Hi, I’m Fliss and I’m a Surrey based seamstress, making bespoke bridal outfits for brides all over the country (and beyond).
I love creating wedding looks that are a little different from the usual. And this gorgeous photoshoot, shot at Welbeck Manor, is the perfect alternative wedding dress inspiration – Surrey.
Alternative Wedding Dress Inspiration #1 – Beaded Autumn Dress with Mushroom Jumpsuit
This bridal look is made up of two layers.
The first is an elegant tulle overdress with removal balloon sleeves. The fabric used is sheer, but with beautiful, nature-inspired patterns and flowers in sequins and beading. It has a low V-neck back, a sequin beaded belt and of course, a train, for brides with a flair for the dramatic.
Underneath is a satin, mushroom-coloured jumpsuit: it gives the overall impression of a dress, but with comfort of a jumpsuit – so you can run, jump and dance to your heart’s content. It features wide legs, cross over straps and does up with a concealed zip.
The bride: a meadow witch with a heart of gold. She knows where to find the best flowers for her bouquet and mushrooms for her wedding breakfast. The only spell she’ll be casting is to make all the fireflies glow orange instead of green, for that warm glow on her wedding day.
Alternative Wedding Dress Inspiration #2 – Periwinkle Blue Wisteria Dress
This romantic dress is like looking up at the sky and seeing the clouds rolling by. Big, beautiful and oh, so blue.
She features a cupped boddice with a sweetheart neckline, and straps that tie in bow. I spent hours hand applying dozens of 3D flowers that cover the bodice and continues to flow over skirt.
The back fastens with loops and covered buttons. But the real showstopper is the skirt: layers of ivory and shades of blue, going from pastel periwinkle to vibrant royal blue tulle. The tiers are a cascading waterfall, with a split to the side, to show a bit of leg. At the back is a big ‘Watteau’ train – named after an 18th Century artist called Jean-Antoine Watteau who painted a lot of ladies wearing sacque-back dresses. The sacque back style meant they had ad attached cloak/train that extends from the shoulders. The style has become very fashionable in the 2020’s, a famous example being Elsa’s ice dress in Frozen.
The Bride: A fairy queen of corn flowers, wisteria and hydrangeas, come to the mortal realm to marry her love.
Alternative Wedding Dress Inspiration #3 – A Quirky Take on a 1950s Classic
This final look starts with a simple, strapless dress. The bodice is boned, with a zip up the back. She has a sweetheart neckline, and that classic 1950s tea length. I used pale ivory duchess satin.
This dress has two removable items. The first is a tulle dipdye overskirt in fuchsia and navy, with a blue ribbon tie around the waist. For added versatility, there is also a fuchsia lace over-bodice, which fastens invisibly at the back. It has a boat neckline with scalloped edges, which are echoed at the bottom as well. The top has ivory tulle straps sitting just off the shoulder.
The Bride: A long-slumbering princess awakens to find the world is changed and new and exciting! She can love who she wants. She can wear bright colours and she can dance the night away without catching her feet in heavy skirts.
If you love the idea of something a little different for your wedding day, have a look at two more dresses inspired by autumn, designed and created by me.
Alternative Accessories for Alternative Dresses
Becci Boos Shoes supplied lots of pretty accessories, like delicate chiffon bows to go with each bride’s outfit. And Niamh Designs upped the party mood with these dazzling sequin jackets.
Hair and Makeup
Adele Wedding Hair and Emma Collyer, our make up artist, did a fantastic job of complimenting the brides to their outfits. Including intricate plaits, gorgeous curls and make up that was beautifully subtle yet striking.
Décor and Floristry for Alternative Brides
We had the pleasure of exploring the absolutely gorgeous Welbeck Manor Hotel for this shoot, with My Special Day Decor providing autumn-inspired decor throughout, complimented perfectly by Pottery and Posies combination of fresh and dried flower bouquets.
Stationary and Cake
Colourful but chic stationary, provided by Little Ada Studio, with a cake to match from Jenni Little Home Bakery. Always keeping within our colour themes of burnt orange, umber and dark red, with accents of dark blue and teal throughout.
The Groom and the Celebrant
What wedding is complete without someone to marry, and someone to do the marrying? Our dashing groom was bedecked in a Zebel suit. And we have the lovely Heidi (Seasons of Life) as our celebrant for the day, bringing smiles and a beautiful handfasting ceremony.
Shoes and Jewellery
Finishing touches to a bride’s outfit make all the difference. Shoes are a great opportunity to choose something fun and colourful. If you have a floor length dress, there’s the chance of an occasional unexpected pop of colour. The shoes provided by Becci Boos Shoes do exactly that.
As for accessories, these natural form pearls from Bish Bosh Becca give a more organic take on the usual perfect spheres. Another fun little detail to show your personality through your style choices.
Hopefully you’ve gotten all the Alternative Wedding Dress Inspiration – Surrey that you need from this post. Make sure to send me a message if you’re feeling inspired for your own big day!
Credits
Venue: Welbeck Manor Hotel
Makeup: Emma Collyer
Celebrant: Seasons of Life
Photographer: Eaton Photography
Videography: Maia Paige Visual
Décor: My Special Day Decor
Florist: Pottery and Posies
Stationary: Little Ada Studio
Jewellery: Bish Bosh Becca
Shoes/accessories: Becci Boos Shoes
Suit: Zebel
Dresses: Felicity Westmacott
Hair: Adele Wedding Hair
Jackets: Niamh Designs
Cake: Jenni Little Home Bakery
