A Bespoke Wedding Hat Commission to Complement a Favourbrook Embroidered Coat
- Simon Meanwell-Ralph
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
When a customer arrives with a beautifully embroidered statement coat, I know I am about to create something rather special. This commission began with an exquisite spring-green embroidered coat from Favourbrook Womenswear, sprinkled with florals in berry pinks, soft neutrals and hints of gold, and chosen for a daughter’s wedding.
I designed a bespoke wedding hat that would feel perfectly in tune with the coat, not competing with the embroidery, but lifting the whole look and bringing balance around the face. This is the sort of commission I love most: thoughtful, personal, and built around careful colour work, elegant proportion, and couture-level finishing.
If you are a Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom and you are investing in a memorable outfit, a bespoke hat can pull everything together in a way that looks intentional in person and beautiful in photographs. It also gives you the confidence that no one else will arrive wearing the same style.
Starting with the coat: colour, texture and proportion
An embroidered coat carries significant visual interest, so the hat needs to play its part with restraint and purpose - compliment not imitate. I began by studying the embroidery closely and selecting the shades that mattered most. I always look for the colours that flatter the wearer’s complexion as well as the outfit itself, because the right tone near the face makes everything look brighter and more polished.
In the photograph, you can see how the embroidery gathers more densely towards the lower half of the coat. That detail matters. It creates visual weight, so I designed the hat with a confident upswept brim and purposeful volume above, which brings the eye back up to the face and keeps the overall silhouette elegant.
Once we agreed the colour direction, I moved on to shape. A dramatic upswept brim can look breathtaking, but it must sit in exactly the right position so it frames the face, feels balanced, and photographs beautifully from multiple angles. I always design with the full wedding day in mind: arrivals, greetings, the ceremony, the formal photographs, and the wedding breakfast.
The joy of “carte blanche” and creative trust
One of the most rewarding parts of this commission was the trust my customer placed in me. After we chose the colour scheme together, she gave me freedom to select and arrange the ostrich feathers myself. That sort of trust allows me to design more intuitively. I can respond to the materials as I work, rather than forcing them into a rigid plan.
It also tends to create the most natural-looking result. The hat still reflects my customer’s taste and the overall outfit, but it gains an ease and confidence that feels effortless, even though it involves very careful decision-making.
Designing with ostrich feathers: softness, movement and balance
Ostrich feathers have a wonderfully luxurious softness, and they add movement without feeling heavy. For this design, I selected feathers in rich fuchsia and deep green so they could pick up the coat’s pink embroidery while sitting beautifully against the coat’s green base. I then arranged them to create a sweeping, airy mount that adds height and glamour, while still feeling refined.
I designed the feather work to do three important jobs.
First, to echo the coat’s richness. Embroidery carries depth and texture, so the hat needed detail with a similarly luxurious feel, without looking busy.
Second, to balance the upswept brim. The brim creates a strong upward line, and the feather mount adds a considered counterpoint, giving the whole design a poised sweep rather than a stark angle.
Third, to photograph beautifully. Feathers catch the light softly and create dimension in photographs, especially when the wearer turns her head or moves between indoor and outdoor settings. That movement brings the hat to life in a way that looks wonderfully elegant in the wedding album.
What a bespoke wedding hat consultation feels like in my studio
In her 5* review, my customer mentions spending around an hour with me in my studio, and that is fairly typical. I keep the process calm and enjoyable. I listen carefully, I ask the right questions, and I guide you through shapes and colours in a way that feels reassuring rather than overwhelming.
When you commission a bespoke wedding hat from me, you can expect:
A private, one-to-one consultation in Winchester
Clear guidance on flattering shapes, brim angles and proportion
Thoughtful colour matching to your outfit and accessories
Design details chosen with photography in mind
A hat that feels secure and comfortable for a full day of celebrations
After trying on several styles and shapes, my customer selected the 'Dandi' sample as the starting point for her unique commission. As you can see in this photograph, the elements are all there, and the silhouette is the perfect choice. However, we decided it would be fun to highlight the different shades in the embroidery in a bespoke handmade feather mount, rather than use a single colour, which adds significant visual texture to the magnificent end result!
A customer’s words: “I felt a million dollars”
Nothing makes me happier than hearing how a customer felt on the day. She kindly left this five-star 5* Google review after wearing her hat:
“I was delighted to have found Simon to design and make my hat for our daughter’s wedding. His care and attention to detail is second to none.
I enjoyed the whole experience and after choosing the colour scheme to match my outfit, and spending around an a hour with him in his studio I was very confident to give him ‘carte blanche’ with the hat decorations.
I was amazed to see the finished hat and couldn’t wait to wear it. I felt a million dollars on the day and have received so many compliments on my outfit and ‘the hat’.
I absolutely loved it and can’t thank Simon enough for creating the masterpiece for our daughter’s wedding.
“Look Amazing, Feel Fantastic” - I most certainly did!”
That last line captures exactly what I want for every customer. When your hat feels right, you stand taller, you relax into the day, and you enjoy every conversation and every photograph. A wedding moves quickly, and you deserve to feel confident from the moment you arrive.
Considering a bespoke wedding hat in Winchester or Hampshire?
If you are a Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom and you would like a bespoke wedding hat that complements a special outfit beautifully, I would love to help. I design each commission to suit your colouring, your hairstyle, your outfit and the formality of the day, with careful balance, expert colour work, and refined finishing.
I have designed and created hundreds of wedding hats at Marvellous Millinery since 2011, and I understand the mix of excitement and pressure that often comes with wedding dressing. You want to look elegant, feel like yourself, and enjoy the day without fussing with your hat every five minutes.
To see more of my bespoke work and styling ideas, visit my portfolio, where you can browse the full collection and find inspirational AI Lifestyle images wearing the different samples.
If you would like to enquire about commissioning your own hat or booking a private consultation in Winchester, please use my contact page, or please telephone 07969 337446
About Marvellous Millinery
I create unique bespoke and ready-to-wear wedding hats in my Rose Garden Studio in Winchester, Hampshire. I specialise in elegant, flattering designs for the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom. Ladies, ask me to make a beautifully coordinated hat that feels secure, comfortable, and perfectly suited to them, their outfit, and the occasion they are attending - safe in the knowledge that they will be the only person wearing that particular one-of-a-kind hat at the wedding!
If you’d like specialist guidance, I am always delighted to arrange a personal consultation at my studio, here in Winchester.
Helpful links
Bespoke Hat Portfolio – explore my range of luxury designer wedding hats, available to order in hundreds of stylish colour combinations.
Ready-to-Wear Hat Shop – discover one-of-a-kind wedding hats available to buy immediately online.
Book a Consultation – arrange a private appointment at my Rose Garden Studio in Winchester.
More Wedding Hat Advice – read further guides and articles on my blog.
Further reading & resources
If you found this article helpful, you may also enjoy these guides:
About the author
Simon Meanwell-Ralph, Millinery Designer
Founder of Marvellous Millinery (established 2011), Winchester, Hampshire, UK.
I graduated with a first-class honours degree in Accessory Design and have spent many years creating hats for family weddings, Ladies Day at Royal Ascot and other special events. I create each piece here in my Winchester studio, using high-quality materials. My aim is always to help my customers feel confident, elegant and beautifully put together for their big day.
Sharing this article
If you know someone who is beginning their search for a Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom hat, please feel free to share this guide. It may help make their preparations that little bit easier.
FAQs about Mother of the Bride hats
I’ve answered a few of the most common questions below. If you’d like more details about visiting my Winchester studio, bespoke commissions or ready-to-wear hats, you can find further information on my Frequently Asked Questions page.
What should I bring to my consultation?
Please bring your outfit (or a fabric swatch), shoes and any accessories you plan to wear. Good daylight colour checks are essential, so the actual fabrics are very helpful. Photos of the venue and your hairstyle are useful too. If you wear glasses, bring them. I’ll then discuss colours and styles with you and test proportion and tilt so we can agree on a flattering design that feels secure and comfortable.
How far in advance should I order a bespoke hat?
Most bespoke commissions take around 6–10 weeks, so it is best to book as soon as you have chosen your dress and shoes and know the wedding date. This allows adequate time for design, fitting, and any matching accessories. During peak wedding and Ascot season, early booking is essential as availability becomes limited.
Can you match the colour of my outfit?
In many cases, yes. I work with a wide range of sinamay shades, silks and trims, and can blend layers to create subtle, individual tones that sit beautifully with your dress.
Sharing This Article
If you know someone who is beginning their search for a Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom wedding hat, please feel free to share this guide. It might help make their preparations that little bit easier.
“Look Amazing and Feel Fantastic!”