Couture Wedding Dress in Surrey

Couture Wedding Dress in Surrey south england uk puffy balloon sleeves organza tulle silk

I made this couture wedding dress in Surrey for Toni (during the dreaded Covid times). We went for something romantic, feminine and whimsical, in layered silk organza and soft satins.

For this design, I chose a boned bodice with a straight neckline that then dips at the back. The top layer of this dress is made of delicately gathered silk organza. I caught it down in soft folds all over the bodice and allowed the fabric to fan out organically above the neckline. The skirt falls very full and extends into a long, layered train. The beautiful balloon sleeves were also made from the same airy, silk organza. Just so fluffy and soft. And the sleeves are removable, meaning the bride can have the full drama during the ceremony, and practicality during the wedding breakfast.⁠

This dress is just such a show stopper! Both romantic and modern. Simple but completely unique.

Photographer – Emma Jane Photography

Making a Couture Wedding Dress in Surrey

This is the design I sent over to the bride, Toni, before I got started on making the dress.

Here is part of the process of constructing the organza layer of the dress. I allowed the fabric to lead the way – pinning where the folds naturally offered themselves, leading to these organic waves.

I designed the base of this dress as a simple, satin slip. Here you can see the process of adding the organza to the top, and then the bottom.

Below is from the final fitting, where Toni tried on the finished dress for the first time. You can also see how the dress looks when the train is hooked up using the bustle hook.

Are you looking for more modern fairytale inspiration? Here is another wedding dress I made with ornate detachable balloon sleeves. For brides interested in a bit of drama, this organza waterfall wedding dress might be right up your street.

Is this couture wedding dress in Surrey bringing up thoughts of runaway princesses and white knights? Then get in touch and let’s make those storybook dreams come true.

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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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Even though Rebecca lives in Germany, she sought me out specifically to make her bespoke wedding dress. She had seen my colour work and fantasy-inspired designs, and decided I was the perfect fit for her (pun intended!). 

She wanted a wedding dress fit for an ethereal princess, complete with this stunning pastel rainbow gradient. This kind of effect can't be achieved with dip dye. I had to use a different technique; ombre-dying. 

If you feel like you should have been born as an elven queen in a romantasy novel, then I might just be the right person to bring that dream to life ✨
Destination Vegas. Rockabilly bride. Halloween vibes. 
Sounds like the perfect wedding.

Gorgeous goth Ellie got married in Las Vegas on Halloween. She wanted something alternative, retro and a little spooky. She realised she was never going to find that with an off-the-rack wedding dress. That's where I came in.

I designed and made her white and purple wedding dress with a wonderful blend of 1950’s and 90's shapes, modern styling and subtle Halloween Vixen detail. Harkening back to when Halloween was a little more stylish - perfect for this gothic bombshell. Below the boned bodice, I ruched and layered white satin over sumptuous shot black/purple taffeta and layers and layers of white net. The white satin was spangled all over with hand sewn crystals, ready to sparkle under the Vegas lights. 

My favourite detail? The hand beaded spider web made from Swarovski crystals. Spooky but subtle.
As a seamstress there are certain things that give me the ick. Usually they're pretty specific and unless you're also a dressmaker it might be something you're completely unaware of.

I've always had a ‘thing’ about language generally. I find it really interesting. I've noticed how strong a reaction I can have to people using language differently to what I’m used to. And when I notice that I often go on a bit of a deep dive to understand where that difference stems from. I think coming from a historical costuming background also means I love to know the history of things (and despite my instinctive language-conservative leanings, I do actively work on being accepting and open minded, trying celebrate the differences).

That said, please don’t say your dress has a trail!

Snails have trails - dresses have trains! 🐌
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