Who Designed The Duchess Of Westminster’s Stunning Wedding Dress?
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3 weeks ago
We take a closer look at Olivia Henson's bridal look
The big day might have been and gone, but we’re still thinking about the Duke and Duchess of Westminster’s dreamy summer nuptials. And while not a royal herself, the Duchess of Westminster looked every bit the part in a beautiful lace wedding dress and tiara-topped veil. Here, we look back at her big bridal moment.
What The Duchess Of Westminster Wore To Her Wedding
The sun might have been shining 7 June 2024, but a fierce wind was whipping around Olivia Henson, the soon-to-be Duchess, as she prepared to walk down the aisle. With her cathedral length veil fluttering behind – and the designer of her dress putting on the finishing touches for a smooth wedding entrance – the newest member of the royal family beamed at the crowds, throwing a wave behind her as she disappeared into Chester Cathedral.
The guest list was limited to just 400 guests – a big number by normal standards, but intimate for a royal celebration – with the likes of Prince William and Princess Eugenie in attendance. And the crowds were only given a brief look at the royal wedding of the year, before the doors were firmly shut. And, when the service ended, the couple were quickly whisked away in a car set for Eaton Estate, where they partied the night away at a private reception.
The privacy of the occasion perfectly matched the couple’s approach to public life; the two have kept many of the details concerning their relationship under wraps, and have both forgone public social media accounts. Olivia Henson reportedly met the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, back in 2021, after being introduced by mutual friends. They began dating not long after, and in 2023 the couple announced their engagement – sharing a small selection of casual photos from the grounds of Grosvenor’s family estate, Eaton Hall.
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Who Designed The Duchess Of Westminster’s Wedding Dress?
The Duchess of Westminster wore a wedding dress designed by London-based designer Emma Victoria Payne, who also created the Duchess’s bespoke veil.
Payne has become a popular designer amongst the society set, having previously designed bridal gowns for the likes of Lady Jemima Herbert and the Princess of Wales’s close friend, Sophie Carter. A Central St Martins graduate, the designer previously designed for John Galliano and Levi Strauss, before opening up her own boutique in London in 2010.
Ahead of the Westminster wedding, the designer told Tatler that she was ‘thrilled to be commissioned to make this special bespoke bridal gown for Olivia… From the initial appointments to the final fitting, it has been an absolute pleasure and we have loved every moment of collaborating with her. Olivia had a clear vision for certain elements of her dress and we worked closely together to bring the design to life.’
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What Did Her Dress & Veil Look Like?
The gown itself was crafted from ivory silk crepe satin and featured a slimline silhouette, a bateau neckline and three-quarter length sleeves trimmed with scalloped lace. The contemporary gown came packed with drama, as shown by the detachable six-foot train and, at the back, the dropped waistline and large keyhole opening.
Personalisation was also key to the bridal look. Both gown and veil came with floral embroidery hand-drawn by Payne, as well as the couple’s wedding date and initials, which were hidden amongst it all. The ivory silk organza veil also incorporated floral motifs and edgings from her great-great-grandmother’s veil, dating to around 1880.
What Was Her Something Blue?
As they say, the bride does need something blue on her wedding day. On her feet, the new Duchess of Westminster wore a pair of blue velvet heels topped with bows, courtesy of designer Silvia Lago. The Valentina 8 Riviera style heels were part of the label’s Barcelona-based line, and were handcrafted by master cobblers in Spain.
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The Fabergé Tiara
And then there’s something old (and borrowed). One her big day, the Duchess wore the FabergĂ© Myrtle Leaf Tiara, a family heirloom that comes from Hugh Grosvenor’s side of the family. Dating back to 1906, the FabergĂ© creation has been worn by several Grosvenor brides and features diamonds, as well as motifs of myrtle leaves and berries.
Can You Watch The Wedding Ceremony?
Unlike other royal weddings, the Duke and Duchess of Westminster’s ceremony was not televised for the public. However, you can catch the highlights from outside the venue below:
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