During my wedding dress search, I wanted something equal parts fun and classic, with elements of trend but not so of-the-moment that it would date within a matter of months. It became clear quite quickly that this was a tall order. However, The Own Studio met all my demands effortlessly. Their pieces marry timeless silhouettes with unique, unexpected details: the scarf detailing on their spaghetti-strapped silk gown 074, the plunging back on their 185 dress, and the puffball skirt paired with a classic corset on 166.
The brand has been heralded as the go-to for cool London brides, and you’ll instantly feel in safe hands as you step into their Shoreditch studio. A large New York–style loft, with interiors almost as beautiful as the pieces hanging on their rails.
Founded by designers Jess Kaye and Rosie Williams in 2019, the label has established itself as a go-to for fashion lovers in an industry often dominated by heritage brands. It’s their modern, contemporary approach to wedding wear that has set them apart, as well as their OWN AGAIN rewear service, where they offer dyeing and tailoring to transform your bridalwear after the big day into something you’ll wear again and again. Nothing is “off the rack” at Own Studio, and the process feels bespoke, intimate, and comfortable from start to finish, even after the big day itself. Chloe Laws
Address: 374-378 Old St, London EC1V 9LT
Website: theownstudio.com
Brides Do Good
Best for: Ethical bridal shopping
As soon as I heard of Brides Do Good, I knew I wanted to try to find my dress with them. The social enterprise partners with brides and brands to curate a unique collection of new and pre-loved designer gowns, and donates a third of profits to charity projects working to end child marriage. As a bride, that means you can find incredible gowns with a huge discount, while supporting a worthwhile cause and keeping things sustainable. What’s not to love?
The boutique is located in Chelsea, and is full to the brim with gowns – many one-offs that have been donated. This means the chances of finding something totally unique are higher, but also that there’s a small chance you could fall in love with a gown that’s not your size. The good news is that the team is incredibly helpful. I went with an abstract idea of what I wanted, and while there were no dresses that exactly matched my vision, the talented assistant knew exactly what I was imagining and helped create it from spare fabrics and accessories.
I didn’t end up finding my perfect dress here, but the experience showed me exactly what I was looking for, and that’s thanks to a team that really believes in the work they do. Abigail Malbon
Address: 202 Fulham Road, London SW10 9PJ
Website: bridesdogood.com
Lovely Bride
Best for: Boho brides
With brands such as Saint, Rue De Seine, Savannah Miller, Dany Tabet and more, Lovely Bride has an impressively large collection of bridal dresses in all styles – from structured to flowing and colourful. This means it’s difficult not to fall in love with at least one (but let’s be honest, likely multiple) designs.
