Kate Middleton’s Royal Wedding Dress

Kate Middleton’s absolutely stunning ivory white wedding dress as a lace workers’ dream.  French Chantilly lace was combined with English Cluny lace and hand-worked in the Irish Carrickmacross needlework tradition. The wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton of fashion design house Alexander McQueen.

Wedding Dress

Design & Craftsmanship

The lace appliqué was actually hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. 

They worked with the Alexander McQueen wedding dress team in accurately cutting out the delicate motifs from the lace fabrics and positioning the lace motifs with precision into the new design.  The lace motifs were pinned, ‘framed up’ and applied with stab stitching about every 1/10 of an inch around each lace motif.

The lace design was hand-appliquéd using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. 

This gorgeous handmade needlework was used mainly for the train and skirt of the Bride’s dress, the bodice and sleeves, the underskirt trim, the veil and even the Bridal shoes. These hand-cut & hand-appliquéd flowers onto ivory silk tulle created a unique, organic design.

As the laces came from different sources, it is important to make sure that each flower was the same color. The whole process was managed by Ms Burton.

This hand-cut English and French Chantilly lace handwork included the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock ~ royal flowers.

Wedding Dress Form

The flower motif was continued in the actual dress form.  The wedding dress skirt resembled an opening flower, and its train was 2.7 m (about 3 yards long) complemented the skirt shape.

The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs.  The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops.  The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace.

In short, a wedding dress with amazing shapes, forms and exquisite details.

Bridal Veil and Jewelry

The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, which was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.  The veil is held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, lent to Miss Middleton by The Queen. 

Tiara, something ‘borrowed’

The ‘halo’ tiara was made by Cartier in 1936 and was purchased by The Duke of York (later King George VI) for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King.  The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday.

Earrings

The Bride’s earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the centre.  Inspiration for the design comes from the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves.  The earrings were made to echo the tiara.  The earrings were a personal gift to the Bride from her parents for her Wedding Day.

Jewelry for others in the Bridal Party

Robinson Pelham have also designed and made a pair of diamond earrings for Miss Philippa Middleton.  These earrings are more floral in nature to compliment the headpiece worn by Miss Philippa Middleton during the Service.

A tourmaline and diamond pendant and matching earrings have been designed and made for Mrs. Carole Middleton.  Two gold stick pins, one with a single gold acorn at the head and the other with an oak leaf, are also worn respectively by the Father of the Bride, Mr. Michael Middleton, and the Bride’s brother, Mr. James Middleton.

Also see: Kate Middleton’s royal wedding bouquet

source: Royal site of Prince William and Kate’s wedding, officialroyalwedding2011.org

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Created by Atlantic Multimedia Ltd for Brides magazine. Go to www.bridesmagazine.co.uk for more inspiration.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

It takes just half an hour to create this special hair do! Wow.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Tiaras. A tiara is what most people envision when they think “headpiece.” Traditionally, tiaras are worn in very formal weddings. The variety of styles available today, however, makes them an option with any hair style, dress or veil. Simple, low profile pieces work well with a veil. More elaborate princess or crown tiaras are stunning without a veil.

Hats. Bridal hats can add character to your wedding and dress. Sizes range from large, flower-adorned varieties to small, pillbox hats. Historically, birdcage veils were popular choices to wear with a wedding hat, but they also look stunning without a veil. Skullcaps are a different type of hat. They fit very close to the head and serve to secure the veil.

Headbands and V-Bands. The single headband is most common, but there are double and triple headbands as well. They can be decorated to match your shoes or bouquet, or can be subtler, depending on how much you want to showcase your wedding hair style. A headband works with all hair lengths, looks equally wonderful with an up do or flowing hair, and can serve as a veil attachment. If you want to draw attention to your face, consider a v-band, which is a type of headband worn across your forehead.

Rings and Wraps. There are several varieties of ring-shaped headpieces. Bun wraps are designed to wrap around a bun. Halos look nice sitting on top of short hair. Floral wreaths, which fit across the forehead, can complement an informal, outdoor wedding.

Combs. These versatile headpieces come in a variety of styles and sizes, and can complement any wedding or hair style. Wear them on the top, side, or back of your head to secure your hair or veil. Combs are often sewn to veils as an anchor.

Barrettes. Small combs and barrettes work well without a veil. These can be simple or flashy, and can be decorated with your choice of crystals, floral pieces, pearls, or rhinestones.

Other Hair Adornments. If you are a nontraditional, second, or older bride you may choose to go without a veil or headpiece. Besides barrettes and combs, there are a variety of other hair gems to choose from. Many stores sell bridal twists or pins made from pearls, beads, or crystals. You can even convert a necklace or other jewelry into hair jewelry. Most stylists are quite adept at weaving these into your hair style.

Whichever headpiece you are considering, ask the advice of your family and bridesmaids. They will help you choose the perfect headpiece — one that will look stunning on YOU!

About the Author

Bobette Kyle-Wagner is publisher at http://www.MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com, a Website helping engaged couples get the most use from Internet wedding resources. The site includes online wedding tips, original articles, and tutorials. Read more about wedding veils (styles, lengths, colors, etc.), tiaras, and headpieces at: http://www.MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/veils

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Featured at AboutToGetMarried.com
By Mike Jones

Wedding Day Hair Styles: A Top 10 Checklist

The big day is fast approaching, and the energy of the moment sweeps you up. But does it carry your hair along too? Use the following checklist to ensure your wedding day hair is everything you dream it will be:

1. Which stylist? Make bookings for consultations with more than one stylist well in advance and decide on the one you feel most comfortable with. You should be able to express your likes and dislikes without feeling awkward.

2. Long hair, shoulder length, or short hair? It is important to consult with your stylist well in advance and make a decision. Long hair obviously gives the stylist much freedom for creativity but a skilled stylist can also work well with medium and short styles. Be sure to choose a length that fits with your personality and style.

3. Have your hair compliment your wedding dress. This can be done by both style and accessories. Smooth, straight hair and pinned up curls are often paired up with smooth satin gowns, whereas a tulle dress often goes well with soft curls.

4. Take into consideration your silhouette. If it’s along horizontal lines such as with a wide dress, you’ll want to stick with that look for your hair as well. The same goes for a vertical profile.

5. You’ll be spending a lot of time at the salon picking outthe perfect hairstyle, so it’s best to be prepared. Be sur eto wash your hair the night before your consultation, andtry to have some pictures of styles you’d like to try out.

6. Take a picture of your wedding dress along to yourstylist. This will greatly help the process along. Also take your veil with you, and let the stylist know what kind ofwedding you are having: formal, informal, evening, daytime.Alternatively, consult with your stylist before deciding onyour headpiece.

7. If you are interested in a new cut or color to your hair, don’t wait until right before your wedding. Make the changes during the initial consultation with the stylist, so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises down the road.

8. After you have decided on your style, make sure you walk around with it. Your wedding day will be a long one and you certainly don’t want an uncomfortable hair do causing irritation!

9. Your veil length will have some influence on your choice of hairstyle. Normally, the veil is longer than the hair. It is often secured in back swept hair (for up dos) and it’s important to make sure the style can hold the veil in place.

10. What accessories are you going to wear? You will already(hopefully!) have your headpiece picked out. Flowers, pins,and beads can be used to add an extra sparkle to your hair,and you can and should coordinate them with the rest of your jewelry.

It may sound like choosing a bridal hair style is a strenuous activity, but the care and preparation is simply to make sure your wedding day is the best it can be.

Following this ten point checklist will ensure your wedding day hair style is a delight, not a disaster!

About the author

Mike Jones

http://www.bodyfaq.com/WeddingHair/