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...
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...
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 Why wear that...
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...
Suzanne commissioned a pretty dress and bolero made up in taffeta and chiffon. The knee-length dress has a fitted and boned bodice with gentle sweet-heart shaped neckline and slim straps. The dress is made from shot taffeta (shot pink/green/ivory) with chocolate chiffon on top, the chiffon is ‘plaited’ down the front of the bodice and...
Alison commissioned a soft floaty gown in silk satin and tulle for her wedding in 2008. The dress was cut with simple princess seams and a fitted, lightly boned bodice with invisible zip back closure. The soft look was created through the use of many layers, two layers of soft ivory silk-tulle, soft ivory satin,...
Made in teal shot silk Liz’s dress has a boned bodice with ruching to the hip and a wide off the shoulder neckline. The skirt falls in graduated tiers of waterfall frills. Hand applique of teal lace adds sparkle and texture to the neckline and skirt. Liz had shoes dyed and embellished with matching lace...
Clare wanted something pretty but informal and not too ‘wedding’ for her special day. She knew from the start that a rose pink informal wedding dress was the way forward. She brought a skirt she loved to her design consultation with gorgeous little godet flare inserts at the back which we used as a basis...
Julia’s wedding venue was a grand stately home her dress needed to compliment this and her figure. So we designed this elegant dress made in gold silk duchess satin and rose gold lace. Official photography by?sophieduckworthphotography.com The dress has a fitted and boned bodice with a plunge neckline fading to narrow straps. Pleated fabric in...
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
