Bridal Fashions – Spring 1845

Victorian Wedding Attire in Petit Courrier des Dames

This authentic 1845 hand-colored fashion plate from the prestigious Parisian journal Petit Courrier des Dames captures the peak of early Victorian bridal elegance. The antique print features a solemn interior scene with a bride holding a prayer book next to her companion, showcasing the classic mid-19th-century romantic silhouette. Characterized by sloping shoulders, a low pointed waistline, and voluminous layered skirts, this historical engraving sets the standard for high-society European wedding luxury.

Antique Lace Wedding Dress and Longchamp Silk Promenade Costume

The detailed French typography identifies high-end textiles from historical Paris designers, including laces by Mesdames Violard and cashmere fabrics from Gagelin. On the right, the Victorian bride models a spectacular muslin wedding gown (robe en mousseline de l’Inde) lined with silk, decorated with a point d’Angleterre lace scarf and veil, and finished with a delicate orange blossom wreath from Chagot. On the left, her companion wears a formal Longchamp promenade dress (toilette de Longchamps) by Madame Segura, paired with a vibrant patterned shawl.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges