Rachel contacted me wanting a bespoke early 1910s inspired bridal look. Of all the brides I’ve worked with, she was the one who wanted the dress to be the most historically correct. Although not exact (for example, we didn’t include any corseting), she wanted a period accurate silhouette. During our chats, consultations and fittings I...
If you’re a bride-to-be who loves vibrant colours, daring silhouettes and opulent fabrics, all whilst being inspired by nature, then I’ve got three jewel bright wedding dress ideas you’re going to love (made by me). This styled wedding shoot in Upthorpe Wood is such a feast for the eyes. Featuring so many gorgeous colours and...
This bride was looking for a UK seamstress and found me online. She then approached me, asking if I could make her an elegant couture dress with ruching, pleating and a statement bow. The end result is this opulent, bespoke, bronze gold wedding dress. We combined 1950’s and Elizabethan style details to create a modern,...
Rebecca wanted a Victorian-inspired wedding dress made in deep forest green and ivory silk dupion. We prioritised historical accuracy with this gown, from the custom-made corset underneath, to the embroidered bustle, all the way down to the layers of knife pleats around the skirt. Photography – Yuriy Nutsa Photograhy and Babb Photo Rebecca’s wedding was...
Catherine wanted a flamboyant and theatrical two-piece bridal ensemble in red and white, with feathers, sparkle and a lot of tulle. This red feather masquerade wedding dress is the result. The drama of this dress is so exciting to me, and as someone who’s educational background is in theatre design, this one couldn’t have been...
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...
For beautiful bride Lisa, I created this romantic, off the shoulder balloon sleeve wedding dress. Features included layers of fluffy blush tulle, an elegant ruched neckline, and buttoned cuffs. Photography: Eddy Fisher Photography Elements of the Dress The bodice was fully supportive with integral bust cups to provide shape without excessive cleavage (see below for...
Nicola wanted a simple and elegant dress made in pale ivory, with a dip dye skirt for her wedding by the dramatic Cornish coast. As a result, I created this fabulous sunset dipdye wedding dress for her. Photography – Thomas Frost Nicola sent me a lovely note after her wedding: “I cannot begin to put...
Madalie came to me for a vintage wedding dress upcycle. She had her mother’s beautiful 1970’s wedding dress and she wanted to wear it, made anew, for her own wedding day. The dress Madalie brought to our consultation meeting wasn’t the right size or style for her modern wedding day. We agreed to unpick and...
Just before lockdowns began in 2020 I created an Indian Fusion wedding dress for a photoshoot with a London team of suppliers. We wanted to create inspiration for the many mixed culture weddings being planned in the UK. I showcased my fusion wedding dress design skills with an ensemble of ivory silk top, skirt and...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
As Pride month continues, it only feels fitting (pun intended!) to celebrate real LGTBQ+ couples.
Gemma wanted something light, clean and pretty, and although bespoke wedding dresses are my bread and butter, I`m always delighted when someone comes to me with something a little different.
We came up with a simple and elegant two piece wedding ensemble made in ivory silk satin-back crepe and beaded lace. Comprising of a straight leg trouser with pleated detail waistline and a satin cami top layered with beautiful, sparkling lace.
If you`re looking for an outfit that reflects your style and compliments your own wife-to-be, then get in touch!
~
Photographer: @ragdollphotography
#weddinginspiration #weddingday #bride #lesbianwedding #wifeandwife #queerlove #lgbtqwedding #gaywedding #lgbt
A mother and daughter kind of love...
For this mother of the bride I created a simple and elegant dress in a beautifully rich, deep green silk dupion, with a boat neckline and three quarter length sleeves. My favourite detail? The matching belt-like waistband, made of the same green fabric. What an elegant lady!
The whole project was a family affair, since I altered the bride`s vintage wedding dress as well 💜
It`s always a pleasure to design and create a Mother of the Bride (or Groom) outfit that not only harmonises with the wedding`s theme, but also reflects the personality of the MOB.
I have just filled my final Mother of the Bride slot for the summer, but still have slots available for weddings happening in autumn, from September onwards.
Get in touch for a completely no-obligation consultation 👋
Photography - @georginapiperphotography.co.uk
#motb #motg #motherofthebride #motherofthegroom #bespoke #weddingfashion
This week I`m celebrating the start of pride month by giving you some queer wedding inspiration. My previous post featured a Labyrinth-inspired wedding, and we`re sticking to the fantasy feel with this bridal photoshoot with our couple styled after the King and Queen of Hearts.
For our queen, I made a corseted nude tulle dress with red lace details, velvet ribbon channels and a long layered skirt. The fully cupped bodice was supportive and designed to flatter the model`s gorgeous curves. Finally, we layered a luxurious red silk wraparound dress-coat with a dramatic portrait collar. It looked amazing billowing in the breeze; perfect for a historical or fantasy wedding.
Would you wear red on your wedding day?
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Venue @woldinghamschoolvenuehire
Photographer @lysaclare
2nd Photographer @tomjeavons
Planning @wavesweddingsandevents
Flowers @sobloomingbeautiful
Models @lisaeggy3 & @elodie.foray
Cakes @silverleaf_cake_company_
Accessories @vintageadornments
Lace Boots @houseofelliotlaceboots
Stationery @loveflorastudioco
Makeup @leannehartmakeupartist
Hair Stylist @theisrarana
Props @details.eventstyling
#plussizebride #queercouple #queerwedding #nonbinarygroom #samesexwedding #alicewedding #queenofhearts #queenofheartsbride
#weddingdress #redweddingdress #bespokeweddingdress #weddinginspiration #weddinggoals #weddinginspo #weddingideas
To celebrate Pride month, I`m sharing with you some beautifully alternative same sex wedding inspo!
First, this Labyrinth-inspired photoshoot...🔮
When designing these two looks, I decided I would follow in the footsteps of Bowie and be a little different, styling one bride after Sarah in her amazing fantasy ball dress, and the other bride after David Bowie’s Jareth in all his Elfin glory.
The Jareth outfit is heart achingly sleek, both romantic and feminine yet never conventional, with a simple lose silk crepe blouse featuring button and cuff details contrasting with fitted lace-up back trousers. What a heartthrob. This look is also perfect for all of you non-binary and masc leaning brides.
The Sarah dress is so iconic - isn`t it what every little girl wanted to wear after they saw the film? For my interpretation of that stunning gown, I wanted something a little more modern and lightweight, but still utterly whimsical, and still with those unapologetically dramatic puff sleeves. I designed the sleeves to be removable, as well as the overskirt, giving the bride options to change her look during the course of the day.
Isn`t it all so dreamy? Which look is your favourite?
~
Florist: @greenandenvy
Hair: @moiraborg
Headpiece: @mcfaydenmillinery
Jewellery: @thegreatfrogldn
Makeup: @lawsonmakeup
Model: @luleybell
Photographer: @lexflemingphoto
Planner & stylist: @devinebride
Shoe Designer: @elusiverabbit
Venue: @hever_castle
#bespokeweddingdress #alternativeweddingdress #altbride #fantasywedding #labyrinthwedding #brideandbride #gaywedding #bridalseparates #croppedtrouser #mascbride #queerbride #queerwedding
As a bespoke bridal designer, it`s my job to make sure your dress looks like it`s part of you.
For this bride, I designed a dramatic satin dress, with a statement bow and asymmetrical ruching across the front and back of the bodice. A more traditional bodice that might have a lace up back, or simple a concealed zip down the middle, but for this dress I didn`t want to break up the flow of the fabric going across the body, so I had to come up with an elegant (and easy to use) solution. Not only did the fastening need to impossible to spot, it also needed to provide support for the bride, so she felt secure in the dress throughout the day.
I created two panels of ruched silk dupion in this beautiful rose gold colour. The panels were secured at the side, not the back, with the top panel being firmly attached with poppers. The panel underneath had hooks and underneath that I made a built in corset behind a heavy-duty zip. Because of the weight of the dress, and how fitted it was, the zip had to work harder than usual, so it was actually very useful to be able to fully hid it. It meant the bride could be fully supported, without the zip interfering with the design.
All that work meant that this bride didn`t have to worry about hitching up her dress or any wardrobe malfunctions, she could just focus marrying her husband and having a gorgeous day with friends and family.
What detail in your wedding dress are you most excited to obsess over?
#bespokeweddingdress #rosegoldweddingdress #bridalboutique #smallbusiness
Down the Rabbit Hole...🕰️
A few months ago I was contacted by Amy, looking for a last minute seamstress replacement for her steampunk Alice in Wonderland themed wedding shoot.
I said yes, and with three and a half weeks before the shoot, I made complete outfits for both brides. Amy gave me free reign on the design, with the only request being I used traditionally steampunk colours; brown, beige, taupe, bronze, copper and gold.
To add to the last minute chaos, the original Alice bride model had to drop out the day before the shoot. We managed to find a new model, whose measurements were similar to the dress I had already finished, except she was 8 inches shorter and 2 dress sizes smaller than the previous model. This meant that even with last minute alterations, the fit on the day wasn`t perfect – it isn`t incredibly noticeable, but I can see it...
For our femme Alice bride, I made a wedding dress from pale gold taffeta, with a fully boned bodice, long skirt with a train and waterfall back. The petticoat is a cage crinoline with rows and rows of boning and tapes – tea-dyed to go with the colour scheme. Originally the skirt had two options, either down, or hitched up. But due to our new bride being shorter, we could only have it hitched, so she could move around safely.
For our more masc bride, I went for a White Rabbit meets Mad Hatter look, with velvet breeches, and a double-breasted waistcoat over cotton romantic sleeved shirt and matching cravat. She was styled with Victorian-style ankle booties and striped stockings. I also decorated a vintage top hat with bird cage veiling, cogs and peacock feathers, and we sourced a pocket watch to go into the specially made pocket watch pocket.
Which outfit is your favourite?
Content creation and creative lead: @reeldealsocial
Lead photographer: @nicolaashleaphotography
Celebrant: @stardustceremonies
Styling and flowers: @foxgloveandblack
Photographer 2: @candiceharrisphotography
Model 1: @rosy053
Model 2: @s.frosties
HMUA: @house_of_belles
Tea set: @teacupswishes
Cake: @thecakelabuk
Shoes: @houseofelliotlaceboots
Drinks: @bittersweetbartenders
Stationer: @calistaandbelle
Venue: @wortonhall
