64 BEST OF BRITISH We speak to from Vicky Angell, founder and owner of Love & loved Bridal Boutique based in Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire about how to have a stylish but sustainable wedding. She tells us, “With the consumer growing more conscious of their environmental impact, many couples are seeking a more ethical wedding and looking for hints and tips on how to make their day more sustainable. The wedding industry creates an enormous amount of waste but, with pioneers leading the way in the bridal industry, it is possible to have an amazing day without leaving a heavy footprint in your wake.” Vicky continues, “The best place to start is to think about what’s important to you as a couple and which parts of your day are nonnegotiable. What are your options, are there sustainable solutions already out there? You might have to do your research. I would suggest you start by looking locally. It’s often small start-up suppliers that are creating niche solutions to growing consumer problems. Shopping local has the benefit of supporting your local businesses and economy while reducing your carbon footprint if you’re cutting down on extended transportation time.” Vicky stresses how it’s important to be realistic. “You might not achieve your mission on every element of your day, but the fact that this is an issue central to your day means you’re already doing your bit. I recommend speaking to suppliers about their sustainability policy and what they’re doing to reduce their impact on the environment. Its always important for a wedding couple to be compatible with their suppliers so make sure you work with people who share your passion for making a difference.” Vicky suggests considering hiring, borrowing and passing on items. “This is especially achievable with the decor you choose to style your day,” she says. “If you work with a stylist, they will have items that they loan to you that will be collected and repurposed for another wedding or occasion. There are also some great companies that hire decor that reflects current trends, again look for companies who are local to you. Confetti doesn’t have to be a no no, there are great biodegradable options available. Consider having your invitations, place names and favours made with seeded plantable paper. Not only do they look great, they provide a sustainable and sentimental solution as your guests can enjoy nurturing new life as a lasting memory of your day.” When it comes to the bridal outfit, Vicky says to consider investing in a pre-loved wedding dress or find a bridal boutique who is working with British designers or ones that are are innovative in ethical and sustainable luxury bridal fashion. “Many British designers are sourcing their fabrics from the UK, cutting down the impact of international shipping,” she says. “They cut each piece to minimise waste and often donate any waste fabric to local schools and colleges where they are reused for training purposes or to create new pieces. Vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable fabrics are growing in availability. Sanyukta Shrestha is a designer to consider, many of her fabrics derive from hemp and bamboo that are highly sustainable materials with natural properties that make your dress extremely comfortable to wear, and they look great too.” Bridal designers with sustainability high on their agenda are making an effort to slow down fast fashion, whether that’s creating one collection a year which reduces the cycle of sample dresses and encourages brides to appreciate a well-designed piece whose style is enduring and versatile to suit changing trends. Finally, Vicky says to consider separates as each piece can be adapted to be worn again. “A bridal top can look great styled with a pair of jeans and consider dying the pieces to rewear at another occasion,” she says. “Having a sustainable and ethical wedding is possible without making compromises.” To find out more and to book an appointment, visit www.loveandloved.co.uk ELLIE SANDERSON OPENS NEW FLAGSHIP BRIDAL BOUTIQUE IN OXFORDSHIRE Established bridal boutique owner Ellie Sanderson, who already owns a luxury boutique in Buckinghamshire and one in Oxfordshire, has opened the doors to her new flagship shop at Gate Farm Barns in Kiddington, Oxfordshire, the ultimate visit for a first-class bridal dress shopping experience. Ellie’s third property has been two years in the making. She tells us, “It has been my ambition for some time to sell my beautiful dresses in a wonderful, organic and rural setting. Stepping away from the issues and stresses of the high street and working in a space that is simply magic.” Combining retail with experience, it’s a destination, a place of calm, fun and celebration. Ellie continues, “Finding the right building was the hardest thing because barns can be dark. I viewed so many but this one stole my heart on my first visit.” After the pandemic, the stars aligned in March this year, the Barn came back onto the market and the sunlight that flooded the studio, and the view of spring lambs in the fields beyond sealed the deal for Ellie. “There’s dedicated parking for my brides and a simply wonderful courtyard. Picking the right people to help me bring this vision to life took some time and started with my choice of interior designer. I only wanted to work with artisan craftsmen, I wanted the beautiful pieces of furniture and fixings to be created by hand with love. I wanted every single brushstroke of paint to be applied with precision and care. I honestly wanted the whole building to be steeped in a feeling of love and utter joy. My interior designer was my first-ever Saturday girl, she was studying at that time and has gone on to become one of London’s most talked about new stars in her field. We set our vision and from day one have agreed on pretty much everything - it was meant to be! Ellie’s choices have been as environmentally friendly as possible. She explains, “I didn’t want to buy factorymade pieces of furniture that were cheap and replicated. Instead we worked with the wonderful Gideon Botha who has handmade most of our furniture, oiled each and every single piece by hand and fitted it perfectly into our space.” Ellie continues, “Our jewellery trays are handmade terrazzo pieces created by the wonderful Mariana of Bruta. She sourced the colour and poured into the last from pigments chosen in Marrakesh - they are simply gorgeous and natural. Our fabrics are natural linens, delicate velvets and modern Boucle which blend perfectly with our natural organic feel.” The dresses are a wonderful collection which has been hand-picked to arrive in time for the new space. “We have the same philosophy with dresses in that we don’t sell mass-produced products but instead focus on the provenance of the labels we sell,” Ellie tells us. “Knowing each designer personally and understanding their business philosophy to ensure it matches ours. We work with labels that are diverse, cool and modern and inclusive with their sizing structure. We travel the globe to find these labels, they are all hugely special to us.” To find out more and to book an appointment, visit https://elliesanderson.co.uk
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