Friday Inspiration: a Vogue Vintage Wedding from 1929

Dear Reader,

A charming story for our inspiration today: this beautiful bride is Francesca Braggiotti, serene and graceful in her 1929 satin and lace wedding dress... 

Francesca Baggiotti in 1929 wedding dress, photo by Edward Steichen for Vogue.

This demure and elegant 1920s wedding dress was made for Francesca's wedding to John Davis Lodge, and was something of a departure from Francesca's usual style. As you can see, Francesca didn't always look so butter–wouldn't–melt...! 

Mrs Lodge wows on stage. 1930s but so glamorous and so modern.

A famed beauty, Francesca and her sister Berthe were a renowned Italian dance duo, who ran a dance studio above the barracks of the Brookline Fire Department in Massachussetts. Francesca's costumes required special authorisation by the Mayor himself – as they were deemed too small to be worn on a public beach! All in the name of art, of course…

A fan photo of renowned 1920s beauty, Francesca

Francesca met her husband–to–be on the set of a movie; John Davis Lodge was the grandson of a famous Senator and would himself go into politics in later life. But in 1929, at the time of their wedding, he and Francesca made a fabulous glamour couple – the IT couple of 1929! 

Francesca and husband John Davis Lodge

Once his career in politics began to take off, Francesca successfully transformed herself into a very respectable Mrs John Davis Lodge. The papers called her 'the First Lady of Connecticut' and 'a popular member of New York society's younger set'.

A popular member of New York's younger set!

Francesca and John had a long and happy marriage. Here they are in 1971, while John was US Ambassador in Buenos Aires… Still looking rather fabulous.

In the grounds of the US Embassy, Buenos Aires

Francesca lived to the grand age of 96. What a fantastic character, and what a life she must have enjoyed!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you'd like to see more original 1930s wedding dresses and vintage–style dresses,
try my new Etsy store...

And for more vintage–style wedding dresses, 
please check out my Heavenly Collection here…

Vintage Bride Rachel, in 1930s-style Angel lace wedding dress.

Dear Reader,
Meet our lovely Vintage Bride of the Week, Rachel, wearing the Angel dress from my Heavenly Collection…

This adorably floaty and romantic dress looks so pretty on Rachel and fitted her wonderful figure like a dream. (With some input from Heavenly's expert seamstress Grace, of course!) 

Angel is closely based on an original 1930s wedding dress, and is made in superb quality Nottingham lace. Beautiful bride Rachel cleverly kept her accessories chic and simple – just a pretty pillbox headpiece and gorgeous white blooms...

Sometimes simple really is best, isn't it!

Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try…

A Guide to 1930s Wedding Dresses

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

The perfect veil for 1950s wedding dresses.

Dear Reader,
Today I'd like to show you the second in my new range of heavenly vintage veils, together with some of the inspiration behind it...

This beautiful mid-length veil is made of a fine and delicate tulle, and embellished with pretty embroidered edging and detailing. It looks wonderful with all 1950s wedding dresses…

Though deceptively simple and pretty, it's constructed with two tiers. So it can be worn over the face, to make a dramatic entrance – and swept back for that fabulously romantic You-may-now-kiss-the-bride moment.

Held in place with a simple comb, the veil can be made to any length to make it perfect for your own choice of vintage wedding dress. And the detailing can be adapted to complement your dress too, with a choice of pearls or crystals scattered throughout.

This beautiful veil is priced from £95 to £175 depending on your choice of length and detail. Do contact me to make an appointment to come and see me soon!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try
My New Range of Vintage Style Veils – the Birdcage Veil

Real vintage bride of the week: Jane, in 1950s lace and tulle wedding dress.

Dear Reader,
Today our fabulous vintage bride of the week is Jane. For her London wedding to George, Jane wore a gorgeous original 1950s wedding dress in latte-coloured lace.


Jane and George both wore tea-length dresses with a 1950s silhouette to complement each other's - making two equally beautiful brides. And like the dresses, all their day was a genuine delight. In Jane's words…

"George and I had such an amazing wedding day, it was utterly perfect, such a great party and celebration. By the end of the night we were overwhelmed by the fact we were married and all the love we felt from our fab friends and family."

"My highlights included: all our guests reading out the vows in unison, to which me and George replied together I do!; George singing Amy Winehouse's Valerie with the lyrics changed to Janie (epic!); our first dance to Earth Angel and then dancing the night away."

"I have to say, I felt like a princess in my dress and couldn't stop twirling! I love it so much. Helena - the support, guidance and sheer enjoyment I had on my visits to you, truly made the best start to my wedding planning, and I was so happy to find my 'perfect' dress. I have recommended you to several of my friends getting married next year so I do hope they get to meet you."

I love the way Jane's original 1950s wedding dress sets off her flame-red hair, but I'm sure you'll agree both brides look fabulous, and join me in wishing them big congratulations!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try my other Real Vintage Brides

Photographs with thanks to Bethan Haywood Jones

It's your perfect vintage wedding dress. Why cover it up... right?

Dear Reader,
From lace bolero to marabou stole, the right cover-up is a fabulous addition to your vintage wedding dress - adding an extra layer of glamour or sophistication. Let's look at a few delicious examples…

Ostrich and Marabou Stole, priced £150

First, this super-glamourous ostrich and marabou stole, turning a demure and simple satin dress into a fabulous 1940s showstopper…!

Ostrich and Marabou Stole, priced £150

Ostrich and Marabou Stole, priced £150

Now the same lovely simple dress - this time with an original 1940s lace jacket. Elegant and sophisticated with its long lace sleeves and full-length lace train, you may remember this combination featuring recently as my Vintage Wedding Dress of the Week...

Original 1940s satin dress with lace coat, and satin slip, £1350

Original 1940s satin dress with lace coat, and satin slip, £1350

Original 1940s satin dress with lace coat, and satin slip, £1350

Next, these beautiful capelets adding such pretty and individual style to a full-length lace 1930s wedding dress. The first and second images show an original Victorian lace capelet - these are now very rare, so I'm delighted to have found it!

Original Victorian lace capelet

Original Victorian lace capelet

And the image below is real vintage bride Leah, who chose this stunning 1930s capelet with her 1930s lace dress. You can see a full feature on Leah's wedding here.

Finally, I've worked hard to create the ultimate solution: a cover-up to complement almost any vintage wedding dress. From my own Heavenly Collection, here is the Colette bolero in delicate lace, created to prettily cover any exposed skin...

Colette is shown here in French lace with a guipure lace trim. It can be ordered in a range of different laces, to ensure it's the perfect complement to any vintage dress.

So whether you're adding a layer to create very different looks for day and night, or simply looking for a little more coverage, do consider what a cover-up has to offer. Just contact me if you'd like to know more or to see any of these gorgeous pieces.

Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, try…
Original vintage 1940s dress and jacket