Bespoke Wedding Dress Photoshoot in Hertfordshire

Bespoke wedding dress photoshoot hertfordshire macrame table display woodland forest wild

For this bespoke wedding dress photoshoot in Hertfordshire, we created an autumnal woodland wedding. We chose a colour palette of burnt orange, red, burgundy and pink, with accents of white and gold. Everything was handmade including the bunting, macrame and tablescape, for a truly bespoke feel.

This wedding is for the kind of bride who loves folk stories and fairy tales, who can’t stay away from the woods and loves the smell of fallen leaves. Someone a little witchy and a little wild.

I made both the bridal outfits for this shoot, and I designed them specifically for this boho forest theme. Both outfits are bridal jumpsuits/playsuits, for practicality when it’s time to dance!

There are so many details about this shoot that make it the most perfectly whimsical woodland elopement. The beautiful three tier wedding cake by Layers and Graces Wedding, in white and burnt orange, with gold leaf and wild berries as decoration. Complimented by Jessica’s Bakes‘ pretty realistic flower cupcakes.

The stunning table layout, with tree trunk slices as place mats, elegant vintage glass plates and brass candlestick holders really set the tone. Not to mention the burst of colour from the floral centrepiece, created by Vicki’s Flowers and Ivy Primrose Flowers, and finishing off with these beautiful macrame pieces by Tying the Knot Macrame. And how else do you get a woodland festival vibe without handmade bunting, by Made in Bluebell Wood.

This photoshoot was featured in the Whimsical Wonderland Weddings blog, so check out this post to read more about the shoot from the various suppliers.

Autumn Beaded Dress and Jumpsuit

For the first look I made a fully bespoke mushroom-coloured satin jumpsuit. I chose a fitted top with pretty crossover straps and wide-leg trousers. I added a whimsical overdress made of stunning sequined lace as well as matching detachable sleeves, for drama during the day and practicality in the evening.

The sequin lace is so beautiful, covered in gorgeous organic flowers, leaves and stems, making it look like it was conjured from the very plants surrounding the bride. I really enjoy how the subtle colours of the sequins; faded rose, old gold and chocolate brown are really complimented by the beige mauve satin of the jumpsuit underneath.

layered sequin lace tulle wedding dress jumpsuit wide leg trousers mauve beige bridal

Organza Frill Playsuit with Autumn Dip Dye Skirt

For the second look, I went for a short playsuit, with lovely ruffles up top, and one of my signature dip dye overskirts. Overskirts are ideal for added drama during the ceremony, whilst still being able dancing the night away afterwards, unencumbered.

The silk organza playsuit has large lace flower applique and cute pleated off-the-shoulder sleeves. For the tulle overskirt, I chose a gradient of yellow, orange, gold and brown and appliqued with more of the undyed flower lace on top.

I love that underneath the overskirt, instead of the usual wedding skirt, there are cheeky shorts instead!⁠ A bride doesn’t have to choose between elegance and fun-loving – she can be both!

If you found inspiration in this bespoke wedding dress photoshoot in Hertfordshire, you can see the sequin dress and jumpsuit featured again in this Marie Antoinette-inspired photoshoot. Or, if you love the idea of a beaded tulle wedding dress, you can find another one I made here.

I’m always available for a chat about your dream wedding dress ideas, or you can see some of my more popular bridal designs in my Etsy shop.

Suppliers

  1. PhotographerCharly Mae Photography 
  2. Florist: Vicki’s Flowers
  3. HairYuki Black Hairstylist 
  4. Make UpLauren Jacobs
  5. DressFelicity Westmacott Bespoke Bridal 
  6. Flowers & LocationIvy Primrose Flowers 
  7. CakeLayers and Graces Wedding
  8. CupcakesJessica’s Bakes
  9. Hair AccessoriesVintage Adornments 
  10. RingsBespoke Wedding Rings
  11. Assistant StylistAmbiance and Glamour
  12. ModelsLJPriya
  13. Suit: Next
  14. Bow Tie: Moss Bros
  15. BuntingMade in Bluebell Wood
  16. MacrameTying the Knot Macrame
  17. Leather JacketNiamhDesigns Etsy Shop
  18. StationerySally Creates Stationery Design
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Felicity Westmacott

I write about all aspects of weddings, dressmaking, fashion history, and the human relation to clothing. I welcome comments and debate.

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Since 1753, when the Marriage Act first came into existence, UK marriage law has come a long way. Some things have taken much longer than they should have (I'm looking at you, 1991 and 2013, 2023). But there's still more than can be done. The association of @independentcelebrants is campaigning for the UK government to follow the recommendations of the 2022 wedding law reform report.

"At least 10,000 wedding ceremonies a year in England and Wales are led by independent celebrants. These ceremonies are perfectly legal to hold, but as it stands a celebrant cannot perform a legally binding marriage – that part must be done separately, meaning added inconvenience and cost for couples."

I'm all about supporting couples to have the wedding day of their dream, and that rarely includes having to find time and money to go to the registry office.

If you want to help with this, then you can spread awareness! Share this post, or make your own. Talk about it with friends and family. And once you've done that, you can always get in touch with your local MP. The Independent Celebrants website has a PDF guide to help you with how to go about doing that.

Is this an issue you're aware of? Is there anything I've missed out?

#ChangeWeddingLaw #SpeakUpForCelebrants #LegaliseCelebrantWeddings
I created this Regency-inspired wedding dress for a Bridgerton themed wedding shoot. I used modern fabrics like tulle, beaded lace and shantung, but with period accurate details like the empire line waist, square neckline and boned stays (corset). ⁠
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I love to work with versality when it comes to my creations, so the dress was designed with multiple layers; the main dress has an embroidered tulle bodice and asymmetric beaded lace skirt. A lilac and pink dip-dyed tulle skirt can be added over the floral train of the main dress for some dreamy ombre magic. A lilac silk dupion 'spencer jacket' with hand appliqued beaded lace completes the ensemble. ⁠

 All these options make it possible to have lots of different looks throughout your wedding day. ⁠

Which Bridgerton character can you imagine wearing this outfit?

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#regencyweddingdress #bridgerton #historicalweddingdress #periodwedding #colouredweddingdress #dipdyeweddingdress #surreydressmaker #londondressmaker #vintagebride #romanticbride #weddingveil #purpleweddingdress #bespokeweddingdress #fantasyballgown
Now and again I'll take one of the wedding dresses I've made, and break down some of the elements. So, if there's something you love about a dress, but you don't know the 'proper words' to reference them, hopefully this will help you out.⁠
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This beautiful 1950’s style wedding dress with delicate cream lace over golden-orange silk has lots of really scrummy details:⁠
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🧡 the opening at the back of the dress is called a keyhole (or you could call this a slit opening). This one is closed at the top with three covered buttons.⁠
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🧡 the base dress is made of a beautiful russet orange silk dupion, with dark ivory lace layered on top.⁠
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🧡 the base dress is essentially a halter neck, with a turn over collar at the front, with the ivory layer providing semi-sheer, full length sleeves.⁠
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🧡 the edges of the ivory layer are cut along the floral pattern of the lace, making a pretty scalloped edge.⁠
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🧡 this length of skirt is called 'ballet' or 'ballerina'.⁠
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🧡 the front of the dress has a line of false buttons (buttons that are just there for decoration), that match the buttons at the back.⁠
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Those are just some of the details of this dress. If you have any questions about anything else, just leave a comment. I could talk dress making all day!⁠
On my birthday, 43 years ago, I was gifted a beautiful name...does it suit me?

Felicity means "happiness", from the Latin word meaning "good luck" or "fortune". Shortening to Fliss is good, but never Flick!

What about your name? Does it have a meaning?
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in
from design to completionbespoke wedding dressesFelicity Westmacott
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in