Bespoke wedding dress Guildford

Tags: Beading, Bias-cut, Boned, floor length, gold, ivory, Lace, Satin, Scalloped edging, Silk, Straight skirt, Straps, Train, V-neck

beaded ivory wedding dress for mature bride

I made this bespoke wedding dress Guildford for beautiful Nicola. I made a simple and elegant dress in pale gold and buttermilk coloured soft silk satin and ivory beaded lace. The dress has a fitted and softly boned bodice in layered silk and lace with the pretty scalloped edging used to soften the line of the waist. I finished the bodice with v-neckline and integral inch wide straps with a clean edge.

I created the skirt as a soft bias-cut fishtail, hanging in soft folds at the front hem and spreading into a small train at the back. It is pleated into the waist with a half star of ruching emanating from the centre. The back has a godet panel of lace to echo the bodice, the the scalloped edging used on the hem and fading out around to the sides. The dress closes with a concealed zip at centre back and is fully lined.

I also made Nicola’s bridesmaids’ dresses, more pictures can be seen here.

bride and her daughter bespoke dresses

Nicola with her daughter in the dresses I made for both of them.

bespoke wedding dress draped skirt and boned bodice

concealed zip back wedding dress with lace train

For sale

This dress was brought back to me after the wedding as Nicola hopes it might find a new home and another happy wedding to attend. You can visit my Etsy shop to see more details of the pre-loved dress for sale, or contact me directly and visit my studio to try it on.

freeman9 mature bride ceremony aisle chapel train

just married bespoke wedding dress

silk satin pale gold and ivory beaded lace bridal gown

hidden something blue wrist loop for train

Using the wrist loop to keep the train off the grass, practical and pretty!

wedding dress vneck with straps and straight skirt

freeman4

mature bride with her son lace godet train

champagne bride pale gold satin vneck bodice

Making Nicola’s bespoke wedding dress Guildford

original design sketch bias cut wedding dress

Original design sketch for Nicola’s dress

fitting picture finished dress dressmaker

Pictures from Nicola’s final fitting of the bespoke wedding dress Guildford

bridal detail of draped wedding skirt silk crepe satin

Detail of the beaded lace scalloped edging and the pleated skirt into the waist.

beaded ivory lace with scalloped edge godet insert train

Above and below: showing the train spread out and hooked up for dancing

bustle up for train fitting picture

fitting picture something blue tradition train wrist loop

beaded ivory lace bodice and ruched skirt wedding dress

I love making dresses for mature brides. So to see more examples of dresses for brides over 40 see this blog post.

Lace wedding dresses are another speciality of mine. I show lots of examples in this dedicated blog post about lace wedding dress styles.

If you are looking to find a venue near Guildford, the famous West Horsely Place (Button house) is a good place to start.

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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

Today`s my birthday! So I`m allowing myself the week to celebrate myself.⁠
⁠
Of my (now) 43 years, over half of them have been spent creating outfits for brides, bridesmaids and more. When I was younger I spent a lot more time making things for myself, now I have less opportunity to.⁠
⁠
I made this outfit about 15 years ago. Me and my spouse were out shopping and she gifted these fabrics to me for another birthday. I first wore the outfit I made from them to the Henley Regatta. It`s so wonderful to remember the history of the various garments I`ve made 💜⁠
⁠
I absolutely loved frolicking in nature with Kate of @altweddingco a few years ago for these photos, where I got to model a slew of different things I`d made over the years.⁠
⁠
I felt like an art deco flower fairy 🧚🏼‍♀️ we don`t do enough frolicking as adults, don`t you think??

69 19

Today's my birthday! So I'm allowing myself the week to celebrate myself.⁠
⁠
Of my (now) 43 years, over half of them have been spent creating outfits for brides, bridesmaids and more. When I was younger I spent a lot more time making things for myself, now I have less opportunity to.⁠
⁠
I made this outfit about 15 years ago. Me and my spouse were out shopping and she gifted these fabrics to me for another birthday. I first wore the outfit I made from them to the Henley Regatta. It's so wonderful to remember the history of the various garments I've made 💜⁠
⁠
I absolutely loved frolicking in nature with Kate of @altweddingco a few years ago for these photos, where I got to model a slew of different things I'd made over the years.⁠
⁠
I felt like an art deco flower fairy 🧚🏼‍♀️ we don't do enough frolicking as adults, don't you think??

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

31 3

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 1

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!

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