Thursday 22 October 2015

Wedding Dress Trends 2016: The Gospel According to Vogue.

Dear Reader,
This week Vogue Magazine published their guide to bridal trends for 2016 – based on the latest couture collections. 

I'm not sure my clients would agree with all of them – and I'm not giving away my own predictions yet! As always, I'll make mine at the end of this year, based on what my brides are loving and asking for. But it's fun to see these from Vogue, and to give you my take on them…

Wedding Dress Trend 1 – Sweet Nothings
The first trend Vogue noted is for barely there dresses, almost lingerie. This is a very couture look – much easier to carry off on a catwalk than in an English church or a garden reception. Super pretty, though. And very reminiscent of all those slinky 1930s and sultry 1940s dresses
1930s inspired Butterfly wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection
Original 1940s lace wedding dress from my West London vintage studio.

Wedding Dress Trend 2 – Sparkles
Always in fashion, and rightly so. A generous sprinkling of sparkle appeared on the catwalks for next year, particularly from Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera and Marchesa. A little sparkle has always been one of the delights of vintage wedding dresses, of course. With many of the dresses in my Heavenly Collection, you can choose to add just a little bling… or a lot!
My 1940s style wedding dress, Bette, with its sparkly trim.
Pretty bling: Florence, 1940s style dress from my Heavenly Collection.

Wedding Dress Trend 3 – Knee Length
Shorter dresses made a welcome appearance on the bridal catwalks. But to see this trend at its best, simply look to the 1950s for the most fabulous tea–length wedding dresses…
'Blanche', 1950s style wedding dress, from my Heavenly Collection
Original 1950s 'cupcake' wedding dress from my West London vintage studio.

Wedding Dress Trend 4 – Bare Shoulders
Always popular with so many brides. Yet vintage dresses often take a subtler approach. Think of pretty keyhole openings, lace shoulders or tiny petal sleeves. Every bit as sexy, but a lot more subtle.
Angel, 1930s inspired lace wedding dress: vintage is more subtly sexy.
Original 1950s wedding dress from my West London vintage studio.
1970s off–the–shoulder wedding dress, from my West London vintage studio.

Wedding Dress Trend 5 – Separate Overskirts
A full-length transparent overskirt, cut to reveal a shorter one underneath...? Oh so fashiony! Very modern, a little bit mad, and quite fun – but not exactly a classic look. What do you think?

Wedding Dress Trend 6 – Cream
Ahhhh, beautiful. Now here's one I really can enthuse about – drawing as it does from the softness and romance of vintage wedding fashion. White is lovely too, of course. But cream, blush and ivory are so much more flattering to all skin tones. Often my clients come to me expecting to choose a white wedding dress, but once tried they fall in love with these lovely muted tones. That's why I offer my Heavenly Collection dresses in a range of pretty and flattering shades.
Butterfly, from my Heavenly Collection in a soft ivory.
Florence: a lace wedding dress with toning underslip (Heavenly Collection)

Well done, Vogue – fun predictions and a good showing for vintage styles. What did you think of them? Later this year, you can see how my own predictions match up!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides



Saturday 17 October 2015

1930s–style lace wedding dress 'Angel' for Vintage Bride of the Week, Rosemary.

Dear Reader, 
I have another gorgeous vintage bride to show you today. Meet Rosemary...

Ros looking to camera, and mid-section of vintage lace wedding dress
For her summer wedding, Rosemary wore 'Angel', the 1930s–inspired lace wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection.
Rear of vintage lace wedding dress, showing flutter sleeves and v back.
With its flutter sleeves and deep v back, Angel is such a romantic dress. It perfectly suited Rosemary's graceful beauty. And we made it in a very special lace too...
lace trim at neckline of 1930s wedding dress, and pretty shoes
This time we used the 'English net' style of lace – so pretty with its delicate trellises of flowers and bows. And as with most of our laces, it's an original 1930s design. It is remade exclusively for my Heavenly Collection, by its original Nottingham fine lace–makers.
mid section of dress with wildflower bouquet
Ros and her lovely mother Alison were a delight to work with – a charming and very stylish family. I loved the combination of jewel tones they chose for the bridesmaids' dresses, and for both Ros' and groom Vivek's families.
Vintage bride Ros with her bridesmaids at each side
And now I'll let the pictures of Rosemary and Vivek's brilliant day speak for themselves...
Ros walks down the aisle with her father.
Ros and Vivek in the ceremony
The wedding ceremony

The ceremony, and bridesmaids
Signing the wedding register
Leaving the church
Congratulated by their friends and family.
Delighted families in jewel tones
Stylish guests in jewel tones
Confetti'd!

Tuktuk to the reception!
Happy bride and groom.
Caught in the mirror of the tuktuk!

Happy groom in tuktuk
A moment of calm.Ros takes the mike
Pretty table settings and wedding favours
Let's dance!
Happily married, stepping out for a breath.
What a day!
1930s lace, jewel satins, woodland flowers… and a tuktuk! Thanks to Rosemary and Vivek for giving us a glimpse into their colour–filled day. 
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try…
1960s Lace Wedding Dress for Real Vintage Bride Suzanne



Rosemary's photos with thanks to Stephanie Swann Photography.

Thursday 8 October 2015

Original 1950s wedding dress, for vintage bride Kasia.

Dear Reader,
I have another stunning vintage bride to show you today – Kasia, in a wonderful original 1950s wedding dress…






Kasia married George in the beautiful, classical surroundings of Chateau de Saint–Loup–Lamaire...




The dress was a perfect choice for the occasion – delicate and so feminine (with a touch of Grace Kelly too) but formal enough to fit such a grand venue. And of course, beautiful Kasia looks wonderful in it.







In Kasia's own words… 
"Thank you again for your help in picking out my wedding dress. It was such a delight to wear on the day. So many people were saying how beautiful it was."





Beautiful setting. Beautiful day. But most of all, a beautiful bride and a beautiful vintage 1950s wedding dress!
Love 
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try…
Hairstyles to suit 1950s wedding dresses


And for more amazing Real Vintage Brides, check out my website page here


Kasia's photographs with thanks to Hanri Photography