Friday Frocks: Dolly Couture's Derby Collection

So today's Friday Frock is really more of a bridesmaid's dress, or engagement party dress, but I couldn't resist.

Dolly Couture, beloved by tea-length brides for her reasonably-priced custom dresses in tons of fun, vintage-inspired designs, just released the Derby Collection. It's a collection of vintage-inspired dresses in a selection of fun fabrics that could be worn for special occasions, or just when the mood strikes. Best of all, they're priced right around the $200 mark! They're available in a wide range of sizes, from a 24" to a 40" waist, and the classic silhouette looks like it will be flattering to a variety shapes.

I'm loving the "Desiree"as an idea for bridesmaid dresses. I was watching a morning news segment being shot at our local bridal fair, and amidst all the very classic, 2-colour table settings, there was one that really stood out to me--a bold, patterned tablecloth. It was fun and modern, and it made me wonder why patterns aren't used at more weddings. I suppose it carries the risk of becoming too busy, and everything screaming "LOOK AT ME!". But I think a well-placed pattern (or two) could be darling without being over the top.

What do you think? Are you using patterns in your wedding decor planning?

Friday Frocks: Ouma Clothing

Another Etsy find for you gals--Ouma Clothing. A nice selection of floaty, romantic tea-length wedding dresses and party dresses that are reasonably priced. I love the flower fascinator with the french netting as an alternative to a full bridal veil.

When I was planning my wedding, I had a lot of luck finding some great stuff on Etsy--from our wedding bands to our table cards, and even the supplies I needed to make my felt and button bouquets. I'm planning a post with some advice for getting custom-made wedding stuff on Etsy soon!

Until then, happy dress shopping!

Modern Vintage Bride Introduces Me to BHLDN

Check out this sweetly romantic inspiration board featured on Modern Vintage Bride last week!

I confess, I hadn't come across BHLDN before. Very bohemian and a nice mix of modern and fancy. Lots of gorgeous gowns and dresses, including a few tea length wedding dresses.

Like this little number...

Isn't it just stunning? This one is priced at $2600, but the one featured on Modern Vintage Bride is a mere $600 and is utterly adorable.

Friday Frocks: Ellana Couture

I'm back again, after a brief interlude. I'm hoping to feature different dresses and designers regularly for Friday Frocks, so if you've come across a dress that other tea-length brides should know about, please send me the details at tealengthweddingdress@gmail.com !

I was browsing for short wedding dresses on Etsy, when I came across Ellana Couture. She not only makes wedding dresses, but vintage-inspired cocktail dresses (which would be terrific bridesmaid dresses) too. She also has a selection of adorable retro-inspired bridal veils for anyone looking to complete their outfit, as well as delicious-looking crinolines.

According to the shop profile, Ellana Couture is a small group of designers "dedicated to creating unique, elegant, and interesting ladies apparel". As well, many of their garments are made in small quantities, or only once. You can find their Facebook page here.

I was really taken by the darling bow on the front of the "Rosette" dress pictured above, but there were quite a few dresses and veils that fit the bill for cute and sassy.

As always, when making a big purchase online, you do want to evaluate the feedback, how comfortable you are with the seller's communications, and how much shipping/customs fees would be to deliver to where you are. And you should always, always expect to have to take the dress to a seamstress for minor fitting alterations-- it's pretty rare that something fits you like a glove sight unseen!

I had really good luck shopping for wedding accessories and stationery online, how do you feel about buying online for your wedding?

Until next week, happy shopping!

Getting A Custom-Made Wedding Dress

So in my search for a vintage-y wedding dress, I ended up getting a local designer to custom-make a gown for me. I had a bit of a search to find someone that was within my budget, and who I felt was on the same wavelength as me. Obviously, it was a big decision. Here are some of the things I learned, hopefully it can help someone else out!

Try On Some Dresses

The same as with other clothes, some dresses that look fantastic on those bridal magazine models can be less than impressive in the dressing room. And some dresses that look a little "meh" on the hanger can look fabulous on! If you're thinking about getting your wedding dress custom-made, I highly recommend trying on some dresses at a bridal salon to get a feel for what styles and fabrics are most comfortable and flattering. Before you head to the store, you can start by checking your own closet for inspiration-- is there a cocktail dress that always makes you feel sexy and beautiful? Do you feel best in a particular neckline or silhouette? Being confident in what looks best on you will make it easier to discuss design with a dressmaker.

I'd also suggest trying on a few different styles of dresses--you may discover a style that surprises you.

Find A Designer

I actually found my dress designer through online classifieds--and many designers or dressmakers do advertise this way, especially if they're just starting out. You can also ask friends and family members if they know of anyone who had a dress made and what their experience was like. I talked to a few designers to get a feel for what it would be like to work together, and to check out their portfolios.

Bring Pictures

Designers are by nature very visual people, and having some photographic examples of what you like and want can be very helpful in designing your wedding dress. Pictures will also give the designer a chance to discuss potential costs, and make suggestions on how a particular design might be altered to be most flattering for the bride.

Get References

If it's possible, talk to the wedding dress designer's previous clients, look through his or her portfolio, and see some of his or her work up close. Does the dress look finished and professional? Are there loose threads or strange bunching? Is the trim carefully applied, or is there a sloppy look about it?

If you do get a chance to speak with previous clients, some questions to consider might be

• what was the designer like to work with?
• was their estimate of costs accurate?
• did he/she have trouble meeting deadlines?
• were you able to reach the designer easily? Were phone calls and emails returned within a reasonable amount of time?

Consider The Costs

Some people may have the impression that having a wedding dress custom made should cost the same or be even cheaper than the gowns in bridal salons. This is totally not true! Making a wedding dress requires many hours of painstaking attention, and you should expect to pay the professional you've hire for both time and materials.

You should first and foremost be honest about your dress budget, to see what's possible and what isn't. Fabric choice, amount of lace and trim, and the type of dress you want can all impact the final price, and the designer may have some helpful suggestions on how the dress might be made for a lower cost.

Sketches, Samples, and Prototypes

You should expect to see some sketches of ideas, and be given fabric samples to choose from. Fabric choice not only impacts cost, but the drape and overall feel of the dress. Don't be afraid to talk to your designer if you have questions or concerns about your fabric choice.

After taking measurements, most designers will make a muslin prototype of the dress for the bride to try on. This allows the designer to adjust for fit, and gives you your first preview of what your dress will look like. My prototype was made from a bunch of scrap fabric in greys and browns, and I really had to use my imagination to try and picture it in white!

I was really happy with my decision to have my wedding dress made--I got exactly what I wanted, tailored to fit both me and my budget.

Are you having your dress made? By a professional designer, dressmaker, or by a family member or friend? What advice do you have for other bride thinking about this option?

Another Custom Dress Option: Whirling Turban

Looking for a real bombshell dress? Whirling Turban is an option I've heard a lot of tea length brides rave about. They have a lot of beautiful styles and fabric options--for wedding dresses or just for a plain old fabulous frock! They do custom work, or ready-made.

Seriously, their dresses are delicious-- I've been coveting the Wing Bust Dress for quite a while now.

The wedding dresses are fun and fabulous, but crinolines are not included.

Birdcage Veils

I thought I'd step away from the gowns for a minute to talk about veils. I myself wore a shoulder-length two-layer veil that I made myself-- pretty simple. But I did look at quite a few options, including the birdcage veil.

There's something so glamourous and film noir about the birdcage veil--and what a great option for brides with short hair (or long hair), or glasses!

Birdcage veils are made of wide, heavy netting known as French or Russian netting. This veil is quite short, coming to chin-length or even shorter. It can be fastened to your hair with combs or hairpins, and is a chic vintage look that goes with many type of dresses. They may also be called cage veils, blusher veils, or madonna veils.

Styles of Birdcage Veils

The Blusher: a fuller veil, often gathered at the crown of the head. The length covers the bride's face, chin length or below.

Angle Veil: This striking style comes just below the bride's eyes. It can be worn further back on the head, or set at an angle to cover just part of the bride's face.

Bandeau Veil: Almost like a mask, this style covers the bride's eyes or her entire face-- it's fastened at each side of the head with hairpins.

Wedge Veil: Placed at the side of the head or at the temple, the wedge veil is a birdcage veil that covers only one eye.

Birdcage veils can be found at most bridal shops, as well as specialty shops online that carry only veils. You may also find a seamstress or costume designer who can make you a unique veil, or even purchase one second-hand if you're on a budget. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try your hand at making your own birdcage veil. The French or Russian netting can be purchased at some fabric stores, craft stores, or online at millinery supply shops.

You can complete the vintage look by adding a fascinator or other hair accessories. Some brides wear a traditional veil for their ceremony and a fascinator or cage veil for the reception-- be sure to consult your hair stylist if this is an option you're thinking about-- the stylist can make sure that your hair accessories are easily moved/changed out.