When Emma was planning her Chelsea Town Hall wedding she dreamed of an iconic British birdcage veil headpiece to finish off her effortlessly stylish look. “I really wanted to embrace British style and culture", Emma said, "and a headpiece felt like the perfect nod to that tradition. I was honestly nervous about it, especially since it was made to order - I kept thinking, what if it doesn’t suit me? But Debbie was absolutely amazing throughout the whole process. She helped with styling, sizing, and gave me so much confidence and guidance.
“When my birdcage veil headband finally arrived, I was stunned - it suited me perfectly. I’ve honestly never received so many compliments! Everyone kept saying how gorgeous and classy I looked, and I truly felt it. That headpiece didn’t just complete the look - it made me feel beautiful in a way I’ll never forget."
A timeless, stylish, personal day
For Emma and Marco Chelsea Town Hall was the obvious choice for their civil ceremony. Emma said: “Since I first came to London, I absolutely fell in love with King's Road - there's just something timeless and stylish about the whole area. I used to walk past Chelsea Town Hall and would always pause to admire the brides coming out. They looked so simple, elegant, and effortlessly chic. I remember saying to myself back then, ‘If I ever get married, this is exactly where I want it to be’. So when the time came, there was no question in my mind. Choosing Chelsea Town Hall felt like coming full circle - it was sentimental, personal, and perfectly matched the kind of wedding I always imagined. Our ceremony was chic on the outside, chaos on the inside - with just the right amount of happy tears. We kept it simple, stylish, and full of love … kind of like an espresso shot: small, strong, and unexpectedly emotional.”
Personal and reassuring service
For Emma, every choice related to her wedding look was carefully considered. She said: “Throughout my wedding planning, I was incredibly intentional about every choice - especially when it came to anything I would be wearing. I did my research, read every review, and made sure that each piece was not only of the highest quality but also came with the kind of customer service a stressed (and slightly anxious!) bride really needs.
“Working with Debbie was such a joy - she truly went above and beyond. Being able to speak directly with her made the whole process feel so personal and reassuring. Knowing that my headpiece was handmade in the UK and crafted with such care just made it even more special. It wasn’t just an accessory - it was a meaningful part of the day, and I’m so grateful I chose Debbie.”
An iconic British look
Emma had these words of advice for any brides considering wearing a handmade headpiece: “Don’t underestimate the power of the right accessory. True classiness and chicness come from the details, and a handmade headpiece brings something truly unique and personal to your look. If you want to feel elegant, confident, and just a little bit iconic then a birdcage veil is 100 per cent for you. It completely transformed my outfit and made me feel like the most beautiful version of myself.”
Classic - with a bit of sass!
Emma chose another British designer for her outfit, adding to her home-grown look. She said: “For the civil ceremony, I knew I wanted something completely different from my bigger wedding look - something that really felt like me. When I went searching for my main wedding dress, I happened to try on the Halfpenny Lexie dress and that was it. I just knew there wouldn’t be anything else. Three months later, it was ready, and when I put it on, it felt perfect - like slipping into something that matched me inside and out. As for the shoes, I went for a pair of Bella Belle heels. They're surprisingly comfortable, even with the 11 cm height! I didn’t want anything too plain, so the feathers were a fun, fabulous touch that completely sold me. Classic with a bit of sass - just the way I like it.”
A magical moment
Of course Emma and Marco’s day may have been super-stylish - but it was the emotion of the day that they’ll hold forever. Emma said: “Stepping out of the black cab with Marco and seeing our photographer waiting for us - that moment will stay with me forever. It was a weekday, right around midday, and the street was so quiet, almost still. And then it just hit me: this is exactly what I always dreamt my civil wedding day would feel like. It was so surreal and beautiful, I almost cried. Everything just paused for a second, and I truly felt the weight and magic of the moment.”
Emma’s Address Book:
Photographs: Chelsey Mannerings
Headpiece: Emmy by Debbie Carlisle
Dress: Lexie by Halfpenny London
Shoes: Harlow by Bella Belle