If you would like to wear an original vintage wedding dress on your big day it can be a bit of a minefield working out where to buy it, how much you should be paying and what to do about alterations.
Where to Buy
My advice is to go to a reputable vintage dress shop or specialist vintage bridal shop with a good selection of dresses and access to a reliable alterations service. I would recommend The Vintage Wedding Dress Company, who stock a collection of unique and beautiful dresses.
Start Your Search Early
Although you opting for something a little bit different it doesn’t mean you should compromise on the care you take finding the perfect dress. Start your search nice and early because you might have to wait while dress shops source you a dress in your desired style or size. Vintage dresses tend to come in very small sizes, so bear this in mind before you begin your search.
Also remember that these dresses may be 50 or 60 years old, so they have a few blemishes or need a few repairs. Some may be in different shades of cream too, as that seems to have been popular amongst vintage styles.
How Much Should an Original Vintage Wedding Dress Cost?
The price of an original vintage wedding dress can range from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds, depending on the designer and the condition of the dress. Do some research before you start trying on dresses to work out how much different styles should cost.
Most dresses will need some alterations, and these may end up costing you more than the dress, depending on the extent of the work needed. It is always worth asking the shop you are buying from if they offer this service or if there is someone they can recommend.
Finally, if you do happen to find your perfect original vintage wedding dress but you want to have a think about it before buying, offer to pay a deposit for the shop to hold your dress. The last thing you want is for someone else to walk away with your dream dress because, after all, it truly will be one of a kind!
Guest post by Rachel Attwell of Luella’s Bridal
Image from Luella’s Bridal
