23-02-2025
Why more women are getting married in this unconventional outfit
When Bianca Pérez-Mora Macías married Mick Jagger at the Saint-Tropez courthouse in May 1971 wearing a white Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo jacket and veiled hat, it was a radical and eyebrow-raising choice. Five decades later, stand outside any city centre registry office and you'll see how influential this bridal outfit reference remains, serving as a blueprint for how modern brides approach civil ceremonies in the city.
Take Phoebe Knatchbull, granddaughter of the First Earl Mountbatten of Burma and cousin of Princes William and Harry. She leaned into a sleek, tailored aesthetic for her recent nuptials to Leopold Glover at London's Kensington and Chelsea Registry Office.
For a society wedding, the 29-year-old's ensemble was low-key but effortlessly stylish; an ivory tuxedo dress with black detailing, a matching bow in her hair (and no veil) and a modest posy of white roses.
Her decision to opt for tailoring is perhaps not surprising given her sister Daisy is the founder of Knatchbull, the first women's-only tailor on London's famed Saville Row, but the choice still has a rebellious, unexpected energy. 'We are lucky to have made looks for a number of wonderful brides at Knatchbull, including my sister,' Daisy tells The Telegraph, confirming they worked together closely for this special family moment. She explains that there is 'something undeniably powerful about a woman in a beautifully-cut suit', adding that it is a 'lovely alternative to the conventional wedding dress, while remaining just as romantic.'
This trend might have all started with Bianca Jagger, but other notable tailored bridal looks include Carrie Bradshaw's 'by no one' skirt suit she wore to marry Mr Big at City Hall in the first Sex And The City movie in 2008 and Amal Clooney's wide-leg Stella McCartney worn for her nuptials in Venice in 2014. It's a confident look that has only become more popular since the pandemic ushered in a relaxation of formal traditions, pushing the boundaries of bridalwear in a more playful, daring direction.
In fact, although once associated with more intimate second marriages or mature brides who don't want a big white dress moment, suiting has now become the preferred choice for city brides of all ages. 'Tailoring is particularly popular for the town hall wedding,' says Annelise Sealy, founder of the Fall Bride, an east London boutique which has become a go-to destination for a fashion-forward aesthetic. 'Because of the way that weddings are licensed in the UK, you can't legally hold a wedding at a lot of the venues where brides want to celebrate, so a lot of people now do a registry wedding first.'
Not only is tailoring a more functional option for navigating the city, but a couple in tuxedos look undeniably striking in those all-important wedding photographs.
'More than ever, there is a trend for making things your own, perhaps because we are surrounded by and influenced by so much and a suit goes against the norm,' says Sarah Corbett-Winder, founder of suit brand Kipper Club, who is expanding her business into the bridal market. 'There is something empowering about [suiting] because we imagine a man should be wearing it… [Women] making it their own makes suiting exciting, fun and unpredictable.'
Whether you're having a tradition-breaking 'non-wedding' wedding or a three-day celebration which requires an entirely new ivory wardrobe, there are simply many more opportunities for today's brides to have a tailored moment.
'I do' suiting has been a booming category for several years now, with the high street also offering lots of great options for those that don't have the budget for a Galvan or Bella Freud two-piece. Whistles introduced a bridal trouser suit in 2019 and I know several brides who have done the legal part in the brand's Andie trouser suit, while Sienna Miller's three-piece ivory look for M&S is a solid choice for those getting married in 2025. 'There are so many different options, whether you go slinky or heavily tailored, and I think we'll really see the market grow,' adds Corbett-Winder 'I've had a lot of enquiries for bespoke bridal suits which I wouldn't have seen five years ago.'
But it's not just about the classic tuxedo, as Phoebe Knatchbull's minidress proves. 'We are seeing tailored suit dresses becoming more popular, and a great example of that is the Galvan blazer dress which is somewhere between a dress and a suit,' notes Sealy. 'It gives you a put-together, easy-to-wear look, while still being a dress.'
A note of caution: Should you opt for tailoring, the fit is of huge importance, as are the finer details – the length of your cuffs or fit on the leg – so it's worth investing time in the process. 'Our bespoke tailoring ensures a flawless fit that enhances the natural silhouette in a way that dresses often cannot,' Daisy Knatchbull explains of her own fitting process. 'Every detail is meticulously crafted to create a piece that exudes confidence and effortless beauty.'
Another undeniable factor in 2025 is re-wearability, as spending thousands of pounds on a gown you'll never wear again can be as off-putting as the discarding of extravagant flower arches minutes after the reception. 'Every Knatchbull garment is designed to be cherished for years to come, integrating seamlessly into a bride's ever-evolving wardrobe and becoming a lasting memory of one of the most special days of her life,' Daisy adds, acknowledging bridalwear's historical one-wear sustainability problem. Being able to wear your blazer again and again to other important life events and special anniversary dinners gives it a life far beyond the cutting of the cake, which is in itself incredibly romantic.
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