Real Bride Megan | Athena by Serene by Madi Lane | Rise Hall Wedding
- elizabethkatebridal
- Aug 16
- 10 min read
Some wedding days just feel like they belong in a storybook.
For Megan and Oliver, their beautiful summer wedding at Rise Hall was filled with pastel florals, British garden-party charm and one very memorable moment when the sun decided to make an appearance just in time for their confetti.
After years of crossing paths, living just a two-second walk from each other at university and eventually deciding to go on a date, Megan and Oliver's story led them to a beautiful wedding day surrounded by the people they love most.
Megan had always known that finding her wedding dress would be something she wanted to get right. She wanted somewhere private and relaxed, with plenty of designers and different styles to try, so she could discover what really felt like her.
She found that experience at Elizabeth Kate Bridal, and, more importantly, she found Athena from Serene by Madi Lane.
It was the lace that stole her heart.
With the same fabric she'd already fallen in love with, a silhouette she knew she'd feel comfortable wearing and detachable straps specially created by Kim and Holly, Megan's dress became every bit as personal as her wedding day.
And after choosing her dress two years before the wedding, she had quite a wait before she could finally walk down the aisle in it.
We were so honoured to be part of Megan's bridal journey, and we're delighted to share her beautiful story.
The Bridal Look
Bride: Megan
Wedding Date: 11th July 2026
Venue: Rise Hall
Wedding Style: Bridgerton-inspired British garden party
Colour Palette: Pastels and florals
Wedding Dress: Athena from Serene by Madi Lane
Dress Details: Strapless fitted lace with sweetheart neckline and long lace train with button detail
Personalisation: Detachable straps made from the same fabric as the dress by Elizabeth Kate Bridal
Wedding dress Boutique: Elizabeth Kate Bridal Crowle, Lincolnshire
Your Love Story
How did you and your partner meet?
We have always ran in the same circles since we were teenagers and even had mutual friends in college. However, by chance we both went to the same University and when we moved into our second year house we lived a 2 second walk from each other and our paths continued to cross until we decided to go on a date and the rest is history!
Tell us about the proposal!
Oliver's mum runs holiday lets in Whitby so we are lucky enough to get away there quite often. On what seemed to be another lovely weekend away in Whitby, Oliver decided to take me on a walk to Dalby Forest and despite it being a lovely sunny, warm day, he walked with his puffer coat on right to the summit so he could keep the ring hidden and proposed right at the top!
He then took me for a Chinese (my favourite) and arranged for our parents to meet us in York the next day for more celebrations, how they all kept it a secret I’ll never know!!
A Beautiful Summer Wedding at Rise Hall
When and where did you get married?
Rise Hall, 11th July 2026
What was your wedding vibe/theme?
Bridgerton inspired / British garden party. Lots of florals and pastel colours.
Megan's vision was all about creating that quintessentially romantic British garden-party feeling, with soft pastel colours and plenty of florals bringing the Bridgerton-inspired atmosphere to life.
And Rise Hall provided the perfect backdrop.
What was the wedding budget?
We were lucky enough to be gifted some money which made our budget around the 40k mark, not sure if we actually stuck to that though!
What was your favourite moment of the day?
Walking out the venue and having our confetti shot (main page image). It had been a little overcast most of the morning and as soon as the doors opened and we saw all our friends and family waiting with he confetti the sun came out from behind the clouds!
There is something so magical about those completely unplanned wedding-day moments, and the timing of that sunshine sounds pretty perfect to us.
Finding Her Dream Wedding Dress at Elizabeth Kate Bridal
For some brides, wedding dress shopping is something they've dreamed about for years.
For others, the thought of trying on lots of dresses can feel a little daunting.
Megan knew she wanted somewhere that would make her feel comfortable, with the freedom to experiment with different designers, silhouettes and styles without feeling pressured into making a decision.
What made you choose Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
Finding the dress was something I was a little nervous about so a small business that could offer a private appointment was really important to me. I also wanted somewhere which stocked lots of designers and different styles so I could experiment and try lots of different styles!! Elizabeth Kate stocked pretty much all the designers I’d been interested in and when I saw it was down the road it was a no brainer!
Falling in Love With Athena from Serene by Madi Lane
Sometimes it's not the shape of a wedding dress that makes you fall in love with it.
Sometimes it's the fabric.
For Megan, it was the lace.
She had originally seen the beautiful fabric in a different silhouette, but knew that particular shape wouldn't give her the comfort she wanted on her wedding day. When she discovered that the designer was releasing a new dress using the same fabric in a different silhouette, everything clicked.
Tell us about your dress, what did you fall in love with?
The lace!!! I originally saw the dress in a different shape which I also really liked but felt like I wouldn’t have been comfortable on the day, so when I was told the designer was releasing a dress in the same fabric but a different silhouette I knew that would be the one, which is why I had no problem choosing my dress 2 years in advance, I knew my dress had to be that fabric.
Dress Details | Athena from Serene by Madi Lane
Athena from Serene by Madi Lane is a beautifully romantic wedding dress combining delicate lace with an elegant, flattering silhouette.
The intricate lace creates the detail and texture Megan fell in love with, while the clean lines of the gown keep the overall look modern and effortlessly bridal.
For Megan, the lace was always going to be the deciding factor. She had originally fallen for the fabric in a different silhouette, but when she discovered Athena was being created in the same lace, with a shape she knew she'd feel more comfortable wearing, it was the perfect combination.
And with detachable straps created by our in-house alterations team from the same fabric as the dress, Megan was able to make Athena feel even more like her.
It's a lovely example of how the right dress doesn't always mean compromising between how you want to look and how you want to feel, sometimes a little expert advice and thoughtful alterations can give you both.
How did you feel when you found “the one”?
In an odd way I didn’t feel much at all at first! I think I was in a state of disbelief in hindsight, picking my dress was something I’ve thought about for years so finally doing it was such a crazy feeling!! As the shock wore off everytime I tried my dress on at fittings I felt more and more excited and eventually never wanted to take it off.
And we think that is such an important part of the dress journey.
Not every bride has a huge emotional "this is it!" moment in the changing room.
Sometimes certainty grows.
Sometimes the excitement arrives at the first fitting, then the next one, then the next.
And sometimes you simply realise that you never want to take the dress off.
Making Athena Completely Her Own
Megan knew she wanted the beauty of a strapless wedding dress, but she also knew something about herself:
She wasn't a strapless person.
Rather than compromising, Kim and Holly suggested creating detachable straps from the same fabric as her dress, giving Megan the look she loved while making sure she felt completely comfortable throughout the day.
It's a perfect example of why alterations aren't simply about getting the fit right.
Sometimes the smallest change can transform how you feel in your dress.
Did you customise your dress or style it in a unique way?
My dress was strapless which was lovely but I am just not a strapless person and was worried I’d feel abit uncomfortable on the day. I didn’t even know it was an option so when Kim and Holly suggested having detachable straps made out of the same fabric of the dress I knew that was the perfect solution and I got soooooo many compliments on the day about how perfect the straps were, and that was before people even knew they were added on!
A Little Piece of Advice From Megan
One of our favourite things about Real Bride Stories is hearing the advice brides would give to the women who are only just starting their own dress journey.
Megan's advice is a lovely reminder that there really isn't a "right" way to find your wedding dress.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to brides currently dress shopping?
Aim to try lots of different shapes and styles but if you find yourself drawn to something really early on don’t feel like you have to keep shopping around, there is nothing wrong with finding your dress quickly!
We couldn't agree more.
Trying different silhouettes can be such a useful part of discovering what you love, but if you find yourself falling for something early on, you don't have to keep searching just because you think you're supposed to.
Sometimes your dress really is the first one that makes you feel like yourself.
What Megan Would Say to a Bride Considering Elizabeth Kate Bridal
What would you say to someone considering visiting us?
DO IT!! Using Elizabeth Kate was a such a special experience from my very first visit and I would (and do) recommend them to everyone!!
And that means so much to us.
From that first private appointment to the fittings, alterations and finally seeing Megan in her finished dress, we've loved being part of her journey.
Wedding Planning Advice From Megan
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to brides about the planning/day/anything you think!?
Enjoy the chaos of wedding planning and try not to worry about the finer details too much as you really don’t mind on the day.
It's advice we think a lot of newly engaged brides need to hear.
There will always be another tiny decision to make, another detail to check and another thing that could be changed.
But when the doors open, your favourite people are waiting and you're walking into your wedding day, those tiny details really aren't what you'll remember.
Megan's Wedding Supplier Recommendations
Any standout suppliers you’d love to recommend?
Venue - Rise Hall
Dress - Elizabeth Kate
Photographer- Ione Collins
Videographer - Bigger Boat Film
Styling- Belle Bijoux
Live art- See Emily Paint
Pianist - Craig Sutcliffe
Photo booth- Bliss Booth
Music- Johnny Ross Music
A Final Thank You From Elizabeth Kate Bridal
Megan, thank you so much for letting us be part of your wedding journey.
From your very first appointment, when you were able to try all those different styles and designers you'd been curious about, to finding the lace that you knew was the one, we've loved watching your dress journey unfold.
We especially loved creating your detachable straps so that your Athena felt completely like you.
And knowing you chose your dress two whole years before your wedding makes it even more special to see how beautifully everything came together.
Thank you for trusting us, for recommending us to your friends and family and for reminding future brides that there really is no need to keep shopping when you find the dress that feels right.
We hope you and Oliver have the happiest life together.
Looking for Your Own Dream Wedding Dress?
Our beautiful bride Megan proved that finding your wedding dress isn't about becoming someone else, it's about finding the dress that feels completely like you.
Megan fell in love with the lace of her Athena wedding dress, trusted her instincts when she found the right silhouette and then made it even more personal with detachable straps created especially for her.
If you're beginning your own bridal journey, we'd love to welcome you to Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
Our relaxed, private appointments are designed to help you enjoy every moment of finding your dress. There's no pressure, no expectations to be anyone other than yourself, just honest advice, expert guidance and a little bit of bridal magic along the way.
Whether you've been dreaming about your wedding dress for years or have no idea where to begin, we're here to help you find the dress that feels completely and wonderfully you.
We can't wait to meet you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I buy my wedding dress?
Most brides should begin wedding dress shopping around 12-18 months before their wedding, although ordering earlier gives you more choice and plenty of time for fittings and alterations. If you've found your dress much earlier, there's nothing wrong with saying yes early, Megan chose hers two years before her wedding.
How many wedding dresses should I try on before choosing?
There's no magic number. Trying different wedding dress shapes and styles can help you understand what you love, but you don't need to try dozens of dresses if you find one that feels right. The important thing is finding a dress that makes you feel like yourself.
Should I try different wedding dress styles?
Yes. Even if you think you know exactly what you want, trying different silhouettes can be a really useful part of the process. It can confirm what you love, surprise you with something unexpected or help you understand which details matter most to you.
What should I bring to a wedding dress appointment?
Wear underwear you feel comfortable in and bring any shoes, accessories or inspiration that might help you visualise your bridal look. It's also worth keeping an open mind, your stylist can help you try different shapes and styles to discover what suits you.
Can a wedding dress be altered or customised?
Yes. Many wedding dresses can be personalised through professional alterations, depending on the design. Changes can include adjusting the fit, adding straps, changing necklines or creating detachable details. Megan's Athena was customised with detachable straps made from the same fabric as her dress.
Can I add straps to a strapless wedding dress?
In many cases, yes. The possibilities depend on the construction and fabric of the particular dress. At Elizabeth Kate Bridal, our in-house alterations team can discuss options with you and help create a solution that feels secure, comfortable and beautiful.
Do I need a private wedding dress appointment?
A private appointment gives you dedicated time and space to explore different wedding dress styles without feeling rushed. At Elizabeth Kate Bridal, our appointments are designed to be relaxed and personal, with expert guidance throughout your dress journey.
What if I find my wedding dress really quickly?
That's completely okay! You don't need to keep shopping simply because you've found your dress sooner than expected. If you've tried enough to feel confident and the dress feels right, there's nothing wrong with saying yes.
Continue Your Bridal Journey
Discover romantic, modern wedding dresses from Serene by Madi Lane, including beautiful lace gowns like Megan's Athena
Meet more Elizabeth Kate brides and discover how they found the dresses that felt completely like them.
Discover the latest wedding dress trends and find inspiration for your own bridal look.
Our guide to wedding dress prices, budgeting and what to expect when you begin shopping.
Helpful guides covering everything from when to buy your dress to choosing your silhouette and preparing for your first appointment.
Ready to start your own dress journey? We'd love to welcome you to Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
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