Historical Wedding Inspiration 

Historical Wedding Dresses 

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Tips For Buying A Vintage Wedding Dress 

Every bride wants to look beautiful and unique on her wedding day. Rather than getting a dress off the rack, have you considered a vintage wedding dress? The classic beauty of a look that harkens back to an earlier era can transport you to a magical place.

Additionally, vintage wedding dresses often feature exquisite details and workmanship for a fraction of the price that you'd pay for a comparable modern dress.

But where can you find a vintage wedding dress? And what pitfalls should you watch out for when shopping for one?

The rules for buying a vintage wedding dress

Avoid dresses that have stains or need repairs. You know how hard it is to get out a stain that has been sitting for a couple of weeks, now imagine that stain has been sitting for 20 years or more.

Additionally, vintage fabrics are difficult to match with modern ones, so it isn't likely you will be able to patch or repair one. If you fall in love with a dress that needs repairs, all is not lost, but be prepared to pay a skilled seamstress $200 or more to fix it.

Be wary of the oldest dresses Fabric deteriorates over time. The good news is that because a vintage wedding dress was a special occasion outfit, it has likely been warn and handled far less than other garments, and thus might be in better shape.

I'd advise you to avoid any dress made before 1900, and to take a careful look at any 20's silk chiffons. Take some time to stretch the fabric, look at it, and note any weakening. Again, a skilled seamstress can stabilize some fabrics, but you'll need to be prepared for the cost.

Figure out your budget before you shop

This is a good rule for any wedding gown shopping, not just vintage wedding dresses. That way, you can avoid falling in love with the unattainable.

You will not wear your regular dress size in a vintage dress.

Not only have people generally gotten taller and thicker, but the clothing industry has been gradually adjusting sizes downward. If you're buying a dress online, the best thing to do is to carefully take your measurements and ask the seller to provide you with exact measurements as well. Check measurements like shoulders and rise as well as bust, waist, and hips. Be sure to leave some wiggle room so that you can comfortably move.

In a store, you'll often just have to try things on and be open to wearing a larger size. Since many dresses were worn with a girdle or corset, you may want to wear one as well. In this case, buy one before you've made your final wedding dress purchase so that you can make sure it will still fit properly.

And last, but certainly not least, be aware that most vintage dresses run from a modern size 0-6 or so, with a few going up to a 10 or 12, and many are on the short side. If you don't fit in this size range, you may want to consider other options, or be prepared to be patient.

Consider buying a reproduction, or making one

If it's the vintage look you're going for, you should know that many wedding dresses reference earlier eras, particularly the 40's and 50's. Visit a bridal salon, and tell them you're looking for a retro look. Some stores, such as Isadora's, may specialize in reproduction dresses. You can also check out vintage and reproduction vintage patterns if you're able to sew or to give to a seamstress.

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Links To Help You With Your Historical Wedding 

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Era Specific Vintage Wedding Dresses 

1940's Fashion

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Custom Historical and Goth Wedding Dresses 

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Great! I Know What I Want To Wear...But WHAT Should My Man Wear? 

When planning a historical wedding, finding something for your man to wear is just as hard as finding that perfect dress.

I put together the resources below to make that search just that much easier!

Links Placed In Order Of Best Selections

Gentleman's Emporium. Men's Victorian Costumes

Wah Maker and Scully Historical Men's Wear

Premier Designs Historic Clothing

Men's Midieval Clothing

A Very Merry Seamstress

Historical Frock Coats For Your Man on eBay 

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Historical Men's Attire on eBay 

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More Custom Historical Dresses 

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Old World Wisconsin Historical Weddings 

Unique Historical Gowns 

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Share Your Historic Wedding Tips, Inspiration or Comments 

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