If Tythe is the quintessentially English countryside wedding venue, known for its understated elegance, 500-year-old legacy and close historic links to the surrounding land, what would be the perfect wedding day look to wear there?

Whether you’re a bridesmaid, guest, mother of the bride or the bride herself, who better to ask than the former Queen’s couturier Stewart Parvin, a designer also known for his pared back luxury.

From the ideal fabric to the perfect cut, silhouette and texture of a wedding dress, what does he think would look beautiful in the historic setting of the Tythe estate in Oxfordshire – one that has links to King William and Oxford Castle, the custodianship of which remained in the Deeley family for generations.  Here Stewart shares all his best advice with Jade Beer. 

‘Our late Queen had the most amazing collection of jewellery so for me the clothes were always a foil for what she might put on them.

That’s the way a lot of grand English ladies are. Using the clothes to show something else off is very important for me.’

‘A British sense of style means dressing formally but simply. It’s quite relaxed, not fussy, more an understated elegance.’ 

Don’t tell your guests to wear anything they like. To them that might mean a denim mini skirt when you’re in a full length, fully beaded gown.

Whatever the party, you always want the host to say in advance, I’m wearing this, do feel free to wear this, this or this. But going to a party of any sort with no guidance whatsoever is very difficult.

Historically the Queen always wore things more than once. She re-wore the iconic outfit I dressed her in for Meghan and Harry’s wedding multiple times, including at high profile events like the Chelsea Flower show.

For wedding guests, the ability to wear something again is important too.

I make very few outfits that are only worn for one occasion. You will be able to wear them to another wedding, with a change of accessories.

Different shoes, another hat and bag can change an outfit hugely, as can another setting or season. It’s much better to invest in a piece that you wear and wear and wear. If you have a coat with a plain dress underneath it, change the dress to one with a print.

‘This is when you want to look immaculate; for the photographs when you arrive at the ceremony, when you leave the ceremony and when you arrive at the reception for the first drinks. Those are the most important times to look perfect.

Be dressed for the right part of the occasion. When it’s 2am and you’re doing the Highland fling, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing.’

‘Always consider that in the UK the weather can be anything, whatever the season.

It means if it’s a blistering hot day, you may have to suffer for five minutes as you’re arriving but then you can go into the church, which is normally quite cold and feel fine, then when you arrive at the reception you can take the coat off. That makes your outfit very adaptable for the day.’

‘There are thousands of other colours in the world you can wear. If you’re the mother of the bride, leave white for your daughter. A pale pink, a cappuccino tone, black and white or navy and white are all excellent choices.

I think a white dress at a wedding should be worn by one person and one person only.’

Just because the flowers are crimson, does not mean you have to wear something that colour. Even if you have the most elaborate flower arrangements in the world, it’s still just one part of the entire day.

If puce isn’t your colour, don’t wear it just because it matches the bridesmaid dresses. Far better to prioritise something you’re going to wear again, ensure you’re comfortable and wearing something that suits you. 

Look at the separates from my bridal collection, a big full skirt, a camisole, a lace jacket that you can belt. That kind of thing would be beautiful.

Think about texture too with silk faille, silk satin and lace or any of the dresses that are made with a dupion because that’s a light, slightly less smooth textured fabric – a touch more rustic.

I would avoid the formal fabrics, the high-necked, long-sleeved, the very cathedral-orientated gowns or a shoe that’s all beads and crystals and very high glamour. Eschew structured formality.

I’ve got a really beautiful dress called Love The One You’re With which has a tiny shoe-string strap, a draped chiffon bodice and tiny lace waistband and then a big full chiffon skirt which is two layers of chiffon and two layers of charmeuse, and that sort of thing would be beautiful for Tythe.

Then keep everything else very fresh and fun.