Hannah Hillcox
Dress Bespoke
Photographer: Nigel John
Hair & Make-Up: Cassandra Lusi
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Wedding Coordination: Lucy Meehan Events
Ceremony Venue: Chelsea Old Town Hall
Ceremony Chair Hire: Yahire
Reception Venue & Catering: Claude Bosi at Bibendum
Florist: Mary Jane Vaughan
Venue PA: Sound in the City
Pianist: Piers Sherwood-Roberts Entertainment Nation
Wedding Cake: Violet Cakes
Band: The Charmers via Fix the Music
Videographer: Gorgeous Films
Cars: White Taxi
Guest Transport: The Vintage Red Bus Company
Wedding Signage: Made by Wood & Wood
Our beautiful bride Hannah said yes to the dress in March 2020 just as everything shut down. We were Hannah’s first appointment after they got engaged only a few weeks earlier. Hannah combined two beloved Sassi Holford gowns that balanced long sleeves with a soft, floaty skirt. Despite two cancellations, Hannah and Thomas married surrounded by family and friends in the heart of their favourite city in the autumn of 2021 proving that love conquers all.
Nigel John
Describe Your Wedding Style
The style of our wedding was an elegant city wedding. We wanted a small but classy celebration with London as the perfect backdrop. A celebration in the heart of the city we met, fell in love and call home. Rich, autumnal colours ran throughout the day with touches of Switzerland for the groom. It wasn’t very traditional with the focus being a celebration for everyone after an uncertain couple of years. Having first planned for a bigger, traditional wedding and then for a smaller celebration (both of which were cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic) we were able to reflect and refine a wedding style that truly matched us as a couple.
Did you always know what you wanted your wedding dress to look like?
I had no preconceptions for my wedding dress. I was not someone who had an image in mind from a young age. I more knew what I didn’t like than what I did. That said, my personal style is fairly simple and not overly fussy which I wanted to keep true to. I was drawn to the classic, elegant style of the Sassi Holford dresses and had a preference for a long sleeve, simple skirt and an elegant shape. Thankfully I had the expert advice of the Sassi Holford team to guide my decision.
What was it like to create and wear a bespoke Sassi Holford gown for your wedding day?
The whole process was so special. Sassi Holford was my first wedding dress appointment after getting engaged. I went with my mum and sister and tried on a selection of dresses which were all beautiful although did not feel quite right. Sanda was there from my first appointment and throughout the process – she suggested putting two beautiful dresses together, combining an elegant skirt with a plunging long sleeve top and open back and the result was perfection.
We had to make the decision quickly – a couple of weeks after the first appointment, the world was shutting down and no one knew how long the store would be closed. I tried very few dresses on but I was never in any doubt that we had found “the one” in that first appointment.
Everyone was so patient and understanding given the delays caused by the pandemic and were accommodative of my questions and requests, adjusting the size of the skirt and shape of the back in particular to ensure I felt comfortable. I was also lucky to have one of the fittings with Sassi herself which was a memorable moment. I felt amazing in the dress on the day and I couldn’t wait to see the look on my then husband to be’s face, both he and I were not disappointed by the reaction.
If you could go back and relive one part of your wedding again, what would it be?
Can I say the whole day? Everyone warned me in advance, but it went so quickly. It truly was the best day of our lives, and I loved every part of it. But if I had to pick a couple of moments, I would go back and try all the canapés as I missed these on the day (although luckily had sampled everything at the tasting) and maybe the first dance as I went wrong on the steps (although I’m not sure my husband would want to relive that part).
