A Modern Minimalist Wedding Dress with Lace Sleeves for a Winter Wedding
The moment Hannah saw herself in the dress at Bridal Indulgence, she knew it was the one she would wear for her winter wedding at Millbridge Court in Farnham. Read on as we catch up with Hannah to hear all about her beautiful wedding day, and how you can arrive at your wedding dress appointment with one idea in mind, only to fall in love with something completely different…
We love a modern love story! Having both just moved to London straight out of university, Hannah and Jonny met on their very first dating app date at just 21. “The unusual and lucky part was that it was the first time either of us had ever gone on a date using a dating app” Hannah shared. While Hannah’s mum was understandably nervous about her meeting a stranger, that first date quickly turned into something much more meaningful. By the end of the evening, they’d even discovered they shared mutual friends, despite growing up in completely different parts of the country.
Jonny proposed just after Christmas during a visit to his family home in the Midlands. A traditional post-Christmas hike, something they do every year, took on a whole new meaning when, at the top of the hills overlooking his hometown, Jonny got down on one knee. To make the moment even more special, he had secretly packed Hannah’s overnight bag and whisked her away to a spa hotel in the Cotswolds to celebrate. The following day, they rang in the New Year with family making it a perfect, heartfelt beginning to their engagement.
The Dress Experience
Hannah was getting married at Millbridge Court, where Bridal Indulgence is a recommended supplier. After browsing our website and falling in love with the dresses we carry, she couldn’t wait to come and visit the boutique and start her dress journey.
Going into her appointments, Hannah thought she’d choose something with a fuller, more princess-style skirt inspired by her sister’s wedding dress the year before. But as so often happens, the dress she fell in love with was something completely unexpected.
She brought along her mum, sister and best friend for her appointments, and one of the most special parts of the experience was seeing their reactions as she tried on each gown. While Hannah chose some dresses herself, she also invited them to pick styles for her and it was the dress chosen by her best friend that ultimately stole her heart.
“Kerri was so fantastic and helpful,” Hannah shared. “I never felt rushed at all, which gave me the space to really take my time and think about each dress.”
The Dress
Although she initially imagined something more extravagant, the moment Hannah saw herself in the dress, she knew. She felt completely herself - relaxed, confident and comfortable - something her mum noticed straight away. To be absolutely sure, she returned for a second appointment with her mother-in-law before saying yes.
What Hannah loved most about her Watters dress was the shape, beautifully form-fitting without ever feeling restrictive. The fabric felt luxurious yet comfortable enough to wear all day and all night, allowing her to enjoy every moment without distraction.
To complete her look, Hannah wore detachable lace sleeves designed and made by Bridal Indulgence. Borrowing her sister’s veil with lace edging, we created bespoke sleeves to perfectly match the lace, tying the entire look together. The sleeves added drama and elegance to her minimalist gown and were ideal for a winter wedding and because they were detachable, Hannah could remove them for the evening celebrations, giving her the feeling of a second look.
A Winter Wedding at Millbridge Court
Choosing a winter wedding meant finding a venue with beautiful interiors and plenty of natural light and Millbridge Court delivered that and more. With its thoughtfully designed spaces and expansive windows, the venue felt light-filled and airy during the day, before transforming into something truly magical in the evening.
Hannah couldn’t recommend the venue more, praising the team for making the day run seamlessly and ensuring everything felt effortless.
Despite expecting to feel nervous, Hannah felt completely calm the moment the doors opened. Fixing her eyes on Jonny at the end of the aisle, she felt completely relaxed and present and ready to take in every second.
From getting ready with her bridesmaids and mum, to the ceremony, dinner and party, Hannah describes their wedding day as the best day of their lives. Any worries she had simply melted away as she immersed herself in the moment, surrounded by the people they love most.
One moment stood out above all others. Despite heavy rain earlier in the day, just as Hannah walked down the aisle, the clouds broke and sunlight streamed through the windows, shining directly onto Hannah and Jonny as they exchanged vows. The weather held for the rest of the day too, allowing for outdoor confetti and photos that felt nothing short of magical.
Hannah’s Advice to Brides-to-Be
“Choose something that really feels like you. I thought I’d end up in a princess-style dress, but my everyday style is much more minimal. Feeling like myself helped me feel confident, relaxed and truly present on the day.”
A huge thank you to Hannah and Jonny for letting us share their beautiful wedding day.
Had your heart stolen by Hannah’s Minimalist wedding wedding dress? Fall in love with our curated collection of wedding dresses at Bridal Indulgence.
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Kerri & the Bridal Indulgence Team x
Photography: Kit Myers