Perfect Mother of the Bride Hat for a Wedding at Salisbury Cathedral

Designing a bespoke wedding hat for a mother of the bride attending a wedding at Salisbury Cathedral was a truly rewarding experience. The combination of an emerald-green dress, navy accessories, and intricate feather details created a striking, elegant look that perfectly suited the grandeur of the occasion.

A Stunning Setting for a Special Occasion

I recently had the joy of crafting a unique hat for a mother of the bride attending a wedding at the breathtaking Salisbury Cathedral. This historic venue, with its soaring stone arches and magnificent stained glass windows, provided an enchanting setting for such a special occasion. My client selected an emerald green dress by Suzanna London, a perfect choice for a wedding where rich jewel tones take centre stage. Her vision was clear; she wanted a statement hat that would enhance her ensemble and reflect her personality.

A striking green hat adorned with a dramatic cascade of navy feathers makes an elegant, eye-catching statement.

A sophisticated emerald green dress by Suzannah London, selected for a wedding to align with the rich jewel tones theme.

Two long handlebar moustache feathers were added so that they curled elegantly over the brim. These distinctive feathers, named for their resemblance to the curled ends of a classic handlebar moustache,

A Unique and Personalised Wedding Hat Design

To complement her outfit, I designed a wide-brimmed hat with an emerald green sinamay base and a matching velour felt crown. A deep navy silk band encircled the crown, tying in with her navy accessories. The standout feature was the striking navy feather embellishment that cascaded down one side, adding volume and drama. To elevate the design further, I incorporated two handlebar moustache feathers, which curled elegantly over the brim. These distinctive feathers, named for their resemblance to the curled ends of a classic handlebar moustache, added movement and refinement to the hat, ensuring it stood out in the most elegant way.

Thoughtfully Chosen Accessories

Weddings call for carefully selected accessories that create a cohesive look. My client paired her emerald dress with navy shoes and a matching structured handbag. To enhance the overall aesthetic, I designed a cloud of navy feathers that gracefully floated over her right eye, adding drama and highlighting her features. Studies show that accessories can elevate an outfit by up to twenty-five per cent in style impact, and this bespoke creation was no exception.

A vibrant green and navy hat is adorned with a handmade double silk bow, featuring a luxurious gilt crystal buckle at its centre. The felt crown complements the elegant design, enhanced by dramatic feathers.

Towards the rear of the hat, a handmade double silk bow added another layer of elegance, positioned neatly next to the felt crown. A gilt crystal buckle at the centre of the bow provided a subtle yet luxurious touch, harmonising beautifully with the gold fastenings of her Louis Vuitton handbag. Every detail was carefully considered to ensure a polished, refined look.

The Art of Bespoke Millinery

Creating bespoke wedding hats requires a deep understanding of personal style and how each element complements the overall outfit. Choosing emerald green was not only a bold statement but also in line with seasonal trends, as deep green shades have become increasingly popular. Selecting the right hat involves balancing colour, texture, and proportion to ensure it enhances rather than overwhelms the final look.

A Lasting Impression

Looking at the wonderful photographs of that memorable day at Salisbury Cathedral, I take great satisfaction in knowing my design played a part in making my client feel her absolute best. Seeing her confidence and joy as she stood beside her daughter on such a special day was a wonderful reminder of why I love crafting bespoke hats.

Let’s Create Something Beautiful

If you are preparing for a wedding or another special event, I would be delighted to help you create a hat that captures your personal style.

Please get in touch to explore your ideas. Telephone me on 07968 337446, and together we can bring your vision to life.

Embrace the elegance with a beautifully crafted bespoke hat. Every hat tells a story, just as every wedding is, and it is all about feeling amazing in what you wear.

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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:

• How do I choose a wedding hat as the Mother of the Bride?

• When should a Mother of the Bride wear or remove her hat?

• How do I match my hat to my dress, shoes and jewellery?

• How to care for and store your wedding hat.

• More FAQs

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 such as sinamay, silk and the finest trims. 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 actual fabric samples 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.