Alex and Kat married this April at the chic Didsbury House. Alex’s dream was to marry Kat in a womens wedding suit, read on to hear how we helped her create exactly what she wanted – a masculine suit tailored for a woman’s body.
Alex, a PT and founder of TransFit Manchester, the UK’s first transgender weight training program, had struggled to find an off the peg, masculine suit to fit her. She had visited other tailors but said;
“I was left feeling guilty for wanting a women’s wedding suit. But when I met Craig he instantly put me at ease and understood what I wanted.”
When Alex and Kat had their first appointment, they said they knew straightaway Alex would get her tailored women’s wedding suit from us. Alex said;
“Craig was so different to the other tailors I had visited. The first thing he did was get me to try on some suits. Seeing the different waistcoat and jacket options in the mirror helped me develop a picture in my mind of what I could have. Craig didn’t just give me some great ideas, he also made me feel comfortable and that I could be myself.”
For Alex’s tailored women’s wedding suit, she chose a blue, lightly woven, glen check jacket and trousers. She teamed this with a blue and lemon, check waistcoat to tie in with Alex and Kat’s fresh spring, lemon roses and cornflower blue wedding theme.
Alex wanted to make her first suit her own so she thoroughly personalised her jacket. She added a lemon stitched button hole to her working cuff and chose a cocktail print lining to reflect her and Kat’s favourite drink! She had their wedding date and their new surname, Elliott Valentine, embroidered into her jacket lining. For the finishing touch, Alex added ‘Team Valentine’, her roller derby stage name, into her lemon under collar melton.
Alex said;
“Designing my suit with Craig has been life changing. Not only has he given me the suit I always wanted, he has given me the confidence to wear what I want. I have faced so many stereotypes, so to come to a place where I have been embraced and accepted has helped me on my journey.”
Alex and Kat’s groomsmen used our wedding suit hire services to tie in with Alex’s tailored suit. The groomsmen complemented Alex’s blue check suit with our slim fit navy Highgrove lounge suit. Alex choose cornflower blue ties and pocket squares as a surprise for Kat.
When we asked Alex what advice she would give other women looking for a tailored women’s wedding suit, she said;
“The process is as important as the actual wedding day so make sure you find someone who gets you and what you want!”
At Whitfield & Ward all couples – straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary are warmly welcomed! We are a small family business who love to help people fulfill their wedding dreams. To find out more about our fantastic range of bespoke and hire suits click here. If you’re interested in our tailoring or suit or suit hire, give us a call on 01625 536545 and we’ll handle the rest!
Alex and Kat’s wedding team were:
Dress: Fairytale Brides by Hayley Paige
Flowers: The flower Lounge
Photographer: KC Imaging
Personal training: Alex Valentine PT
Venue: Didsbury House
