Informal midi kimono inspired pale gold silk wedding dress for Lou

Tags: Boat neck, gold, Knee length Skirt, Sash, Silk, sleeve

lou 1 informal kimono inspired short pale gold silk wedding dress
Lou commissioned a simple Kimono style dress in soft sand-coloured silk satin to wear for her wedding day. This dress was worn for a wedding day but was made to an evening dress budget, and so was not lined.

lou 2 high neck custom bridal gown

The dress has a high boat-neckline and is loose fitting but pulled in at the waist by a sash. Three quarter length sleeves hang in waterfalls and are integral to the main dress, not sewn on. The neckline, sleeve edges and hem are all bound in wide satin bands to create interest. Lou had a very much loved old dress which she brought to the first consultation and we used it as the basis for her design.

lou 3 simple wedding dress with sleeves unfitted

Lou wrote: Hi Felicity, My dress was fab, just what I wanted. We had a fantastic day – thank you. I have attached a couple of photos – we didn’t have a photographer so they are a couple of snaps taken by some of our lovely friends. Thank you for all your help. Thanks, Lou.

lou 6 buttermilk silk crepe satin bow sash wedding dress

Original design sketch

lou 8 binding detail on kimono sleeve pale gold satin wedding dress bespoke

Decorative top stitching around the sleeve bindings. If this dress had been made to a higher budget these edges could have been invisibly hand stitched instead of machined but Lou opted to keep the costs down and the end result is still neat and beautiful!

lou 7 wedding dress detail sash hand sewn to order

Detail of the sash passing into a bound slit.

lou 5 waterfall kimono sleeve wedding dress midi tea length sash Side and back details of the finished dress on the stand.

Fitting Pictures

lou 4 fitting picture pale gold silk satin informal wedding dress

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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.

Recent Portfolio entries

follow me on instagram@felicitywestmacott

Watch til the end to see this beautifully ethereal dip-dyed wedding dress 👗

I did 4 rounds of dyeing to get the perfect, dusk to midnight blue ombre, but it was so worth it!

I do a lot of custom dip dying, and I`ve noticed that blue is really on trend at the moment. But what`s wonderful, is that there`s still so much variety that can be had. My dip dying service comes entirely customisable, with up to five possible colours in the gradient. Some brides choose blues, but include purples and even black into their colour choices. Other brides stick with paler hues, whilst others go for the deeper, darker shades. It`s always exciting to see my brides` imaginations running wild!

What colours would you add to your wedding dress?

If you want to see the bride looking like a fairy getting married in the woods, have a look at the post before this one.

1 0

Watch til the end to see this beautifully ethereal dip-dyed wedding dress 👗

I did 4 rounds of dyeing to get the perfect, dusk to midnight blue ombre, but it was so worth it!

I do a lot of custom dip dying, and I've noticed that blue is really on trend at the moment. But what's wonderful, is that there's still so much variety that can be had. My dip dying service comes entirely customisable, with up to five possible colours in the gradient. Some brides choose blues, but include purples and even black into their colour choices. Other brides stick with paler hues, whilst others go for the deeper, darker shades. It's always exciting to see my brides' imaginations running wild!

What colours would you add to your wedding dress?

If you want to see the bride looking like a fairy getting married in the woods, have a look at the post before this one.

Gemma had a galaxy themed wedding planned, all that remained was to make her wedding dress perfectly on theme too.⁠
⁠
For Gemma`s dress, I did a `wet` dip dye, which involved using powder dyes in hot water (as opposed to the dye sprays that I usually enlist). I did four `dips` in total. The result is this beautiful, ethereal ombre effect, from deep blue up to delicate periwinkle. She looks like a goddess of the night sky ✨️ but also like a fairy or an an elf from Lord of the Rings. Is anyone else seeing Galadriel? ⁠
⁠
The dip dying process really helps to customise a wedding dress, so even if you go for an off the rail gown, you can make the finished product something that really speaks to your own unique style.⁠
⁠
I offer pretty much any colour you can think of, and I can either dye directly onto your dress, or make an overskirt to go on top. The overskirts are great choice if you want to leave the dress underneath untouched.⁠
⁠
Have a look on Etsy for more info on how to order colour swatches of your chosen palette 🌈⁠
⁠
~⁠
Photography - @_frankphotography⁠
Venue - @hothorpe

15 0

Gemma had a galaxy themed wedding planned, all that remained was to make her wedding dress perfectly on theme too.⁠
⁠
For Gemma's dress, I did a 'wet' dip dye, which involved using powder dyes in hot water (as opposed to the dye sprays that I usually enlist). I did four 'dips' in total. The result is this beautiful, ethereal ombre effect, from deep blue up to delicate periwinkle. She looks like a goddess of the night sky ✨️ but also like a fairy or an an elf from Lord of the Rings. Is anyone else seeing Galadriel? ⁠
⁠
The dip dying process really helps to customise a wedding dress, so even if you go for an off the rail gown, you can make the finished product something that really speaks to your own unique style.⁠
⁠
I offer pretty much any colour you can think of, and I can either dye directly onto your dress, or make an overskirt to go on top. The overskirts are great choice if you want to leave the dress underneath untouched.⁠
⁠
Have a look on Etsy for more info on how to order colour swatches of your chosen palette 🌈⁠
⁠
~⁠
Photography - @_frankphotography⁠
Venue - @hothorpe

For today`s alteration post, I wanted to feature this bride and wedding dress. Especially that bustle!⁠
⁠
I love how sculptural it is!⁠
⁠
It’s called a French bustle, or an under bustle – meaning the train is hooked up with the button and loop on the inside, so you don’t see it when the skirt is down. Some skirts this doesn’t work, so you have to use other kinds of bustle, like an over bustle, but it was perfect for this skirt.⁠
⁠
The reason it looks amazing here is because the stiffness of the mikado fabric leant itself to this balloon-like sculptural finish, making it a real feature. It`s so satisfying to me when something is both practical and beautiful.⁠
⁠
The alterations I offer include taking in dresses at the sides⁠, hem length,⁠ adding straps⁠ or sleeves, or adjusting existing sleeves⁠, reducing bodice cup size⁠ and a lot more!⁠
⁠
You can read more about my alteration services, and book yourself in for a consultation, on my website.⁠
⁠
~⁠
Photography @voyteckphoto⁠
Venue @weddingsatwealddown⁠

35 2

For today's alteration post, I wanted to feature this bride and wedding dress. Especially that bustle!⁠
⁠
I love how sculptural it is!⁠
⁠
It’s called a French bustle, or an under bustle – meaning the train is hooked up with the button and loop on the inside, so you don’t see it when the skirt is down. Some skirts this doesn’t work, so you have to use other kinds of bustle, like an over bustle, but it was perfect for this skirt.⁠
⁠
The reason it looks amazing here is because the stiffness of the mikado fabric leant itself to this balloon-like sculptural finish, making it a real feature. It's so satisfying to me when something is both practical and beautiful.⁠
⁠
The alterations I offer include taking in dresses at the sides⁠, hem length,⁠ adding straps⁠ or sleeves, or adjusting existing sleeves⁠, reducing bodice cup size⁠ and a lot more!⁠
⁠
You can read more about my alteration services, and book yourself in for a consultation, on my website.⁠
⁠
~⁠
Photography @voyteckphoto⁠
Venue @weddingsatwealddown⁠

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.⁠

22 1

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

9 0

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

32 1

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

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