Vintage-Inspired Winter Wedding Gowns and Dresses

Vintage fashion is my hobby because I am fashion-conscious and try to be unique. My personal signature? Wearing vintage-inspired apparel.

Winter weddings are the dream of many young women for the simple reason that the pristine white of winter, the bare trees, the feeling of warm tradition, and the white snow all add to the mystical romance and uniqueness of weddings in winter.

The winter bride somehow looks chic and classic. Maybe it’s the crisp, white bridal gown, or the beautiful stole or bridal coat that’s worn over the dress, but whatever it is, there is something that makes winter weddings appear much more sophisticated and glamorous than spring or summer weddings.

Taking it a step further is the vintage-themed wedding with the bride wearing a vintage-inspired gown. And in order to complement the style, bridesmaids and groomsmen can equally wear the appropriate apparel inspired by vintage fashion to suit the mood.

A winter-wonderland wedding may sound like one that needs a budget that’s way up there to implement, but it is not necessarily true. A winter-themed event is certainly not as pricey as many seem to believe.

There is either of two concepts that may be adopted . . .

1. Going fully vintage inspired
2. Creating a mix of the traditional with the contemporary

For example, if the wedding event is planned to be fully inspired by the 20^th century, or even earlier, asides the apparel that is worn by the groom, his bride, and the train, there should be a touch of vintage detailing or accessories such as décor, table glassware, centrepieces, serving dishes, cutlery, including ornate vintage-inspired wedding cakes made up of just a couple tiers as is the tradition of old.

Design Ideas

A great way to get vintage finds and save some money is by visiting estate sales, trunk sales or bazaars where the odd items and pieces appropriate for winter and weddings can be discovered.

On the other hand, a mix of the old and new is one of the biggest trends right now. It is also a great way to save money, especially for those on a tight budget. For example, the bride's wedding dress may be a style of the 1950s while décor items may be modern objects.

Traditional Winter Nuptials

Classic winter wedding ideas are centred on winter wonderland fantasies with colours like:

• White
• Powder blue
• Silver
• Red
• Green

Textures and ornamentation include:

• Layered silks
• Satin
• Sequins, pearls, and intricate beading

Accessories that will give the perfect vintage look and accentuate a bridal gown include:

• Antique-silver hair accessories
• Bold jewellery with clusters of faux gems
• Strands of large pearls and beads
• Bold cuff bracelets
• Birdcage or visor veils
• Feather and flower combs
• Large and prominent chandelier earrings for wedding dresses with bare necklines
• Tiaras
• Long dramatic beaded gloves are good for extra glamour.

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Any of these will draw attention to the bridal gown and re-enact the fashion style of the 1920s to the 1950s.

This wedding style is a great opportunity to use family collectables, treasures, heirlooms, and bridal ensembles.

Items such as grandmother’s antique bridal gloves, mum's silver brooch & earring set, or an aunt’s bridal jewellery set and other timeless pieces can be used as accessories or embellishments to enhance winter bridal gowns and give the ensemble a semblance of vintage wedding style.

So What’s Trending?

Several designs are stealing the show this season. Here are a few of the most popular.

Regal Ball Gowns

These styles have been a regular favourite over the centuries and are still trending. They are also the appropriate bridal wear for that time (winter) of the year if you desire an opulent 'fairy-tale wedding in winter wonderland'. Ball gown designs possess so much opulence, flamboyance; with some kind of regal feel.

Coloured Wedding Dresses

Many believe pure white bridal gowns are the only acceptable colour. Yes, white may appear to be a classic colour, but it wasn’t always so. Centuries ago, there were wedding dresses of colour and today, the trend is fast catching on. Besides, in many regions of the world, wedding attire is quite colourful. If you don’t want to go the ‘whole hog’ . . . like wear a red or black wedding dress, you can wear a white, pearl, or champagne dress and add a dash of colour . . . the sash, lining, satin band, or the like. This has become a hot trend with bridal wear designers.

It’s been predicted that someday, these coloured bridal wears may steal the shine off white wedding gowns.

Greek Goddess Design

If you want a style that’s not only classic but sexy with a modern twist, you’ll love the enchanting cut of a Greek goddess-inspired dress. It can come either as a long fluid gown or as a romantic dress with overlapping layers that almost clasps your silhouette.

Victorian

Winter bridal gowns accented with gold tones are popular for winter or fall weddings. Choose darker coloured gowns in tones like champagne and dark ivory, especially in natural fabrics such as raw silk. Wear gold jewellery accessories to compliment these colours and textures. There is just something timeless about the richness of gold that adds luxury and elegance to bridal wear.

Professional Dyes

And if you want a wedding dress that looks aged (kind of antique) you can always buy a white dress and have it professionally dyed to make it look like a timeless piece, an heirloom.

Additional Tips

• Planning a wedding in winter, including ordering for your vintage-inspired bridal gown, bridesmaid/flower girl dresses, etc. is best done well ahead of time. That’s the best and wise way to go.
• You’ll save money when you purchase everything a few months earlier. They are much cheaper to buy before the cold season sets in.
• Finally, if you are looking for something to give you inspiration or ideas of vintage-inspired styles, this is best done online. Even if you decide not to buy a wedding dress on the net, you will still see hundreds of bridal wear that will stir your creative juices.

© 2009 viryabo

Your Views Are Welcome

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on November 14, 2011:

Hi Lori, you can send me a PM where it says "contact viryabo".

Cheers

lori on November 06, 2011:

Where do I find he red fur trimmed gown

Erin Bower from Georgia on June 22, 2011:

Wow! Gorgeous dresses. It makes me want to get married in the winter someday instead of the usual spring and summer.

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on May 06, 2011:

Thank you Sun Girl, glad you like it.

Thanks for visiting and leaving your nice comment.

Cheers

Sun-Girl from Nigeria on May 04, 2011:

Great hub with sexy and colorful samples of wedding gown which really attracted me a lot.

Hev on May 02, 2011:

Where can I get a little cardigan like the one Keira Knightley's wearing with that blue tulle skirt...it looks fantastic but I can't find anything similar anywhere....

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on February 10, 2011:

@ Sophia,Thanks for your nice comments and i appreciate your visit.

Cheers.

@Fashion, thank you.

fashion on February 09, 2011:

very nice post....

sophia on January 24, 2011:

SO gorgeous. I'd love to do a vintage fur-lined gown. However, I don't think I'd like a blue gown or a short gown - you'd look more like a Victorian maid than a bride! Definitely visited a lot of sites, including angieslist.com - but yours is great!

linen-fabric from Belarus on November 08, 2010:

Nice hat - I'm going to give it a try.

vintage crockery hire on November 03, 2010:

I love the winter gown 'with a dash of colour' , though if it was mine I would be most concerned that in a traditionally wet winter it would pick up all kinds of dirt it the tail.

wholesale cheap Chanel on August 21, 2010:

??The perfect!These articles written too great,they rich contents and data accurately.they are help to me.I expect to see your new share

Lisa Meeks on July 13, 2010:

I love the fur trimmed wedding gown - where do I find it??

samantha tirado on June 16, 2010:

well im just looking at da chanpaion one with ther fur on top i would like to no were i kan buy this dress because im starting to plan my sweet16 n that dress is so beatiful

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on April 05, 2010:

Thanks Gurnav. I appreciate the visit and finding time to leave a comment.

Cheers

Gurinder Kohli from Minneapolis, MN on April 04, 2010:

Wow what a collection. Brooches will go great with many of the dresses/outfits.

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on February 17, 2010:

Hello Anna marie, thanks for your visit. You can have the fur-lined coat custom made to your satisfaction.

https://bellatory.com/clothing/sewing-vintage-wedd...

It is a wonderful piece isn't it.

Thank you so much for your visit and GodBless.

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on February 17, 2010:

Yenajeon, you must be creative or in the fashion design field. Its wonderful to have ones wedding dress designed by ones self.

And Kieras gown is unique and so beautiful and 'fuss free'. Im so glad you love it. It could inspire you for an idea for your gown. Wishing you all the best.

Thank you for your visit and nice comments.

GodBless

Anna marie Hetherington on February 17, 2010:

in the picci under kiera knightly that hooded white fur lined coat...where do i find it???

Yena Williams from California on February 11, 2010:

I like the blue gown kiera knightly is wearing. I plan on designing my own wedding gown, but that is just gorgeous!

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on January 02, 2010:

Thanks RosWebbArt. I know, judging from what i've seen of your works in your hub, you will make awesome paintings of these attires.

Thanks for dropping by and your nice comments.

Ros Webb from Ireland on January 02, 2010:

I would love to paint these dresses!! great hub..

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on December 06, 2009:

Hello Barbara, Thanks for your visit. It is a lovely dress custom made as a vintage winter wedding dress. You may not be able to find it at wedding boutiques. Have it custom made, choosing your fabric carefully. The upper portion fits as a corset.

Glad you like it.

Barbara Marie on December 06, 2009:

Im actually so so in love with one of the dresses you have posted and i have no idea where to find it , it is the second dress under the video , right under the red one, any idea where i can find it?? please help, thanks

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on December 06, 2009:

With This Favor, thanks for your comments and your visit. Glad you enjoyed it.

Cheers.

With This Favor on December 05, 2009:

Wonderful winter bridal gowns... These are definitely outside the box! I enjoyed your hub :)

eastbridal on November 12, 2009:

Getting ready for your big day? Take a look at this site and see what they can do to make your wedding an extravagant experience. With their unique wedding dresses, couture bridesmaid dresses and wedding accessories and links to some great designers, you surely can’t go wrong….

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on November 10, 2009:

I'm sure your wedding was wonderful and different. Thanks Gabrielle for your visit and nice comments.

{Gabrielle} from United States on November 09, 2009:

I had a Christmas themed wedding and it was so much fun to plan! You have so many great things here! I loved looking at all the different gowns.

Debbie on October 08, 2009:

I love the first dress you are showing ( The Blue Tulle with sweater top) Who is the designer or is this vintage? Where can I find this gorgeous gown

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on September 19, 2009:

Hi Helen, thanks for the visit and for the big thumbs up. If i had to get married again, i'd definitely go for a winter wedding. The winter wedding dresses ooze with style, don't they.

Helen Cater from UK on September 19, 2009:

Oh what I would give just to try on some of these dresses. Thanks and a big thumbs up from me.

viryabo (author) from Lagos, Nigeria. on September 16, 2009:

Hi addicted2fierce. Thank you for the visit and the nice comments.

ADDICTED2FIERCE from NY|Houston on September 16, 2009:

i love it! too bad im not gettin married lol..very detailed and well put together.