I spent a little time looking for wedding dresses in velvet, It could have been the pictures or the fact most were from the 20’s or 30’s but I couldn’t find anything mind blowing. I will have to have a look at some white or ivory velvet the next time I am in a fabric shop and see how it behaves.
Velvet is amazing in rich colours and I have complied below a selection of ideas.
A subtle detail
Flowers with the look of velvet
A touch of Vintage
Chic bridesmaids
When my Aunty Marg went through her fabric stash and told me I could take what I liked I don’t think she expected this. A black and Ivory stripe taffeta that was so old I could tear it with a pin carefully pleated and sculpted into this amazing dress.
I used this dress for the finale of the parade. It worked beautifully with the black sequin bridesmaids. I also had a strapless sequin dress I borrowed back from its owner to use for the maid of honour.
The floral crowns were all made by Jill at the Little Bouquet in Merimbula. A tiny little comb held the veil in place and the crown sat over the top. I loved that they were so lush and dramatic, the perfect complement to a dramatic dress.
Black is a colour being embraced more and more at weddings. Living in Australia we are naturally drawn towards the sun so as a contrast to that I have been searching for the pieces to put together a wedding fit for midnight.
A bride likes to stand out on her day and white is certianly a great way to do that. To stand out in a black or coloured dress is also possible, the dress just has to be a showstopper.
Above Tara Latour, Vera wang, Vintage charles james, Dior, Dior, Zac Posen, Dior, Marchesca.
To go with the dark and moody dress some dark and moody flowers
Begonia leaves, Autumn leaves and artichokes, Black berries and purple roses, eucalyptus and ferns painted black.
channel Queen Victoria with a mourning tiara.
Save the money you would spend on a venue with a view and use it for wine and chocolate. Any venue filled with candles is going to be wonderful. Choose winter so the sun sets early, or better yet if you think your guests will not whinge too much set the ceremony time for midnight.
Try including a fragile little twig in your wedding, They offer the contrast of a solid line against the softer blooms included in a bouquet. consider painting them as a way to add some colour. Green twigs will be less fragile as they will bend before they break but sometimes only the dry ones will do as they are more delicate.
Sticks used for decoration of the reception. Firstly was a marquee so there was no issue with the bride suspending an incredible stick chandelier. The second is in a restaurant so may require some sweet talking to your venue owner. Lastly twigs painted gold for some extra glamour. These would look wonderful used in a vase with lots of white and coral pink peonies, highlighted with foliage and their little yellow centres.
Twigs wound into hair. Etsy has an incredible selection of jewlery made from cast silver or gold twigs if you would like to buy one but I think that with a little time and spray paint a crown of golden twigs could easily be made. If you use fresh green twigs they won’t be so brittle so will last well all day.
A gorgeous choice for a summer day wedding.
Above is the Incredible Ulyana Sergeenko in a striking gingham dress. The skirt shows the gingham pattern stretching and moving. This is because of a full circle skirt which shows off fabric beautifully because 4 points in the skirt sit on the bias.
Brush strokes soften the bold gingham print on this Caroilna Harrera skirt. I wonder if I could create this look with actual brush strokes, I like the thought of using white silk with a hint of colour in the paint.
This Oscar de la Renta gown uses a sheer ribbon sewn onto the fabric to create the gingham effect.
The same gingham effect is created by Aria bridal using 2 layers of stripes at 90 degrees to each other. I love the look of this dress for a day wedding. The gingham effect would shift as the layers of the skirt moved against each other. This dress is called Dorothy, after the Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and her iconic gingham dress.
Another way Gingham is created is through pleating the fabric in 2 directions, 90 decrees to each other. I love this Christian Dior dress for the variation in width of the pleats which create a modern take on gingham.
All the methods of creating gingham through layering of fabric would be achievable in a made to measure dress. Using white on white would give texture in a more subtle way than some of these examples. Creative ways of using basic fabrics can give amazing results.
I can understand the reluctance a bride has when she finds her perfect dress to cover it up. I think that may be why so few Australian brides choose a wedding in winter.
Iwould like to put forward some ideas to inspire anyone considering a cold weather wedding.
Texture and softness with hand knits
A knitted dress in fine yarn
Gloves if you are happy to make everyone wait as you carefully peel one off for your exchange of rings.
Fingerless gloves if you don’t want any drama
Embellished socks and heels
A sequin cloche or beanie for a bride who isn’t worried about her hair or looks super cute with her hair all tucked up in a hat.
A cream jacket purchased within budget then given the Chanel haute couture treatment with sew on jewels.
PS, I love knitting and crochet and would love to sit down with a winter bride and plan her dress as well as her hand knittted cashmere shawl….
An Inspired Idea, A classic little white jacket for over a wedding dress
I have always loved a costume change (why I love a good Kylie concert) and I love to be able to give a bride a whole new outfit with a creative idea. In this case the dress underneath was a secret to everyone until after the ceremony. The neckline of the dress was almost as deep as the collar of the jacket giving just a glimpse of what was below.
This jacket should also inspire brides to consider a wedding in the cooler months. This is the perfect way to keep warn and still look polished.
