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...
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...
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...
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...
“Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.” Morticia Addams I was so excited when Lex, our excellent photographer and event organiser (along with Revelry Events), chose me to make a gothic Morticia wedding dress for this styled Addams Family inspired photoshoot. I love creating looks that push...
For this styled wedding shoot, the aim was to create an atmosphere that was dark, dramatic and regal. We used royal purple, lavender, deep burgundy and vibrant cerise as our colour palette, with plenty of gilded gold highlights. And no white! This was the inspiration for my dark fairytale feather wedding dress. My design was...
For this forest wildflower wedding dress, I wanted to take inspiration from nature. Especially since the ceremony for this shoot took place outdoors, it felt right to try and incorporate those elements into the dress. This is the kind of look for a bride who loves meadow flowers, like cornflowers and poppies. For a bride...
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...
A village hall, a restaurant, a hotel, and a castle are some of the places where wedding celebrations are regularly held. There are no more surprises when you are invited to a wedding, you know that it is in one of these places where you will find yourself after receiving the invitation. So if you...
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...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
In the light of the recent (tentative) ceasefire, it might be tempting to forget what has happened. The lives that have been destroyed, and the damage that cannot be undone.
But there is so still so much work to be done.
It can feel like over here there`s little we can do, but there are always things that can be done to try help.
You can find relief appeals with British Red Cross, Save The Children, Human Appeal and Unicef (amongst many many more). Donate what you can, boost the signal, engage with the people around you.
Do the small things.
What do you think for this wedding dress - do you prefer it with the blue dip dye overskirt (first two images) or without (second two images)?
🤍 or 🩵?
Let me know and leave a comment!
~
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
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
It`s a good day when you get to wear a beautiful dress and cuddle a puppy.
Normally when I feature this wedding dress I include the blue ombre overskirt that I made along with it, but this time I wanted to spend some time with the dress itself.
I went with vintage feel for this design, drawing on inspirations from the Edwardian era and a little of the 1920s too. (I think this is something Rose would have worn on the Titanic)
Some of my favourite features include:
🤍 the dainty, gossamer thin lace of the train
🤍 the fluttery split sleeves
🤍 the pleating around the hips (accentuated by more beautiful lace)
🤍 the layered neckline, with a plunge made modest with an additional panel across the chest
I love the choices of jewellery for this shoot as well - pearls were absolutely the way to go. They really highlight the classic beauty of this silhouette.
If you love old, romantic dresses from bygone eras but a real vintage classic isn`t possible, then maybe getting a bespoke dress is a good choice for you?
You can find lots more examples of my dresses on my profile, and if you`re feeling inspired, drop me a message and let`s make your dress dreams into a reality 🥰
~
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
"I felt amazing on the day, which when I started trying on wedding dresses I didn`t think would be possible, so that is thanks to your work."
it`s words like these that mean a lot to me 🥹
Amy`s might seem like a very simple wedding dress, but actually there were quite extensive alterations undertaken.
First the train of the original dress was removed and the skirt was reduced in width, but leaving the fishtail shape. However, at her fitting Amy decided she wanted the flare completely removed, so whole panels of fabric were taken out to create a 90`s straight skirt shape.
I think she looks so chic and I`m so happy I could make her feel good on her wedding day.
I take a very limited amount of alterations per month, so if you have a dress that doesn`t feel quite "you" yet, then drop me a message!
~
Photography - Stephanie Kalber (@stephaniekalberphoto)
A few months ago I dropped a sewing machine on my foot. I know, a sewing machine of all things! And I broke my foot - first bone ever broken!
The medical professionals who saw me told me to rest and keep my foot elevated...
But I`d already booked this photoshoot. So of course, I went.
But, if we`re really thinking about it, my foot is elevated in these photos. It`s at least a few feet off the ground, so it`s probably fine, right?? 😂
~
Photography - Simon Hooley (@theimagecella)
Hoop partner - Lauren Clowser
