Article: Wedding Umbrellas: Choosing One for a British Wedding
Wedding Umbrellas: Choosing One for a British Wedding
Few couples plan a British wedding without a glance at the forecast. Even in high summer, a day that begins in sunshine can bring a passing shower, and a well-chosen umbrella means the couple and their closest party can step outside regardless: for the walk from the ceremony, the photographs in the garden or the arrival at the reception.
A wedding umbrella is also more than a precaution. It appears in the photographs, it is held beside the dress and the flowers, and it is often kept long after the day itself. This guide explains how to choose one.
Ivory White or Champagne
The two traditional colours for a wedding umbrella are ivory white and champagne. Ivory white is the classic choice: it sits naturally beside a white or ivory gown and keeps the photographs light and uncluttered. Champagne is a little warmer, and suits gowns in cream, blush or gold tones, as well as autumn and winter weddings where a softer shade feels right.
Whichever you choose, it is worth seeing the colour in daylight next to the fabric of the dress or the bridesmaids' outfits, so that the umbrella complements them rather than competing with them.
The Bucklesbury Classic Wedding Umbrella
The Bucklesbury Classic Ivory White Wedding Umbrella is built like the Bucklesbury Classic Umbrella: a solid English beechwood shaft, a handle made in Germany and a Japanese-engineered ivory canopy, 106 cm across, which gives generous cover for a bride and her dress. The Bucklesbury Classic Champagne Umbrella is made in the same way, with a champagne canopy of the same size; it is about 91 cm long and weighs about 0.5 kg.
The Bucklesbury London Wedding Umbrella
For a wedding umbrella made in the most traditional way of all, the Bucklesbury London Wedding Umbrella has a handle and shaft made from one continuous length of English maple, with no joint between them, beneath an ivory white canopy of Japanese-engineered fabric. The Bucklesbury London Ladies Umbrella in champagne is made in the same way from English maple, for those who prefer the warmer shade.
Because handle and shaft are a single length of timber, the grain runs unbroken from the curve of the handle down the shaft, a detail that is easy to appreciate in close-up photographs.
Umbrellas for the Wedding Party
Couples often choose umbrellas for more than the bride alone. A matching pair for the couple, umbrellas for the bridesmaids, or darker umbrellas for the best man and ushers all help the party to stay dry while keeping the photographs consistent. A classic black or navy umbrella sits well beside morning dress and dark suits. For an autumn or winter wedding, when daylight is short and showers are more likely, it is sensible to have a few umbrellas ready at the door for close family as well as the bridal party.
A Bucklesbury umbrella also makes a thoughtful thank-you gift for those who play a part in the day, from parents to the best man and bridesmaids. Each umbrella is presented in a cotton cover and a Bucklesbury presentation box, ready to give. Our page on wedding umbrellas and gifts for the wedding party has further ideas.
Practical Points for the Day
- Order in good time, so that the umbrellas arrive well before the wedding, particularly if some are to be given as gifts.
- Decide in advance who will hold the umbrella for the bride, so that her hands are free for the bouquet.
- Open the umbrella pointing downwards, then lift it, which keeps the canopy clear of those standing nearby.
- If it has rained, leave the umbrella open to dry once indoors before it is furled and put away; never store it wet or creased.
- Keep a pale canopy out of long, direct sunlight when it is not in use, as strong sun can fade the fabric.
Kept Long After the Day
A wedding umbrella need not be put away once the day is over. Each Bucklesbury umbrella is constructed by hand in London, in small batches, using traditional techniques, in a workshop with umbrella-making heritage dating back to 1805. Each is individually finished by a craftsman and Rain Tested In England™. With the right care, it can be carried on rainy days for many years, a quiet reminder of the day it was first opened.
