A few doors down from the salon is a haven of gorgeous vintage bridal and occasionwear: Love James, founded by Lizzie Langridge in 2022 and now a go-to for in-the-know brides-to-be. Her ever-evolving collection is showcased in her dreamy upstairs salon space, open by appointment only, which she shares with wedding and event florists Floralcentric, Michelle Coomey Floral and artist Brogan Scott Studio.
Lizzie selects special one-of-a-kind pieces - for weddings and other special events - from the 1930s to the early 2000s, each with a special flair and point of view - as she writes on her website, 'vintage is the antidote to boring'. We love her eye for the unexpected and fun, whether it's an 80s-but-still-cool taffeta gown, sequin or feathered cocktail dress from the 90s or something from Laura Ashley.
As summer wedding season kicks into gear, we wanted to ask our neighbour Lizzie a few questions about what's happening in the bridal style space.
What is Love James? What pulled you into the world of vintage occasion wear?
The Love James salon is a destination for beautifully curated designer and vintage bridal and occasion wear. I'm a sentimental romantic at heart, so it really is a combination of two passions, heirlooms and love stories.
What are your brides drawn to at the moment?
Textured fabrics and lace veils are especially having a moment right now, alongside the big return of corseted gowns and basque waists.
My brides also really enjoy the range of warmer tones of fabrics available in vintage gowns, brides are definitely moving away from just white or ivory now.
Beyond dresses, what shifts are you noticing in how people want to celebrate - the scale, the vibe, the energy of the day?
I think people really are starting to lean into doing things that are more true to them as a couple. Creatively thinking outside of the box, and making it a weekend to remember.
For someone just starting their 'find the dress' journey, what would you tell them to make the process feel fun and stress-free?
Start with telling yourself, you're not going down the aisle naked, so you WILL find something you love - trust the process!
Also, it's normal to want to be 10 different brides, you will want to express yourself in so many different directions, and that's ok. This is just one moment in time.
That's why I love the idea of embracing outfits for the surrounding events as a way to blow off some 'sartorial steam'. Get your feather, lace or sequin fix somewhere along the way.
Vintage just continues to grow, both in everyday shopping and for special occasions, and we love that! What do you think is behind the continuing boom?
Vintage can be the antithesis to an often repetitive and trend driven bridal algorithm. Something about the surprise and delight of discovering a piece you didn't know existed. It's retail therapy kryptonite.
What else is important when it comes to the dream wedding dress?
I always share with my brides how big of an impact tailoring, alterations and styling have on the overall look and feel of your wedding wardrobe. They are what take something from good to incredible! So invest in both of them, as they really add the polish to your wedding glow.
Also, you have permission to buy those expensive designer shoes, go on!
