When I first started Juno Says Hello back in 2009, the idea was to sell beautiful vintage cocktail dresses. I wasn't prepared for the number of brides-to-be who would get in touch in hope of finding the perfect outfit for their wedding day. These women had one thing in common: they wanted to look stylish without appearing overly 'bridal' - tulle, trains and lace were often ruled out - and felt that a unique vintage dress was the right choice for the occasion.
I buy a lot of 1950s and 1960s skirt suits, often in pale silk or crochet, and these are usually snapped up by brides who are inspired by Grace Kelly's outfit for her civil wedding ceremony in 1956. Here are a few examples of wedding-appropriate vintage dresses I have sold at Juno Says Hello over the years:
1950s Silk Grosgrain Dress by Blanes fom Juno Says Hello
1960s Wool Column Gown with Shawl from Juno Says Hello
1960s Brocade Shift with Embellished
Neckline from Juno Says Hello
Elizabeth Taylor marries Richard Burton, 1964
1960s Column Gown with Cape from Juno Says Hello
1930s Silk Gown with Daisy Print from Juno Says Hello
Vintage cocktail dresses are also ideal for less traditional ceremonies or if the bride wishes to change in something a bit more glamourous for the reception.
1960s Soutache Lace Shift from Juno Says Hello
1920s summer opera coat from Juno Says Hello
1960s Bellville Sassoon Gown from Juno Says Hello
Bianca Pérez-Mora Macias marries Mick Jagger in 1971
1950s Brocade Dress from Juno Says Hello
1970s Pleated Dress from Juno Says Hello
1950s Satin Dress from Juno Says Hello
Keira Knightley wore a cocktail dress to her wedding in 2013
Ombre Sequin Maxi Gown from Juno Says Hello
1970s Oscar de la Renta Gown from Juno Says Hello
Solange Knowles wore a caped jumpsuit at her wedding last year
1970s silver jumpsuit with pleated trousers from Juno Says Hello
1960s Embellished Gown from Juno Says Hello
1950s Ivory Satin Dress with Crystal Fringe from Juno Says Hello
1920 Ostrich Feather Cape from Juno Says Hello
Mia Farrow marries Frank Sinatra, 1966
1960s Nude Illusion Shift Dress from Juno Says Hello
Reverse
Audrey Hepburn marries Andrea Dotti, 1969
1950s Champagne Satin Gown with Flocked
Velvet Roses from Juno Says Hello
Carrie wears a vintage skirt suit for her wedding to Big
Juno Says Hello's e-boutique is offline over the summer and will relaunch in November, but I have recently acquired an incredible collection of vintage cocktail dresses suitable for winter weddings so please get in touch if you are a bride-to-be and we can arrange a studio visit. The consignment includes floor-length gowns (many in winter fabrics such as silk velvet or brocade) as well as a stunning 1950s princess-style dress with matching bolero. These items won't be uploaded to the main site until just before Christmas, but I will be posting photos on Twitter and Facebook soon. One of the dresses really reminds me of the moonstone-shade silk dress Dita Von Teese wore back in 2007:
In the meantime, you can read older posts on vintage wedding dresses here and here. I also have a great directory of vintage accessories dealers if you are looking for gloves, fur, veils and jewellery to co-ordinate with your dress - simply drop me a line and let me know how I can help.