The Country Set Collection by Kitty & Dulcie ~ Affordable Bridal Wear For the Budget Savvy Bride

We try hard here at Love My Dress to cater for brides with all kind of budget to spend on their wedding day as we never want any of our readers and visitors to feel that they can't seek inspiration from these pages that they can use in a real, practical way and translate in to their own wedding or wedding planning.  We gain pleasure from sharing all manner of wedding and wedding inspiration from the budget to the luxury and that's how it will always be.

This morning, we're going to focus on the money-saving end of the wedding budget spectrum, with bridal wear being the focus. We're often told that we need to put aside this or that much for a dress in the wedding magazine budget planners – and let's be honest, most of us expect that figure to be anything from say £800 upwards.  Infact the vast majority of brides planning a wedding probably spend more like £1,500 on their wedding dress – and many spend much more. My dress cost £2,250 and more for adjustments – it's a case of 'each to their own' at the end of the day. We make no judgement here!  But did you know that there is a brand out there who specialise in providing affordable wedding dresses without compromising on quality and avoiding having to use very cheap materials and production techniques?

Let me introduce you to Kitty & Dulcie…

Film copyright (c) 2013, Natasha Stanbridge

Kitty & Dulcie offer brides a
collection of wedding dresses designs that their purse will love. 
Kitty and Dulcie was set up by Flo & Percy founder, Kirstie Taylor
and her friend Shelley Carter-Bright, and the company was named after
their respective grandmothers, which makes quite a charming story…

'Kitty
Paine and Dulcie Smith were born at the beginning of the last century.
Throughout their war torn years and beyond they shared a passion for
dressmaking. They lived their lives at a time when money and materials
were scarce yet they succeeded in producing the most exquisite designs.
They were the Fairy Godmothers of their era. Kitty & Dulcie was
created in their memory so that we too can bring a sprinkling of magic
to brides-to-be with our beautiful yet exceptionally low priced
designs.'

All Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Sarah Louise Johnson

You may or may not already be aware of Kitty & Dulcie – I'm
introducing you to them today to tell you all about their brand new
'Country Set
Collection', comprising of seven beautiful wedding are all priced
below £400. 

Wow!

Let's walk through this collection gown by gown to get a good feel
for what's on offer.  First up, the 'Lady Penelope bridal gown', a short 1960s inspired ivory gown in soft lace for just £325.

'Our
60’s inspired, lace shift dress is boned with a padded bust and has the
most delicate, sheer sleeve detailing. This dress can be shortened by a
professional seamstress to your desired length and is the perfect gown
to twist ‘n shout and wave those gorgeous arms about.'

Inspired by the fashions of the previous decade, the 'Baroness Pearl bridal gown' is a tea length, ivory lace and tulle gown, here styled with an optional retro red sash (£30) that costs just £345.

'This gown with soft,
romantic 3/4 length lace sleeves and a dainty V-neck and full-circle
skirt made from layers of sheer tulle make this 50’s inspired dress
super-stylish yet fun, comfortable and perfect for showing off a pair of
killer heels. Fancy an extra hue? We’ve added a pop of colour with our red sash and retro motif.'

I do love the fun retry style of this gown, there's no denying that the 1950's full circle silhouette is still hugely popular…

The Countess Carmel bridal gown pictured
above and below – a full-length, ivory organza and lace bridal gown
that costs just £395. 

'Our
full length, lace embellished organza, fishtail gown with puddle train
has cross over corset detailing, ideal for showing off an hourglass
figure. It’s fully boned and has a hidden bra strap and padded bust. The
appliqued trim can be removed by a professional seamstress, for easy
shortening. We like to think of this ravishing number as a mix of Little
Mermaid meets Jessica Rabbit. Go get ‘em girls!'

The Duchess Dotty bridal gown is a knee-length, ivory and beaded satin gown, styled here with optional 'Cover Me Kate' ivory lace jacket for £35, and costs a mere £295.

'This 50’s inspired strapless gown incorporates a structured, fully boned bodice with delicate beading (inc. hidden bra strap and padded bust), plus a full skirt of ivory satin with diamante embellishment on a drop waistband. We’ve added our gorgeous Cover Me Kate Lace jacket, which can be whipped off to reveal those sexy shoulders for your first dance.'

The Madame Minnie bridal gown is a tea-length, ivory satin and tulle bridal gown costing £350.

'The ppliqued satin and tulle are a mix made in heaven. The structured bodice shows off shoulders beautifully whilst the flowing tea-length layers of tulle are cut at a shin flattering length. Fancy showing off more leg? A professional seamstress can shorten this gown. Ultra romantic with all the ingredients of Princess Perfect glamour.'

The Queen Kitty bridal gown is a full-length, ivory lace and tulle bridal gown costing £395.

'This is an incredibly feminine and elegant gown, with a mix of soft organza and lace and romantic scalloped neck and shoulder detail. It is styled here with the Rock Baroque Sash(£195) from  Flo & Percy.  The top is boned and has a padded bust and invisible bra strap. It can be worn with or without our delicate organza sash (included). Or how about adding an extra bit of Killer Queen oomph with a waist flattering sash embellished with delicate gems from Flo & Percy?'

Finally, we have the Dame Dulcie bridal gown, a knee length, ivory lace and satin bridal gown costing just £350.

'This is an all over lace, 50’s style wedding gown with a v-shaped, scalloped neckline and elbow length sleeves over a full-circle petticoat and satin underskirt, (the scalloped lace trim can be removed by a professional seamstress for shortening). This luxurious gown exudes vintage charm – we’re talking major ‘twirl factor.’

So there you have it ladies, a lovely collection of highly affordable wedding dresses for those of you with a tighter budget who want to look just as good on your wedding day.

For further information, please visit the Kitty & Dulcie website.

But before you go, tell me, which is your favourite?

Annabel

Credits
Photography – Sarah Louise Johnson
Film – Natasha Stanbridge
Dresses – Kitty & Dulcie
Hair – Yulia Newport
Makeup Artist – Alison Cameron
1. Countess Carmel gown -  Flower Child Forehead Band by Flo & Percy £185, model Eve Ainsbury
2. Lady Penelope gown – Hippy Chic Forehead band £175 by Flo & Percy, shoes Petra £165 by Rachel Simpson, model Eve Ainsbury
3. Baroness Pearl gown – red sash with rockabilly bird motif
£30 by Kitty & Dulcie, I Feel Pretty Birdcage Veil £185
by Flo & Percy, Trinkletina shoes £69.99 by Irregular Choice, Apple Handbag £65 by Helen Rochfort, model Eve Ainsbury
4. Duchess Dotty gown -  Cover Me Kate lace jacket £35 by Kitty & Dulcie, Audrey’s Dream Tiara £215 by Flo & Percy, shoes with added homemade felt flowers, stylist’s own, handmade bouquet
from £85 Lavendar Blue Flowers, model Sussan Zeck
5. Madame Minnie gown – The Queen of Persia
Headband £220 by Flo & Percy, Petra shoes by Rachel Simpson, model Sussan Zeck
6. Queen Kitty gown – Rock Baroque Headband £195 + Rock Baroque Sash £195 & Cuff £185 all by Flo & Percy, model Eve Ainsbury
7. Dame Dulcie gown – Hippy Chic Comb £155 and
Hippy Chic cuff £165 both Flo & Percy, Mrs Lower shoes by Irregular Choice £94.99, Pin-Up Girl Decoupage Case, $65 EBay, model Sussan Zeck