Victorian Wedding Dresses

-- Victorian Wedding Dresses --

You’ve surely heard the expression “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue!”

This is only one of many traditions that came from Victorian times.

Planning on wearing a white wedding dress? This tradition came from Queen Victoria, who, in 1840, donned a white gown for her nuptials. Ever since, brides have worn white on their wedding day. Before this, most brides wore their Sunday best.

Do you want to take it a step further and celebrate your big day wearing a Victorian-inspired wedding dress?

Victoriana

Early Victorian wedding dresses featured tight, fitted bodies with large, full skirts. The skirts often included hoops and petticoats, and bustles.

A Victorian church wedding dictated the bride to be modestly dressed with her neck, and arms covered (sleeves were often elbow length and paired with gloves).

If you choose to wear traditional gloves with your wedding dress, you may wish to follow the Victorian tradition of having a slit – allowing a ring to be slipped on your finger without removing the gloves.

Finding a wedding gown with Victorian elements is not difficult. Look for intricacy, corsetry, and lace. Some designers even specialize in Victorian inspired gowns, adding a touch of European flare to your wedding day.

Accessories

Pair an elaborate, high necked gown is with a long train to create a Victorian style wedding ensemble.

You may also wish to accessorize with some Victorian-style accents. A vintage cameo is a beautiful choice, and can be worn as a brooch, a necklace, or even earrings. A pearl choker is another option to draw attention to your neck.

Look for fine embroidery, lace, and lots of detail! You may wear a traditional wreath of flowers as a hair piece. Victorian brides often wore headpieces made of orange blossoms, a fragrant flower known to symbolize fertility. Consider using silk flowers to replicate this traditional look.

Pairing a crown with a long veil, and perhaps a delicate strand of pearls, will give you the Victorian feel you are looking for.

You may even find a pair of lace-up white wedding boots to match your perfect gown. Want to get your groom involved? Ask him to wear a ruffled shirt with his tuxedo, and for the adventurous groom, a top hat!

Where to Find It....

Your local bridal boutique will likely have some dresses that are inspired by Victorian times.

Go to your appointment armed with magazine cut outs and computer print outs of the sorts of style you like. You may also find success at local antique shops or stores that specialize in vintage trends. There are wealth of online stores where you might find just the dress you have been looking for!

You may even be lucky and find an authentic gown – start your search early for best results. Hiring a local seamstress is another way to create the dress of your Victorian dreams!

Regardless of where you find it, many brides choose to have their dress tailored to get that perfect fit.

Adding Victorian tradition to your wedding day will create an elegant atmosphere. The Victorian era was rich with luxury and you will want to convey this on your wedding day. If you have a love of yesteryear and an interest in other eras, a Victorian wedding day might be just the theme for you.

-- Victorian Wedding Dresses --