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…

Read more

This is my 1960s wedding dress, by vintage bride Carlye.

Dear Reader,
This week, I'm letting go of the reins! I'm handing you over to fabulous vintage bride Carlye. In her week–long takeover, Carlye's going to give you the skinny on how she created her super–stylish wedding to Jason in July…

Hi Heavenlies,  I'm Carlye! This is my day, my experience, my story for you... and my advice! Today, I'm going to talk about choosing my wedding dress...

I knew I wanted a vintage style dress. But at first, I thought original vintage would be too difficult to find, or just wouldn't fit me – I'm quite tall and don't really have a waist!

I first tried my local wedding shop back home. I tried on some stunning dresses from well–known designers, but something just didn't feel right. Even their vintage–style dresses looked and felt too modern. It felt like the dresses wore me and I was getting lost somehow – surprising since I wear vintage pieces anyway. 

I stopped to really think about what I wanted, and decided to be true to myself: it had to be vintage, 1960s and long. I liked the idea of something unique, a dress with history and a soul. I wanted to wonder who'd worn the dress before me. I knew  it would be lucky to wear something so special. 

Then I found Helena and just had a feeling I didn't need to look anywhere else. That was it! Having seen her website with all the stunning vintage dresses, I knew she'd understand and be able to find my dress. I instantly emailed her to make an appointment. 

I loved that I was invited to Helena's home. It felt so welcoming and personal. Having met Helena, I quickly fell in love – like I was going to my auntie's house to raid her time machine of days gone by. 

Helena always offered me a cup of tea – a great start since I love tea. Then she would just leave me be for a little while, to browse at my leisure. No pressure. I could let my mind wander, and imagine all the beautiful brides before. Easy since Helena has a collection of amazing dresses and veils, and pictures of vintage bride–and–grooms! 

Helena was so lovely and thoughtful. She would help you try things on and give you options of how you could alter or customise a dress to suit. I was instantly drawn to the 60s dresses and the 50s ones, and tried quite a number of styles. (Surprise, surprise!)

It took a couple of visits to find the one. And I took my mum and sister with me on the second visit. 

Previously, we'd established 60s and lace was the way to go. Then, it was as if she found this dress just for me. It was fate as no-one had tried it on yet – or I'm sure someone would have snapped it up! It was stunning! I remember getting really excited looking at it hanging on the rack. In my head I was thinking, it's 60s, tick. Lace, tick. Long train, tick. 

I loved the colour as it was an unusual creamy lemon. (I'm very pale and don't suit white or pure cream.) I thought: this is the one. Please please please fit! As I tried it on, it was SO perfect I actually cried. It didn't quite fit as I couldn't fasten it (my waist issue!) but Helena was so quick to reassure me that would be ok. And then I met Grace. 

Grace is another lovely lady – and very talented. She was instantly warm and friendly: it was like going to see your big sister! Grace too reassured me she could work her magic. She cleverly made a panel in the back with a keyhole detail, and moved the buttons so it would do up. The alterations were very sympathetic to the dress and you would never know the difference as both Helena and Grace have a great knowledge of vintage fashion and techniques! I knew I was in safe hands. 

We had so much fun over subsequent fittings with my mum and sister, looking at lace and pearls to finish the alterations. I asked Helena if she could find out some information about my dress and was excited to learn that it's made by a designer called House of Bianchi which is the sister company to Pricilla of Boston – both well known designers in the 50s and 60s. 

Priscilla of Boston made Grace Kelly's bridesmaid dresses. So I feel like I have a little piece of fashion history. She also showed me my pictures of Helena's other brides in the same designer! 

I absolutely love my dress! It is perfect in every way and I'm so grateful to have found it with the help of Helena and Grace! Fairy Godmothers do exist! The time and effort gone into cleaning, repairing, altering it – not to mention the beading and lacework – is astounding. 

Helena also found the perfect veil to finish the look! A stunning, full–length veil made to a 1960s pattern. It was actually made in the 80s, which is perfect as this was the decade I was born in – so I loved that I could add this to my dress. The veil added a bit of drama and made me feel like a princess! I didn't want to take it off! 

Helena also let my sister change into her bridesmaid dress so we could see how the look would work together. I loved that the creams together looked a bit like the famous photo of Grace Kelly with her bridesmaids! I loved this attention to detail and salute to the designer. I felt honoured and also a bit of responsibility to be able to bring a piece of 1956 into 2015! 

My mum paid for my dress, which we called Gracious as she is so beautiful like Grace Kelly (and it's my mum's nickname for me!) 

Helena was very reasonable in her pricing, considering all the time and care that went into my dress. Compared to buying a new dress (which let's face it can be very, very expensive), you can make a great saving and you know Helena isn't just in it for the money! She genuinely loves what she does and is very passionate. I would recommend her vintage experience to anyone, and if you're like me, you get to cherish a piece of fashion history, to pass down to your children one day! 

I loved the whole experience and feel very honoured to be one of Helena's Girls! 

Shucks, thank you so much Carlye... I'm blushing! Carlye looks completely amazing in the dress – as you'll see in the next post when she tells us all about the big day. Can't wait…
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

For a snapshot of more Real Vintage Brides, check out my website page here…

Carlye's photographs with thanks to Alice of The Vintage Wedding Photographer

Read more

A 1960s Lace Wedding Dress for Ambreen – Mad Men Style.

Dear Reader,
Today we have Real Vintage Bride Ambreen, looking fabulous in an original 1960s lace wedding dress...

Ambreen's cocktail–style dress in superb quality lace is a classic 1960s style. With its close–fitted bodice, three–quarter sleeves and on–the–knee length, it perfectly shows off Ambreen's gorgeous hourglass figure and chic style. 

Ambreen cleverly kept her accessories simple – Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon shoes, a pearl bracelet and a pretty birdcage veil, created bespoke by my brilliant seamstress Grace.

A fabulous Mad Men look, for a wonderfully individual wedding.

Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you'd like to see more 1960s–style wedding dresses, 

please click here…

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

Read more

Clare in 1960s-style lace wedding dress – our Vintage Bride of the Week.

Dear Reader,
Meet Clare – in 1960s-inspired lace wedding dress 'Stella'…

For her wedding to Ed, Clare teamed the all-lace Stella dress with a gorgeous 60s-style updo and fabulous super-high heels for a chic and slinky look. (Look close further down the post and you'll see she cleverly has a pair of flats on standby for dancing in!)

Clare talks about her experience of choosing the perfect vintage wedding dress…

"I found Helena on a last minute hunt for a dress after another option fell through. It was the most welcoming and relaxed experience. 

I shopped around a bit and didn't find anywhere else that offered such an individual and special approach. 

All Helena's dresses are beautiful and as well as finding the right dress for me I had a brilliant time trying on a selection – some vintage and other originals all made or altered by Helena. They're all unique and alterations are offered by another lovely lady called Grace who Helena works with. (I've already recommended them to many friends!) 

I loved wearing this dress on a day that I enjoyed more then I could possibly have imagined."

"I have never been a girl that has dreamt of the perfect wedding day or much of weddings at all to be honest but I absolutely loved it. I knew we'd have a lovely day but I had completely underestimated how very special it would be and as a memory always will be. 

To have all the people you love with you to celebrate your future together is like nothing else. A day full of smiles, warmth, tears and much much love, topped off with dancing into the early hours."

And let's give gorgeous vintage bride Clare the last word today,

"...Happy wedding days and future journeys where ever they may lead!"

Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try
My Top 7 vintage brides of 2014

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

Read more

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

Read more