December 19, 2011

Collecting Vintage Wedding Dresses


I have a thing for wedding dresses. I love them......looking at them,touching, photographing,and only occasionally selling them


This is my newest purchase,it was $12.00. Theres a lot of lace and fabric on this dress for $12.00


I buy them thinking I will use the fabric, lace,or appliques for other projects, Occasionally I do...


....But, usually I don't


Believe it or not there's more


Lets keep this little obsession of mine a secret. It's a good thing the future DIL already has a dress because...


...I just couldn't possibly part with one of mine!

Happy Creating!

48 comments:

Debbie said...

How beautiful! I love the bodice on that one. It reminds me of the one that my mother (and then sister) wore. I would love for one of my girls to either where a family treasure or use at least parts of a vintage one. Of course, that's MY taste. It probably won't be theirs.

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Oh wow, I love them too...I try to sell mine (when I find an old one for a good price which is tough) because if not, I would have to have a place to store them. Storage space is a prime commodity here at Bella Rosa Antiques.

But I will enjoy your collection from afar any day! Thank you for sharing!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Beautiful collection. I wouldn't have room for that...but I like it. That new one has a top very similar to my wedding gown.

E said...

I seem to be drawn to the wedding dresses in thrift stores and find it hard to walk away from all that lace and embellishments for the price, I "get it" :) Love your collection

Cottage and Broome said...

Hard to believe that brides or their families give away their wedding dresses, kind of sad. But so glad that one went to someone who cherishes them. Laura

Sylvia said...

Hehe...you were the one buying all of our vintage wedding dresses at the thrift store!!!

LOL...
Merry Christmas Carol...
Sylvia

Claire @ Gemini Nutrition said...

awww they are beautiful :) don't blame you for buying them.....

Claire x

Diane said...

You have a wonderful collection. I too love vintage wedding dresses and have been thinking of starting a collection myself....I am inspired! Diane

Melodee said...

beautiful! I can't believe you picked that up for $12 bucks:) so pretty as you have them displayed!!

Anonymous said...

well I think its a lovely obsession, they are all lovely, and lots of material for lots of projects.I'm sure you will use them up.

Gina said...

They are beautiful dresses, Carol. I can't help but wonder what the woman was like who wore it.

Ruby Jean said...

Oh Auntie Carol I am SO happy to see them come out of the closet.. :) They are so very LOVELY... Now you are going to have to do a PART 2 so we can see the rest... Okay now the question of the day would be... Have you ever tried one of them on... :)

Unknown said...

They are all just gorgeous, Carol. What romance they add to any decor.
Merry Christmas
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

Shannon @ Cozy Home Scenes said...

Carol, I can understand not wanting to cut these beautiful dresses. The lace is very pretty and would make lovely crafts but I would have a hard time deciding to do it. They look nice hanging together. I don't think your future DIL is the problem, I think she should guard her wedding dress from her future MIL who is an admitted dress addict!!!!!-----Shannon

KimMalk said...

I like your newest addition. I so would have worn tiered lace... Hugs, and Merry Christmas!

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Whoa..don't cut that one up Carol! It's gorgeous...and only 12 bucks! Yeah! (*_*)

Heart Vintage Design said...

I'm with Shannon!

camp and cottage living said...

Oh my, they are so lovely and lacey.
It would be hard to cut them up, for sure.
I still have my dress after almost 38 years.
Our anniversary is Dec. 28th. I'll have to post it!
Seasons Greeting!

Barbara said...

They are lovely! I wish I had room for such a collection....

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Carol,
You are not going to believe this, but I too have an obsession for wedding dresses. Now, that I have my play room in the upstairs bonus room I have decided to hang them all and show them off. I just did this yesterday! I had a portable clothes rack that I painted white and hung three of my favorite wedding gowns on it...then stood back and admired them!! LOL!

I bought them with the intention of using the laces and fabrics but I just cannot cut into them.

So, we will keep our little secret. I love all of your gorgeous gowns and I truly understand.

hugs
Sissie

Melodee said...

thanks for your sweet comment, Carol! I already commented that I LOVE your dresses, but I am back to say thanks for the encouraging words- just linked up with Debbie!! xoxo Melodee

Connie@shabbyforsure said...

I love your dresses and the posy is gorgeous, also.

Sharon said...

I love this collection!

Janet said...

What a great collection! They all look so sweet and charming! I think I might just keep my eye out for some, too!
Blessings,
Janet

Ann said...

I also purchased an old wedding dress with the intentions of using the lace for projects but after having the dress for a week I couldn't cut it up since it is way to precious. Love your collection!

Debbiedoos said...

O M G! Carol my sister is getting married in August and she is in search for a vintage wedding gown. These are gorgeous. I am going to send her your link. She is petite, like a size 4-6..however these vintage gowns we are finding run different. I think she is a 10 in vintage. These are beautiful and made my heart skip a beat.

Debbiedoos said...

I know you are not willing to part with them, but I am still sending my sister the link LOL!

Angie @ Knick of Time said...

Swoon and FAINT - LOVE them all! Just gorgeous!

Thanks so much for sharing at Knick of Time Tuesday! Truly special!

Blessings,
Angie @ Knick of Time

kelly said...

If i were to have an obsession I would love to share yours. The dresses are beautiful.

Kell

linda said...

omg Debbie doos is my Daughter and she told me to come and see your wonderful collection .Did she tell you her Sister is getting married in Aug and we have been on the hunt for vintage 1950s wedding dress .What a wonder collection you have i almost lost my breath to see so many at once .Mabey we could buy one or rent it if you didt want to give it up .

Stampindamour said...

Carol - these are gorgeous!!! I love your "secret" collection - so pretty to look at and admire! WOW! $12 is almost like FREE! xo

-pamela

Nelly said...

That's too funny. I do the same thing! I have about 4 and couldn't cut them for a long time, but I eventually did cut one that was not that old and really cheaply made to embellish projects. I love collecting them; I love looking at them. I'm trying to find ways to deco. my house with them.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

WOW...what a awesome price and such pretty dresses!
Wishing you a Wonderful, Blessed and
Merry Christmas!
Warmly,
deb

Lola and Bea said...

What a lovely blog. I am so glad I found it. You have a wonderful collection thanks for sharing it.

Mindie Hilton said...

I love vintage and these dresses are great. Thanks for sharing, found you at Sew Crafty. Would love for you to join my weekly linky fri-monday, come strut your stuff.
http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/

farmhouse-story said...

such a gorgeous group of dresses, carol!

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Carol,
Ooooh what a lovey obsession!! I would buy them with intentions and never be able to cut them...
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!
Hugs,
Bella

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

These are all so beautiful! The lace is exquisite! I found a small mink clutch at the thrift store yesterday...with the tag inside! I love it so much! Happy holidays to you, my friend! ♥

Kathy said...

OMG Carol, I have the same obsession!! You have found some STUNNING dresses!!!Love each one!

Honey at 2805 said...

I am totally in love with your wedding dresses! Sigh......

Becky Ransom said...

Carol,
I to have an intrest in wedding dresses. I could'nt help but laugh when I saw the latest wedding dress, at a yard sale, with the sign: For Sale, $70.00, only worn once by mistake!LOL
Thought you would get a kick out of it!
Becky Ransom

Carol Hurlock said...

Geez, I have to admit if I saw that dress for $12 I probably would have to buy it too!!! Your dress are just awesome!

Anonymous said...

Carol, lovely dresses...you keep them splendidly, and photograph them beautifully. I love the lace cones accompanying them.

Blessings,
Marianne

Victoria said...

What beautiful wedding gowns! It does make one wonder why someone got rid of them...$12 was a bargain for sure!!!

Anonymous said...

That's simply wonderful! I love them - no wonder you just hang onto them! Neat, neat post and sentiments. "I won't tell anyone" and "I don't blame you" about keeping the dresses to yourself! Enjoyed my visit!

My link on Stephanie's is #4.

Ann said...

I just got my post up today, stop by and see my Wedding Photos. I love all your dresses in your collections. The first dress has a bodice similar to mine. It would fun to own these and do a little dreaming.
Ann

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Thanks so much for joining our Wedding Blog Party fun! I adore your beautiful vintage gowns and especially love how you have them displayed. I must say the first one with all the tiers of lace is just ohsolovely! Had to giggle about your lack of willingness to share ~ I'm kinda that way, too! LOL If I ever came to visit you, you'd have to check my luggage as I left!!

Thanks again for being a part of our special week!!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie

Anonymous said...

Hi
The dress is beautiful--thanks for sharing it! I'm a new reader of your blog; a friend of mine shared it with me, because I'm also making a wedding dress, for my own wedding, and decided to start a new Flower girl dresses