Cadbury Purple bespoke bridesmaids dresses surrey

Tags: Beading, Boned, Diamante, Dupion, floor length, Sash, Satin, Silk, Silver, Strapless

bespoke bridesmaid dress surrey

strapless-simple-bridesmaid-dress-with-sash

Alice commissioned bespoke bridesmaids dresses surrey for her grown up bridesmaids, in gorgeous purple silk dupion. The simple strapless dresses have fitted and boned bodices, cut princess line with floor length a-line skirts. I gave them have silver silk-satin sashes that loop rather than tie at the back, finished with with diamante detailing.

bride-and-bridesmaid-silk-dupion

I was lucky enough to be making a lot of things for Alice’s wedding day. Not just the two adult bridesmaids, but also Alice’s wedding dress and flower girl dresses for the little ones too! You can see more about those dresses through the links.

bespoke cadbury-purple-bridesmaid-dress-wide-ruched-sash-silk-with-groomsmen surrey

I also made silver silk ties and hankies for her groomsmen. You can see more details of that commission here.

hand-beading-diamnate-stone-swarovski-detail-sash

The sash ends of both dresses were beaded with Swarovski crystal diamante stones to echo the beading on Alice’s wedding dress. I sewed each sparkle on by hand for a secure finish.

diamante-detail-hand-sewn-couture-beading-silver-sparkle

finished-couture-dresses-made-to-measure-silver-and-purple

The two dresses hanging up ready to be collected, along with Alice’s wedding dress. They have all been steamed and stuffed with tissue paper to make them crease free and easy to travel.

fitting-picture-couture-dressmaker-bridesmaids-cadbury-purple

Design for bespoke bridesmaids dresses surrey

design-sketch-princess-line-ruched-sash

Original design sketch for the dresses.

I also love these purple silk dresses I made for another set of bridesmaids. This time in a 1950’s shape, though butterflies were once more part of the design aesthetic.

I have made lots of bespoke bridesmaid dresses for my clients over the years. To see more examples head over to my portfolio page. I have having pricing guidance and an FAQ page about the bespoke dressmaking process. And of course you are always welcome to be in touch to ask any questions or to make an appointment to discuss having custom dresses made for your own bridal party. Perhaps another set of purple dresses still lies ahead of me!

Related

Show Hide 0 comments

Felicity Westmacott

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

Recent Portfolio entries

follow me on instagram@felicitywestmacott

The dress on the stand vs. the dress in action✨

I made the Poinsettia dress last Christmas for my window display. I never would have predicted that it would be spotted by Rosie, who then bought it and wore it for the 2025 Miss Great Britain pageant!

My bespoke designs have been used for all sorts of events. Weddings mainly (obviously), but parties, anniversaries and proms too. But this might be the first time one of my gowns has been seen on the stage of a pageant. And doesn`t Rosie look so serenely glamorous? The perfect model for this sparkly, elegant dress. And she placed in the top 10. Well done Rosie!

14 3

Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 17845385652615623

The dress on the stand vs. the dress in action✨

I made the Poinsettia dress last Christmas for my window display. I never would have predicted that it would be spotted by Rosie, who then bought it and wore it for the 2025 Miss Great Britain pageant!

My bespoke designs have been used for all sorts of events. Weddings mainly (obviously), but parties, anniversaries and proms too. But this might be the first time one of my gowns has been seen on the stage of a pageant. And doesn't Rosie look so serenely glamorous? The perfect model for this sparkly, elegant dress. And she placed in the top 10. Well done Rosie!

From Design to Destination...⁠
⁠
Isn`t it funny how art has to go through so many strange, messy stages before it emerges as something complete?⁠
⁠
The Poinsettia wedding dress was the first bespoke dress I ever made with the sole intention of using it in my window display. I wanted something sparkly and subtly festive to brighten Dorking High Street, where my shop is. ⁠
⁠
But before that I had to do what I always do - begin the strange dance with fabric, needle and thread. Starting with the very simple base, and slowly but surely building something beautiful. Poinsettia is a flower associated with the Christmas season, so it felt right to draw inspiration from its shape (as opposed to its vibrant red colour) and feature these stunning sequin statement flowers on the bust and hip.⁠
⁠
My dresses often have second and third lives after I`ve made them, whether I plan for it or not. And this one is no exception. After it glistened in my shop window for the winter, it was used, funnily enough, for a summer wedding shoot. And after that for something even more unusual. But more about that in the next post...⁠
⁠
Summer Shoot Photography - @KalaWeddings.UK

44 7

Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 18098232796649450

From Design to Destination...⁠
⁠
Isn't it funny how art has to go through so many strange, messy stages before it emerges as something complete?⁠
⁠
The Poinsettia wedding dress was the first bespoke dress I ever made with the sole intention of using it in my window display. I wanted something sparkly and subtly festive to brighten Dorking High Street, where my shop is. ⁠
⁠
But before that I had to do what I always do - begin the strange dance with fabric, needle and thread. Starting with the very simple base, and slowly but surely building something beautiful. Poinsettia is a flower associated with the Christmas season, so it felt right to draw inspiration from its shape (as opposed to its vibrant red colour) and feature these stunning sequin statement flowers on the bust and hip.⁠
⁠
My dresses often have second and third lives after I've made them, whether I plan for it or not. And this one is no exception. After it glistened in my shop window for the winter, it was used, funnily enough, for a summer wedding shoot. And after that for something even more unusual. But more about that in the next post...⁠
⁠
Summer Shoot Photography - @KalaWeddings.UK

You might’ve noticed that I can get quite particular about language. I think it’s important, especially when that word can carry a lot of meaning. When words get misused, you as a consumer might get mis-sold something.

An example of this is the word ‘vintage’, which now gets tacked onto the description of any garment, whether or not it actually is vintage. Often the item just looks like it’s from an older period of fashion, and for many sellers now, that’s good enough to warrant the label ‘vintage’ (which it’s not).

‘Bespoke’ is another of those words. The word comes from ‘to bespeak’, which means, to ask for. Like someone walking into carpentry workshop and asking for something completely new to be made to their exact specifications.

Anything can be bespoke, if it has been asked for, to be made especially to your requirements and preferences. You often hear it in the context of bespoke suits, but the term doesn’t belong to any one industry.

When it comes to wedding dresses, you have a few options. Off-the-peg, which is what it sounds like. Then there’s custom or made-to-measure, which both describe when something is adjusted or changed. You might order a dress where there are options to customise the length, the sleeves, the neckline etc.

But true bespoke is something different. It’s a dress that’s been designed and made completely from scratch. Completely to your measurements and your ideas. With several stages of fittings and adjustments, to ensure it’s exactly how you want it. It’s an entirely unique garment, and this is why the price of a bespoke dress can be so much more than something off-the-peg or made-to-measure.

So, next time something online claims to be ‘bespoke’, now you know what to look for to make sure you’re not being tricked into pay more for less.

53 2

Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 18093465229710412

You might’ve noticed that I can get quite particular about language. I think it’s important, especially when that word can carry a lot of meaning. When words get misused, you as a consumer might get mis-sold something.

An example of this is the word ‘vintage’, which now gets tacked onto the description of any garment, whether or not it actually is vintage. Often the item just looks like it’s from an older period of fashion, and for many sellers now, that’s good enough to warrant the label ‘vintage’ (which it’s not).

‘Bespoke’ is another of those words. The word comes from ‘to bespeak’, which means, to ask for. Like someone walking into carpentry workshop and asking for something completely new to be made to their exact specifications.

Anything can be bespoke, if it has been asked for, to be made especially to your requirements and preferences. You often hear it in the context of bespoke suits, but the term doesn’t belong to any one industry.

When it comes to wedding dresses, you have a few options. Off-the-peg, which is what it sounds like. Then there’s custom or made-to-measure, which both describe when something is adjusted or changed. You might order a dress where there are options to customise the length, the sleeves, the neckline etc.

But true bespoke is something different. It’s a dress that’s been designed and made completely from scratch. Completely to your measurements and your ideas. With several stages of fittings and adjustments, to ensure it’s exactly how you want it. It’s an entirely unique garment, and this is why the price of a bespoke dress can be so much more than something off-the-peg or made-to-measure.

So, next time something online claims to be ‘bespoke’, now you know what to look for to make sure you’re not being tricked into pay more for less.

I won! 🥳🎉🥂⁠
⁠
Last night was the Wedding Industry Awards (as if you didn`t already know) and I was up for two categories: Bespoke Bridal and Bridal Alterations. And I am now the regional winner for the Independent Dressmaker/Designer category!⁠
⁠
I am so so pleased to have gotten this far, and I couldn`t have managed it without the amazing support of all you lovely lot. So thank you thank you thank you! 💜 to those who took the time to vote, to those who sent me beautiful messages, to those who got excited for me. Thank you!⁠
⁠
And thank you to the @twia_official team as well! What a gorgeous night.⁠
⁠
Next step: the National awards. Let`s see what happens...⁠
⁠

168 36

Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 17909190702266984

I won! 🥳🎉🥂⁠
⁠
Last night was the Wedding Industry Awards (as if you didn't already know) and I was up for two categories: Bespoke Bridal and Bridal Alterations. And I am now the regional winner for the Independent Dressmaker/Designer category!⁠
⁠
I am so so pleased to have gotten this far, and I couldn't have managed it without the amazing support of all you lovely lot. So thank you thank you thank you! 💜 to those who took the time to vote, to those who sent me beautiful messages, to those who got excited for me. Thank you!⁠
⁠
And thank you to the @twia_official team as well! What a gorgeous night.⁠
⁠
Next step: the National awards. Let's see what happens...⁠
⁠

Tonight is the Wedding Industry Awards! I`m in the running for two awards, which is all very exciting! 🏆

Since it`s such a special occasion, I decided to design and make myself a dress. That way, regardless of the outcome, I`ll feel like a winner. I rarely have time to make myself anything, so this felt rather lovely.

I used some gorgeous pink coloured silk chiffon, lined with pale gold silk satin, finished off with velvet ribbon. I started making the dress at 11am yesterday, and I finished it at 3pm today. Now I just have to finish making the bolero to go with it as well. I think we`re gonna make it! 🏃🏻‍♀️

28 4

Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 17949300540051823

Tonight is the Wedding Industry Awards! I'm in the running for two awards, which is all very exciting! 🏆

Since it's such a special occasion, I decided to design and make myself a dress. That way, regardless of the outcome, I'll feel like a winner. I rarely have time to make myself anything, so this felt rather lovely.

I used some gorgeous pink coloured silk chiffon, lined with pale gold silk satin, finished off with velvet ribbon. I started making the dress at 11am yesterday, and I finished it at 3pm today. Now I just have to finish making the bolero to go with it as well. I think we're gonna make it! 🏃🏻‍♀️

Just to be extra clear 💜

#seamstress #dressmaker #historicalfashion #weddingdressmaker #weddingdressdesigner

273 5

Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 18069360128457300

Just to be extra clear 💜

#seamstress #dressmaker #historicalfashion #weddingdressmaker #weddingdressdesigner

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