As seen in.....
"Lauren admits choosing the dress was never going to be easy, given her exacting standards. "I went to about eight boutiques and didn't find anything" she says. "Kate Middleton's dress was my inspiration and I didn't want ruffles, diamantes or anything too big, but I also didn't want anything plain! A local bridal shop gave me details of a dressmaker who lived nearby.
... She drew up a design that I loved, which consisted of a simple top and an amazing train and veil. When I put the dress on, on the morning of the wedding I felt so overwhelmed I burst into tears!"
Article by Paul Travers
From her home studio and workshop in Redhill, Felicity Westmacott makes beautiful bespoke wedding dresses that use every inch of her considerable experience: as a TV and Film costume designer; as a graduate in the history of costume; and as an alterations seamstress with years under her hemline. With an understanding of the different ways of cutting and shaping dresses through the centuries, Felicity can draw on hundreds of years of technical and design knowledge in creating unique and contemporary gowns.
One of Felicity’s pleasures is seeing her clients over the moon with happiness. Her customers generally fall into two main categories: those who have shopped out the stores and simply can’t find the perfect frock (but know the fit they’re looking for), and those who’ve done nothing at all. Felicity sends the second type off to try on a few dresses – some find exactly what they want, and those that don’t come back to begin the design process.
The key advice Felicity has is that every bride must dress to please herself, because no one else could pick the dress meant for her. When someone picks what makes them happy, it will show.
“A wedding dress is a costume,” she says. “It must say something special about this girl on this day, just as a costume tells you about the character and future of someone in a film. The wedding dress tells a story of what a bride wants her future to be. That’s why the dress is important, special, and unique.”
Article by Erin Balfour of Way Out Wedding
“Creating a dress design for a ‘City Burlesque’ theme was fabulous fun. The dress needed to have a vintage, showgirl feel and be really sexy, but still realistic as a bridal dress – not many people actually get married in a leotard and feathers! The wiggle skirt with a boned bodice hit all these marks, showing off our lovely model Vanessa’s curves and cinching her waist. I added a teal net petticoat that would show when the high/low hem moved, and delicate gold lace detail with Swarovski crystals for showgirl glamour!
.jpg)
“The coat is made in striking Cadbury purple silk dupion, with a vintage 1950s off the shoulder collar neckline. Demure, elegant and still very sexy. The sweeping skirt and train mean that even with a short dress, this bride gets to sweep into the ceremony and swoosh up the aisle. It also means she can do ‘the big reveal’ burlesque style without actually taking off her dress!
See more at wayoutwedding.com
Photography | Jessica Jill Photo Dresses | Felicity Westmacott MUA | Light Up Make-Up Flowers | Muscari Whites Model | Vanessa Asare Shoes | Marsha Hall Hair accessories | Jennifer Levet Millinery
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
A few more photos of bride Danielle looking utterly ethereal on her wedding day, wearing one of my fully bespoke designs 🥰
I love how the tulle is light enough to be lifted by the wind to create these gorgeous shapes! Maybe the British weather isn`t always bad...🍃
What was the weather like on your wedding day?
(and if you haven`t had it already - what kind of weather are you hoping for?)
~
Photographer: @jessicapiazzaphotography
Venue (ceremony) - Winter Garden, York House, Twickenham
Make-up & hair: @carlafrancesca.mua
~
#instabride #wedding #weddings #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddingdress #luxurywedding #bespokeweddingdress #bespokebridal #bespokebride #bespokedressmaker #beautifulbride #realbride #elegantbride #modernwedding #modernbride
As a mother of three, I may not have a favourite child, but I certainly have dresses which I love a *little* bit more than the rest - and this is one of them!
Danielle wanted a pretty and ethereal wedding dress in lace, with subtle sequin sparkles on a nude base. With a fully boned bodice, a deep V neckline and a figuring hugging skirt, this dress is both daring and pretty. What a combination!
My favourite detail has to be the pretty bunny tie bows at the shoulders - they look so beautiful fluttering in the breeze! Ah, but I also love the flared mermaid skirt in layers of frothy tulle, making it look like Danielle is walking on seafoam. Or maybe my favourite bit is the low back, with just a hint of lace over the skin.
Okay, so it would appear I love a lot about this dress.
Are you also in love with this dress? Have a look on my website (link in the bio) to find out more about this dress, and about getting your own unique, custom made wedding dress.
~
Photographer: @jessicapiazzaphotography
Venue (ceremony) - Winter Garden, York House, Twickenham
Make-up & hair: @carlafrancesca.mua
~
#bridetobe #weddingstyle #weddingdress #modernbride #bridestyle #bespokebride #surreydressmaker #londondressmaker #seamstress #tulleweddingdress #ukbride #ukwedding #weddinginspiration #elegantbride #femininebride #bodyconweddingdress
Let’s appreciate some of the details of this dress together…
This bohemian wedding dress was made for a vintage Romani Gypsy inspired wedding shoot, and since then it has been used for a few Edwardian and Titanic inspired shoots as well.
For this look, I chose beautifully lightweight ivory silk georgette (or chiffon) and lace, trimmed with ribbons. I spent a lot of time embellishing with hand sewn lace appliqué and tiny glass beads, to make the dress truly unique.
I always like to add versatility to my designs, and for this one I created a lace overskirt, decorated with red and black floral lace and a bold red sash around the waist. Then I made a ¾ length sleeve bolero in black velvet, lined with red satin for the chill nights.
This dress makes me want to dance around a fire, singing folk songs to the stars!
If this dress feels like the one for you, you can find it, ready to order, on my Etsy (link in the bio). Or, you can order it any size you like, completely bespoke to your body and taste.
#weddingdress #vintageweddingdress #modernvintage #2025bride #2026bride #customweddingdress #bridalboutique #ukbride
