Lola’s Bridesmaids, July 2009

Lola was planning a monumental wedding at Lincoln Cathedral, attended by no less than 10 adult bridesmaids and 4 flower girls. She had a very distinct idea about the colours and style she had in mind for the adults, but was quite open to designs for the flower girls that would compliment the older girls and her own bridal gown.
For the adult bridesmaids, Lola had decided upon  a knee –length , princess line dress with a strapless, sweet heart neckline with a scalloped lace trim. We picked out a beautiful silk taffeta in a rich turquoise (which was the family colour chosen for the ceremony), but the challenge was to find a suitable lace that could be used to trim the hem of the skirt as well as the neckline. It was also important that the trim wasn’t black according to Nigerian custom. We picked out a stunning, marine blue, French lace that leant itself perfectly to the design. It had to be cut out by hand and hand stitched to each of the dresses, but it was worth the effort. The dresses were finished off with a matching,  organza ribbon at the waist, while the two maids of honour wore theirs below the bust to echo the empire style lines on Lola’s dress.

After considering a number of options, Lola opted for a very traditional and simple dress design for her young attendants in ivory duchess satin. A  silk, turquoise, ruchéd sash tied around the waist in a big bow at the back with  each of the girls wearing a handmade,  ivory silk rose corsage.