Plus size reception dress with stars for Melissa

bride in ivory plus size reception dress with her sister

Melissa had already found her wedding dress so came to me to have a reception dress made for later in the day. I designed her a plus size reception dress with stars on the tulle skirt

Melissa wanted a reception dress she could dance in and have fun. I designed a v-neck bodice with narrow straps. Curvy brides need a little support so I added light boning, just enough to make a difference but keep the relaxed vibe and not be stiff or restrictive. I sourced light ivory duchess satin for the bodice and swishy soft tulle for the layers of skirt. Melissa found the beautiful gold star tulle that was used for the top layer of the full circle skirt. I inserted a simple concealed zip for the back closure.

celestial wedding dress for plus size bride on staircase

Kind words from Melissa

Picking a wedding dress was something I had always dreaded. I found the day dress of my dreams and then was full of dread again at how i would enjoy the party. You solved that for me and made me feel the most glamorous I have ever felt in my life. I got changed after dinner with all my maids which was so much fun and then we did a “reveal” with Jim, it was amazing! I thought everyone would roll their eyes at me being a diva with two dresses but everyone was so lovely and I literally swished everywhere in my dress. You were a huge part of the best day of my life and I am eternally grateful xxxxxx

Love My Dress Blog Feature

Online wedding blogs are a really great way to find inspiration for your wedding day. I feel very proud when a wedding I have worked for gets featured. A little bit after the her wedding day Melissa sent me this message

Well I decided to be brave and message them because I felt so amazing last weekend and I want all plus size girls to know they can feel the same and so just told them my story and they had a look at my insta and then said they would love to feature me when the official pics come through.. so obviously I can then credit all of you! If I had to pick between dresses then obviously I will choose Felicity’s (albeit I loved my pink dress) but the Stars is a true representation of local talent and craftsmanship and girl power. WOOOOP! This wedding keeps on giving xxxxx

Head over to the blog to see Melissa and James wedding feature over on ‘Love My Dress‘

bride and bridesmaids in star tulle plus size wedding dress
Melissa with her bridesmaids, so gorgeous!
plus size bride selfie in bridal suite
Quick ‘just ready’ selfie
wedding dress with stars original design sketch by felicity westmacott
The Original design sketch for Melissa’s

Melissa’s gorgeous wedding day

Designing well for a curvy bride is important to me, everyone deserves to feel their best on their wedding day. Having a bespoke wedding dress made means anyone can feel sure their dress will fit perfectly and be everything they dreamed of. Laura of devinebride.co.uk helped Melissa plan and style her wedding and when Melissa said she wanted a different dress for the reception Laura put us in touch right away. It’s really lovely being recommended by previous clients and by wedding industry colleagues.

Melissa’s wedding was planned with impeccable taste and so much fun! Melissa had cinema themed table centres, balloons on the venue’s columns and a doughnut tower wedding cake. The blush pink wedding dress she wore for the first part of the day was a customised off the rack dress from Cambridge Bridal Studio.

Samuel George captured the essence of Melissa and Jame’s incredible day in this highlights video

A plus size bride dances in her reception dress

bride dances in wedding dress with stars

Making the plus size reception dress for a curvy bride

Fitting pictures from the making process. I always make a custom pattern for each client. Melissa came to my studio for a series of fittings including a ‘toile’ or practice run in cheap fabrics.

If you are looking for a reception dress, plus size or any size do get in touch to discuss your design ideas.

Official photography by www.samuelgeorge.org/

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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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When I signed up to do this Surrey based wedding photoshoot, I wasn't expecting to find two of my dear theatre friends there as well! In fact, we had been having dinner together a few weeks before, and they mentioned they were modelling for a photoshoot, and I mentioned I was supplying a wedding dress for a shoot, and neither of us realised it was the same one! So it was extra lovely to spend some unexpected time with them.

It was also lovely to connect with other local wedding suppliers. Working in this industry as a wedding dress maker can be quite a solitary existence, so part of the reason I do shoots like these is to network with others, and also to revel in their creativity! There were so many gorgeous little details from this shoot, but those will be in my next post...

Follow along for more pretty wedding dress content!

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

#weddingdress #ukwedding #ukbride #bride2025 #bridetobe #bespokeweddingdress #surreyweddingdress #sussexweddingdress #englishwedding #barnwedding #surreybride #surreywedding #customweddingdress
I've been nominated for the 2026 Wedding Industry Awards 🥳⁠
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Recently I was looking through my emails, as you do, when I see one that looks a little bit more exciting than the usual spam. It was from the Wedding Industry Awards letting me know that one of my clients has put me forward for the "Independent Dressmaker/Designer" category. It was such a lovely surprise!⁠
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I previously entered these awards in 2016 and 2018. Both times I made it to the regional finals, but I never came away having won. So I thought this year I'd give it another try, spurred on by the kindness of a client 🥰⁠
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Which leads me to asking you all for a favour. If you used my services between Oct 1st 2024 up until now (all that way until Sept 29th 2025) then you are eligible to vote for me. Unfortunately, anyone I've made a wedding outfit for before this can't vote.⁠
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Winning an award voted for by the people I work for is such a gorgeous feeling, so if you have a few minutes to spare, you can find the voting link in my bio 💜⁠
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If you do vote for me, let me know so I can give you a big virtual hug!
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