The fresh Duchess of Westminster, Olivia Henson, wore a dress by Chelsea- based artist Emma Victoria Payne to marriage Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, in the world ceremony of the year.
Miss Henson’s custom search was revealed as she arrived at Chester Cathedral at around 12pm. Floral embroidery was adorning the ebony fabric crepe silk dress. She even wore the Fabergé Myrtle Leaf Tiara, which was created for the Grosvenor relatives in 1906, and a veil which included edgings from the bride’s excellent- excellent- grandmother’s veil, from around 1880.
A 2m ( 612ft ) train seems a little short for a cathedral wedding, but it still allows the bride to be seen. It was a look that struck a balance between the bride’s preference for an understated look.
According to a speech from their official in advance of the ceremony, personal details like the placement of the woman’s names and wedding date on the center-back of the mask demonstrated that they had “taken a great deal of attention in planning the wedding, putting their own personal stamp on all the plans.”
The bride opted for a pair of silk-velvet Silvia Lago bow-front heels for her “something blue” look, which cost £343 and were visible beneath her skirt as a result of a gust of wind.
Before the bride made her grand entrance at Chester Cathedral, Payne struggled to adjust her veil and train while she was arriving. The back of the dress, complete with keyhole cut-out detail and scalloped lace trim, was also visible.
Until now, few public photographs have existed of Henson. In their April 2023 engagement photo, the couple were both sporting decidedly casual attire, with she wearing elasticated cotton pants and an aqua rib-knit top, he in a loose blue shirt and she in a loose blue shirt. The bride-to-be was spotted attending a rehearsal at Chester Cathedral the night before the wedding while sporting a blue patterned dress and red clogs.
Despite the fact that she is marrying one of the richest men in Britain, these glimpses revealed that Henson is relaxed and clearly not someone who is fixated on designer labels, latest trends, or appearing “flash.” Indeed, even her engagement ring was hidden from view in their engagement portrait.
Given the couple’s great interest in their wedding, several designers were considered for the bridal commission of the year, including London Fashion Week designers Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, and Alice Temperley.
Payne was the one who secured the position, though. The Chorleywood’s bridal designer spent time studying at Central Saint Martins College before working for Levi Strauss in Brussels and John Galliano in Paris. She opened her first bridal boutique in 2010 in Knightsbridge, and now operates from a studio in Chelsea, from which she offers bespoke wedding dress design services.
Henson’s dress has a bias-cut skirt and pleated waistband, and her style is described as being “focused on the elegance of vintage silhouettes and bias-cut styles.”
The 31-year-old bride, who deposes as the new Duchess of Westminster, was anticipated to incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly materials into her bridal ensemble. She works for Belazu, a company which imports chef- quality, responsibly sourced ingredients, and both she and the Duke have expressed publicly their interest in supporting local businesses and recycling elements, such as the flowers, after their service.
The use of vintage remnants from her great- great- grandmother’s veil played into this interest, while adding another layer of personalization to the look.
“Emma prides herself on providing an exceptional bespoke personal service, seeing each bride from their wedding day, ” the designer said in a statement that revealed the creative process behind the look. She “implies the bride to be at every step,” starting with the sketch to choosing the fabrics and finishes, to make sure that each bride’s gown is exactly as she envisioned.