The Complete Bridal Lingerie Guide: From Wedding Day to Honeymoon

By Caroline Randell

Bridal lingerie is one of the last things most brides think about — and one of the things I most love helping with. After years of bridal fittings at the boutique, I've come to believe it's genuinely one of the most rewarding parts of the whole process. Not because of the lingerie itself, though it is beautiful, but because for so many brides it's the first time they've ever been properly fitted into something truly luxurious. And that changes things. This is my complete guide to bridal lingerie and nightwear — from what to think about when you're choosing your dress, to the pieces you'll still be treasuring on your tenth anniversary.

Start thinking about it earlier than you think

The right time to buy your bridal lingerie is once you've chosen your dress. But here's what I always tell brides: it's worth having the question in your mind even while you're dress shopping. Neckline, fabric weight, and silhouette all affect what will work underneath — and a bride who has already thought about this tends to make a more confident dress decision. It's a simple thing, but it saves real stress later.

If you're going for a strapless gown, a plunging back, or something with very delicate fabric, do think about it before you commit. Not because there isn't always a solution — there is — but because knowing your options makes the whole process easier.

What to wear under your wedding dress

This is the most practical part of the conversation, and it depends entirely on the dress. A few things to consider:

Neckline. A strapless or sweetheart neckline calls for a strapless or multiway bra. A low back may need a low-back solution or adhesive cups. A high neckline or structured bodice may actually mean you need very little underneath at all. We go through all of this at our bridal fittings — if you'd like to bring photographs of the dress, we can advise before you even come in.

Colour. This is something brides often underestimate. Ivory is beautiful and traditional, but if your dress fabric is at all sheer or lightweight, a nude or blush tone can actually be a better practical choice — ivory under ivory can show through if the weave isn't dense enough. Some brides love the idea of something blue tucked away as their secret. Others want something bold if the dress calls for it. We're here for all of it, and we'll always give you an honest opinion on what works under your specific gown.

The solution piece vs the beautiful set. For many brides, the wedding day underwear is about function — the bra that works with the dress, the knickers that won't show. But then separately, they choose something truly beautiful for the evening: a matching set in delicate lace, something in ivory or white they'd never usually allow themselves. That second piece is entirely about how you want to feel. Both conversations matter, and we love having them.

The getting-ready photographs — don't overlook this

Here's something I mention to almost every bride who comes in for a fitting, because it's easy to forget: the photographers are usually there in the morning. The getting-ready images — hair, makeup, the quiet moments before the ceremony — are often the most treasured photographs from a wedding day. What you're wearing in those photographs matters.

Silk is extraordinary on camera. It has a natural shimmer and drape that catches light in a way that cotton or synthetic satin simply can't replicate. A beautiful silk robe or chemise worn while getting ready doesn't just look wonderful in photographs — it genuinely elevates the whole morning. This is one of the main reasons I always bring up bridal nightwear even when brides haven't thought to ask. Once they see it, they understand immediately.

A gift your bridesmaids will keep forever

On my own wedding morning, I gave each of my bridesmaids a Marjolaine silk robe. It was something I'd been thinking about for a while — they had given so much of their time and energy to helping with the day, and I wanted to give them something genuinely beautiful rather than the usual. They wore them that morning while we were all getting ready together, and more than a few of them have since told me it was the best gift they received — partly because it was something they would never have bought for themselves, but once they had it, they couldn't imagine being without it.

We've since seen many of our brides do exactly the same thing, and it always makes for the most wonderful getting-ready photographs — a group of women in matching or complementary silk robes, the whole morning feeling a little more considered and special. A silk robe from Marjolaine as a bridesmaid gift is the kind of thing that gets kept for years, not left in a drawer. If you're thinking about bridesmaid gifts that go beyond the token gesture, this is one worth considering.

Bridal nightwear worth investing in

This is where I could talk for a long time, because the brands we stock in this category are genuinely special.

Marjolaine is a French house producing its pieces in France using Calais lace on the original lever looms, combined with the finest quality silk. The craftsmanship is extraordinary. They offer both striking colour combinations and the most beautiful classic ivory silk with ivory Calais lace — and most styles have a matching robe, which makes them perfect for the getting-ready photographs and the honeymoon beyond. These are what we call heirloom pieces: made so well, from materials so carefully sourced, that they last for decades. We have had customers hand their Marjolaine pieces down to their own children. That level of longevity is genuinely rare.

Luna Di Seta is an Italian silk brand we have stocked since we opened — and one we would never be without. Where Marjolaine leans into lace and texture, Luna Di Seta is about precision: simple, elegant shapes cut to perfection, in beautiful quality silk. Their cami and short set is a particular favourite, and the cami wears just as well as a top during the day. It travels beautifully, looks effortless, and is the kind of thing you reach for on a warm evening for years to come.

Karen Mabon is for brides who want to step away from the traditional altogether. Bold, fun, beautifully printed silk pieces — we hold a number of Karen Mabon prints that are made exclusively for us and aren't available anywhere else. If the idea of ivory and lace doesn't feel like you, Karen Mabon might be exactly right.

Think of it as a trousseau, not just a purchase

The word trousseau has rather fallen out of fashion, but the idea behind it hasn't. The pieces you choose around your wedding — your lingerie, your nightwear, your honeymoon swimwear — are worth thinking about as a collection rather than a list of items to tick off. At their best, they're things you'll wear again and again, on holidays and anniversaries and quiet evenings, for many years. The silk chemise you wear for your getting-ready photographs can go to every holiday you take for the next decade. The Marjolaine robe your daughter might one day wear. That's the investment worth making.

When brides come in for a bridal fitting at the boutique, we often look at lingerie, nightwear and honeymoon swimwear in the same appointment — not because there's any pressure to do everything at once, but because it's a rare and lovely moment to think about all of it together. Many brides tell us afterwards that it was their favourite part of the whole process. We'd love to do the same for you.

Book a bridal appointment

You can visit us at 6 Church Road, Wimbledon Village — book an appointment or simply pop in. We'll ask to see photographs of your dress, take time to understand your shape and your priorities, and help you find everything from the perfect wedding day bra to the nightwear you'll keep forever. Our WhatsApp fitting service is also available if you'd like to talk things through before visiting. We look forward to being part of your day.