Sarah in a 1930s satin wedding dress: Heavenly Vintage Bride of the week

Dear Reader

Sarah is our Bride of the Week, so serenely beautiful in this original 1930s satin and lace gown.

To complement the gorgeous 30s dress, I also sourced this lovely vintage veil. I think it suits her so perfectly, and Sarah was delighted too,

"I just wanted to say thank you so much for your help with my dress. The veil too was amazing. Your advice was great and it all worked out perfectly." 

Inspired by Sarah's gorgeous style, let's take a closer look at 1930s dresses next week. Check back on Monday for lots more!

Have a great weekend,
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides 

1940s lace wedding dress and jacket - what a darling!

Dear Reader

For my original vintage wedding dress of the week, I'd like to show you a charming little 1940s lace dress and jacket. 

The 40s are sometimes overlooked, getting a little lost between the glamorous slinky 30s and the super-pretty 50s. But I think dresses from the 1940s have so much to offer: from lovely elegant crepe gowns, to sweet and subtle lace styles like this one. 

And 1940s dresses are usually an easier fit than those from the 50s. They are less exaggerated, with a softer, more flowing fit. (Although please bear in mind that some fitting will usually be required with any vintage dress, to ensure it's perfect for you.)

This little darling is priced at £995 including the jacket and swishy rayon fitted slip. Or if you prefer, it can be worn with an extra full petticoat (at an extra charge of £45). 

Thanks as always to Robert Lawler for these beautiful photographs. And thanks, Reader, for stopping by.

Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

A 1960s vintage wedding dress for Rebecca's Berlin wedding

Dear Reader

This week, I'd like to show you beautiful bride Rebecca, who married Gerald in April. 

For her city wedding in Berlin, Rebecca wanted a very chic vintage dress. She chose this lovely sophisticated 'tape lace' dress from the early 1960s. 

The dress looked fabulous! Rebecca teamed it with a very pretty pair of Rachel Simpson shoes, and a dainty bouquet of roses.

 In Rebecca's words, 

"We were married in Berlin at a registry office. The office is in the town hall from which JFK spoke when he visited Berlin in the 60s. And then we celebrated at a local villa in Kreuzberg, central Berlin.

The dress was perfect, just the right thing for the day. I got so many compliments - thank you!"

 

Thanks, Rebecca, for sharing these lovely pictures!

Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

Another wonderful Edwardian vintage wedding dress, on real bride Francesca

Dear Reader

After talking about Edwardian vintage wedding dresses last week, I wanted to show you these pictures of beautiful Francesca, who recently married in Italy. 

Francesca's lovely outfit is very similar to an Edwardian dress I just saw in the V&A exhibition. But, actually Francesca's is an original Edwardian lace blouse teamed with a contemporary bridal skirt I sourced for her. They were a perfect match...

For more gorgeous Edwardian wedding dresses, do check out my Original Vintage dresses for sale here. Thanks for dropping by!

Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

Edwardian vintage wedding dresses - a guide.

Dear Reader

The Edwardian period was just ten years from 1901 to 1910. But it is still popular today: just look at the international success of Downton Abbey. (The period after the death of Edward until the First World War is often included, too.)

Original Edwardian vintage wedding dress (with 1930s satin slip), £1250

Fashionable Edwardian brides aspired to the 'S' shape, which was created by whalebone corsetry. The corset design (called The Health Corset) although restrictive, was at least not as damaging to their health as corsets of the Victorian era. The waist circumference was gradually reduced by tighter lacing, until they reached their smallest size which - shockingly - could be as small as 16 inches.

I look for dresses with a reasonable waist size (not 16ins!) then I have a few clever techniques for increasing the size further. For example, adding lace from the same era. This can bring the waist to about 26 or 27ins - which of course is still very small fitting and not for everyone, but hopefully doesn’t require a corset!

Original Edwardian vintage wedding dress (with 1930s satin slip), £1250

And there are other features which may need modification: first, the front of the bodice is often loose-fitting, or 'pigeon chested’. Secondly, Edwardian wedding dresses often have high necks usually supported by tiny ‘bones'. These can be removed or adapted to give a softer neck shape.

I am not at all against changing vintage dress to make them work in a modern context,  as long as it's done sympathetically and the dress looks better for it! 

I am also a fan of Edwardian style headdresses. The fashion was for delicate circlets made from wax flowers, see my post here. I've definitely seen a trend amongst my clients for fresh flowers instead of diamante - which I think is a lovely change. I will always love a well made side-tiara but it’s nice that girls are rediscovering real flowers. And circlets are definitely a trend right now.

Original Edwardian vintage wedding dress (with 1930s satin slip), £1350

I'm a huge fan of this style of lace - or any cotton lace, actually! And it’s so good for vintage collectors and wearers as it stays strong for many years. 

Many veils were also made of Tambour lace such as those shown here. I am in the process of having some lovely veils made to complement my dresses, using a special sewing machine which replicates this style of lace.

As soon as my new veils are perfect, I'll let you know: you'll see them here first! I've included some pictures of two wonderful original Edwardian dresses which are both available now. If, like me, you love the dresses from this period, then do check out these vintage Edwardian dresses here. 

Hope you've enjoyed this post - and see you soon!

Love 
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

Vintage Wedding Dress of the Week

Dear Reader

Original 1950s wedding dresses are always amongst the most popular with my brides. And today, I'd like to show you one of my favourites - a fabulous 1950s Vintage Wedding Dress of the Week. 

Original 1950s lace wedding dress, priced £950

Original 1950s lace wedding dress, beautiful ballerina skirt. Priced £950

What makes this dress so special? Perhaps it's the elegant long lace sleeves. Or the chic boat neckline (so Bardot!). Or that pretty, flirty Ballerina-length tulle skirt....

Original 1950s lace wedding dress, flattering fit. Priced £950

1950s vintage lace wedding dress, elegant long lace sleeves. Price £950

But I think it's really the whole combination: this dress has all the classic 1950s features my brides love. I hope you'll love it too. 

To view more lovely vintage wedding dresses, check out my original vintage dresses and my Heavenly Collection of vintage-inspired gowns. And please do contact me if you'd like to know more.

Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

Photography by Robert Lawler
www.robertlawler.co.uk