Real Bride Danielle: Wearing Eclipse by Eva Lendel for Her Bawtry Hall Wedding
- elizabethkatebridal
- 5 minutes ago
- 9 min read
Meet Danielle
Some brides know exactly what they want before they walk through our doors. Others arrive with an idea in mind and discover something completely different, and sometimes, that unexpected dress turns out to be the one.
For Danielle, it was the latter.
After a less-than-positive experience at her first bridal shop, she was excited to discover Elizabeth Kate Bridal through mutual friends. Little did she know that the dress she would eventually fall in love with would be a complete wildcard, and one she couldn't imagine changing a single thing about.
Danielle married Josh on 4th July at Bawtry Hall, choosing an elegant wedding style inspired by the stunning setting and its unmistakable Bridgerton feel.
Here's Danielle's story…
Your Love Story
How did you and your partner meet?
We met through mutual friends in 2012 and didn’t actually see eye to eye! But then we came back together in 2015 and I decided to give him a chance and see what the guy was about…9 years later he was proposing!!
Tell us about the proposal!
Our first trip together was Amsterdam, so for my birthday he planned a trip back there 9 years later. He didn’t speak to me at all that morning, he was so off and jittery! We were walking along one of the canals, he kept pointing out view points and I just kept walking! Then he finally got me to stop, got down on one knee and the rest is history! He later revealed that he was so nervous that he just couldn’t speak that morning!
There's something particularly lovely about a proposal that takes you back to a place that's already part of your story. After their first trip to Amsterdam together, returning nine years later for Danielle's birthday gave Josh the perfect opportunity to recreate the beginning of their journey, with one very important addition.
The Wedding Day
When and where did you get married?
We got married on the 4th July at Bawtry Hall.
Set in Bawtry on the Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire border, Bawtry Hall is an elegant country house surrounded by private grounds and woodland. The Grade II* listed venue combines historic architecture with a more contemporary interior, making it particularly suited to the elegant, glamorous feel Danielle had in mind.
What was your wedding vibe/theme?
Our theme was to tie in with Bawtry Hall which gives complete Bridgerton vibes, elegant and just all round stunning vibes.
It's easy to see why Bawtry Hall inspired that direction. With grand interiors, chandeliers, ornate mirrors, landscaped gardens and its elegant country-house setting, the venue lends itself beautifully to a romantic, Bridgerton-inspired wedding aesthetic.
What was the wedding budget
Our wedding budget was around £25k and I think we went over just slightly!
What was your favourite moment of the day?
There were so many, but to just be surrounded by such beautiful souls and marrying my soulmate just completely topped it.
Finding Her Wedding Dress at Elizabeth Kate Bridal
What made you choose Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
I had a bad experience at our first dress shop so when I stumbled across Elizabeth Kate from mutual friends advising, I was so excited to get through the door!
We were so pleased to be the next stop on Danielle's dress journey, especially after she'd had a disappointing first experience. Finding your wedding dress should feel exciting, personal and completely about you, and we're always determined to make sure our brides feel comfortable enough to explore, experiment and enjoy the process.
Tell us about your dress, what did you fall in love with?
My dress was the Eclipse by Eva Lendel and she was just STUNNING! I cannot put into words how she made me feel. All the details on the bodice to the sparkles all over, the split. And the TRAIN! Just overall, princess vibes!
And Danielle wasn't exaggerating about the train!
Dress Spotlight: Eclipse by Eva Lendel
Eclipse by Eva Lendel is one of those gowns that manages to combine a beautifully feminine silhouette with plenty of drama.
The design features a structured bodice with a softened sweetheart neckline, intricate raised floral detailing and beading, transparent side panels and a fitted waist that flows into a fuller, flared skirt. A high front split adds a more contemporary edge, while the wide shoulder straps lead into a low open back.
And then there's that train.
The dramatic train gives Eclipse the full princess effect Danielle fell in love with, while the combination of sparkle, texture, structure and the high split keeps the gown feeling modern rather than traditionally princess.
It also explains why the dress worked so beautifully for Danielle's elegant Bawtry Hall wedding. The gown has enough grandeur to hold its own against the scale and character of the venue, while the fitted bodice and modern details stop the overall look from feeling overly traditional.
The Wildcard Dress That Became The One
How did you feel when you found “the one”?
I knew she was the one. As soon as I put her on, I was so giddy and could picture everything, I had butterflies. I also did not want to change a single thing about the dress. It was just perfect. As soon as I took the dress off, I could not wait to get her back on again at the fittings!
This is exactly why we always encourage our brides to keep an open mind.
Danielle had an idea of what she thought she wanted, but Eclipse was completely different, and it was actually a wildcard chosen for her by Kim and Holly.
Did you customise your dress or style it in a unique way?
So the straps could be styled either off the shoulder or on shoulder and I opted for on shoulder.
It's a small styling decision, but one that made the dress feel right for Danielle. The on-shoulder straps complemented the structured bodice while keeping the overall look elegant and timeless.
Danielle's Advice for Brides Wedding Dress Shopping
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to brides currently dress shopping?
Enjoy every single moment, try on as many dresses as you want, you will just know as soon as you find your dress. The butterfly feeling! And be so open minded, I went in with the intention of one dress that I thought would be the one and my dress was the complete opposite!
This is advice we couldn't agree with more.
You might arrive with screenshots, a Pinterest board and a very specific idea of your dream dress, and then find yourself falling for something you never expected to like.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is trust the process and let your bridal stylist show you something outside your original brief.
What would you say to someone considering visiting us?
Trust Kim & Holly with your LIFE! They are absolutely incredible at what they do. I cannot express how at ease they made me feel, they made the whole experience so magical and just simply amazing. They chose my dress as a wildcard and honestly, it was the BEST wildcard moment I have ever experienced. Even down to practicing the walk down the aisle, every tip and pointer just made it for me.
We might be slightly biased, but this is exactly the kind of bridal experience we want every bride to have.
And yes, the aisle walk practice (and Holly doing her walking speed check) is a very important part of the process!
Advice for Future Brides
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to brides about the planning/day/anything you think!?
Do EVERYTHING! Book everything you want. It is YOUR day and don’t let anyone else’s opinions get in the way of that. These memories will last a lifetime and honestly, just enjoy every single moment. Have the 4 hen do’s, do it all! You will NOT regret it! You get to marry the love of your life at the end of it all & that is pretty amazing. Finally, remember to HAVE FUN on the day, it goes by so fast and the main thing I remember is I laughed so much that day and could not stop smiling!
Looking Back on the Big Day
Anything else you’d love to share about your experience?
Try not to stress too much! It overwhelmed me but on the day, that stress disappeared! I was so excited to see Josh and all the little things didn’t matter anymore. Put your trust in your suppliers, guests and bridal party, because they are all there for you! Also, a content creator is always a fab idea, the snippets of all the behind the scenes just helped us relive our day along with the photos!
That's such a lovely reminder for any bride currently in the thick of wedding planning. There will always be little things that don't go exactly to plan, but when the day finally arrives, the things that matter most are the people around you, the person you're marrying and the memories you make together.
And Danielle makes a brilliant point about content creators, too. While your photographer captures the beautiful finished images, having those little behind-the-scenes snippets can give you a completely different way to remember the day.
Danielle's Wedding Suppliers
Danielle had an amazing team of suppliers helping bring her Bawtry Hall wedding together:
Dress: Elizabeth Kate Bridal - OBVIOUSLY!!
Photographer: Calvin Taylor
Content Creator: Francesca Levi Events
Host/Magician: James Kirman
Venue: Bawtry Hall
Venue Stylist: All Occasions
Hair Stylist: Elegance Hair By Rhian
Make-up Artist: Nicki Teal
Singer: Vocals By Lydia
Florist: Sarah Richard’s
A Final Note From Us
Danielle, thank you so much for trusting us with such an important part of your wedding journey, especially after your first experience had left you feeling apprehensive.
Watching you go from having an idea of what you thought you wanted to walking out in Eclipse by Eva Lendel, completely giddy and unwilling to change a thing, is exactly why we love what we do.
And we're still very proud of that wildcard.
We absolutely loved seeing your beautiful Bawtry Hall wedding come together, and we're so grateful you've shared your story with us.
Congratulations again, Danielle & Josh!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I take to a wedding dress appointment?
You don't need to arrive with everything figured out. It's helpful to bring any inspiration images you love, but we'd also recommend coming with an open mind. The dress you eventually choose may be completely different from what you originally imagined, just as Danielle discovered with her wildcard dress, Eclipse by Eva Lendel.
How many wedding dresses should I try on before choosing one?
There isn't a magic number of wedding dresses you should try on. Some brides know almost immediately, while others need to explore different silhouettes and styles first. The important thing is to focus on how you feel in the dress rather than trying to reach a particular number.
How do I know when I've found my wedding dress?
There isn't one universal feeling, but many brides describe a moment when the dress suddenly feels different. You might feel excited, emotional or simply know that you don't want to take it off. Danielle described having butterflies, being giddy and already picturing everything as soon as she put Eclipse on.
Should I try on a wedding dress that's different from what I originally wanted?
Absolutely. Keeping an open mind can be one of the best things you do during your wedding dress search. Different necklines, silhouettes, fabrics and details can look completely different on than they do on a hanger or in a photograph.
How much does a wedding dress cost at Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
Our wedding dresses currently range from approximately £1,399 to £3000, depending on the designer and gown. We stock designers including MWL, Eva Lendel, Serene by Madi Lane, Rebecca Ingram, Enzoani Love and Elysee.
Do you offer private wedding dress appointments?
Yes. Elizabeth Kate Bridal is an appointment-only bridal boutique, so you'll have dedicated time to try on dresses and work with Kim and Holly without the busy high-street bridal-shop environment.
Where is Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
Elizabeth Kate Bridal is based in Crowle, North Lincolnshire, making us accessible for brides travelling from across Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and surrounding areas including Doncaster, Sheffield, Hull, Grimsby and beyond.
Do you offer wedding dress alterations?
Yes. We offer in-house wedding dress alterations, meaning your dress can be altered within the same boutique where you found it. This can be particularly reassuring when your gown has intricate detailing, structure, lace or a dramatic train.
Where can I find Eva Lendel wedding dresses near Doncaster?
Elizabeth Kate Bridal stocks Eva Lendel wedding dresses and welcomes brides travelling from Doncaster, South Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Our collection includes modern, fashion-forward gowns alongside a range of other bridal designers.
What wedding dress styles suit a grand wedding venue like Bawtry Hall?
A grand venue such as Bawtry Hall can work beautifully with a range of wedding dress styles. Structured bodices, dramatic trains, elegant A-lines, ballgowns and gowns with statement detailing can all complement a grand country-house setting. Ultimately, the best dress is the one that makes you feel like yourself.
Continue Your Bridal Journey
Loved Danielle’s story? If you’re currently searching for your own wedding dress, you might find these helpful next:
Looking for your dress?
Explore Our Wedding Dresses Take a look through our designers and discover the wedding dresses available at Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
Explore Eva Lendel Wedding Dresses Love Danielle’s modern, glamorous style? Discover more from Eva Lendel, including fashion-forward gowns with beautiful detailing, dramatic trains and statement silhouettes.
Still figuring out what you want?
How Much Does a Wedding Dress Cost in the UK? A straightforward guide to wedding dress prices, what you can expect to spend and how to plan your dress budget.
When Should I Buy My Wedding Dress? Not sure when you should start shopping? Our guide explains when to begin looking and when you should ideally have your dress ordered.
Wedding Dress Trends 2027 Looking for inspiration? See the wedding dress styles and details we're expecting to see more of.
Want more real bride inspiration?
Read More Real Bride Stories See how other Elizabeth Kate brides found their dresses, styled their weddings and brought their own bridal vision to life.
Ready to Find Your Dress?
Danielle's story is a lovely reminder that the dress you fall in love with isn't always the dress you thought you'd choose.
If you're ready to find out whether your wildcard could be the one, we'd love to welcome you to Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
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