Historical and Vintage Wedding Dresses. Victorian, Renaissance, Elizabethan, Goth and More

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Planning A Historical or Period Wedding and Vintage and Custom Wedding Dresses

A historic wedding is an amazing way to celebrate your union. In my desire to have had a historical wedding myself, I have put together this wonderful resource for inspiration, shopping and planning your historic celebration

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Historical Wedding Inspiration 

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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?


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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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Victorian Wedding Dresses 

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1940's Wedding Video on YouTube 

Vintage Polish Wedding Greenpoint Circa 1949 New Expanded!

This is a vintage 1949 film clip of my parents wedding, filmed by my late uncle, Louie Finazzo. Re-uploaded- this is the new DVD quality edition, contains the original piece yet it is expanded on both ends with two new songs! Also shows a short clip from the honemoon in the beautiful Pocono mountains!

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Custom Historic Dresses 

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Links To Help You With Your Historical Wedding 

Plan a Historical Period Wedding
A historical period wedding embraces the classical nature of specific and well-known time periods of the past. With their fascinating histories and clothing styles, these types of themes are sure to be a hit with your guests.
Brides and Jokers Historical Wedding Gowns
elizabethan wedding gowns, renaissance wedding dresses, historical wedding dresses, medieval wedding dresses, renaissance wedding gowns, custom wedding gown, medieval wedding gowns
Regency Weddings
Historical Wedding Dresses. Today there are a few dresses that have survived the time and some that have been identified as wedding gowns. Still in existence today is Princess Charlotte's silver wedding dress of 1816v, recently exhibited at the Museum of London. This e
Eras of Elegance - Historical Wedding Fashions for the Modern Bride; History of the Wedding Gown; Tips for the Bride to Be
In the modern world where most of us are too busy to give romance and elegance its due attention, there is still one event which prompts even the most pragmatic to consider romantic fashion in abundance: a wedding. Weddings have an undeniable way of transforming people. Women whose standard attire are jeans and T-shirts emerge down the aisle as modern-day princesses draped in fine silk and lace
Circa Designs - Custom Historical Wedding Gowns
Here we present several lovely gowns that have
walked the aisles in recent years, along with their original sketches
and renderings. The entire design process is a wonderful, inspiring
collaboration between client and designer, where small ideas blossom
into bold fas
Discovering Wedding Traditions of the Past - Everything from the veil, rice, flowers, and old shoes, to the bridesmaids and processionals, at one time, bore a very specific and vitally significant meaning.
Wedding planning advice to make your special day perfect. Find unique wedding ideas, wedding etiquette, wedding customs and traditions, bridal gown shopping tips, wedding experts, wedding announcement ideas, recipes, much more!
Victorian Bridal Museum
The House of Victorian Visions Bridal Museum, located in Orange, California's Old Towne District, offers more than just nostalgia in nuptials -- it's the only museum in the western United States offering a permanent collection of antique bridal gowns and accessories.
Wedding Accessories Planning Guide | Brides.com
Everything you need to know about your bridal accessories

Era Specific Vintage Wedding Dresses 

Click on the era you prefer. Each lens features current wedding dresses for sale from that era!
featured lens 1940's Fashion

An exploration of the influence of WWII on 1940's fashion. Styles, trends and history Men's 40's fashions, 40's wedding dresses and more! Have A Website, Blog, Store or Squidoo Page You Want To Promote? Add Your Link Here!

featured lens 1930's Fashion

Fashion of the 1930's features classic old Hollywood styles. This lens features 30's fashion history, mens and womens vintage clothing from the era Featuring 1930's wedding dresses and more! Have A Website, Blog, Store or Squidoo Page You Want To Promo...

featured lens 1970's Fashion

Enjoy a blast back to the 70's. See it in clothing photos and amazing research resources! Shop for vintage clothing from the 1970's for men and women! Featuring Disco and Gunne Sax, 70's Wedding Dresses and more! Have A Website, Blog, Store or Squidoo P...

featured lens 1960's Fashion

Step back into the eclectic 1960's through clothing photos and fabulous resource links!  Shop for 60's clothing for men and women! Have A Website, Blog, Store or Squidoo Page You Want To Promote? Add Your Link Here!

featured lens 1950's Fashion

Complete shopping and research guide for everything 50's clothing and fashion. Explore the history and intrigue of the "new look" Featuring vintage 50's dresses, 50's men's clothing and 50's wedding dresses Have A Website, Blog, Store or Squidoo Page...

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 

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Unique Historical Gowns 

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by amandaquerque

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I am a lover of all things vintage, historical and musical. I am obsessed with history. I have an Int...

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