Press articles and photoshoots published.....
"Michael and his company have been a mainstay alongside me through my whole career, spanning the last 20 years. Starting out with dreams of bridal design, fresh from university, I ordered my very first rolls from Michael’s to make bridal samples in 2004. His family run business made me feel like family, too. I got to know everyone one on the phone and, though I wasn’t a big name, they made me feel known and valued, too. The range of fabrics he stocked was exceptional and service always off-the chart. Michael once offered to drive out to meet me at a motorway services on a Sunday to deliver a short-notice emergency order of satin!
since 2004His family run business made me feel like family, too.“... Access to the huge choice of silk, lace, basics and accessories, and with next day delivery, has been central to my ability to serve my brides and help clients feel confident booking their bespoke dress with me. I even had a custom bookcase built to house the red covered sample books! Hearing of his well deserved retirement was a sad day, my stomach flipped at the idea of having to ’go it alone’ without Michael and his team backing me up. We expect great things from his son Barry who is moving forward with a new business, but Michael has left some very big boots to fill!"
Labyrinth dress photos by Lex Fleming
"We wanted to create an overall look of winter without any hint of Christmas.
The Colour palette was sage green with dusky and icy blues."
I made a delicate blue dipdye over skirt for this photoshoot. Worn with my classic art-deco satin dress.
"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!"
"Choosing a wedding dress is probably one of the most important decisions a bride can make and having to have alterations is common. Dorking’s Felicity Westmacott is an expert in this field and has provided some amazing advice.... "
Alterations for Lisa Duffy, Photo by CGP Photography
... 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!"
weddings are for everyonewe featured a mature model, a plus size model and two queer grooms“
I was interviewed by 'Your Surrey Wedding Magazine' with questions like " What can brides expect when they visit your store? " and "What designers do you stock? ". Of course as a bespoke wedding dressmaker I don't fit the mould of their usual questions for a normal bridal boutique. You can read what I did share by heading over to the your surrey wedding website to read the full article
"I stock everything and anything you can imagine, (metaphorically speaking)! As a bespoke dressmaker I don't have a collection you can try on, instead I make a one-off dress just for you from design to completion. My job is to create an expression of your personality in dress-form. So if you have already visited shops and just not found the one I'm your perfect match."
Moving House
My Surrey Wedding also reported on the news when I moved premises in 2022. My new shop/studio on Dorking high street was a big upgrade after working from hoe for 20 years!
Photo by Iris Visuals
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!
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“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
Jessica Jill Photo MUA: Light Up Make-Up Flowers: Muscari Whites Model: Vanessa Asare Shoes: Marsha Hall Hair accessories | Jennifer Levet Millinery
This sheer tulle overdress is embroidered from neckline to hem with wildflowers in red and lilac, trailing leaves that climb up and down from the waist like something grown, not made. Beaded droplets catch the light along every seam of the train - dew picked straight from the meadow. 🍃
A high neckline, delicate button-and-loop back, and cold-shoulder sleeves finished with beaded drops make this one for the bride who wants whimsy with a wild edge.
This is a photoshoot sample - one of a kind, in excellent condition, and listed at more than half the retail price. Worn here over an ivory slip, but this overdress can also be styled alone or with one of my dip-dye underskirts, for a pop of colour beneath the tulle.
Link in bio to shop the sample or enquire about bespoke. 👇
#alternativebride #alternativewedding #unconventionalbride #floralweddingdress #nontraditionalwedding
A work of art amongst works of art 🖼️
I absolutely love the idea of a wedding in an art gallery - so much beauty to be seen, and it would be an endless source of conversation for the guests!
I supplied one of my bespoke bridal designs for this styled photoshoot. This wedding dress fits right in amongst the ornate gilded frames but also stands out with the bright fuchsia providing an injection of playful colour.
If you could get married in an art gallery or a museum, which one would you choose?
Showcase Planner & Stylist @_thecreative.edit @weddings_akilahandco
Venue @dpgevents
Model @sanjanakarkera
Photographer @mintbysajeda / @joelvis_photo
Hair @kst_studios
Makeup @melindabridal
Stationery @scribedbysophie
Florist @rosie_violet_flowers
Tableware @thebaileystablewarecompany
Chairs & Linen @blacksaucerstableware
Pink Wedding Dress @felicitywestmacott
#pinkweddingdress #bespokeweddingdress #unconventionalbride #indianweddingdress #weddinginspo #2026bride
I originally made this wedding dress for a cultural fusion styled shoot.
It`s made from the fabric of two fuchsia pink lehengas, carefully disassembled and rebuilt to fit my design. It mattered to me to source genuine fabric from an Indian seller — nothing compares to the quality and detail of the real thing.
Designing this dress meant finding the perfect balance between traditional Indian textiles, British bridal silhouettes, and a few modern touches of my own. A fusion across geography and time. ✨
If there are parts of your culture and heritage you want present in your wedding dress, then drop me a message. I love cultural fusion, so getting to work with brides with varied and beautiful backgrounds is always such a pleasure.
Showcase Planner & Stylist @_thecreative.edit @weddings_akilahandco
Venue @dpgevents
Photographer @mintbysajeda / @joelvis_photo
Hair @kst_studios
Makeup @melindabridal
Stationery @scribedbysophie
Florist @rosie_violet_flowers
Tableware @thebaileystablewarecompany
Chairs & Linen @blacksaucerstableware
Pink Dress @felicitywestmacott
#culturalfusionwedding #indianfusionbride #lehengadress #alternativebride #bespokeweddingdress
Another happy Mother of the Bride: "I loved my dress and had many compliments- it was just me, so I was comfortable all day! The colour was perfect for end of August, in rain and sun. Thank you for all your help and creativity. I loved the experience and hope to be back for the next one in due course!"
You can find more of my bespoke mother of the bride/groom outfits, spanning from the traditional and elegant to the modern and quirky -🔗 in bio.
Photography - @charlottemackephotography
🌹Ivory tulle, gold lace, and a hem that blooms like a hundred roses 🌹
Layers of soft ivory and blush tulle, with the bodice hand-finished with metallic gold and silver floral lace, featuring dramatic off-the-shoulder balloon sleeves and a sweetheart necklace.
With a boned, supportive bodice with built-in cups. Lace-up back for an adjustable fit. Full ballgown skirt with petticoat under, with the hem dip dyed by hand in deep burgundy, crimson and red.
This dress is unapologetically romantic and moves like something from a story.
Swipe through to see it worn by both our golden-haired and dark-haired princesses. Same dress, same magic, two completely different fairytales. ✨
This sample is on my Etsy shop, at a fraction of the cost of a full bespoke commission. No waiting - she`s already made and ready to find her bride. Once she`s gone, she`s gone.
Link in bio for my Etsy shop 👇 Or DM me if you`d love your own bespoke version, made to your measurements and colour choices.
Blonde Princess Shoot:
Hair and makeup @lindsaycloughartistry
Photography @charlymaephotography
Content creation @captured_bygem
Cake @clairelawrencecakedesign
Florist @blossomandgrowflorist
Model @ckm2.6
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Venue @crondonpark
Brunette Princess Shoot:
Concept, Organiser, styling & Floristry @sobloomingbeautiful
Photographer @andrew_wilkinson_photography/
Props @dollysvintageteaparty/
Planner @yourweddingfrienduk
Models @asweetrohmance
Hair accessories @vintageadornments
Hair & make-up @jemmashairandmakeup
Dress @felicitywestmacott
Ribbons @silkandpurl
#alternativebride #dipdyeweddingdress #ombreweddingdress #fairytalebride #sleepingbeauty #etsybridal #sampledress #romanticbride #tulleballgown #uniqueweddingdress
The Petal Dress 🌸 a modern classic, born from a simple idea: elegance that doesn`t try too hard.
Strapless and sculpted in Duchess satin, this ivory gown is all about clean lines and quiet drama. The neckline unfolds into soft, sculpted petals, and the wrap-over skirt reveals a hint of leg, if the bride dares. And of course, finished with a long, sweeping train, for that unmistakable bridal moment.
Timeless, but never boring.
The Petal Dress is now live on my Etsy page. Tag the bride who`d wear this beautifully. 👇
Hair and makeup @lindsaycloughartistry
Photography @charlymaephotography
Content creation @captured_bygem
Cake @clairelawrencecakedesign
Florist @blossomandgrowflorist
Model @ckm2.6
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Venue @crondonpark
#modernbride #satinweddingdress #strapleswedding #etsybridal #bridalgown #weddingdressdesigner
