Abigail’s Vintage Bridal sources the finest original, unique and authentic vintage wedding gowns from around the world. All dresses are meticulously cleaned and restored to their full glory.  Dresses are available from the turn of the 20th Century to as late as the early 1970s. Every piece is carefully chosen as a wonderful example of period style.

The collection always has at least 200 original dresses in stock, the earliest usually from around 1890 – but we have a special predilection for Edwardian lace (roughly 1905 to 1919) and try to always have a good selection of this. The 1920s are tricky, but the 30s, 40s, and 50s have very good representation. The collection peters out quickly after 1959, but there are some 60s and even a very few 70s frocks in the collection!

Vintage wedding dresses are not museum pieces and sometimes require gentle tweaking to bring them into line with a more modern taste, without taking away from the essential style of the dress. We offer a comprehensive alteration service to achieve this for you. This alteration service is particularly useful as vintage dresses do tend to be on the smaller side, and were often made to be worn over quite supportive under garments!

Alteration costs are charged in addition to the price of the dress.  Significant remodelling, for example, sizing up from a 10 to a 14 (where possible) would incur a charge in the region of £300. We don’t however undertake alterations on dresses purchased elsewhere, unless it is an heirloom dress, and then only after a full consultation.

Vintage accessories have a timeless quality. We have a selection of unique vintage pieces from tiaras and headpieces created from vintage jewellery, including broaches, lace collars, fur and veils to compliment your choice of dress.

Appointments

Consultations are allocated 1 ½ hours so there is plenty of time to try things on.

You are encouraged to bring along someone you trust; it is much more fun to have your best friend or Mum with you – and decision making is easier too.

The Atelier is relatively small so realistically we can accommodate up to 4 guests.

Most dresses will require assistance to get in and out of – and we do not have a changing room as such, therefore you should be comfortable changing in front of whomever you bring with you.

We have a range of shoes but if you have a favourite pair or have your wedding day shoes already do bring them along.

It is preferable to wear light coloured underwear as darker colours and patterns show through the finer fabrics.

Please wear as little make-up as possible, ideally none, to avoid transfer to the dresses.

All the dresses are original vintage and as such are not necessarily perfect; age changes fabrics. All dresses are dresses are sold as seen. Any fittings and alterations are in addition to the price of the dress. Deposits are not refundable or transferable, nor do I buy back dresses.