Bespoke wedding dress Guildford

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.

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I'm a bespoke wedding dress maker, of course I made my own wedding dress!

When I first designed it, I wanted something that was completely 'me'; colourful, historical and a little dramatic. I had ambitions of covering the train with embroidered stems and flowers. At the same time, I had three other wedding commissions I was working on, as well as my own bridesmaids' dresses, some waistcoats for the best men and page boys. Although I managed to get it to a point where I could wear it, I didn't quite achieve what I wanted to by the time my wedding day came around.

I got married in 2007, and it wasn't until lockdown in 2021 that I managed to finish what I had started. I finally completed all the intricate embroidered details I wanted. The fuchsias, the vines and little bees and butterflies. It was so satisfying to see my visioned, fully realised, at last!

Since then I've been luckily enough to have lots of embroidery-centred commissions, and now I've learnt how to manage my time far more efficiently 😂

#2026bride #bespokebridal #bridalboutique #embroidery #ukbride #alternativebride
These are my ladies 💖 working in a bridal boutique can sometimes take you to strange places...

Can you tell I don't like Teresa?😒

#thesearemyladies #dorking #bridetobe #shoplocal #bridalshop #seamstress #weddingdressmaker
With wedding dress alterations, usually it's about making the dress the right fit for the bride. Bringing up the hem, adding in cups for support, making the bodice smaller or bigger. That sort of thing.

But sometimes, when I'm very lucky, I get to play!

Inspiration: a wild meadow of flowers by the sea
What do you think of the end result?

Photography: @sbyrnephoto

#weddingdress #weddingdressalteration #ukbride #ukseamstress #surreybride #sussexbride #londonbride #bespokeweddingdress
Here’s my handy guide to bridal veil lengths! When it comes to your wedding, a veil is such a lovely accessory to have – it can really elevate a bridal look. Some veil lengths have different names for the same thing, so let's clarify the different lengths can be called: 

Shoulder - 16" 
This one is two tiers, bubble style, in vintage tulle. Cute and fun, it has a retro vibe to it. 

Elbow length - 28" 
I chose a 3-tier style, giving this veil a bit more volume. Again, made in vintage tulle with a cut edge.

Fingertip length - 36" 
I’ve notice this length is one of the most popular for brides, so I’m showing a few versions. The first is a single tier with a corded edge, and the second has a lace edge instead. (dipdye, cut edge, with blusher ) 

Waltz (or calf) length – 58”
I made this wedding veil from vintage tulle with a diamante sparkle. This is a good choice is you want something long, but you’re a little clumsy. 

Floor (or puddle) length - 72" 
For this video I went with a floor length veil with a blusher (2-tier) and a cut edge. This one is extra wide as well, for extra drama.

Chapel length - 90" 
This one is in a cowl (or draped) style, meaning it’s placed on the head in a different way to a usual veil. I made this one from a super soft English tulle, which floats so beautifully.

Cathedral - 115" 
If you’re looking for maximum drama, then this is the length for you. This is the length used in the weddings of royalty. With a metallic corded edge, I also made this one extra wide, because if you’re going to go big, you might as well go all the way.

Which is your favourite length of wedding veil? Do you plan on having one for your wedding?

#2025bride #2026bride #bespokebridal #bridalboutique #weddingveil
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