Blog - Musings from the mind of a bespoke dressmaker.

Wedding advice, fashion, history, photoshoots and behind the scenes.

 

See lots of pictures of previous clients on my portfolio pages

Read More

Historically Inspired Wedding dresses

Victorian inspired wedding dress off shoulder alternative bride

My favourite type of dress to make is an historically inspired wedding dresses. My whole career has stemmed but an interest in costume history. I began by colouring in photocopied pages from my mother’s fashion history books. This led an arts degree in costume design for the stage and screen. Making costumes is not only...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Gold Lace Hijab Wedding Dress

Bespoke custom UK muslim interfaith couple Gold lace satin Hijab wedding dress

“I felt like an African queen. Everyone loved my dress. Thank you for making my dreams come true!” This is a beautiful gold lace hijab wedding dress, accentuated with yellow crystals and scalloped lace. I designed and made this fully bespoke look for a bride for her interfaith wedding. The bride wanted a simple and...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Ombre wedding dresses for real brides

bride groom wedding on beach in cornwall uk boho dip dye wedding dress

I love colour and making ombre wedding dresses for real brides is one of my favourite types of commission. The first dipdye effect dress I created was for a photoshoot in 2016. Images of that dress went viral but it still took a few years before people began asking me to recreate the effect for...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Wedding dresses for Mature Brides

bespoke bronze gold wedding dress statement shoulder bow mature bride

I have been privileged to create many wedding dresses for mature brides. It’s lovely to be trusted with the task so central to anyone’s wedding day whatever someone’s age. I do feel that older brides have lived life a little more and ‘know what they like’ in a different way to those younger women planning...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Wedding Dress for Military Wedding

bespoke wedding dress with sash for military wedding confetti

This wedding Dress for a military wedding was made from layers of silk satin, chiffon and delicate beaded lace. I added real button and loops to close the back. I made two ribbon sashes for Emily so she could change the colours: ‘sand’ and ‘royal purple’ to wear for different parts of her day. Official...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Modest Guipure Lace Wedding Dress

guipure lace detail bespoke bridal gown

Izzy’s modest guipure lace wedding dress was created to be simple and flattering with pretty lace and butterfly detail. The main dress was cut princess line to float around her figure, lightly boned for support. The square neckline and cap sleeves were modest and feminine. Lace applique highlighted Izzy’s waist and the lace up back...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Kate Middleton inspired wedding dress

grand wedding dress and cathedral veil royal wedding inspired train

Lauren’s whole wedding was inspired by the choices Kate Middleton made for her wedding in 2011. I made Lauren’s Kate Middleton inspired wedding dress from matt satin and hand embellished with delicate lace patterns Wedding pictures by Bumble and Brown The dress has a very fitted, princess line bodice, lightly boned and fastening with real...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Traditional lace wedding dress

classic bride wearing a corded lace wedding dress bodice and fingertip veil

I made a traditional lace wedding dress for Sofia’s wedding day. My design echoes the classic lines of Grace Kelly’s famous 1956 wedding dress, designed by Helen Rose. The simple boned bodice with sweetheart neckline and bold lace over-lay extending up to a higher boat neck. The lace had a wide scalloped edge which we...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Bespoke Wedding Dress Photoshoot in Sussex

Bespoke Wedding Dress Photoshoot in Sussex manor house shimmery pearlescent lilac sleeveless

This was the first styled shoot I ever organised – but certainly not the last. I live on the border between Sussex and Surrey and as a wedding dress designer, it only made sense that I gathered together some local wedding suppliers, chose a stunning location, made some dresses and had some fun! Hence this...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Santorini Blue Dipdye Wedding Dress

Santorini greek grecian sky sea bright cerulean Blue Dipdye Wedding Dress for mature bride

Lisa wanted an elegant Santorini blue dipdye wedding dress, with hints of Grecian style for her destination wedding in Greece. After a lot of trial and error, I managed to create what I think is the most perfect, vibrant sky blue. I love how this dress turned out, from the peek-a-boo shoulders, to the floaty...

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

follow me on instagram@felicitywestmacott

In order for a bride to look beautiful and serene as they walk down the aisle, some thought has to go in to make sure that her dress is sitting just right.

Most of the time when I make bespoke wedding dresses, I'm not there on the day. But sometimes the dresses can be tricky to put on. If the bride's team aren't with her during her final fitting, they're not going to know how to make sure her dress is done up correctly and ready for the aisle. Especially if there are multiple layers, or corsets to tighten. So here's a little look into how I guide a bride's dresser. 

I go step by step through the process, carefully explaining how each layer does up, and giving any tips I think would be useful. 

This particular video wasn't for a bridal party, but for a shoot organiser. In the past I've sent dresses away to shoots and only after receiving the photos do I realise the dress was put on wrong! So now I make sure to arm the organisers with the knowledge they need. It's always good to learn from your mistakes!

Looking at the different between the dress on the mannequin and on the model makes me think: wedding dress really come alive once its on a bride. Don't you agree?

~
Suppliers
Photographer: @english.rose.photography
Concept/Cake Designer: @primrosecakesipswich
Venue: @hintleshamhall
Decor/Styling: @giantgesturessuffolk 
Models: @youdeservelove88
Wedding Dress: @felicitywestmacott
Veil: @hannahcummingsembroidery
Hair/MUA: @maxine_pfander
Bridal Shoes: @the_new_glass_slipper
Groom Outfit: @goldingnewmarket
Table Decor/Styling: @the_prop_library
Chair Drapes: @extravorganza1
Stationary: @moocollection_calligraphy
Jewellery: @nujewellery_byemma
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