Edwardian lace wedding dress

Tags: Collar, floor length, ivory, Lace, Satin, sleeve, Straight skirt, Straps, Train

ivory and pink flowers wedding dress with train

Being an older bride does not mean you have to conform to anyone’s idea of how a ‘mature lady’ should dress and I love that Barbara lived her dream! I made an Edwardian lace wedding dress made from duchess satin and beaded Guipure lace. The dress is trimmed with gathered lace flounces and groups of pink flowers. Made in three pieces the lace over-bodice has long sleeves and a high collar. The removable presentation train attached with poppas and was trimmed with matching lace flounces

Photography by Michelle Bean

lace bolero bodice with collar

Although this dress was Edwardian inspired Barbara opted to leave it unboned for comfort. Luckily Barbara has a naturally small waistline which meant the s-curve shape an Edwardian corset would have created was there anyway.

frills and furbelows Edwardian historical wedding dress

Details matter

The train came with a wrist loop so Barbara could carry it easily when walking outside.

presentation train edwardian wedding dress duchess satin

mature bride wedding dress made to measure

Miss Havisham bride mature wedding

long sleeve wedding dress modest

original design sketch edwardian bride wedding dress

Original design sketch for the Edwardian lace wedding dress

wrist loop for train bride made to measure

guipure lace sleeve and cuff frill

A detail of the gathered lace and pink flower trim I sewed to her sleeve cuffs.

mature bride edwardian dress

bride and bridesmaid

dancing bride with train hooked up

Making Barabara’s Dress

1900 bride inspiration picture

This is the image that Barbara brought to her design consultation as a basis for her Edwardian lace wedding dress.

toile dress fitting edwardian dress

Pictures from the ‘toile’ fitting, or practice run in cheap fabrics. As you can see the frill on the lace over bodice was too much for Barbara’s petite figure and we omitted it from the final dress.

fitting picture satin wedding dress costume

Final fitting pictures of the Edwardian lace wedding dress

fitting picture dressmaker presentation train victorian

Final fitting pictures showing the detachable train spread out and the lace peplum that is revealed when it is remove

To see more historically inspired wedding dresses you can head to my blog post showing each one I have made for real brides. Or this post dedicated entirely to mature brides.

To talk to me about having your own wedding dress made, in any style, you can get in touch.

Related

Show Hide 2 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

It’s the night before you’re wedding day. You have your dream bridal outfit ready to go for the morning. But there are a few things you should do before you go to sleep, to make sure your wedding dress is looking its best for the big day.

First up, make sure to hang your dress up high. A curtain rail or a wardrobe door are good choices. And make sure to hang it in a pet and fiancé secure room.

When unzipping the bag, put your finger behind the zip to stop it catching on any delicate fabric.

Your main priority is to get the train out, so it has time to flatten out overnight. Hang the dress in the bag so it’s facing inwards. Leave the shoulders of the bag on the dress to keep protecting the dress from dust.

You’ll want to lay a clean towel or sheet on the floor to protect the train when you pull it out.

Check to make sure the dress is hanging from its dress loops, not straps or sleeves. This prevents any delicate fabrics being stretched out by the weight of the dress. As you can see from the one I’ve chosen, that’s a lot of (heavy) dress!

On the wedding day, your dress can be taken completely out of the bag. To prep it for the photographer, turn it round so it’s facing the front, and pop any straps or sleeves, back onto the hanger so it looks its best..

And that’s about it. It isn’t very much, but it can make all the difference, and avoids any unwanted wrinkles, especially on your dress’ train.

Let me know if you have any other tips and tricks!

(Shout out to @engaged_bridal_studio for inspiring this post 🙌🏻)

#wedding dress #customwedding dress #weddingdressinspiration #bespokeweddingdress #bridalboutique #surreywedding #sussexwedding #londonwedding #weddingdaytips #weddingdresstips #bridaltips

25 2

It’s the night before you’re wedding day. You have your dream bridal outfit ready to go for the morning. But there are a few things you should do before you go to sleep, to make sure your wedding dress is looking its best for the big day.

First up, make sure to hang your dress up high. A curtain rail or a wardrobe door are good choices. And make sure to hang it in a pet and fiancé secure room.

When unzipping the bag, put your finger behind the zip to stop it catching on any delicate fabric.

Your main priority is to get the train out, so it has time to flatten out overnight. Hang the dress in the bag so it’s facing inwards. Leave the shoulders of the bag on the dress to keep protecting the dress from dust.

You’ll want to lay a clean towel or sheet on the floor to protect the train when you pull it out.

Check to make sure the dress is hanging from its dress loops, not straps or sleeves. This prevents any delicate fabrics being stretched out by the weight of the dress. As you can see from the one I’ve chosen, that’s a lot of (heavy) dress!

On the wedding day, your dress can be taken completely out of the bag. To prep it for the photographer, turn it round so it’s facing the front, and pop any straps or sleeves, back onto the hanger so it looks its best..

And that’s about it. It isn’t very much, but it can make all the difference, and avoids any unwanted wrinkles, especially on your dress’ train.

Let me know if you have any other tips and tricks!

(Shout out to @engaged_bridal_studio for inspiring this post 🙌🏻)

#wedding dress #customwedding dress #weddingdressinspiration #bespokeweddingdress #bridalboutique #surreywedding #sussexwedding #londonwedding #weddingdaytips #weddingdresstips #bridaltips

This wedding dress is inspired by the same era that Titanic and Downton Abbey (well, some of it) are based on; the Edwardian Period.

The corseted bodice fits close to the body, and is made of panels of silk chiffon over luxurious duchess satin. Trimmed with satin ribbon and embellished with hand sewn lace appliqué and tiny glass beads.

I love the tiered skirt so much. With three layers of gathered chiffon and trimmed with more intricate lace, giving it a perfect vintage feel.

There is something so timeless and elegant about this wedding dress, don’t you think? If you love this design, you can either head to my Etsy shop, or drop me a message if you`d like it made entirely to your measurements and preferences.

#weddingdress #edwardianfashion #edwardianbride #edwardianweddingdress #periodweddingdress #vintageweddingdress #seamstress #bespokeweddingdress #customweddingdress

13 0

This wedding dress is inspired by the same era that Titanic and Downton Abbey (well, some of it) are based on; the Edwardian Period.

The corseted bodice fits close to the body, and is made of panels of silk chiffon over luxurious duchess satin. Trimmed with satin ribbon and embellished with hand sewn lace appliqué and tiny glass beads.

I love the tiered skirt so much. With three layers of gathered chiffon and trimmed with more intricate lace, giving it a perfect vintage feel.

There is something so timeless and elegant about this wedding dress, don’t you think? If you love this design, you can either head to my Etsy shop, or drop me a message if you'd like it made entirely to your measurements and preferences.

#weddingdress #edwardianfashion #edwardianbride #edwardianweddingdress #periodweddingdress #vintageweddingdress #seamstress #bespokeweddingdress #customweddingdress

I`ve been sent a little look at the most recent styled shoot I contributed to, and I couldn`t wait to share them with you!⁠
⁠
It`s always a treat for me to work with people I know, so it was a delight to have Mike and Bryony, our bride and groom, who are friends of mine from my local theatre.⁠
⁠
There`ll be more photos to come, but for now, here`s just a flavour of the day 🥰⁠
⁠
Suppliers⁠
Photography: @isobelwnphotography⁠
Stylist: @halo_beautiful.xo⁠
Venue: @chaffordpark⁠
Dress: @felicitywestmacott⁠
Celebrant: @madewithlovecelebrations⁠
Food: @vinedinecatering⁠
Cake & macarons: @bluebellkitchen⁠
Jewellery @oliveandedenvintagejewellery⁠
Stationery @simply.laura.calligraphy⁠
Flowers: @baileyandblossom

23 0

I've been sent a little look at the most recent styled shoot I contributed to, and I couldn't wait to share them with you!⁠
⁠
It's always a treat for me to work with people I know, so it was a delight to have Mike and Bryony, our bride and groom, who are friends of mine from my local theatre.⁠
⁠
There'll be more photos to come, but for now, here's just a flavour of the day 🥰⁠
⁠
Suppliers⁠
Photography: @isobelwnphotography⁠
Stylist: @halo_beautiful.xo⁠
Venue: @chaffordpark⁠
Dress: @felicitywestmacott⁠
Celebrant: @madewithlovecelebrations⁠
Food: @vinedinecatering⁠
Cake & macarons: @bluebellkitchen⁠
Jewellery @oliveandedenvintagejewellery⁠
Stationery @simply.laura.calligraphy⁠
Flowers: @baileyandblossom

If you`re curious about what I get up to in my breaks at the shop...now you know!

Inspired by @theadhdpersonaltrainer 🥰

#handstand #handstandpractice #upsidedown #handstandprogress #handstandshapes #feetuptrainer

36 1

If you're curious about what I get up to in my breaks at the shop...now you know!

Inspired by @theadhdpersonaltrainer 🥰

#handstand #handstandpractice #upsidedown #handstandprogress #handstandshapes #feetuptrainer

By this point you probably know that I am very fond of my local theatre, @archwaytheatre. It`s an amazing little theatre built into the archways of Horley train station, and it`s somewhere I love the spend my time.⁠
⁠
Most recently I was brought onboard to do the costuming for an 80s interpretation of Shakespeare`s What You Will (the alternative title for Twelfth Night). And I`ll be honest - I had so much fun with this one!⁠
⁠
Much of my time was spent coordinating historically accurate outfits, as well altering clothing. Although the theatre`s wardrobe has a fairly big 1980s section, real vintage often has very small sizing due to survivor bias, which is when items that have been worn less are the ones that survive more over time, giving the false assumption that everyone during that time period was tiny. This meant I needed to custom make some items for some of our fuller figures actors, which honestly, was a necessary delight! Although I did have to remember to sew to a lower standard and not spend too long on each piece., which is so difficult when you`re really excited about a project.⁠
⁠
My favourite pieces I made for this show have to be the lace and tartan Vivienne Westwood-inspired dress (in the first image), as well as the bright pink silk mini dress (image #6). I used one of my own dresses as a template for the design, which means this dress has a matching red sister.⁠
⁠
Hopefully from these photos you can see how bonkers this show was 😂 and it was so joyful to contribute my own bit of chaos and colour to it!

21 0

By this point you probably know that I am very fond of my local theatre, @archwaytheatre. It's an amazing little theatre built into the archways of Horley train station, and it's somewhere I love the spend my time.⁠
⁠
Most recently I was brought onboard to do the costuming for an 80s interpretation of Shakespeare's What You Will (the alternative title for Twelfth Night). And I'll be honest - I had so much fun with this one!⁠
⁠
Much of my time was spent coordinating historically accurate outfits, as well altering clothing. Although the theatre's wardrobe has a fairly big 1980s section, real vintage often has very small sizing due to survivor bias, which is when items that have been worn less are the ones that survive more over time, giving the false assumption that everyone during that time period was tiny. This meant I needed to custom make some items for some of our fuller figures actors, which honestly, was a necessary delight! Although I did have to remember to sew to a lower standard and not spend too long on each piece., which is so difficult when you're really excited about a project.⁠
⁠
My favourite pieces I made for this show have to be the lace and tartan Vivienne Westwood-inspired dress (in the first image), as well as the bright pink silk mini dress (image #6). I used one of my own dresses as a template for the design, which means this dress has a matching red sister.⁠
⁠
Hopefully from these photos you can see how bonkers this show was 😂 and it was so joyful to contribute my own bit of chaos and colour to it!

With spring finally appearing, it was time to update my bridal shop display window.
(If you`re curious what it was last month, you can look at my previous post...if you`re a fan of dip dye, I think you`ll really like it)

I wanted to create something that was full of verdant texture. I feel really strongly about single use plastics, so I always try to either re-use elements from previous window displays, or gather things from nature. This time I used a floral garland by @muscariwhites and added dried flowers from the hydrangea bush in my garden, as well as ivy, and anything else I found that I thought would look pretty.

For this display, I featured two dresses. Usually it`s three, but when one of them takes up so much space, I had to make sacrifices! I chose the sumptuous pink Evil Queen dress, as well as the lilac dip dye Bridgeton dress. Both of them are historically inspired (the former by Elizabethan fashion and the latter by Regency), but also have fantasy elements to them. Completely my style as a wedding dress designer.

Which dress in this display is your favourite?

55 11

With spring finally appearing, it was time to update my bridal shop display window.
(If you're curious what it was last month, you can look at my previous post...if you're a fan of dip dye, I think you'll really like it)

I wanted to create something that was full of verdant texture. I feel really strongly about single use plastics, so I always try to either re-use elements from previous window displays, or gather things from nature. This time I used a floral garland by @muscariwhites and added dried flowers from the hydrangea bush in my garden, as well as ivy, and anything else I found that I thought would look pretty.

For this display, I featured two dresses. Usually it's three, but when one of them takes up so much space, I had to make sacrifices! I chose the sumptuous pink Evil Queen dress, as well as the lilac dip dye Bridgeton dress. Both of them are historically inspired (the former by Elizabethan fashion and the latter by Regency), but also have fantasy elements to them. Completely my style as a wedding dress designer.

Which dress in this display is your favourite?

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