I created a bespoke wedding dress Berkshire for Julia’s in a grand stately home. So her dress needed to compliment this and her figure. I 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. I added pleated fabric in an asymmetric design to emphasise Julia’s waist. I trimmed the rose gold lace sleeves with beaded scalloped edging. A mixed metallic lace edging is also used inside the neckline
The skirt falls from below more neat pleating over the hips. I placed a motif from the lace edging on the lower hip as the basis for a bold and beautiful hand beaded detail. The shape of the skirt I created had a little fullness at the front, but hangs straight down at the back. And then it flares with simple into a chapel length train at the back. I made sure the back neckline and pleating compliments the front and I added real button and loop fastening. I sewed more buttons all down the centre back seam, as an elegant addition to the very simple skirt. The dress comes with a wrist loops and bustle-up for dancing.
For Sale
A few years after her wedding day Julia brought her wedding dress back to my studio. She hopes it will find a new home and new wedding day to bring joy to. If you would like to consider buying her pre-loved dress you can visit my studio to try it on, or take a look at the listing in my Etsy shop.
Holding the train by the wrist loop, a bustle up was also provided for dancing later in the day.
Making Julia’s Bespoke wedding dress Berkshire
Original design sketch for the bespoke wedding dress Berkshire
Pictures from the ‘toile fitting’ or practice run in cheap fabrics.
Creating the pleating on the bust and waistline, first in practice fabric, then in the gold satin.
Tiny cover button detail, all down the back of her bespoke wedding dress Berkshire. These are very labour intensive and so I sewed every one on by hand.
Detail of the rose gold lace, which I used for the sleeves.
I also made a tie in matching fabric for Julia’s son
Here is a detail of the lace motif, before and after I added the hand beading. We used a mix of silver and gold glass seed beads, pearls and Swarovski crystals.
If you would like to see another gold wedding dress for a mature bride, Nicola’s dress is a great example.
If you might like to talk to me about having your wedding dress made to order you can get in touch or visit my bespoke FAQ page for some general information.
