Anatomy of a wedding: Retrobride returns

I'm back! And now my own wedding is done and dusted, I'll have more time to help you plan yours! Despite all the last-minute stress and worry, the day went like a dream. All those little details I'd been thinking of for months came together and every guest seems to be congratulating us on what a fun day it was. I've previously been a bit cagey about my dress, but now I can post a picture.

I had planned on making my own, and stumbled upon this one by accident. It really was my dream dress - classic in shape but still a bit unconventional. It still looked fabulous after about a foot had been cut off, to accommodate my (lack of) height. The dress is by Rembo Styling - a company I would highly recommend to anyone looking for something a bit different. It's a Belgian company that few British Bridal shops stock, but they are well worth tracking down. My dress is from a past collection, but there are many inspiring choices in the 2012 collection too.

The Bridal shop I bought the dress from were keen to sell me a £100 veil, but I bought one for under £20 on ebay and cut it to the right length. I wore black patent hush puppy 'Noella' shoes.

They do up with ribbons and were girly, but comfortable enough to wear all day and definitely a more practical option than the usual white satin. The Bridesmaids,  Maid of Honour, and myself all wore black and white striped 'Alice in Wonderland' style tights. I thought we all looked great in them, and they added just a bit of a Tim Burton feel, without going too Goth.

So, next post - the boys and bridesmaids!

signing out as Miss to become a Mrs

My own wedding is next week, so you would have to excuse my recent lack of posts. To make up for that here is a link to a wonderful blog, with plently of photos of period wedding dresses for you to drool over. Enjoy, I shall be back after the honeymoon…

The Bridal Blues

Most brides wear a blue ribbon garter as their 'something blue' but why not use this old tradition as a way to introduce a colourful edge to your Bridal look? Pale blue lacey lingerie is pretty, flattering, and a nice departure from the usual cream or white bridal sets. This blue bra from TopShop is a gorgeous blue and comes with matching knickers in two styles.

As you know, I'm no fan of white satin shoes. You have to be a brave bride to pull this off, but why not go bold and blue on your footwear? You could stick to pale blue satin or really rock things up with these amazing blue suede heels.

If you and your husband-to-be plan to exchange gifts on the day, you could do worse than hint that these stunning Butler & Wilson pearl and topaz earrings would make the ideal wedding day gift. They would look wonderful with almost any period of retro dress, and they will give you joy for many years to come.

On the other hand, if you want to keep your 'something blue' down to a few quid, you could choose blue nail varnish as an alternative to the usual French manicure. Anything from metallic Royal blue to high-shine Cadillac turquoise could do, but I rather like this pale lilac-blue from Model's Own.

Back to the boys - dressing the Groom

My boyfriend likes to dress up - and no, I don't mean like batman! He likes well-made, well-fitting, classic, but interesting clothes. We have spent just as much time choosing his outfit for our wedding as I did on my dress. In the end we have chosen to mix a vintage morning suit with a new, tailor-made waistcoat. When we were trying to source the perfect outfit I was shocked at just how few places offer decent menswear. The Groom has as much right to feel special and smart on his wedding day as the bride does in her dream dress.

If your chap is looking for a classic Morning suit, well-established companies such as Ede & Ravenscroft or Favourbrook are likely to be your first stop. But if you would prefer something a little more interesting, I would recommend finding a tailor who can really work out and make that perfect suit, or even a flamboyant silk waistcoat to liven up a traditional Morning suit jacket or frock coat. If you can afford to, why not use a young British tailor like James Michelsberg. If you have a budget but don't want to cut on style, a company like Cad & The Dandy could well be the answer. Their fantastic website allows you to choose from a very wide range of styles and fabric, but at various prices (depending on the level of hand-sewing undertaken). The best thing is that the website shows you drawings of the different styles, and photos of happy customers, so your groom can see exactly what he's getting.

Kid’s stuff - little bridesmaids and how to dress them

I have spent a lot of time thinking up the perfect outfits for my two 7yr-old bridesmaids to wear. I didn’t want anything too sophisticated, or too frilly either. It’s also important the girls feel comfortable in what they are wearing. Here are four dresses for the junior members of your bridal party.

This green dress from Monsoon is a gorgeous colour and the detailed beading gives it a rather Deco edge.

Mini Boden can be relied on if you’re aiming for a timeless look. This broderie anglais dress is a 50s shape and the fabric is crisp and pretty.

There’s a new film of The Great Gatsby being made and high fashion is already heading towards the 1920s look. This dress is a 20s shape and the lovely colour and flower detail make it perfect for a summer wedding.

This is another summery number, this time from Joules. Although they are less formal, don’t write off cotton frocks, they can still be a great option for your little bridesmaids.

back to perfect wedding shoes

There's been  a gap since my last blog post, because my own wedding day is getting closer and closer! We have found that the only way to get things done is to have a list broken down into jobs for every single evening and weekend. My big worries for this week are choosing a first dance, finding someone to teach us, and working out whether I'll be able to dance at all in my wedding dress!

It's so hard keeping the dress secret from my partner, I really want to show it to him because I'm so excited. My poor friends are having to put up with over-excited bride-to-be emails instead.

Spending time online looking for things to include in my blog is actually a good way to relax, so I shall carry on even if my own wedding plans are getting scarier by the minute. So this week, take a look at a few of my suggestions for wedding shoes. The styles are retro, or will go well with a vintage dress. The prices are reasonable (given the price of everything else wedding-related, that should be a welcome surprise!)

Pair 1 - I have little wide feet, and much as I love the pointiest of shoes, I don't want to hobble through the evening dance at my wedding. Hush Puppies makes really pretty, vintageinspired  high heels that are still comfortable hours after you put them on. This pair are almost TOO cute, but paired with a low-key (maybe 60s or 70s) dress they will give the whole outfit that special touch

Pair 2 - If you are taller than your man and want to steer clear of sky-scraping heels this pair could be just right for you. Also good for anyone who wants pretty feet but 'doesn't do heels'.

Pair 3 - I'm 4 foot 11, so for me a pair of high heels just gets me to average height. I prefer to wear wedges or platforms - they give you height with less wobble! These silver platforms are high without being clunky, and the style would actually look fine with anything vintage, from 30s to 70s and everything in between.

Pair 4 - I can't stand pink, but I'm happy to accept that other people love it. For a deco style dress - anything bias-cut and slinky, this pair of pale blush heels would really go very well. They're a nice mix of deco and modern styling, come in silver, and have a matching clutch.

Pair 5 - back to Hush Puppies, these medium heels look like the 1960s version of Victorian. The shiny white leather and little hearts detail make them ideal as a slightly quirky choice for bridal shoes.
 

Black Bride Pride?

Although rare, black models do get into catwalk shows for leading bridal fashion collections. But why are bridal magazines so uniformly white and caucasian? If you flick through those hideous pink-and-white shiny pages you will see white brides with their white grooms. It's about time women of all shapes, colours and ethnic backgrounds were represented in the advertising and journalism that covers the 'wedding insdustry'. I'd love to see wedding magazines and websites use some of those stunning models I have included in my photo collage - white girls are not the only ones who get married.

Wedding dresses - an alternative to white

Blush satin 1930s
The hint of colour in this 1930s dress gives the satin a warm glow

Palest green 1950s net
The unusual colour of this floaty 50s number makes it stand out from the wedding dress crowd

Make a grand entrance in vampish red
This dress features a wonderful vintage cut and you'll swagger down that aisle with attitude

Pale pink wiggle
The slinky shape of this wiggle dress stops it being too little girl-ish

Vintage venues part 2: outside London

Of course, the U.K has a huge range of venues to suit whatever vintage theme you decide on. Whether you'd like Deco in Devon or Victorian Gothic in Yorkshire, you'll be able to find something. My four suggestions cover a range of geographical locations, but also show how the venue you choose can be the inspiration behind the style for the rest of the wedding.

Brighton Pavilion is gloriously mad. A Regency mish mash of Oriential and Asian styles, this former Royal residence can be your own Wonderland. You could stay true to the period of the building and hold a Regency-themed wedding but Brighton Pavilion could be the venue for something far more unusual.Let your imagination run wild, the Prince Regent who commissioned it certainly did.

Inverary is a place that is not obviously one period, but it's a quiet, beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne in Scotland, where you can settle in for your special day and feel that time has stopped entirely. It's worth the long journey to get there because Inverary offers the hospitality and tranquility you don't find in the selfish bustle of most modern towns.

Your reception on a North Yorkshire steam train will give you and your guests a day to remember. Whether you'd like to pretend you're on your way to Hogwarts, or would actually like to recreate the sinister elegance of an Agatha Christie 'Murder Mystery', a meal in a Pullman carriage of your own will give you ever-changing countryside views with vintage train surroundings.

Some girls (and boys) will never give up their dream of a fairytale castle wedding. Castell Coch in Wales is as pretty as a cartoon castle but with a long and interesting history. It will provide a gorgeous backdrop for your wedding, whether you want to play at Knights and Princesses or just want a dramatic room to match your Victorian groom or Medieval wedding dress.

Vintage venues part 1: London

Finding the perfect venue for your vintage wedding will depend on all sorts of things. The number of people you are trying to accomodate, your budget, the best location, but most of all the overall look and how that fits in with the vintage theme you have in mind. I will continue this thread with other regional venues, but thought I would start with 4 really different venues in London.

Deco decadence:

Eltham Palace

If you have elegance  in mind you can't do better than this amazing mansion. Eltham has original interiors which display the very best of  Deco design. If you are having a summer wedding Eltham also benefits from lovely gardens and plenty of outside space - not something you usually find in a London venue.

Victorian Music Hall:

Wilton's Music Hall

Wilton's is a bit of a hidden gem for those 'in the know'. A Victorian Music Hall which is teetering on the edge of dereliction, Wilton's is atmospheric and theatrical - a faded beauty which would suit an evening wedding at any time of the year. 

Pre Raphaelite dream:

Leighton House

Created by Lord Frederick Leighton, this house is a Pre-Raphaelite imagining of an Arabic interior. The rooms feature beautifully detailed wooden screens and vividly coloured tiles - you'll feel like you are stepping into one of Leighton's sumptuous paintings.

Ridiculously OTT:

Café de Paris

If you'd like a venue which sums up the fast-living glamour of the pre-war London night clubs, then why not aim for the top and book the Cafe de Paris? Cole Porter, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich...the list of club clientele is enough to make anyone covet this place as their dream venue.  

If none of these suggestions is quite right for you, I would recommend this great website to help you find your own vintage venue.

Dressing a Bride with a bump!

Two of the happiest occasions in a woman's life are usually accepted to
be her wedding day and being pregnant. Although it's not often planned
that way, these days more and more women are having to work out what to
do when these happy events happen to coincide! Lily Allen proved when
she beamed over her baby bump on her wedding day that it's
possible to be a beautiful Retrobride even WITH a bump. 

There are a few companies now who have recognised a gap in the wedding
fashion market and a pregnant bride has plently of dress options to
choose from. An Empire line dress is the most obvious choice and if you
wanted that sweet Austen heroine look you could go for a Regency
inspired gown. But there's no reason you have to look demure. The
'multi-way' dress sold online by Seraphine (here) is slinky without
losing any class. The versatile straps allow you to change between
Grecian twisted straps look or aa slightly 70s looking halterneck style.

Vintage options for bridesmaids

So far I’ve posted lots of info about vintage wedding dresses, but I’ve barely mentioned the other people involved in the average wedding party. If you want 6 bridesmaids in matching dresses you’ll struggle to find a vintage option. For you the best plan is to reproduce vintage dresses using an original pattern.

But if you have one Maid of Honour then there are plenty of pretty vintage dresses to choose from. Pippa Middleton’s dress drew as much attention as her sister’s, and to go for a similar slinky line you could dress your MofH in a bias-cut 1930s dress. If you are using online auctions websites try searching in the Formal Wear section of the Vintage Clothes pages for vintage evening dresses or ball gowns. 1950s New Look eveningwear is another good choice for a full-length dress but if you want to buy a cocktail-length dress you may find that 1940s fashions offer a better choice.

Think about the fabric too. For a winter wedding the 30s and 40s velvet dresses are warm and often come in lovely jewel colours. For a Spring or Summer wedding a cotton organdie or print dress will be light and pretty.

Designer profile - Edith Head

I plan to profile a 'designer of the past' each month, and the first I have chosen is Edith Head. Unlike designers working for fashion houses, Head made her name as an Oscar-winning designer of film costumes. Although her career started in the 1920s and ended in the 1970s, she is most often remembered for her work on 1950s films. It was in the 50s that Head designed costumes for Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Sofia Loren.

For any Retrobride, Edith Head's dress designs for Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn are the ones to pick out. Both actresses liked Head's designs for them so much that they chose to wear Edith Head dresses to important events in their private lives. Audrey Hepburn wore a specially altered version of her 'Roman Holiday' Edith Head costume when she accepted her Oscar for the film in 1954, and Kelly chose to wear a blue satin Edith Head dress when she accepted her own Oscar in 1955.

Off to Ireland in search of Wedding Rings

I'm flying to Dublin tonight and will spend a few days staying near the coast in beautiful Galway. I have been to Ireland a few times now and I love the fact that unlike English town centres full of endless chain stores, over there they still have a thriving range of independent shops.

This makes Ireland the ideal place to search for wedding rings. I am getting married in May and I have struggled to find any rings that both my partner and I like. Most of the generic designs out there are either clunky, boring or covered in tacky stones.

I would like something elegant, but also unusual - I'll report on my wedding ring search when I get back. Here are some rings I like...

Punk not pink!

Retro fashion doesn’t have to be all about demure frocks, perfect hair and manicures. At the moment fashion seems to be looking back to the 70s and 80s for inspiration. Now I’m not about to suggest that you doll yourself up like Kylie in that infamous Neighbours wedding. Uggh, that was not a good look. Overall I’d have to say that 80s wedding fashions were generally ghastly.

What I DO suggest is that you ignore the frills and go punk instead! Paula Yates married Bob Geldof in 1986 and her scarlet dress and matching veil put a radical twist on the traditional Bridal outfit. Why not use Blondie as an inspiration to create a look that’s feminine but edgy and a bit messed up around the edges? Her one-shouldered dress and blond-with-dark-roots hair would look great strutting down the aisle. Annie Lennox is a woman I admire for all sorts of reasons far more significant than her fashion sense. But if you have the guts to go a bit punk, why not copy her amazing sprayed-on eye makeup from the Freddie Mercury tribute concert? So, who’s got a Groom ready to dress up like Bowie?

If you have cash to splash, the designers to choose are Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. Westwood started out dressing punks with clothes sold from her shop ‘Sex’. These days she’s calmed down a bit, but you can still guarantee her dresses will have an edge to them that’s worth paying for.

First Dance Decade?

I have to admit that watching ‘Strictly’ is one of my guilty secrets. The ‘first dance’ at your wedding is likely to be one of the only times you actually have to plan something, instead of making do with the drunken disco you usually get away with on a night club dance floor.

Although you might (I hope) want to give the orange tan, feather boas and neon colours a miss, you should think about the style of dance that would best suit you as a couple and the outfits you’ll be wearing on the day. Although I’d love to learn a Tango for my own wedding, my dress will cover up my legs and all those ‘kicks and flicks’ will be rendered invisible!

Going ‘retro’ for your dance might include learning a 40s Lindy Hop if you’re feeling energetic, a Charleston to fit your deco theme, or a classic Viennese Waltz if you are going for classic romance. Whatever you choose, practice hard and have lots of fun on the day – whatever you choose, it will be a dance to remember.

Small budget? Think 40s

I am not one of those fantasists who look back at the 1940s and think life back then was better. From talking to my own grandparents I know what a struggle life was during and after the War. This was particularly true for young couples hoping to get married. They had to deal with no time (most men and women got limited home leave from the forces), no money, and nothing to buy even if they could save up their cash and ration coupons. My Nana got married in a borrowed dress which fitted so badly she was embarrassed to wear it, and my Grandma bought a neat little suit she knew she could wear after the wedding.

If you are planning a wedding on a budget you could turn to the 1940s for some cost-saving retro inspiration.

Decorations: bunting and paper streamers

Wedding Cake: Homemade

Bride clothes: a pretty knee-length dress or a light-coloured suit

Food: In the 40s weddings were afternoon affairs. Put on a late afternoon tea with cakes and pastries. It will be cheaper than a heavy 3-course meal and you can always provide snacks later in the evening.

Another fun and economical option would be fish and chips. Maybe personalise it by printing your own wedding ‘newspaper’ to wrap it in?

Winter white

The weather has turned and as the light fades a winter chill has set in. I shiver when I think about winter brides in strapless dresses, shivering their way up the aisle. Modern dresses are usually made out of the lightest fabrics - satins, tulle, lace... But if we look back at bridal fashions in the past, the Victorians made intricate cream wool bustle gowns and in the 30s and 40s white velvet was a popular choice.

this stunning gown (a 1930s example in a classic bias-cut style) shows that even a long-sleeved velvet number can be a slinky and flattering option.

Modern dresses in velvet are hard to find but a quick trawl through Google came up with this

Dress patterns - vintage without worry

There are some drop-dead-gorgeous vintage dresses out there, and if you
see the one-off dress you can't live without then you'll need to make
sure that it's in good sturdy condition. Kate Moss made the headlines
(no change there) a few years back when the 1930s vintage silk
dress she was wearing disintegrated on a night out. You can't worry about your
dress on your wedding day, so how can you avoid a similar disaster?

You don't have to be an expert to check your dress - just take a close
look at the following:

Fabric - is it strong? It needs to be supple, and have no pull marks or
tears or thin patches when you hold it up to the light.

Seams - are they intact? often old thread rots with age and becomes
weakened. Check for pulled fabric at the seams.

Fixings - does the zip work? are the buttons all there and sewn on
tightly? Do the poppers still work? All of these things can be replaced
if neccessary.

If wearing a delicate vintage dress is too much stress for you, a good
alternative to a modern wedding gown is to use a vintage dress pattern to
have a repro vintage dress made especially for you. This is the ideal way
to get the look you want but with modern fabrics and a perfect made-to-measure fit.

There are many websites that sell vintage patterns like the ones below.

Very Vintage - auctions to watch

As a retro bride you may choose a vintage dress, or decide that a reproduction frock is a better choice. If you are after good quality vintage dress in wearable condition you can take a punt on ebay but I would suggest checking out one of the auction houses that specialise in vintage textiles and fashion.

Kerry Taylor Auctions made the papers recently after selling a few of Princess Diana's dresses. They regularly hold auctions of vintage clothing ranging from Regency to high-end 80s designers. The auctions have photos to look at online and you can pick up a beautiful dress for way less than a modern wedding gown. Here are a few due to be sold on 4th October:

1970s Ossie Clark
 

1920s velvet

1930s satin or crepe

Edwardian elegance 

Four dresses in one lot

Etsy - for alternatives to a veil or tiara

If you haven’t discovered Etsy yet, do take a look. It’s a great place to start if you want something a bit different in the headwear department. I’ll do a post on tiaras and veils later on, but why not go for an alternative that will still complement your retro frock?

60s/70s hippies fantasy look – go for a scattering of white butterflies

50s – A  bow-shaped Alice band  will match your prom-style gown

40s – War-time brides like my Grandma Sally often wore a day dress or suit instead of a white wedding dress. If you plan to do the same, be inspired by Sally Bloom and choose a pretty and dramatic hat

Here's Sally in her 1945 wedding photo

Bored of Bling?

modern swarovski crystal accessories - while being undoubtledy the sparkliest on the planet are possibly a bit TOO sparkly for Retrobride. The fashions in wedding jewellery seem to stick faithfully to the sparkle or pearl options. Unless you are lucky enough have an inherited diamond necklace, or classy string of pearls, why not check out some vintage costume jewellery as an alternative? Vintage diamante is often uneven in colour, with tarnished metal settings. As long as the settings are secure and all the stones are still there, taking the edge off the sparkle tones it down and this faded sparkle adds a 'Miss Havisham' charm to your retro bridal look. 

Another retro alternative to consider is marcasite. This pewter-grey sparkly jewellery was particularly popular in the 40s and you can buy some gorgeous antique pieces for quite low prices. It's a heavier, slightly Victorian Gothic look - great if you want to turn up the drama for an evening or winter wedding. A brooch corsage or an ornate ring could add the perfect touch without making you look like a crystal diamante nightmare.

White shoes? eerrrgh

Wedding fashions have changed and evolved over the years but one unfortunate fashion seems to have stuck - why on earth do we spend money on white satin shoes? There are so many alternatives and metallic shoes are a great idea. Still light, pretty, special - but with a bit of glamour. No need to worry about them being stained by mud and dust either. These vintage 30s and 40s strappy examples would look amazing peeping out under any style of dress:

Now that we are coming up to party season the shops are full of metallic shoes in all styles. Check out the selection at Schuh metallic shoes

Goodwood Glam

I was lucky enough to be one of the 40s girls walking about in uniform at the 2011 Goodwood Revival. A motor racing event might not be the most obvious place to look out for wedding style inspiration, but Goodwood had it all!

The event is a fantastic opportunity to spy out some retro looks. Outfits ranged from 20s flapper to 60s dolly bird with everything in between. In the market area apart from all the vintage clothes stalls there were also makes like Vivien of Holloway and Biba selling their retro-inspired frocks.

Vivien of Holloway  ( which you can find here Vivien of Holloway )is an ideal choice for a curvy bride looking to show off her Marilyn figure, while Biba has revived the long slim 70s silhouette that suits slim girls with long legs and a small bust. If Kate Moss's hippie look made you smile, maybe have a look at Biba's bridal range:  Biba bride

Who is RetroBride?

About me:

I'm 36, and work as an Academic Administrator at Oxford University, but with quite a lot of Film Extra work on the side. I shall be marrying Sam, who is a 28yr old Quantity Surveyor from Cheltenham. We will be getting married in May 2012, at the Divinity School in Oxford's Bodleian Library (which used to double up as the Hogwarts infirmary).

Sam and I met at a Tudor historical reenactment four years ago and I've always been a retro girl at heart. My wardrobe is packed with Victorian bodices, 60s mini dresses and 50s frocks. I describe myself as 'retro' rather than 'vintage', because I like to mix old styles without getting too bogged down by sticking to one era. When I was a kid I spent my pocket money on 50s dresses in Camden Market and now I'm getting married I have all sorts of retro styles and ideas I'd like to use. Most of all I want the wedding to be OURS - not a bland copy of somebody else's.

I was shocked and delighted when Sam proposed, half-way up a mountain while were on holiday in Cuba. Although the planning is daunting, so far we have had a lot of fun just bouncing ideas around. I might be a retro girl but I don't have retro attitudes - it's important to me that our wedding is as much Sam's day as my own. He's already created a webpage for our guests to refer to, so in his own way he's as creative as I am.

Now the date and venue are booked I can't wait to get on with the finer details. Deco decadence or Venetian vamp? Victorian elegance or 50s rock and roll, even Bollywood or Moulin Rouge? It will be fun finding out! One thing I can say for sure is that a Harry Potter themed wedding is out of the question, despite our magical venue...