Katherine Ormerod, a British writer and influencer, knew she wanted to go big for her Palm Springs wedding. After trying on over 100 dresses in search of the perfect one (an odyssey documented in British Vogue), she discovered a surprising favorite: Vivienne Westwood’s classic Cocotte gown.
It wasn’t love at first sight. Katherine, a self-proclaimed non-traditional bride, initially felt hesitant about the iconic design. But as soon as she slipped into the Cocotte, its transformative effect became undeniable. The legendary corsetry sculpted her figure into a flattering hourglass silhouette, and the comfort was surprisingly easy. “The ratio of the effect of this dress, compared to the amount of effort that wearing it requires, is just wild,” she explained. It was a far cry from the other gowns she’d tried, which were beautiful but required significant struggle to get into.
To make the Cocotte her own, Katherine collaborated with the atelier’s resident stylist, Rosie Boydell-Wiles, to customize the dress. She opted for a shorter hemline, asymmetrical neckline, and a subtle touch of asymmetry. And then, of course, came the accessories.
Her most notable choice was a peach ombré veil, inspired by Gwen Stefani’s iconic pink dip-dyed John Galliano gown from her 2002 wedding to Gavin Rossdale. Katherine channeled the spirit of Stefani’s iconic look without going overboard, opting for a floor-skimming veil with a peach-tinted hem. This subtle nod, along with her Jessica McCormack diamond shell necklace (a “something borrowed”), deep red manicure, and delicate tattoos, added a touch of personal style.
But the Cocotte wasn’t the only star of the show. Katherine, known for her creative interior design expertise, infused her personal touch into every aspect of the wedding. She hand-painted 70 plates, 12 tablecloths, and all the menus. She even hand-stitched guests’ initials onto each napkin.
Her dedication to detail extended to the floral arrangements. Katherine collaborated with Ett Hem on sustainable faux bouquets in the UK, then created 20 fresh arrangements for the dining tables in Palm Springs, featuring green hydrangeas, peach dahlias, ranunculus, and California eucalyptus.
The ceremony took place at golden hour, as the sun dipped behind the Santa Rosa mountains, painting the sky in shades of peach. Katherine’s veil, catching the light, seemed to glow. It was a moment of pure magic, filled with warmth and intimacy.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed an Italian-inspired feast, followed by dancing under the desert stars. The next morning, a pool party and brunch brought the celebrations to a close.
Looking back on her Palm Springs wedding, Katherine acknowledges the sheer scale of the undertaking. But for her, the effort was worth every minute. It was a testament to her creativity, dedication, and love for her husband, Haden Gaynor. And most importantly, it was a celebration that captured the essence of their unique love story.