Wedding Dresses - Articles - Zimbio

Regency Wedding Dresses and Later Developments in Bridal Fashions

Tue, 12 Nov 2008 22:01:11 GMT

posted by msplace

Gentle Readers, My niece is getting married, and I will be away for a week to attend her destination wedding. Knowing my niece and sister-in-law, all the details - from the exotic location, to the dress, to the rings that were so carefully chosen - will be ultra modern. In celebration, I have created a wedding dress post that consists of a series of quotes gathered on the topic.

The handsome veil of Mechlin lace,
A sister’s love bestows,
It adds new beauties to her face,
Which now with pleasure glows.
Friends brothers sisters cousins meet,
To attend the happy bride,
And Queer’s joy is all complete,
The nuptial knot is tied -
The Dandy’s Wedding, London, 1823, Two Centuries of Costume in America, MDCXX-MDCCCXX By Alice Morse Earle

Hand made lace was extremely expensive and few brides could afford a veil. As the 19th century progressed and machine made laces became more readily available, the bridal veil became more prevalent at weddings.

White was not the prevalent color for wedding dresses during this era. Royal bridal gowns were made of silver tissue and lace, and for a short time regency brides preferred to wear yellow bridal dresses over other colors.

You may be surprised to learn that in the 1800’s, it was common for brides to wear everyday colors such as blue, pink, green, dark brown, burgundy and, yes, even black, rather than white and ivory. It was much more practical for a bride of the average class to wear darker colors for a variety of reasons. One major reason being money. Prudent brides planned ahead - a wedding gown could be worn for many occasions, not just on their “special day.” The wedding gown was a lady’s “best dress” after the ceremony and it was much more practical to have a darker colored dress than a white or ivory dress. Let’s take a minute to imagine the time and effort involved in keeping the hemline of a white gown clean! Dust and dirt and no modern conveniences! Just think about what a white hemline would look like at the end of a day! Laundering was a big consideration, unless, of course, the lady was from a prominate family who had servants available to handle the laundry. - Wedding Gown Traditions

Princess Charlotte

Description of Princess Charlotte’s Wedding in 1816: The Royal Bride, happy in obtaining him whom her heart had selected, and whom consenting friends approved, wore on her countenance that tranquil and chastened joy which a female so situated could not fail to experience. Her fine fair hair, elegantly yet simply arranged, owed more to its natural beautiful wave than to the art of the friseur; it was crowned with a most superb wreath of brilliants, forming rosebuds with their leaves.

Her dress was silver lama [lamé] on net, over a silver tissue slip, embroidered at the bottom with silver lama in shells and flowers. Body and sleeves to correspond, elegantly trimmed with point Brussels lace. The manteau was of silver tissue lined with white satin, with a border of embroidery to answer that on the dress, and fastened in front with a splendid diamond ornament. Such was the bridal dress … La Belle Assemblee, May 1816

In the 1800’s, gray became a color for wedding gowns for brides of lower classes because the dress became re-used as the bride’s Sunday best. For those who had to wear a dress that would be used for regular occasions after the wedding, many brides would decorate the dress for the special day with temporary decorations.

The “traditional” wedding dress as known today didn’t appear until the 1800’s. By 1800, machine made fabrics and inexpensive muslins made the white dress with a veil the prevailing fashion. By the nineteenth century, a bride wearing her white dress after the wedding was accepted. Re-trimming the dress made it appropriate for many different functions.- Ezine Articles: Wedding Dresses

Satiric wedding scene, Thomas Rowlandson

1907 Worth Wedding gown

The bridal image has not always been white. Wedding dresses were virtually any color in the 1800’s, said Phyllis Magidson, the curator of ”New York Gets Married.”

”It was simply the best dress your family had to offer, meant to be worn at special occasions thereafter,” she said. A very wealthy woman might have her gown made at Maison Worth in Paris, where a dress could cost as much as a middle-class person’s salary for a year, but for most people, Ms. Magidson added, ”wearing something that was specifically and solely intended to be worn for the wedding — the concept that we have of being a fairy princess — is a fairly contemporary perception.”

Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840 was the 19th-century equivalent of Lady Diana Spencer’s extravaganza in 1982, and Victoria just happened to get married in white because she wanted her gown trimmed with a particularly rich lace. Her wedding-picture engravings were so widely circulated that the public began to associate white with weddings, Ms. Magidson said. - New York Times, Style, 1997

Queen Victoria

The wedding of Queen Victoria had more of an impact than most and actually started an entirely new trend when she decided not to wear the traditional royal silver bridal gown. Instead Queen Victoria gave the white wedding dress completely new meaning and symbolism when she married her beloved Prince Albert in a simple dress, made of white satin, trimmed with Honiton lace, with Honiton long veil and a wreath of orange blossoms to represent purity. It was then that white became the dominant, traditional choice, symbolizing purity and maidenhood. - Emma’s Wedding Diary

Reproduction wedding dress in two parts, from 1799 model

Additional Links:

Wedding Dress in Two Parts: Regency Reproductions

Regency Weddings

Jane Austen Inspired Chiffon Gown

A Brief History of the Wedding Dress

Royal Wedding: Queen Victoria

Princess Charlotte’s Wedding Page

There is an old poem about how the color of your wedding dress will influence your future: “Married in white, you will have chosen all right. Married in grey , you will go far away. Married in black, you will wish yourself back. Married in red, you’ll wish yourself dead. Married in blue, you will always be true. Married in pearl, you’ll live in a whirl. Married in green, ashamed to be seen, Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow. Married in brown, you’ll live out of town. Married in pink, your spirits will sink.” - History of the White Wedding Dress

Modern Jane Austen inspired chiffon gown wedding dress

Click here for the Jane Austen Inspired Chiffon Gown

Share The Dream - Wedding Dresses

Sun, 3 Nov 2008 00:24:40 GMT

posted by lorraineArmstrong

Evening everyone. Hope you've all had a lovely relaxing Sunday. We had some gorgeous Wedding Dresses added to Share The Dream today. I know many of you check Share The Dream on a regular basis for new additions. I thought today I would give you a helping hand, make the task a little easier

Stunning ivory duchesse satin wedding dress. Originally made to measure. I'm not too sure of the measurments but I am a size 6 and have been since school. The dress has a beautiful flower and crystal detail across the fold at the front and diamante detail down the front part of the dress. Very long train with flowers and crystals along this too. Under skirt to keep shape in the bottom of the dress. The dress fastens with an inside zip and also ties at the back so can be tightenedloosened as required. Really well made and beautiful modern style dress. Dry cleaned straight after use and pretty much in perfect condition. Cost £1600 just over a year and a half ago. I am happy for serious bidders to come and have a look try on if required. Dress is dry cleaned and packed in original box.
Hayleys' advert

other size 4 to 8's listed on Share The Dream

Full length wedding dress (Feb 2003) - classic and simple - only detail is small flat bow on bust area - organza layer over dress - organa sleeves - full to floor - impeccable condition, boxed in protective tissue paper immediately following dry cleaning - lace lined box included, which is also in perfect condition. Size 10

Anne-Marie's advert

size 10's listed on Share the Dream

One-piece, strapless, slim A-line gown with corset closure. Chantilly Metallic lace shimmers over stretch satin and softly flares out at the hem. The bodice features an empire ribbon accent and brooch feature. Silver haze/silver lace. No alterations made. The dress really needs to be seen to be appreciated fully - it glows and sparkles in the light and the lace overlay is really beautiful. Vintage-style brooch detail. A great alternative to ivory/white and a flattering shade for any skin tone. Very comfy to wear but the corset works wonders! Professionally dry-cleaned. Size 14

Fran's Advert

size 14's listed on Share The Dream

If I can be of any help to you contact me lorraine@sharethedream.net

Love and laughter

Lorraine x

Free Wedding Gowns for Military Brides at The Bridal Suite

Sun, 3 Nov 2008 18:26:20 GMT

posted by Bridalsuite

Free Wedding Gowns for Military Brides.The Bridal Suite, in Hamilton Square, NJ will be hosting a bridal gown give-away event on Veterans Day, Tuesday November 11, 2008 from 10-4. The Bridal Suite is proud to honor engaged women in the military or women who are engaged to someone in the military, with a free bridal gown. The bridal gowns are from overstock and a sample collection and will be given away FREE to these military individuals who pre-register by calling 609-588-4976. This event is being held in conjunction with Brides Across America (www.bridesacrossamerica.com), the website explains the wonderful mission of this organization and how this event is a way of saying" thank you" to a group of people who sacrifice so much for others. Brides that wish to purchase a gown that is not from the special collection will receive a 15% discount on their purchase.

Share The Dream - Brand New Wedding Dresses

Thu, 17 Oct 2008 11:06:43 GMT

posted by lorraineArmstrong

Lynsey is a shop owner advertising on Share The Dream. There are some really beautiful Wedding Dresses in the collection she is offering for sale. They are Stock from her Bridal Shop, Brand New Display Models. They are being sold to make room for new stock. It's a pleasure to have businesses advertising on Share The Dream, an extra treat for me to look at these beautiful Wedding Gowns.

There are more photographs to look at over the page. I hope something catches your interest. The prices are fabulous when you consider these are Brand New Wedding Dress. This seasons designs I believe. Lynsey has provided some really lovely detailed photographs. Lots of detail, thats what we like. Some even have crystals on and you just know how I love Crystals! Hope you do too. However, there is a lovely assortment of Wedding Dresses through Lynsey's adverts. I do believe something for everyone. I do hope you enjoy looking at the photographs. Have a great day.

Lorraine x

IAN STUART DANUBE SIZE 14

I am just in the process of adding everying to this post today Friday. However, if you can't wait contact me.

lorraine@sharethedream.net only to happy to send you the links to the other pages. Which I hope I will have completed by the end of today here.

Share The Dream - Once worn Eddy K Wedding Dress

Sun, 3 Nov 2008 08:56:35 GMT

posted by lorraineArmstrong

Morning everyone. Couln't resist showing you this photograph. Look at the sweet little children holding Rachel's Wedding Dress.

Rachel's Wedding Dress is an 'Eddy K' creation. The front bodice is especially lovely with beadwork and rouching.

There are some really great close-ups of Rachels Wedding Gown in her advert.

To see Rachel's advert click here

This is a size 12 Wedding Dress added to Share The Dream early this morning 3/11/08 I liked it so much it's my 'Wedding Dress of The Day'

Have a great day. Hope you all find your Dream Wedding Dress.

There are some really great bargains on Share The Dream. You can access them below.

Search by Designer name

search size 4 to 8 Wedding Dresses

search size 10 Wedding Dresses

search size 12 Wedding Dresses

search size 14 Wedding Dresses

search size 16 Wedding Dresses

search size 18 Wedding Dresses

search size 20 Wedding Dresses

If I can help you in any way contact me at lorraine@sharethedream.net

Lorraine x