Lovely Leo in a perfect 1950s wedding dress - the inspiration for my vintage-style wedding dress 'Blanche'

Dear Reader

Over the last couple of weeks, we've been admiring lace dresses here on my vintage wedding blog, so I'd like to show you one of my very favourites - as worn by real vintage bride, the lovely Leo.

Leo looked wonderful in this perfect tea length, champagne coloured, late 1950s wedding dress. 

Brides sometimes ask what kind of dress I love the best. Well, I think my perfect vintage wedding dress is an elegant, well-balanced shape in a beautiful fabric, complemented by a carefully-chosen trim. And sometimes, a dress comes along that really stands out for its simplicity. This was just such a dress. 

In fact, I loved it so much that I used it as one of the models for my own vintage-style lace dress 'Blanche'.

Ultimately, I strongly believe the dress is there to bring out the most beautiful features of the brides. And as you can see from how stunning Leo looks, in her perfect choice of vintage wedding dress, this one certainly succeeds. 

Thanks to Leo for sharing these lovely photos of her happy day. If you'd like to see more real vintage brides, take a look on the real brides section of my vintage wedding blog.

You can see more of my own Heavenly Collection of vintage-inspired wedding dresses here on my blog. And more original 1950s lace wedding dresses here.

Thanks for dropping by today.

Love
Helena 
Heavenly Vintage Brides

Kathryn, in 1950s-style lace wedding dress.

Dear Reader,
You may remember an earlier glimpse of Kathryn…? Well, it's high time for a look at her super-cool Liverpool wedding to Greg…

As a successful make-up artist herself, Kathryn has a great sense of style and knew exactly what she wanted for her dress and for the day itself.

Kathryn chose 1950s-inspired Blanche lace wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection. In her own words…

"The search for the perfect dress took me all the way to London. I always knew I wanted a short 50s style dress because I’m only 5ft 2in. I just felt they suited me and I love the big skirt. I dragged my friend round lots of shops and the very last dress I tried on at 7pm in the evening was the one! 

Helena's studio at Heavenly Vintage Brides is bursting at the seams with the most vintage wedding dresses I have ever seen. Helena was amazing and made sure everything was just perfect for me. The gown I bought wasn’t vintage, it was one of her own designs and it was perfect."

Kathryn teamed her dress with pretty Rachel Simpson Eva shoes, and a neat birdcage veil. Her favourite colour is green (her engagement ring is an emerald of course!) and so all other accessories - from flowers to bridesmaid dresses - followed her pretty green colour theme...

And the theme followed through to the venue, Camp and Furnace - a giant industrial space in downtown Liverpool - with a 'picnic' lunch for sharing, delivered to the guests in baskets. 

Now let's end with a few words from Kathryn about her day…

"I loved the whole ceremony! walking down the aisle and seeing all my loved ones meant so much to me. Seeing my 91 year old Nan on the front row looking up at me that meant the world.

Your wedding day really is the best day of your life so cherish every single minute of it. Don’t be nervous because everyone who is there is there for you and loves you. During the wedding breakfast take a minute and sit back and have a good look around because it’s the only time you will get all the people you love in your life in one room. I just want to do it all again!"

Thanks for stopping by to see Kathryn's wedding. If you'd like to see more, check out the post on Rock My Wedding. 

Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

Shoes – Rachel Simpson

Hair – David Anthony

Bridesmaid’s Gowns – Rock My Vintage

Groomsmen – Topman and Urban Outfitters

Florist – The Bouquet Factory

Fire-eating / Entertainment – Meddling Pixies

Venue & Catering – Camp And Furnace

Photography – S6 Photography

Vintage-Inspired Wedding Dress of the Week... in dreamy original vintage lace. How romantic is this?

Dear Reader

I hope you've had a good week and have exciting plans for the crisp Autumn weekend ahead...?

Yasmin, one of my heavenly brides, is getting married tomorrow in a pale pink lace 1930s dress, which we've matched with a stunning Biba marabou feather cape. She looks radiant.

I'm sure you'll join me in wishing her a wonderful day!

Now.... drumroll please, heavenly ladies... I'd like to share the first ever pictures of my newest vintage-inspired design, 'Angel'. We only finished this lovely dress earlier this week, so this really is a super-sneak-peek.

ANGEL 1930s vintage style wedding dress - dreamy fluted lace sleeves 

I've called her Angel as she is very dreamy and romantic. She is very closely modelled on a lovely 1930s lace dress, with just a few small design tweaks for a super-flattering fit.

ANGEL 1930s vintage style wedding dress - gorgeous lace back detail 

ANGEL 1930s vintage style wedding dress -  elegant fitted bodice 

I chose this dress to show off one of my happiest finds: the uniquely beautiful lace. It's made exclusively for me by a small family lace-making atelier in Nottingham - the traditional home of English lace-making. Now run by two brothers, the company was established by their Grandfather and handed on to their Father. 

It really is part of the famous history of English lace-making, acknowledged to be among the very best in the world.

I was so excited to discover this pattern in their original catalogue. It has been out of production for many years, and uses a skilful old-fashioned lace-making technique called 'English Net' - really an embroidery onto tulle.

This lovely company also make the wonderful lace for my 'Butterfly' dress. (Angel can also be ordered in that type of lace, which is the same lovely light weight.) 

ANGEL 1930s vintage style wedding dress -  dreamy and so romantic!

Angel comes with its own satin slip - shown here in a deep ivory. But a pale gold, or a delicate blush colour would look equally dreamy and show off this special lace while keeping its romantic feel.

And lastly, see how prettily the skirt drapes - two godets (carefully positioned inset panels) give it movement and another godet at the back forms an elegant train. Just imagine how gracefully it would swish down any aisle... 

If you'd like to see more, I'd love to show you at my West London studio. 

ANGEL 1930s vintage style wedding dress - stunning godet fishtail train

Now, if you have time, I'd also love to show you two new variations on my other dresses. First, 'Chantilly'...

CHANTILLY 1950s vintage style wedding dress in fine French lace

Chantilly is shown here in palest champagne, with a three quarter sleeve in delicate French lace - very feminine and flattering. 

The lace is the same ultra fine French Chantilly lace as in the original 'Chantilly' dress. But the new lighter colour underneath gives it a delicately airy, floaty feel. Don't you agree?

CHANTILLY 1950s vintage style wedding dress design - pretty and floaty

This sleeve can be adapted to any preferred length. It is super-pretty short, and very elegant worn full length. The skirt shown here is 'tea length', which generally means just below the knee. But it can be adapted to the most flattering length for my heavenly client. It is amazing as a ballroom-length dress.

CHANTILLY 1950s vintage style wedding dress in tea length

This summer, one heavenly bride chose Chantilly in the prettiest pale dusky pink, and another ordered it in elegant ivory. Both brides were equally beautiful. It really is a special dress and can be perfectly customised to make it unique to its wearer.

And finally... 'Blanche'.

BLANCHE 1950s vintage style wedding dress in deep ivory lace

Blanche is shown here in a deeper ivory colour, with a three quarter length sleeve. This used to be called a 'bracelet sleeve' and is a very vintage and pretty sleeve length. 

The skirt is Ballerina length (rather than the shorter tea length) - perfect to show off a shapely ankle! Ballerina length does tend to suit taller girls but there are always exceptions to the rule. 

I've made Blanche in several types of lace now, to personalise it for my heavenly girls. Here, it's reworked in slightly heavier, 'corded' lace that has a lovely three-dimensional effect making the dress really tactile. You just want to touch this gorgeous, rich fabric... 

BLANCHE 1950s vintage style wedding dress in 'Ballerina' length

All these dresses can of course be tried at my studio in West London. Just email me with an idea of your requirements, and the date of your special day.

Now, I hope all this heavenliness hasn't worn you out, dear reader. And I wish you a wonderful weekend.

Look forward to seeing you next week, and thanks for stopping by...

Love, 
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

All photography © Robert Lawler Photography 2013

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE WEDDING DRESSES remodelled as a new collection

Dear Reader,

I have so much to tell you. I hope you'll forgive my absence these last few months... I've been busy, busy, busy! Choosing, restoring, and designing the most beautiful vintage-inspired wedding dresses - based on gorgeous original vintage bridal gowns from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. 

But now it's time to turn over a new (Autumn) leaf: I promise to post every week! New dresses, new ideas, and so much to share with you. I do hope you will join me.

To begin, I'd like to show you the full 'Heavenly Collection' so far. Eight gorgeous new wedding gowns, all closely modelled on the prettiest, most elegant and most timeless original vintage wedding dresses.

Each of these gowns can be personalised with a range of carefully chosen options in sizes, skirt lengths, sleeve lengths, colour of dress and underskirt, and fabric - making your dress unique to you, and perfect for your special day.

Whether it's scarily soon, or still a distant dream, take a moment to enjoy picturing yourself on your Heavenly day...

Love, 

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

BUTTERFLY
A romantic dreamy dress made using stunning Nottingham lace, it has a soft mermaid shaped skirt, and a waterfall frill on the neckline. This dress was copied from a 1930s lace wedding dress, and the elegant proportions have been kept exactly the same. 

STARLIGHT

This elegant gown is also modelled from a classic 1930s dress, and has a sensual 'Movie Star' feel. It has a  very low cut back with cross over straps, and fine pleating under the bust. It is handmade in flattering drapey silk satin with a wonderful texture.

VIOLETTE
A beautiful sophisticated style, based on a 1930s original, this time with a slightly updated neckline and a sweet petal-shaped sleeve. 

The beautiful Art Deco seam patterns make this very special, and the bias cut heavy silk satin gives a 'slinky' feel. The skirt ends in small train.

BETTE

Inspired by the glamorous stars of the 1940s, this dress is based on a gorgeous evening gown. It is very well cut, and is a really figure-flattering dress. The silk crepe fabric has a lovely heavy drapey quality, and the soft pleats on the upper section of the skirt create a small peplum effect. It has a subtle cowl neck at the front and a low back  with sparkling ivory and silver beaded trim. A small belt - sparkly or simple - completes the look.

BLANCHE
Based on a perfectly proportioned 1950s dress, a sweet flirty shape in gorgeous French lace, with a pretty sweetheart bodice. The dress has  a boat neck, low back  and flattering short sleeves. This lovely shape flatters most body types.

CHANTILLY
This super-pretty dress is based on a classic 1950s shape. The lovely swishy skirt is made in a really special Italian silk organza, and comes in a range of lengths. The bodice is made from fine french Chantilly lace with a contrasting mocha lining for a pretty vintage colourway. 

STELLA
A classic chic 1960s style, which  flatters many body shapes. STELLA has a boat neck and low back, with a French lace overlay and a neat ribbon bow on the waist.

AUDREY
A beautifully shaped, neat cover-up, AUDREY works particularly well with STARLIGHT and BUTTERFLY. 

The fabric is embroidered silk organdie - made in England by a family firm who have been lace-makers for three generations. The jacket hem is edged with a vintage-style beaded leaf trim.

For more information on any of these dresses, and information on how to order,
please see my 'Heavenly Collection' section.

All photography thanks to Robert Lawler Photography.

Chloe, so pretty in her 1950s-style lace wedding dress.

Dear Reader,
Today I'd like to share these lovely photos from real vintage bride Chloe...

Chloe was a complete pleasure to work with. And as well as beautiful bride, I was delighted to meet her charming family - mum Sharon, Aunt, and sister Marnie. Together, I think we found Chloe the perfect vintage-style wedding dress...

Chloe looked fabulous in 1950s-inspired Blanche from the Heavenly Collection. She chose the ballerina length with a 3/4 sleeve, trimmed with a silk ribbon and handmade silk rose...

And in Chloe's own words,

" I must say everybody loved and complemented it, especially my now husband :) "

 

Chloe was a lovely client, and we had such fun finding the right dress...

"You honestly made wedding dress shopping an absolute dream, I was always worried before I started that I would feel uncomfortable standing around shops, being put in and taken out of dresses.

But from the moment I met you I instantly felt relaxed. I knew from our first meet back last October that I would not look anywhere else for a wedding dress. I'm very, very pleased to have found you!"

 

Chloe accessorised the dress with pretty Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon shoes, a neat mini-veil, and bold red bouquet...

Now I'll let Chloe introduce these photos of their happy day... 

"I hope these can show you what a wonderful day we had - and how myself and husband chose perfectly complementing outfits! 

It was like a proper old fashioned wedding day :) Thank you again, I hope to be directing many future brides in your direction."

Happy Days! Have a great weekend, and see you all next week, Heavenlies - when I shall have some more gorgeous real brides to show you.

Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, why not try...

A GUIDE TO 1950s WEDDING DRESSES

Photography with thanks to Funky Photographers