Guest Blog- Love & Loved Bridal

Dodley Hill Barns

Set in a rural barn off the beaten track in a sleepy Buckinghamshire village, Love & Loved is making a statement on the bridal scene. Traditional on the outside but strikingly contemporary on the inside, Love & Loved bridal will be a haven for brides-to-be looking for a relaxed, effortless bridal shopping experience. Created for brides who might not always know what they want in a wedding gown but more than likely know what they don’t want. Seeking something unique with a fashion forward twist, special and eye-catching but without the fuss and the flounce, Love & Loved’s brides-to-be want to curate a look that is an elevation of their day to day self while remaining true to their natural style.  With a selection of dresses and separates, brides can build their look with one piece or add layers to create a truly unique bridal outfit. 

The out of area location was a deliberate choice, while set out in the sticks it’s easily accessible from many towns and cites from across Bucks, Beds, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire and far wider reaching locations. We wanted to create a space that could be accessed with ease, gather the girls and your nearest and dearest and make a day of it, drive up, park and kick back and enjoy your experience. No faff, no parking fee’s, no run down neighbouring shops. An escape to focus on you, your day and doing it your way.

Aside from the tranquil location, Dodley Hill Barns was the perfect choice as it is being developed with the environment in mind. The boutique is at the heart of the Swanbourne Estate which has a wide ranging conservation programme. They are meticulous in their preservation and enhancement of the ancient historic parkland and local landscape. Replanted traditional wildflower meadows, orchards and woodlands are a key feature of the estate. Our power is provided by solar panels from the nearby grain store and our heating comes from a new “green” air sourced heat pump. We provide a habitat for local bats (at a safe distance from our gorgeous gowns) and new ponds have been created to take care of the local wildlife.

So with the location packing a punch we needed the best designers for our brides. Our mission was simple, find designers that stand for something and have a story to tell, it had to be more than just a pretty collection of dresses. First up, Kate Fearnley Bridal. We came across Kate early doors and set our hearts on securing her. He gowns make a style statement and are really successful in being unique yet versatile. We love how her gowns can be styled in a variety of ways, dreamy and romantic, boho chic or alternative with a rock ’n’ roll edge. From modern lace, fringe details and Kate’s signature 3D embellishments she offers something for every bride. Even better she is a role model in British bridal design, creating and manufacturing in her Yorkshire studio.

Petal by Kate Fearnley Bridal. Photographer: Natalie Pluck

Next up, we came across the debut Believe by Gaia collection, a new, fashion forward brand from the creators of Gaia. Produced in their Welsh studio, we were keen to introduce another British brand and employing local workers and sourcing UK fabrics was a big tick in our discerning box. 

Mayfair by Believe by Gaia

Finally we completed our collection with the incredible works of Sanyukta Shrestha, a leader in sustainable bridal fashion. Creating gowns from organic and vegan materials, Sanyukta Shrestha is a designer that is kind to the planet and a champion of women empowerment, while equally ensuring the protection of the bride's skin with a highly comfortable feel. 

Recognised by the media as ‘Greta of the wedding world’, her combination of sustainability first, ethical beliefs, luxurious eco fabrics and a centuries old Nepalese craftsmanship makes these gowns the number one choice for the environmentally conscious modern bride.

Jamie by Sanyukta Shrestha

And what can you expect from your experience with Love & Loved? We appreciate that brides-to-be feel differently about finding their wedding dress, some love it, some hate it, some have no idea where to start while others are confident in their own style and know what they are looking for.  Our approach is to be led by the bride, if she needs to try on every dress in the shop to work out what works and what doesn’t then she can, if she is particular in her taste of dresses then we hone in and focus there, we offer style advice where it’s wanted and will guide brides to ensure they never leave disappointed. We place no expectations on a bride, traditions don’t have to be followed, there are no rules when you visit us in the boutique, it’s your day and we let you do it your way.

In addition to our line up of bridal designers we carry a curated range of British accessory brands. For something a little alternative we have veils from the W Collective. Hair accessories and jewellery are provided by The Bobby Pin UK and we offer stunning, hand made bridal crowns from Caped & Crowned, a modern twist on the traditional tiara. 

Currently under construction the barn that will house Love & Loved is due to be ready to open in March 2022. Keep on eye on our website and social media to track our progress. So for brides getting married in Autumn 2022 there will be just enough time to meet you and help you find the one. And for 2023 brides and beyond we can’t wait to welcome you in to the boutique. If accessories remain on your list we have 2022 brides covered, get in touch to join our waiting list by visiting the book now section on our website or DM us on any of the socials. Our dresses are on a 3-6 month lead time but please allow for alteration time. We have a fab seamstress that we can connect you with and will stick with you from start to finish. 

So, if a chilled out and most importantly fun bridal shopping experience is what you crave, Love & Loved is waiting to meet you. 

This blog was written for Big Green Space- Wedding Planning