How Gigi & Olive became the cool-girl's go-to bridal brand

I started Gigi & Olive in 2019, after organising my sister’s hen do the year before, and struggling to find anything that felt chic, personal and fun. Everything felt either very traditional or very novelty, and there was nothing that sat in between. I wanted one destination where brides could find thoughtful, beautifully designed pieces that still felt modern and cool. As more of my friends got engaged and found planning overwhelming, it became clear there was a real gap.

I always come back to three things: Does this feel timeless and special for the bride? Am I genuinely excited about it? Can it be personalised? Everything has to feel personal, chic and long-lasting.

Yes, this was definitely a key moment. When Sophie wore our Ribbon Bow Veil to her civil ceremony, and we styled her Paris hen party, it became a huge viral moment that felt very authentic to the brand. It created so much momentum that it actually pushed us from being purely made-to-order into producing stock, because we simply could not keep up with demand.

We have stayed very close to our customers. I am completely customer-obsessed. We listen constantly through customer service, social media and community events. As long as we stay focused on thoughtful design, personalisation and exceptional service, the brand can evolve naturally without losing its identity.

That resilience matters more than perfection. Building a business is never linear. You learn to trust your instincts, listen to your customers and not compare yourself too closely to anyone else. Consistency and care go a very long way, and building a fantastic team enables so much.

A lot. I am the customer. I have always loved personalised details, embroidery and thoughtful keepsakes, and I am obsessed with event design, styling and weddings. I want the brand to feel like an extension of that: classic, chic, personalised and very detail-focused.

There has been a big shift towards gifting things that people will genuinely keep and use after the wedding. Brides are moving away from anything that says “bridesmaid” and opting instead for personalised tote bags, wash bags, thongs or tank tops embroidered with something meaningful that lasts beyond the celebrations.

Keep it personal. A handwritten note is the most important thing. Then add one or two thoughtful pieces rather than filling it with lots of things. Something personalised, something pampering and something meaningful will always feel more special than excess. Our Build Your Own Bridesmaid Box has been really popular for this reason.

Feeling like the best version of themselves. Yes, they want to feel their best, but they also want to feel authentically themselves. When a bride feels comfortable, confident and emotionally connected to how they feel, that sense of authenticity matters far more than any trend.

Remember that it does not all have to be done at once. Build things slowly, trust your instincts and focus on what really matters to you. The most joyful weddings are the ones where the bride is her happiest self.

I want us to continue growing as the go-to brand for modern, thoughtful bridal while keeping our heart and community at the centre. The USA and the UAE are big focuses for us, alongside expanding our product offering. We are also launching a very exciting Directory in the spring to help our community find their perfect wedding vendors, curated in the same thoughtful way as our site, featuring partners we would genuinely book ourselves.

We loved creating physical spaces for our community and are definitely exploring more pop-ups and in-person experiences in 2026. It is something we are very excited about and keen to grow. I am actually viewing spaces next week, so hopefully there will be something coming in the summer.