Lovely Erin Hutchings helping fit a bridesmaid into a pink 20s vintage dress from Dolly Up Vintage Emporium

It’s not every day that a groom goes bridesmaids dress shopping… nor should a groom be expected to. But there I was, standing in a beautiful space begging to be photographed, with my camera conveniently in hand, after (entirely by chance) our paths crossed with one of my fiancée’s bridesmaids at the Biennale of Sydney, which then led to an impromptu visit to Dolly Up Vintage Emporium. Has my manhood be saved? I don’t believe it needs to be. In all honesty, being an aspiring wedding photographer, I have been fairly involved with the wedding planning process (or lack there of – we are trailing behind the 8-ball by some distance). I picked our photographers, have met with florists and sent emails to make up artists on behalf of my fiancée. I have also flashed my credit card here and there. But thankfully, the only area which I have stayed well away from is the wedding dress, which remains a secret.

A bridesmaid in a pink 20s vintage dress from Dolly Up Vintage Emporium

Dolly Up Vintage Emporium is a boutique, vintage dress shop in Surry Hills, Sydney. Inside you will find vintage designer pieces for every occasion. My fiancée wore a dress from Dolly Up to our engagement party and on this particular occasion she was hunting for a bridesmaid’s dress for our wedding. The carefully curated range includes pre-loved glamour dresses from the fifties, to wild jumpsuits from the eighties, in pure silks and natural boho cottons, and all with some sort of designer heritage like Valentino, Mui Mui and Robert Clergerie. Some of the pieces have found their way onto the pages of fashion magazines and into the wardrobes of celebrities, but most are now loved by other vintage lovers, such as my betrothed.

Floppy vintage ladies bowler hat with feathers and other vintage items hanging off a wicker screen at the side window of Dolly Up Vintage Emporium

Vintage floral blouse for sale on the counter of Dolly Up Vintage Emporiu

Rack of floral vintage dresses bursting with Spring colours at Dolly Up Vintage Emporium

Fashion magazine featuring vintage stores such as Dolly Up Vintage Emporium on the counter

New dresses are constantly coming in, as stock constantly walks out of this store. I think there is  something about the way these graceful, feminine, designer dresses emphasise all the right features. Erin, the owner of Dolly Up, joked about the unfortunate tension between our finite bank accounts and the infinite supply of timeless dresses which seemed to sit so beautifully on our bridesmaid. Erin’s such a delight to deal with, and as a stylist, she is gifted with an incredible eye. So we’ve engaged her to help source some vintage bridesmaids dresses for our wedding. It’s a really simple process and what bride doesn’t want less to think about right? Erin just needs a starting point – a palette, a style, or a dress to build from. Now the only thing we need to do is wait to see what Erin turns up. Here’s a look at some of the potential bridesmaids’ dresses Erin picked out for us.

Valentino like lace slip bridesmaids dress for a vintage at Dolly Up Vintage Emporium

Shoulder detail of a pink 20s vintage bridesmaids dress from Dolly Up Vintage Emporium

Valentino like bridesmaids dress for a vintage wedding at Dolly Up Vintage Emporium with Erin Hutchings playing with the length

Dolly Up Vintage Emporium
382 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills
(02) 9699 8181

Images by Kiss and Tell Photography

Ms Gingham says: I’m loving this post so much! Andy you are so talented behind that camera and what a wonderful story of impromptu shopping!

Andy from Kiss and Tell Photography says: “I honestly can’t believe that this has happened. I can’t believe that I proposed to Mel and we’re now getting married. Every time we sit down to start making wedding plans, we look at each other and think ‘I can’t believe we’re getting married!”