When choosing a bridal gown, there is endless inspiration available for brides to be including websites, wedding magazines and wedding fayres and the choice of designs and Bridal Fabrics on display can become a little daunting. With so many beautiful designs available it can be a little overwhelming and with your bridal gown being one of the most important aspects of your big day you will want to be sure that you make the right choice in a gown that will suit you and will compliment your colour scheme but most of all, you will want your wedding dress to be the kind of design that will stand the test of time. When we are marrying, particularly for the first time most of us plan on that union lasting a lifetime and the most enduring memory of your big day will be your photograph album. There is nothing worse than having to hide your wedding photographs away in a drawer because you have grown to regret your choice of dress or Bridal Fabric. The most important aspect of choosing a bridal gown is ensuring that the style and the Bridal Fabric flatters you and is suitable for the time of year and location of your celebration. It can be difficult to choose something that is modern and fashionable as well as capturing that timeless elegance that will have you proudly displaying your wedding photographs for years to come and may enable you to pass your gown down to your children and even your grandchildren. There are few brides who have truly encapsulated the essence of a truly magical and unforgettable piece that has stood the test of time through decades and even centuries of evolving fashions. Here are the iconic brides who we think did it best:
5. Wallis Simpson
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Wallis Simpson in a simple gown of Crepe Bridal Fabrics.[/caption]
As most will know, Wallis Simpson caused a scandal when her lover Edward VIII, abdicated the thrown in order to prove his love for Wallis and take her as his wife. Not only was Wallis married when she began her relationship with Edward she had already once been divorced. In 1937 when their union took place it was frowned upon for a woman to be divorced once, let alone twice and being an American added insult to injury for many British people at the time. The Instrument of Abdication was signed by Edward in December 1936 and Wallis Simpson became possibly the most scandalised royal figure since Anne Boleyn, her marriage to Edward was regarded as a catastrophe which many feared could bring down the monarchy. When it came to her wedding gown Wallis knew that there would be no point in trying to uphold her maidenly virtue so of course, steered clear of virginal white and instead chose a simple, effortlessly elegant ensemble crafted from crepe Bridal Fabric, in a shade created by Mainbocher to match the exact shade of her eyes, a shade which would become known as "Wallis Blue". The sleek column dress and corseted jacket emphasised Ms. Simpson's slender waist and paired with a straw hat and gloves the sublimely understated elegance of her dress was perfectly fitting for the occasion. This elegant minimalism is a style still favoured by ladies who are marrying later on in life or are celebrating a subsequent relationship. Many of our Bridal Fabrics are suitable for creating this ensemble including our crepe fabrics which are available in an array of stunning shades including traditional bridal hues of white and ivory and more contemporary shades like hyacinth.
4. Jacqueline Bouvier
When future First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier married Senator John Kennedy in 1953, this was the perfect opportunity for the Kennedy dynasty to seal their high standing in American society. In keeping with the grandeur of the occasion, Jacqueline (later known as Jackie Kennedy Onassis) wore a lavish gown constructed of approximately 50 yards of silk taffeta Bridal Fabric with a portrait neckline and a voluminous, embellished skirt which emphasised her tiny waist. The much anticipated wedding celebration was the society event of the year and with her veil of lace Bridal Fabrics which once belonged to her grandmother, Jackie is still regarded as one of the most iconic and beautiful brides of all time. For a show stopping, princess dress look for Bridal Fabrics with stunning drape and movement such as silk, chiffon and taffeta.
3. Grace Kelly
[caption id="attachment_6553" align="alignright" width="228"]
Princess Grace of Monaco[/caption]
Back in 1956, Grace Kelly was already one of the biggest stars in the world with a string of Hollywood hits behind her and was renowned as one of the world's great beauties. The queen of the silver screen became real life royalty when she married Prince Rainer III of Monaco wearing a breathtaking gown featuring a bodice of lace Bridal Fabric paired with a bell shaped skirt and a pleated waist band, which accentuated the star's hourglass shape. The dress cost a staggering $12 million and designed by Helen Rose, wedding dress designer at MGM Studios, was constructed of a variety of different Bridal Fabrics including silk tulle, pearl-encrusted rose point lace and peau de soie satin. In order to achieve the voluminous shape befitting of a princess in waiting, Helen Rose constructed a separate bodice to be worn under the gown which was crafted from a matte crepe Bridal Fabric with three layers of integrated petticoats which gave the skirt it's distinctive shape. Grace's wedding attire also included a headdress and veil and a pearl encrusted prayer book which Grace clutched whilst making her way down the aisle to her Prince. The gown, now owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art is arguably the most copied of all time and is said to have been the inspiration for Catherine Middleton's dress when she married Prince William in 2012.
2. HRH Elizabeth II
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Princess Elizabeth had an amazing 13 foot train for her wedding to Prince Phillip.[/caption]
When Princess Elizabeth married Prince Phillip in 1947, the future monarch wore a beautiful creation made from ivory satin Bridal Fabric which she famously purchased with ration coupons. With the dark days of World War II still fresh in the minds of the public, the wedding was seen as a beacon of hope and of brighter days to come which is something that Elizabeth's dress designer Norman Hartnell took into account when working on the gown. The stunning gown, embellished with shimmering floral garlands, white seed pearls and crystals was said to be inspired by Botticelli's 1942 masterpiece, Primavera. The breathtaking 13 foot train was constructed from a satin Bridal Fabric and the whole creation was kept under lock and key until the Princess emerged at Westminster Abbey. With the square shoulders and sweetheart neckline, the gown has drawn comparisons with many subsequent royal bridal gowns including that of Sarah Ferguson and Catherine Middleton.
1. Queen Victoria
Without Queen Victoria, the big white weddings we know of today may have been quite different. The romantic, crinoline wedding gown chosen by the monarch for her big day was the first of it's kind in western culture. At a time when industry was struggling, Victoria did her bit by marrying in a gown constructed solely from English made Bridal Fabrics which did wonders for British Industry at the time. Designed by Scottish artist William Dyce and sewn by her personal dressmaker Mary Bettans, the gown featured Bridal Fabrics of silk and lace whilst the décolleté bodice and Bertha style collar showed off the Queen's shoulders and neck. Accompanying Victoria's simple and elegant wedding dress was a veil with a wreath of orange blossom which was thought to represent love and happiness. The elegant simplicity of Victoria's gown has not only stood the test of time but has been wonderfully preserved and is available to view at Kensington Palace as part of the 'Victoria Revealed' exhibition.
Wallis Simpson in a simple gown of Crepe Bridal Fabrics.[/caption]
As most will know, Wallis Simpson caused a scandal when her lover Edward VIII, abdicated the thrown in order to prove his love for Wallis and take her as his wife. Not only was Wallis married when she began her relationship with Edward she had already once been divorced. In 1937 when their union took place it was frowned upon for a woman to be divorced once, let alone twice and being an American added insult to injury for many British people at the time. The Instrument of Abdication was signed by Edward in December 1936 and Wallis Simpson became possibly the most scandalised royal figure since Anne Boleyn, her marriage to Edward was regarded as a catastrophe which many feared could bring down the monarchy. When it came to her wedding gown Wallis knew that there would be no point in trying to uphold her maidenly virtue so of course, steered clear of virginal white and instead chose a simple, effortlessly elegant ensemble crafted from crepe Bridal Fabric, in a shade created by Mainbocher to match the exact shade of her eyes, a shade which would become known as "Wallis Blue". The sleek column dress and corseted jacket emphasised Ms. Simpson's slender waist and paired with a straw hat and gloves the sublimely understated elegance of her dress was perfectly fitting for the occasion. This elegant minimalism is a style still favoured by ladies who are marrying later on in life or are celebrating a subsequent relationship. Many of our Bridal Fabrics are suitable for creating this ensemble including our crepe fabrics which are available in an array of stunning shades including traditional bridal hues of white and ivory and more contemporary shades like hyacinth.
4. Jacqueline Bouvier
When future First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier married Senator John Kennedy in 1953, this was the perfect opportunity for the Kennedy dynasty to seal their high standing in American society. In keeping with the grandeur of the occasion, Jacqueline (later known as Jackie Kennedy Onassis) wore a lavish gown constructed of approximately 50 yards of silk taffeta Bridal Fabric with a portrait neckline and a voluminous, embellished skirt which emphasised her tiny waist. The much anticipated wedding celebration was the society event of the year and with her veil of lace Bridal Fabrics which once belonged to her grandmother, Jackie is still regarded as one of the most iconic and beautiful brides of all time. For a show stopping, princess dress look for Bridal Fabrics with stunning drape and movement such as silk, chiffon and taffeta.
3. Grace Kelly
[caption id="attachment_6553" align="alignright" width="228"] Princess Grace of Monaco[/caption]
Back in 1956, Grace Kelly was already one of the biggest stars in the world with a string of Hollywood hits behind her and was renowned as one of the world's great beauties. The queen of the silver screen became real life royalty when she married Prince Rainer III of Monaco wearing a breathtaking gown featuring a bodice of lace Bridal Fabric paired with a bell shaped skirt and a pleated waist band, which accentuated the star's hourglass shape. The dress cost a staggering $12 million and designed by Helen Rose, wedding dress designer at MGM Studios, was constructed of a variety of different Bridal Fabrics including silk tulle, pearl-encrusted rose point lace and peau de soie satin. In order to achieve the voluminous shape befitting of a princess in waiting, Helen Rose constructed a separate bodice to be worn under the gown which was crafted from a matte crepe Bridal Fabric with three layers of integrated petticoats which gave the skirt it's distinctive shape. Grace's wedding attire also included a headdress and veil and a pearl encrusted prayer book which Grace clutched whilst making her way down the aisle to her Prince. The gown, now owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art is arguably the most copied of all time and is said to have been the inspiration for Catherine Middleton's dress when she married Prince William in 2012.
2. HRH Elizabeth II
[caption id="attachment_6554" align="alignleft" width="300"] Princess Elizabeth had an amazing 13 foot train for her wedding to Prince Phillip.[/caption]
When Princess Elizabeth married Prince Phillip in 1947, the future monarch wore a beautiful creation made from ivory satin Bridal Fabric which she famously purchased with ration coupons. With the dark days of World War II still fresh in the minds of the public, the wedding was seen as a beacon of hope and of brighter days to come which is something that Elizabeth's dress designer Norman Hartnell took into account when working on the gown. The stunning gown, embellished with shimmering floral garlands, white seed pearls and crystals was said to be inspired by Botticelli's 1942 masterpiece, Primavera. The breathtaking 13 foot train was constructed from a satin Bridal Fabric and the whole creation was kept under lock and key until the Princess emerged at Westminster Abbey. With the square shoulders and sweetheart neckline, the gown has drawn comparisons with many subsequent royal bridal gowns including that of Sarah Ferguson and Catherine Middleton.
1. Queen Victoria
Without Queen Victoria, the big white weddings we know of today may have been quite different. The romantic, crinoline wedding gown chosen by the monarch for her big day was the first of it's kind in western culture. At a time when industry was struggling, Victoria did her bit by marrying in a gown constructed solely from English made Bridal Fabrics which did wonders for British Industry at the time. Designed by Scottish artist William Dyce and sewn by her personal dressmaker Mary Bettans, the gown featured Bridal Fabrics of silk and lace whilst the décolleté bodice and Bertha style collar showed off the Queen's shoulders and neck. Accompanying Victoria's simple and elegant wedding dress was a veil with a wreath of orange blossom which was thought to represent love and happiness. The elegant simplicity of Victoria's gown has not only stood the test of time but has been wonderfully preserved and is available to view at Kensington Palace as part of the 'Victoria Revealed' exhibition.