Desperate bride-to-be requires wedding dress help - Apply within... please!

[Y0rkshirePudding]

Im to get hitched next year and I REALLY want a 50's vintage inspired tea / ankle length style wedding dress. I'd like it to have a lace overlay at the top with 3/4 length sleeves (to hide a hideous tattoo, regrettably acquired during a daft rebellious phase in my teens )

The only problem is I've scoured that t'internet til my eyes bleed! I can only find really expensive ones or very cheap ones that have to be ordered abroad from such places as China. I don't think Im brave enough to have it made abroad, which will also probably be stitched in subsiding crumbling factories by hungry children barely out of the womb(!), so I'd rather a British based shop/designer please.

I particularly love designs by Brighton based dressmaker Joanne Fleming, her collection is absolutely out of this world! But shes grown in popularity in recent years, and her dresses have shot up in price, averaging at around £1500. I particularly LOVE the designs based on her 'Annie' dress (pics attached)

I really want to find something similar in style but a tad cheaper, preferably under the £1k mark. Can anyone help....Im so desperate Im considering just turning up in a Primarni number!

Thanks xxx

[emsyj]

I went to Candy Anthony in 2008 and they quoted me £1700 for a dress similar to the Joanne Fleming style I had (i.e. no lace or embellishments)... I didn't think the dresses were worth the money, personally. They weren't lined, the fabric was cotton sateen and the petticoats were just standard elasticated waist numbers. They are standard sizes and altered to fit (at additional cost). The dress Jo made me was bespoke, I had 3 toile fittings where I altered the neckline repeatedly before making a final decision, the final dress was made of silk and had the petticoats sewn in - and it cost me £390! The same dress is now more than 3 times that price - and that is probably the more realistic price really. Just the cost of the fabric must have been most of the price I paid. I was very lucky to get in there when she was new on the scene and trying to build a name.

[Y0rkshirePudding]

Dukketeater - what is the shop in Caterham called hun?

Rocket1982 - Yep I've trawled through the countless dresses on Etsy, some of which are absolutely gorgeous (such as the one in your link). But they're all from or custom made in the US and Im not sure if I would be relaxed enough to have it made abroad. What if it totally misfits, or gets lost in the post, turns up late, damaged in post, not really what I expected, ends up looking atrocious on me etc. It'd more weeks to endure sending it back, waiting for alterations to be made / a new one sent. I'd turn into a bridezilla and I really don't want this to be stressful - because I am a major stress-head if things like this don't go smoothly!

FarToGo - Yep I've looked into Candy Anthony but again, rather expensive. They start at around £1300 so if I was to pay that price I'd rather go with Joanne Fleming I think

McFox - OMG I just love the Ian Stuart Cadillac dress. No price though. It looks expensive, but may type this into preloved and ebay - ya never know. Thanks!

[tethersend]

This taken up with a full petticoat under would work as a cheap option.

[Y0rkshirePudding]

emsyj - yeah I think you're right about Candy Anthony. I didn't think they looked as expensive as the price tag they give. I'd rather pay Jo Fleming that kinda money for real silk - Im SO envious you got one for less than £400, ya jammy mare!

[Helliecopter]

I had mine made as well, not 50s style but I'm a fussy sod with a weird body shape and having a couture experience with a dressmaker for under a grand was wonderful. She made me a perfect corset to my exact shape and was really honest about what suited/flattered me. Had I gone with a 'designer' dress (mine was quite Suzanne Neville in style) it'd have cost me upwards of £3k
I'm in north Manchester. The dress maker is called Lucy Nye and I've recommended her to several people who've all had a brilliant experience too. She's a theatre costume designer with years of experience and a fab person. If you want her details, let me know

[tethersend]

£££

[Y0rkshirePudding]

tethersend - that is a good idea actually, never thought about adding a petticoat to an otherwise less fuller dress. Something to think about...

[tethersend]

too lacy?

[Y0rkshirePudding]

Yeah a bit too much lace on that one tethersend but that general style is kinda what Im thinking, and the Suzannah one is well overpriced! And not really 'me' anyway...

[TheHouseatWhoCorner]

I got married a few weeks ago in Romantica of Devon Bali. A beautiful tea or knee or full length. Fifties style with lace overlay and back. Unfortunately its sleeveless but maybe the tattoo makeup or a bolero?
It was made to order so took 5 months. I saw it in a mag and fell in love but couldn't find a stockist so I called the designer who told me their nearest stockist to try a sample.
It cost 695 plus alterations.
It was beautiful, fab quality and superbly finished.
[http://www.weddingideasmag.com/6-wedding-dresses-with-the-wow-factor-from-romantica-of-devon/#.U2_mjnk1iaw]]

[McFox]

The Ian Stuart was expensive I'll admit - £2k!! But it was the one I had my heart set on (still trying to justify it..!) and it's on sale for less than half that price now (in perfect condition) so you never know, you might find a bargain somewhere :)

[tethersend]

Made to order so could ask for it to be made longer?

[KeithTheCat]

I also have a bastard tattoo on my upper arm that I wanted to cover. I wore this, hope the link works! -

m.alfredangelo.com/Collections.aspx?categoryId=b09c3e56-c489-4883-b875-9bc72bf52bd1&productId=80e9fbbb-8f68-4b3d-b779-50247042d14f

the cape just covered my tattoo.

I went to a bridal alterations shop and they were able to change almost anything about any dress. for example if you fell in love with a strapless dress but would want a different neckline or sleeves added, that could be done. that was in Glasgow which is too far but I'm sure there will be places down your way. good luck.

[tethersend]

Lace bolero could fit over a shorter sleeve dress?

[KeithTheCat]

bastard, link didn't work. I'm on the app and don't know how to do it!

it's Alfred angelo 8503j if anyone wants to search.

[Arriettyborrower]

Oooooo you could be me last year!

I got married in December, bought a loulou bridal tea length dress in immaculate condition off preloved then got a local seamstress to alter the neck line - basically cut the top off and create a sweetheart neckline - them make a lace overlay to go over the top.

Cost about £360 all in.

It was easy and meant I got what I wanted.

[tgrayson]

My friend had a beautiful dress from honey pie boutique. You could get a bolero to go over the top?

Good luck, your find it x

[tethersend]

Oooh...

[tethersend]

they have a London boutique...

[tethersend]

This with a lace bolero?

[Arriettyborrower]

The second one you linked to above tethers end is very very similar to my dress! It's gorgeous!

[Amaxapax]

I've tried to PM you, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it correctly. In any case, I'm selling this dress preferably for around £1000, though I'm happy to negotiate. It's a size 12 and made of smooth silk dupione. It's really beautiful! It has been cleaned and is in excellent condition. The make is Blue Bridalwear and the dress is called Summer Rose.

[Dukketeater]

HelenaFortley in Caterham

[CurlsLDN]

I got married last summer and had a very similar wish list and budget to you!

I went to candy Anthony, and also found the quality nowhere near matched the prices.

Please please make a trip to cutting edge brides! I used to live in Maidstone, it's not too far away, it's the right side of London. They were the only place I found that stocks multiple designers of 3/4 length dresses. It was heaven! Racks and racks of dreamy 50s dresses, with lots of detail and different features. I chose a dress that has a full tulle skirt like the one you've pictured, and a lacy bodice (I didn't go for sleeves though) it was £699, and then I paid extra for as many petticoats as the seamstress could fit underneath it! They have a lot, with prices, on their website which will give you an idea, but the photography isn't great and it's so worth going to the shop.

Good luck!

[CurlsLDN]

www.cuttingedgebrides.com/tea-length-wedding-dresses-c22/timeless-chic-elizabeth-tea-length-1950s-style-wedding-dress-p6