobe. Although the main focus remains on the special day, the modern brides’ needs now extend to pre and post wedding day functions – especially with the rise in popularity of destination weddings. Whether it’s a weekend in the UK or a few days abroad, couples now want to celebrate over an extended period, and that means there are a lot more looks to consider and put together.
Prada Feather Trimmed Sandals SS17 
Emilia Wickstead SS18
A very current bridal trend we are seeing is a shift towards two in one dresses and detachable skirts. From Oscar de la Renta to Berta and Suzanne Neville, a lot of brands are now offering a detachable fuller skirt, enabling the bride to change up her look pre and post ceremony. These individual pieces allow brides to have 2 completely different looks within their wedding day. It’s also a great middle ground if you love the idea of an outfit change but feel it’s a little bit too indulgent to have a second outfit while you are about to invest in something you’ll only wear once. If that’s the case, the two in one dress certainly seems to be the answer to your prayers!
Another re-occurring trend is pearls, and while they might have had an old fashioned connotation once – especially in relation to bridal- that’s definitely no longer the case. Used unexpectedly, they can be such a luxurious detail. Danielle Frankel’s bridal collection features a jumpsuit and an off the shoulder gown where pearls are used within the straps or as buttons, adding beautiful colour and texture. These pearls are large and irregularly shaped, adding a very modern touch. When used in a contemporary way, pearls can also make for stunning wedding jewellery. Made out of mismatched pearls, Sophie Buhai’s choker is a fine example of a fresh way of incorporating pearls and adding a stunning dimension to your look.
The off-shoulder neckline is more of a staple and less of a trend and we love how designers keep modernising this silhouette. Galvan’s debut bridal collection features a stunning full lace off the shoulder gown that is high on the wish list among our clientele. Similarly, capes are having a major bridal moment; short and structured or soft and billowing, they create a serious statement when walking down the aisle and could also be a great two in one piece for your wedding day. And sure to be popular with brides, we expect to see a lot more of beaded capelets as the Art Deco era of the 1920s that was a huge bridal inspiration for SS19.
Chanel Haute Couture SS13 
Danielle Frankel Bridal 
Miu Miu Glitter & Pearl Sandals
With the upcoming Royal Wedding and taking into account all the current trends, we can imagine Meghan in a beautiful structured cape for the ceremony and we wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some modern pearl accents. If White Dossier had had the honour of styling Meghan we would have commissioned Stella McCartney to create her dress. She is a designer that stands for sustainability- a cause both Prince Harry and Meghan are committed to- she is British, female and we think this would have been a great alignment for Meagan in all respects. We’d love to see her in something modern and minimal but with a standout detail.
Engagement and pre wedding parties are such exciting occasions to celebrate with friends and family while the bride often feels more relaxed and carefree. There is only one rule for your engagement, and that’s anything goes! Bride should opt for something flattering that they feel great in because they will be the centre of attention. Our primary advice to clients who are having a pre wedding party is to choose something that’s quite different to their wedding dress. Of course nothing will outshine your the dress and everybody has a personal style but there is something nice about keeping the outfits really separate so your final look feels as unique to you and your guests as it should. For example, if you are wearing a more traditional gown on your wedding day, why not go for a beautifully tailored jumpsuit, or a flirtier mini dress?
When it comes to accessorising, you can look at your wedding in sections: ceremony, party, after party. So you can change up your accessories to suit. How about some great statement earrings after the ceremony for when the vibe is more relaxed and easing into the party? We love helping our brides to mix up their looks without them having to change their dress. We also advise them to buy into their accessories with a long-term vision. A recent client bought a pair of Valentino Rockstud kitten heels and they just peeked out of the bottom of her dress. It gave her look a little bit of a rock and roll edge. Those are shoes that, with a little re-heel and refresh here and there, will last forever. Wedding accessories can actually turn into a great investment, as you’ll wear them again and again. It’s a brilliant excuse to buy a pair of designer shoes that you’ve always wanted!
Once your wedding is over, it’s essential to bring your dress to a qualified dry cleaner as soon as you can. Wedding dresses get marked and the longer you wait, the harder it is to get stains out of the delicate white material. And when you do go to the dry cleaners, talk everything through and make sure they are confident in handling your wedding dress. Some beading for example cannot be dry cleaned as it may melt and it’s always good to be informed of the risks so you can make a decision or take it to a place that is better suited to cleaning your dress.
Whether you’re the bride, groom or guest, The Restory offers professional dry clean advice and restoration services on all wedding attire and accessories. You could re-colour a clutch or even reimagine your wedding shoes by adding beautiful beads and stones as a detail. Book a pre or post wedding collection at https://www.the-restory.com/book or email our Client Services Team on service@the-restory.com
Chosen By One Day SS18
