Textured, layered organza and laser cut lace for Leicester Castle Wedding

Nalavwe had a very clear idea from the beginning about what her wedding dress design should look like, and I was very flattered that she wanted to drive all the way south from Leicester to visit so that I could make the dress for her.
The design was to be very modern, but retain a certain amount of ‘traditional’ ballgown feel to it. Not my usual style, but I do love a challenge, and I adored Nalavwe too!
The dress has a fitted bodice and a dropped waist which was embroidered ina  very unusual lace - it was actually a corded laser cut design, but i used it it my usual way of snipping and molding the fabric seamlessly to the body. The decollete and the shoulders have a layer of fine organza making a kind of vest, which the lace, and the introduction of another much finer lace are embroidered organically on the decollete and over the shoulders, and down the back, and scattered with glass beads and swarovski diamante crystals.
The lace flows organically from the dropped waist onto the textured skirts in a similar way.
Now don’t cringe when I say this, but the skirts were made in a kind of hankerchief style - but in a good way! Trust me! Layering organza with tulle, and the effect was a little like the petals of a Chrysanthemum.
A grosgrain ribbon accentuated the waist and buckled with a vintage deco dress clip.
I made Nalavwe a juliette cap veil too in silk tulle, trimmed with matching lace and diamante.

The images of Nalavwe and her husband Ray are by Chris at Your Perfect Day wedding photography. if you follow this link to his blog, there are more wonderfully dramatic and beautiful photographs from the day!