Alex Brownsell, co-founder of Bleach London, and music producer Fred Appleby Macpherson celebrated their union in an unconventional fashion, blending tradition with bold personal statements. Their wedding journey, spanning over a decade, culminating in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, followed by an after-party featuring a dramatic hair transformation. This narrative encapsulates their enduring love, creative expressions, and the meticulous planning that brought their distinctive vision to life, highlighting the bride's journey through multiple sartorial and beauty choices to express her unique style.
The couple's path to marriage was anything but straightforward, marked by a decade of shared history, a postponed celebration due to unforeseen global events, and the joyful arrival of two children. Despite these delays, their commitment remained unwavering, leading to a ceremony that was a testament to their enduring bond and individual flair. The bride's choice of attire and her subsequent hair color change underscored a celebration of personal expression within the grandeur of their chosen venues.
A Decade of Love and a Unique Wedding Journey
Alex Brownsell, a creative force behind Bleach London, and Fred Appleby Macpherson, a talented music producer, first crossed paths over a decade ago at a friend's 21st birthday celebration. Their early romance blossomed in the familiar haunts of London, evolving naturally without the need for elaborate dates. A memorable anecdote from their courtship involves Fred's humorous omission to pay for Alex's Happy Meal, a detail he fondly recalled in his wedding speech. Their engagement took place on New Year's Eve in 2019 during a ski trip to Bulgaria, a moment of joy accompanied by a comical near-mishap with the engagement ring on a ski lift. The couple's wedding plans were initially put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic, leading to a five-year delay during which they welcomed two children into their lives before finally exchanging vows.
Their wedding, scheduled for September 6, 2025, saw them enlist Abi Ford for creative, set, and floral design, with contributions from their gardener, Jake Tulley, for the latter. Good Times Collective managed the creative production, ensuring every detail was meticulously planned. The ceremony's location, the historic Henry VII Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey, was an early decision, but finding a reception venue proved more challenging. The Columbia Hotel ultimately captured their hearts with its unique, slightly "The Shining"-esque ambiance, having retained its historical charm unlike many renovated London establishments. Its untouched decor and the exceptional hospitality of Sophie Fresco and her team were pivotal in making their reception perfect, offering a backdrop that resonated with the couple's appreciation for authenticity and character.
Bridal Style: From Edwardian Elegance to Fiery Transformation
For her wedding at Westminster Abbey, Alex Brownsell meticulously sought a gown that would honor the historical significance of the venue and its vibrant color palette. Her search led her to Jane Bourvis, where she discovered a breathtaking gold Edwardian lace gown adorned with green detailing. This dress, the very first she tried on, immediately captivated her, confirming it as the perfect choice for the solemn ceremony. With the primary bridal look settled, Alex felt liberated to explore more playful and experimental styles for her subsequent celebrations. She chose an 80s ivory silk gown, sourced from an Etsy seller in Canada and later customized, as her second dress. For the grand finale, she commissioned a custom latex Poster Girl dress, a collaborative creation by her friends Francesca Cappa and Natasha Somerville. Each ensemble was paired with distinct footwear, showcasing her eclectic taste: Manolo Blahnik heels for her initial look, vintage 2010 Marc Jacobs for the second, and transparent Margiela heels from Aro Archive to complement her final avant-garde outfit.
Alex's bridal adornments were a thoughtful blend of sentiment and style, featuring both gifted and borrowed pieces. Her close friend, Dominic Jones, presented her with a stunning wedding ring from his brand, 886 by The Royal Mint. He also lent her an exquisite diamond necklace, earrings, and bracelet from his new bridal collection, pieces designed with teardrop shapes to symbolize the tears of joy inherent in weddings. Further personal touches included a ruby necklace and crucifix earrings, borrowed from her maid of honor, Georgia May Jagger, fulfilling the traditional "something borrowed." Her pre-wedding beauty regimen, initiated a year prior, involved regular facial treatments with Teresa Tarmey, including microneedling and high-intensity focused ultrasound, alongside polynucleotide injections from Karen Doherty. For her makeup, Alex enlisted her dear friend Isamaya Ffrench, who skillfully concealed her full tattoo sleeve for the church ceremony and later adapted the look for the reception, creating an iridescent, dewy complexion with Isamaya's own Skinlacq to mirror the ethereal quality of the chapel. Lauren Michelle Pires completed her look with unique nail art, featuring tiny pearls arranged into an "F" for Fred on her ring finger. Perhaps the most striking transformation involved her hair, meticulously managed by her Bleach business partner, Alisha Dobson. Alex envisioned three distinct hairstyles, culminating in a dramatic color change for the after-party. Starting with a braided texture and a subtle finger wave, she transitioned to a Tudor-inspired style with tight braided loops. For her final look, to complement the latex dress, she made the bold decision to dye her hair fiery red, using Bleach London's 'I Saw Red' in a mere 20 minutes, an unprecedented mid-wedding hair transformation.