Jumat, 05 Juni 2015

Jen in original 1940s vintage wedding dress: our Vintage Bride of the Week...

Dear Reader,
Today I'd like to share these charming images from Jen, whose wedding to Dan took place in the romantic surroundings of  Augill Castle in Cumbria...

Jen chose an original 1940s vintage wedding dress in rayon crepe with an elegant 'French knot' pattern – sophisticated and glamorous. With its elegant long sleeves, puddle train and pretty keyhole back, it suited lovely Jen to a T!

Jen prettily teamed it with Rachel Simpson 'Blossom' bridal shoes, roses from Petals of Cumbria and a bespoke jewel necklace. My brilliant seamstress Grace created her pretty headpiece from original vintage brooches. 

The wedding's theme was peacock feathers, so luscious jewel blues and greens were everywhere – from the stunning silk bridesmaids dresses (handmade by wonderful step-mum Susan, with a teeny bit of help from Jen) to the gorgeous cakes by talented sister Vicki… and even personalised bunting created by a family friend!
Beautiful bridesmaids! Chloe, Lauren, Sian and Evie...
…and little Rosie too (bribed with marshmallows to sit still for a moment)!
Jen and her darling family loved the experience of choosing the dress…
"Step-mum Susan, my sisters and I loved poring over your blog and website when I was making the choice of where to find my dress. As soon as we read your pages we knew that was it –  I didn't need to look any further.
And the whole experience of picking the dress at your lovely house was so enjoyable for my step-mum Susan and I to do together... so much so I wish I could do it again!"
The day itself was perfect too: an intimate family wedding with just 46 guests (ranging in age from 6 months to a fabulous 103 years!)
And with super-stylish Grandma Irene (103 years young!) in raspberry pink cocktail dress
"The castle was gorgeous – the most stunning setting, with lovely vintage interiors and wonderful service. It even snowed bang on three o'clock as our ceremony started! While we were doing the speeches a deer wandered across the front lawn in front of the windows. Just perfect!"

Congratulations from Heavenly and all our readers to lovely Jen – you look stunning. And of course to lucky husband Dan too!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please check out...
1940s Inspired Wedding Dresses… 



Venue  Augill Castle, Cumbria
Headpiece by Grace Lamming
Shoes by Rachel Simpson Wedding Shoes
Necklace by Etsy
Flowers by Petals of Cumbria
Photography by Janet Ridley Photography
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Kamis, 28 Mei 2015

Josie in 1950s-style wedding dress, our Real Vintage Bride of the Week.

Dear Reader, 
Our Vintage Bride of the Week is Josie, so sweetly pretty in a 1950s inspired wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection...

Josie chose the Chantilly dress... with one or two extra special touches. While Chantilly is based on an original 1950s design with a swishy prom-style skirt, Josie has a lovely understated style and was looking for a gentler effect. So we gave her dress a softer, slimmer skirt – for a more romantic flowing look.

The second unique touch is this beautiful beaded belt. It was created – by my super-talented seamstress Grace – from the original Edwardian wedding dress worn by Josie's Great Grandmother!

Together with the elegant dress, the delicate and subtle wildflowers (in such lovely colours), and Josie's pretty braided hair with flower crown, the overall effect is quite ethereal – and so beautiful. 
How nice to see one of my dresses transformed into a new look!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try…
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Sabtu, 23 Mei 2015

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…
Vintage Bride Rachel getting ready for the ceremony in gorgeous 1903s wedding dress
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!) 
Rachel, groom and bridesmaids
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...
Rachel and groom at the ceremony
Sometimes simple really is best, isn't it!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try…
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Jumat, 15 Mei 2015

Friday Inspiration – the making of a Dior couture dress.

Dear Reader,
For our inspiration today, I think you'll enjoy this fabulous short video by fashion magazine Visionaire, all about the making of a couture dress. It makes the crazy prices of couture fashion seem a little more understandable...

Make yourself a nice cup of tea, kick back and relax for a moment, and marvel…!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try...

Alexander McQueen at the V&A


Dior video with thanks to Visionaire / Refinery 29



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Selasa, 12 Mei 2015

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.
Here's some of the glamorous 1950s inspiration behind this classic style…
Brigitte Bardot, 1956
Princess Grace of Monaco, 1955
Bride Magazine 1958
1950s Vogue bridal shoot
Brides Magazine, 1955
Elizabeth Taylor and Nicky Hilton, 1950
The mid-length vintage-style veil – fit for a Princess!
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





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Jumat, 08 Mei 2015

Friday Inspiration – Vintage Style at the Met Gala.

Dear Reader,
New York's annual fashion bonanza – the Met Gala – took place earlier this week…
Actress Wei Tang in Burberry Prorsum, with Burberry's Christopher Kane
Helen Mirren, red hot in 1940s-inspired Dolce & Gabbana
The Met Gala is the fashion world's answer to the Oscars. And as so often, designers looked to vintage for their inspiration... 
Kerry Washington in Prada
Anne Hathaway in 1940s-style Ralph Lauren hooded gown
Emma Roberts in Ralph Lauren
Lily Donaldson in Custom TopShop!
Here's a few of my fabulous favourites for our Friday inspiration. Enjoy!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides


All photos with thanks to Vogue.co.uk
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Rabu, 06 Mei 2015

My vintage inspired wedding dresses are now available in Ireland! Meet lovely Pam of Vintage Bride!

Dear Reader,
Today I'm thrilled to introduce my charming new stockist, Pam of Vintage Bride.

Pam has her own private showroom in Dublin, Ireland. Here she stocks beautiful original vintage dresses and a small range of carefully selected vintage-inspired wedding dresses and accessories... 
My Butterfly 1930s style wedding dress at Vintage Bride's 'Bridal Showcase'
From the moment we met, I knew Pam was the right person to bring my own Heavenly Collection of vintage-inspired wedding dresses to Ireland. I'm delighted to announce that Vintage Bride is already stocking my Butterfly and Angel 1930s-style wedding dresses and my Bette 1940s-style dress. 
Butterfly 1930s style wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection
Angel 1930s inspired wedding dress from the Heavenly Collection
Butterfly 1930s style wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection
Butterfly 1930s style wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection
Bette 1940s inspired wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection
Bette 1940s inspired wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection
In addition, Vintage Brides will soon be stocking my 1940s-inspired Florence and 1960s-style Stella wedding dress...
1940s inspired vintage wedding dress, Florence, with keyhole back
1940s style wedding dress Florence
1940s style Florence wedding dress, elegant lace shoulders
Florence, 1940s style wedding dress with lace flutter sleeves
1940s-style Florence from front, showing lace flutter sleeve version
Stella 1960s inspired wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection
Stella 1960s style lace wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection
Pam has just organised the first fashion show featuring my dresses. Her 'Bridal Showcase' looks like a wonderfully fun and elegant affair!
My Butterfly dress (right) at the Bridal Showcase
Butterfly (left) at Vintage Bride's Bridal Showcase
If you'd like to contact Pam, you can find her website and Facebook pages here. 
Good luck Pam and Hello Ireland!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

Dress photos with thanks to Robert Lawler Photography
Bridal Showcase photos with thanks to Paul Kelly Studio 3 Photography

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