This gorgeous Edythe Vincent for Alfred Angelo Gown was photographed in front of the Santa Maria della Spina, a beautiful Gothic Church on the banks of the Arno in Pisa, Italy.

The graceful sheath of dusky rose silk organza, covered in Chantilly, was the cover dress for the 1963 Spring issue of Modern Bride.  It featured a rose silk organza Cathedral train that flared low from the hips and could be bustled.

"Shortie" wrist length gloves were worn with the three quarter length sleeves and the crowning touch was a shoulder length blush colored veil.  The gown retailed for $140 in 1963.  Using the Columbia Conversion Calculator, the cost of this gown today would be $825, which as we all know is woefully undervalued by today's wedding gown prices.

This 1963 Advertisement for Josina Bridals shows the classic 60's silhouette of a Bubble Sheath.  This gown was a homogenized version of the Balenciaga tulip and the Hubert de Givenchy inspired sack dress.

Construction of the gown  featured superb dressmaking details, such as hand clipped laces and structured seams with pellon linings.  This illustration shows just how sophisticated a pillbox hat can be when worn with the correct gown.  Once maligned, the Pillbox is now making a comeback with modern day brides who choose to wear vintage gowns.

Silk Organza Sheath with hand beading and cathedral train by Victor of Brides World, circa 1962.

This fabulous silk sheath featured hand beaded crystal lilies of the valley and tiny dimensional blossoms.  A draped peau sash marks the high rising waistline.

A fine example of the inflationary process!  The cost of this gown in 1962 was $165 dollars.  A similar gown in the year 2004 would retail for well over $2000.

Here's a perfect example of the Midi hemline and A-line influence that began in the mid sixties.   Ivory silk faced peau is lined in pellon with three quarter sleeves and slightly lowered empire.  A Watteau train falls from the shoulders and is floor length while the hemline of the gown is flared and raised to reveal the ankles and shoes.

By Edythe Vincent for Alfred Angelo, the gown, elaborately scrolled in Alencon and French piping retailed for $250 in 1965.  The matching cap and veil were by Tina Michele.  The Bride's bouquet consisted of a ball of fresh green baby's breath and waxy stephanotis as arranged by Dick Van Duzer.  Shortie gloves completed the fabulous look.

$250 in 1965 cost conversion is $1,428.57 in 2002 dollars.

Modern Bride
Fall issue 1965
Collection of Lauren Lavonne