Wedding Dresses


The latest dresses at Cornwall and Devon’s bridal shops

Wedding Dresses Devon

Wedding Dresses Devon

Wed meets dress designer, Kate Walker


Thoughtful designs, handcrafted beadwork & inspiration aplenty - plus the best piece of 'mum advice' we've ever heard!



...we get to know Devon-based designer, Kate Walker

Choosing your wedding dress is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, all down to the incredible designers, such as Kate Walker, who bring your visions to life. We meet the woman behind the wedding dress, who's bringing elegance and timelessness to the brides of Devon at her beautiful boutique in Honiton.


Tell us a little about your background in bridal design and dressmaking...
I can't ever remember wanting to be anything other than a fashion designer of some sort, and have many drawings of wedding dresses from the age of eight or nine. I did a degree in Period Costume for Theatre, Film and Television, then thanks to my dissertation on 'The History of Bridal Wear', I suddenly became passionate about all things bridal! I began working in bridal almost immediately after graduation, designing a collection called Kate Sherford that was stocked by 70 stockists in the UK, Ireland, Holland and in Kleinfeld in New York (home of 'Say Yes to the Dress'). I won the UK's Best Newcomer Bridal Designer in 2007, and since opening my own boutique in 2011, I have loved every minute of being back working with my gorgeous brides every day. I see my position as a privilege and adore creating bespoke gowns for my Kate Walker brides.

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Jonathan Neale Photography

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Kelly Weech Photography

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Jonathan Neale Photography

What inspires you?
I have many sources of inspiration. Firstly and most importantly, my brides inspire me every day. Sometimes a simple conversation during a consultation can spark off an idea for a fabulous new dress for the collection; I then scrabble for the sketchbook to get the idea on paper before I forget! I'm also inspired by fabrics and often spend time at fabric shows on the hunt for new and exciting additions for the collection, plus I keep an eye on celebrities and red carpet events for inspirations on silhouettes and details.
 
What would you say is your signature style?
Clean, classical and timeless. I love clean lines, clever pattern cutting and beautiful silhouettes that flatter the female form elegantly. The right choice of quality fabric is incredibly important too. Every bride will wear something different to suit their body shape, but cut and fit is everything. A bridal gown should look 'sprayed on' and feel effortless to wear. Comfort brings confidence, and this is what I strive for when working on my brides' timeless gowns.

Which is your favourite dress from your collection?
My favourite gown is a dress I'm working on at the moment called Sienna. It has a beautiful crepe bodice with an elegant V neckline and a soft flowing chiffon A-line skirt. The dress is decorated with the prettiest beaded 3D chiffon flowers, which look as though they are growing over the body. It's so elegant and beautiful.

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Kelly Weech Photography

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Neil Cooling Photography

What would be your dream brief from a bride?
To be asked to design and make several dresses for the same bride! Following the trend of weddings that last a whole weekend, I'd love to design two dresses for the actual wedding day: beautiful, elegant and timeless for the ceremony, and fun and frivolous or super glamorous for the evening, followed by a more relaxed dress for the following day. The chances of that are pretty slim but a designer can dream!
 
If you could design a wedding dress for anyone, who would it be?
I'd love to dress Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley and Emma Watson. All three women have a classy look that is right up my street, each is from a different age group, which is a lovely challenge as a designer, and all three are strong and intelligent career women with beliefs similar to my own.
 
What is your top piece of advice for brides seeking their dream dress?

Look for boutiques with a good reputation or who have been recommended to you, and try not to visit too many. Keep your mind open when trying for the first time and don't be afraid to try styles that you would normally shy away from. Once you've found your favoured silhouette, be true to your own style and shape and don't listen to too many opinions! Think about how each dress makes you feel and ask yourself if that's how you want to feel on your special day. When you feel really comfortable in a dress, you will begin to feel glamorous and your confidence will shine through. Finally, a little piece of 'mum advice' from me: for goodness' sake, wear a comfortable pair of shoes - it's a jolly long day and you don't want sore feet to spoil your fun!

katewalkerbridal.co.uk

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Neil Cooling Photography


Main image Kelly Weech Photography

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