Vicki commissioned a chiffon cowl back wedding dress in ivory soft satin and Georgette with hand appliquéd lace.

Official photographs by Vivien Woods

A short video of Vikki’s dress being worn here: Vicki’s Dress

The dress has and empire line bodice, lightly boned with a sweetheart neckline and shaped straps. The skirt was made of layered satin and Georgette split at centre front to reveal the contrast fabric beneath. A train flowed out at the back and could be hooked up for dancing. The back bodice was cut away and filled with delicate cotton lace, framed by a satin cowl draping from the shoulders. More lace was cut and hand appliqued to the front bodice and all around the edge of the back opening to blend the join between fabrics.

Detail of the lace hand appliquéd to the front bodice of the chiffon cowl back wedding dress. Some edges were left loose to create a soft and fluttering effect.

 Thank you letter

Vicki wrote: I know I’ve thanked you in lots of ways but I just wanted to write to say what a truly talented girl you are. You took my design and from day one made me feel like you were so passionate about it, so sure of where you were going with it I felt totally at ease. I loved coming to your house and sharing everything from fabric samples to life stories with you and the final product simply breathtaking. I have had so many compliments on the dress, all that detail and though paid off! We wish you every bit of success with your business and with the arrival of your beautiful new baby. Thank you a million times.

Love, Vicki xxx

Rachel Tyler (Vicki’s mum) wrote:

“Vicki is so thrilled with her dress-every bit as pleased with how it has all come together as she planned. It would be lovely to see you at the church if you are free.

Finally and far too late I get around to writing to you. Your creation for Vicki was just so utterly perfect and so right for her. She looked exactly how she had hoped to and I know it was far beyond her hopes and dreams. You took so much care and of course it showed. The fit was perfect, it moved as she moved and the ooh’s and ahh’s said it all.

I was privileged enough to be invited to the ceremony of Vicki’s wedding which was close by where I live. Here is Vicki pictured with me, her dressmaker. I am approx 20 weeks pregnant in this picture, it’s a baby not a food belly! And yes I made my outfit too, similar styles from £1600.

I was fortunate that a previous client recommended to me to Vicki as an expert wedding dress maker. And we were both then invited to Vicki’s wedding, such a compliment! It was lovely to see Katie again. You can see pictures of Katie’s bespoke butterfly inspired wedding dress here. And her mother’s tea length wedding dress, also made by me.

Making Vicki’s chiffon cowl back wedding dress

Original design sketch for the chiffon cowl back wedding dress

After her initial consultation but before Vicky booked-in I sent her pictures and a video (which can be seen on my facebook business page) of a quickly sewn sample. Made from scrap fabrics, to check I had the right understanding of her desires. In the beginning Vicky was toying with the idea of an underbust ribbon or beaded line, hence the silver ribbon here.

Making the chiffon cowl back wedding dress

Pictures from the toile (practice run) fitting, a trial run of the dress in cheap fabrics.

Vicki went to London to buy her lace and found something really beautiful. You can also order similar fabrics through my sample books, like that shown here from £120/m.

Sewing on the bodice lace, all cut and sewn by hand.

Pictures from the first fitting in real fabrics, back view. Pictures taken with and without flash showing how much difference that can make to the colour and shine of simple ivory satin!

An intermediate fitting of the chiffon cowl back wedding dress.

Finished dress on the stand

The train hooked up for dancing on a tiny button hidden just inside the cowl drape.

I supported the delicate cotton lace with a piece of silk organza, specially dyed to match Vicki’s skin tone so it wouldn’t show at all when worn.

To see another wedding dress with extensive lace work, visit my page for Lauren’s wedding dress

And I have a dedicated blog post showing all the lace wedding dresses I am most proud of here.