A bespoke wedding dress is a great way to create a completely unique gown which reflects your personality and style for your big day. In this article I am going to share 8 places to take inspiration for your wedding dress.

As a wedding dress designer myself, attention to detail is an important part of my job- but many brides get stuck when it comes to the specifics of what they want. This is why it’s important to do a bit of research first and pinpoint what you like, so we can work together and incorporate it into your gown.

Here are some of the places I encourage you to look to for inspiration for your bespoke wedding dress.

 

1. Nature and the Seasons.

Fashion has always taken inspiration from nature. Maybe it’s a floral design, a particular swooping fabric which looks like the ocean, or an earthy, autumnal colour scheme. If you’re stuck on your dress then you should look to your favourite parts of nature- a flower you’re drawn to, delicate beading to look like water droplets or icicles, or bright, Spring tones.

 

2. Eras.

Looking at the fashions of various historical eras is a good idea if you want something timeless and unique. Maybe you’ll be drawn to the glamorous flapper-style dresses from the roaring 20’s, or the simplicity of the 60’s. You could even take it a step further and find your own vintage frock to alter.

 

3. Family

Lots of brides like to incorporate family heirlooms into their dress, whether it’s a piece of fabric from their mothers’ dress or a sentimental piece of jewellery. It can also be valuable to research your families cultural heritage, where you can see the styles and trends your ancestors may have followed.

 

 

4. Film, TV and Celebs

What’s the best part about a royal wedding or red carpet? Picking apart the dresses! Listen to the things you like and dislike about gowns you see online and in magazines. Maybe a certain style you find plain, aged or unflattering. If you see something you like, pinpoint exactly what it is- this could be a certain neckline, fabric or colour palette you’re consistently drawn to. The best part about creating your own bespoke wedding dress is that you can take all of these elements and create something exactly to your tastes.

 

5. Art

One of the best things about art is that it often teaches you to look outside of the box. For its time, The Starry Night was completely unique and unusual, from the abstract swirls of the night sky to the arbitrary colours and textures Van Gogh used. You should think this way about your dress too- none of the greats have ever stuck to the rules!

 

6. Your venue

You should think about how your dress fits your venue, both stylistically and practically. If you’re going abroad or to a beach you should think about lighter fabrics, and if you are getting married somewhere traditional you might want to mirror this with more intricate details.

 

7. Your partner and wedding party.

Your partner may have already sussed out what they are wearing, so it’s important they complement each other- the same with your wedding party. There may be elements of their outfit you can copy, like  a particular fabric, colour or style.

 

8. Your body.

Look at which styles and silhouettes you grab from your wardrobe everyday and seek out when you’re shopping. Maybe there are parts of your body you like to enhance or others you’re not 100% confident with, and your clothes will often reflect this. It’s a great idea to take inspiration from your own closet to see what shapes and fabrics you’ll feel the most comfortable in.

Hopefully you’re now well on your way to designing your dream wedding dress!

If you’re ready to get creative, feel free to contact me for a consultation. I’m a bespoke wedding dress designer based in Bedfordshire, where I hand craft completely unique gowns for a variety of special, one-of-a-kind brides. I would love to work with you to create the dress of your dreams.