Caroline Arthur Bridal

28/06/2024

If you’re feeling like you need a bit of propping up, I can recommend leaning against a tree.

They really don’t seem to mind.

Have a lovely weekend folks xx

Images

26/06/2024

Everyone is talking about it!

Couldn’t resist sharing this post from ahead of the publication of my book RELOVABLE, all about what to do with your old wedding dress.

Link in bio to pre-order!

This is your sign to dye your wedding dress 💫

We absolutely LOVE how .sortchilvers dyed her stunning dress pink after her wedding. The perfect example of upcycling ✨

Is your wedding dress hidden away in your wardrobe? Want to transform it so you can wear it again & again? Send a DM & they’ll be your fairy godmother 💫

12/06/2024

I’m so happy! Repurposing old wedding dresses on prime time TV! Best episode of ever!

31/05/2024

It’s just over a week to go until THREAD the FESTIVAL OF TEXTILES where I am in the line up of speakers at the Farnham Maltings!

Here are the talks you can look forward to on the day - Sat 8th June… book in advance and save! £8 advance £12 on the door. Go to
to order yours.

10am woman grows jeans with
11am the history of batik with
12.30pm understanding dress making patterns with
2pm archipelago woven textiles with
3.15pm wedding dress upcycling with ME!!

Find out how to dye, paint, restyle and refabricate that old wedding dress that has been lurking in your loft!

I’m so looking forward to catching up with some lovely friends xx

29/05/2024

CREATIVE BOOKSHOP NOW OPEN!!

I suspect this may be a world exclusive because the hashtag barely exists 😂.

If you’re looking for a beautiful gift for someone who needs more creativity in their life, or you’re just curious, then come on over to carolinearthur.com for a peek at my new indie bookshop! (Just click on “SHOP” on the menu!)

More books added each week, to be organised soon, I promise, into categories of and many more!

Recommendations welcome!

Featuring gorgeous gems from , , and

Let your authors know! We love their creative work…keep it coming!

Ps I’ll let know what’s flying off the shelves 😉.

27/05/2024

This weekend I’ve been preparing for Thread, the festival of textiles which is happening on Saturday 8th June at Farnham Maltings !!

There are lots of talks and workshops going on and my session is all about…you guessed it…upcycling your old wedding dress!! I cannot wait to share some sparkly ideas and inspiration and have tagged some of the other speakers also taking part so do check them out.

Head over to Thread... a Festival of Textiles to book your tickets, £8 in advance, £12 on the door, £5 18-25yrs and under 18 free!

Join us for a fabulous day of textiles, shop from independent fabric sellers, haberdasheries, pattern designers, vintage textiles, printers, weavers, embroiderers and many more

Illustration

27/05/2024

This weekend I’ve been preparing for Threads, the festival of textiles which is happening on Saturday 8th June at !!

There are lots of talks and workshops going on and my session is all about…you guessed it…upcycling your old wedding dress!! I cannot wait to share some sparkly ideas and inspiration and have tagged some of the other speakers also taking part so do check them out.

Head over to the grid to book your tickets, £8 in advance, £12 on the door, £5 18-25yrs and under 18 free!

Join us for a fabulous day of textiles, shop from independent fabric sellers, haberdasheries, pattern designers, vintage textiles, printers, weavers, embroiderers and many more

Illustration

25/05/2024

My beautiful REAL BRIDE Jess captured here by photographer Sophie May.

I just LOVED working with Jess to ensure her dress fitted her perfectly, and to tame that magnificent hem!

As for most of my brides, I had been recommended, which is always nice for me and very reassuring for the bride.

If your dress needs tailoring to fit you beautifully, then do get in touch soon - I specialise in remodelling and altering pre-loved, ex-sample and sustainably made gowns and I’m taking bookings right into the summer 2025 so it’s never too early.

Venue .events
Photos
Bridal boutique
Dress
Alterations
HMUA
Blooms

25/05/2024

Hello and happy weekend all!

BIG NEWS! I'm delighted to share with you that on 29th May (next week), I'll be throwing open the digital doors of my new independent creative bookshop!

Click on the link to find out more and do let me know in a comment what your favourite creative book is... I may be able to list it in my shop!

Caro xx

COMING SOON! Wedding dress designer Caroline Arthur is about to launch her latest venture - A new independent online creative bookshop

12/04/2024

Have you got your old wedding dress tucked away in the loft?

Come and discover what to do with it at the Threads festival at Farnham Maltings on 8th June, where I'll be one of several inspiring speakers!

I'll be sharing ideas on how to revitalise your old gown. Be the first to come and explore ideas for re-using it, with practical ideas for dyeing, painting, restyling or crafting, ahead of the release of my new book "Relovable", which will be available to pre-order on the day, with a special introductory discount.

Click on the link below to find out more and book tickets!



Images by Ami Robertson

https://farnhammaltings.com/events/wedding-dress-upcycling

24/03/2024

My beautiful REAL BRIDE Beth ❤️

These stunning images by Guy Collier, captured this thoughtful couple as they celebrated in style at Farbridge in West Sussex, having been officially wed in Hong Kong during COVID days.

Looking fabulous in an ex-sample Kate Halfpenny gown, Beth had given me the pleasure of providing some TLC and adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.

As you can imagine…that hem could not be rushed.

If you have a pre-loved or ex sample gown you’d like to have restored to perfection, do get in touch soon- I have some spaces in the Autumn xx

Venue -
Florist -
Styling -
Hair and Makeup -
Dress -
Alterations
Photos
Bride

21/03/2024

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine- and shadows will fall behind you”

Whatever you have on your to-do list today, I can highly recommend following this advice from Walt Whitman.

It seems to have stood me in good stead during the last few weeks as I’ve continued to pursue my dream of finding a sustainable printer for my book ✅, and getting a tree planted for every copy sold ✅, and making it a charity fundraiser ✅.

More deets coming soon x

Dream big. Anything is possible. And don’t forget to listen to the birdsong 🍃

13/03/2024

I’ve got one thing on my mind today.

With a packed schedule of appointments with publishers and printers at this afternoon, my question is this…

How sustainably can you produce my book about sustainability?

I’m by no means squeaky clean, but I’m learning all the time, just by trying to ask the right questions. I’m hoping for a bit more than recycled paper….Let’s see if we can at least get that carbon footprint down a bit and plant a few trees on the way.

Soy ink? Bring it on

Greenwashing radar on full alert.

28/02/2024

Ever tried silk painting?

I have the perfect excuse to brush up my skills, with a gorgeous commission coming up this summer for a silk painted wedding dress.

The process is slow and mindful, which suits me down to the ground right now, allowing each layer of paint to dry, before adding the next detail, in order to build up the shading and texture.

The beautiful silk organza in the hoop was kindly provided from overstock at .

This friendly British company have been around since 1975, hand dyeing silks in small batches right here in the UK.
Image by

Why not try and do something creative today, even if only for a minute? xx

25/02/2024

My breathtaking REAL BRIDE Georgia with her dream team 💕.

Georgia chose a stunning sample gown from which she brought to me for alterations, repairs and a bit of restorative TLC.

Georgia wore the sensational “snowberry” crown by and the simplest elegant tulle veil.

These wonderful images by Gemma at capture the joyful day perfectly, regardless of the fact it was raining cats and dogs.

Blooms
HMUA
Venue
Dream team .tm isab3llaoneill

22/02/2024

Looking for an inspiring speaker for your creative event, school or college?

Then get in touch as I might be your gal!

My speaking diary is fully booked for the summer, but I have some availability in the Autumn. I speak about creative careers, upcyling and all things to do with running your own creative business.

If you’ve ever wanted to improve your public speaking skills, maybe you run your own business and want to raise your game, then why not seek out your local club?.

I belong to the Godalming branch which welcomes new member # is 100% mixed ability and super friendly, wouldn’t you say, .uk ?!

DM me if you’re interested in coming along.

Right… back to that pile of wedding dresses I’m making or restyling and the book I’m writing which, apologies, have kept me from showing up here for a while 😂.

Have a good day x

21/01/2024

I’ve been busy transforming some of my old wedding dress samples this week.

If you have a strapless wedding dress and a yearning for sleeves then do get in touch.

There are heaps of solutions and lots of fun to be had choosing which you like best.

My what-to-do-with-your-old-wedding-dress book is finished and about to be transformed by a skilful editor, so it’s transformations all round!

Have a great start to the week! X

Photo

17/01/2024

My gorgeous REAL BRIDE Debbie ❤️

Having sadly had to postpone their wedding, this beautiful couple finally tied the knot in December on one of the coldest days of the year.

I had the pleasure of adjusting this beautiful bride’s gown from to fit.

My diary is full for summer weddings now but so get in touch if you need alterations on your gown for your autumn or winter wedding xx

Photos
Venue
Veil
Hair
Make up
Flowers Floraeforay
Bride
Wedding dress alterations

06/01/2024

Sketching new designs to make from old wedding dresses.

I love the challenge of re-making and my heart sings when a bride-to-be brings me a fresh customisation idea or an heirloom dress for restyling.

Do get in touch soon if that’s you- the diary is almost full for this summer but I’d love to find out about your ideas and see if we can work together.

Image

04/01/2024

Thank you for welcoming me back back to the Fashion studio today.

“… In September Caroline visited us to set second year learners a project to transform an old wedding dress into a new confidence busting outfit. Watch this space to see what they produced. It was great to see Caroline excited about learners work - she was ‘blown away’ with their final outcomes. We look forward to working with Caroline in the future and thank her for her enthusiasm and support of new, young, fashion talent”

So happy to be part of this brilliant project and thank you Sam Jones for making it all happen.

02/01/2024

Ready and waiting for the magic to start ☺️

After a gorgeous lazy Christmas break, I am so happy to be back at my sewing table.

With a packed diary of fittings ahead, , I’m easing myself in gently by eeking out a bit of time each day of the last of the school hols with a bit of baking, painting and chimping around with the fam.

Enjoy the start to your week and stay loose ❤️

Image

31/12/2023

Celebrating another beautiful year ❤️.

Thank you to all my wonderful brides who have made 2023 such fun.

Along the way, I’ve made some fabulous new industry friends who have changed my life and brought stunning new energy with them. I’m so grateful, , , , , , and most especially,

And thank you for all you’ve brought me, my irreplaceable supplier buddies, as well as the shops who have donated wonderful sample dresses for my what-to-do-with-your-old-wedding-dress book,


This image is of Grandma’s dress restyled ❤

My beautiful REAL BRIDE Tash, wearing an heirloom dress worn more than half a century earlier by her Grandma.

I LOVED working with Tash to restore and refine this simple style. When it was pulled out of the bag, the ravages of time were slightly evident, but clearly it had gorgous potential.

The dress had been handwashed and was too short, with broken boning, some holes and a lot of wobbly edges which needed supporting. With a lot of TLC, I lowered the neckline slightly, fixed what needed fixing and extended the length, with the addition of a complimentary lace trim.

The ultimate sustainable option... this just makes my heart sing!

Dress - Grandma
Bride -
Restyling - me
Flowers -
Day headband
Evening headband
Stunning photos by Dan Higginson of .ltd

23/12/2023

“Trouble knocked at the door, but hearing laughter, hurried away”
-Benjamin Franklin

Have a wonderful Christmas my lovely insta friends 😘. Wishing you heaps of happiness and hope to chat with you more in 2024, if my elusive and unreliable social media mojo finally reappears 😂.

Thank you to the brilliant Ami of for capturing me exactly as I am, face all screwed up and lost in a joyful moment. May there be many more of those for all of us.

Let’s make it happen.

Love Caro ###

08/12/2023

Ever wondered what you could do with your old wedding dress?

There’s been some exciting refabrication and fabric manipulation going on behind the scenes at Farnborough College of Technology, exploring just that.

“Here’s a sneak peek of what the second years have been up to on their live project with

Learners were challenged to take an existing wedding dress, dismantle it and then use the fabric to create a new garment.

Garments needed to make the wearer feel confident.

Watch this space for the big reveal…”

28/11/2023

I’d love to share a little peek BEHIND THE SCENES in my sewing room.

When you come for a wedding dress fitting, we’ll be wafting around elegantly in my bridal studio downstairs.. purpose built, oak framed, airy and ivory, filled with beautiful dresses.

Meanwhile…. 😂 No-one gets to see this room where I sketch new designs, snip, stitch, press and try to resist notifications from the digital world (sorry, but slow on the admin currently).

So here I am, doing what I love and living the dream. My favourite is image 3, the box of whatever gets leftover, where I spend much of my time rummaging for inspiration.

I hope you’re doing something you love today xx

Images
HMUA
Fabrics
Blinds
Caro’s outfit
Sewing machine
Mannequins

29/10/2023

Why not have your bridal hair accessories made for you? 💕

These delicate pins were individually created from old leftover scraps of lace appliqué from various couture gowns I have made in recent years.

They are the work of Clare Lloyd who specialises in making and re-making the MOST gorgeous bridal accessories, I am so proud to be able to show some of her stunning sustainably made pieces.

I literally just sent her a bag of “bits”, and these are what came back.

You can see them when you come to my studio for your dress fitting, and maybe they’ll inspire you to have something unique made, perhaps from the offcuts of a loved one’s old gown?

You can order through me, or contact Clare directly.

Meaningful, heirloom beauty for your wedding xx

Studio
Image
Bespoke hair accessories
Sewing machine- the one I learnt to sew on when I was 8.

28/10/2023

My very own sister Gail Reid Artist will be LIVE on this, doing her painterly thing!

So, so proud ❤️

28/10/2023

I love the middle of Autumn.

The pleasure for me is having a good old sort out of my studio, making cookies… I’ll finish picking the apples, and enjoy the rustle from the copper beech tree in the garden before I pack away what many of you will recognise as my favourite blue camping dress.

It makes me giggle to listen to people moaning about the rain 😂.

But mostly, Autumn means a bit more time with my family, settling into school routines, and an idyllic week in Portugal.

I have SO many exciting projects to share with you over the coming weeks..it’s all going to get a bit “writey” as I crack on and get my book finished, under the gentle guiding hand of Amy at

Looking forward to returning to to see how their fashion students are getting on with remodelling the old wedding dresses you donated earlier in the summer.

But mostly, I’ll be here, doing what I love, designing, re-designing and altering wedding dresses.

The diary is starting to get full, lovely brides, so do book in soon!

Can’t wait to meet you xx

Images by
(Except for the apple which was an iPhone snap by me!)

27/10/2023

Thinking about restyling your wedding dress neckline?

These beautiful images by photographer Chris Jelf, of my REAL BRIDE Alice, show how we took a stunning Jesus Peiro halter dress and converted it into strapless.

Swipe left for before-and-after images, as well as a close-up of the delicious long sleeved silk satin cowel top, which we re-modelled so Alice could wear it back-to-front for the ceremony.

I love re-styling and altering existing wedding dresses, and have had the pleasure of working on many designer dresses.

Sometimes, I think you can just change your mind about an element of your dress... you don't have to just live with it... if you don't feel it's quite how you want it, then do get in touch and we can chat about how to change it.

You can DM me here, call 01428 681727 or email [email protected] to chat about your ideas.

Photographer: .jelf.photographer (wow, Chris, just...wow!)
Original dress
Original top
Dress re-modelling
Hair & Make-up:
Shoes: and (because you need both).
Flowers by Venetia Verey