Red and black corset Goth wedding dress

faye 7 sweet heart strapless corset bodice alternative wedding dress bespoke

Faye commissioned an unusual red and black Goth corset wedding dress. I made it for her in black and red duchess satin. The inspiration for the design came from a dress worn by a lady in one of her favourite music videos! I created Faye’s dress as a two piece, bodice and skirt but with several different ways the skirt and train could be worn to give different looks for the ceremony and into the evening.

Design details

Faye’s dress has a fitted and heavily boned bodice with a sweetheart neckline edged with pleated black tulle and beaded lace to soften the line. It laced shut at the back over a contrast colour modesty panel. The skirt was fitted to her upper hip and then flared in an a-line over netting to the floor. A feature water-fall ‘pick-up’ was pinned up to her bodice with a beautiful brooch, connecting the two halves of the design, and revealing the contrast red underskirt. I finished the red hip sash with long sash ends at the back that flowed down Faye’s train. You can see pictures further down for how the skirt could be changed for day/evening looks. I also made Faye’s birdcage veil and her husband’s tie.

faye 3 church wedding not white red and black duchess satin
faye 2 alternative wedding dress with long black train and bridesmaids
faye 4 Goth wedding dress laced corset train and sash with confetti
Black and red satin Goth, corset wedding dress by Felicity Westmacott: original design sketch

Original design sketches

The smaller sketches show the ideas and options for Faye’s skirt. The front would hook up even further for the evening to reveal the black tulle and netting below the red underskirt. The back of the dress could have had any number of features, in the end. Faye choose that in the largest main picture of plain sash ends.

Bird Cage Veil

faye 13 bird cage veil lace and swarovski crystals goth wedding

Faye’s head-dress was specially commissioned to go with her dress. I used black twisted wire and a mix of red and black Swarovski crystals to create the piece. Fixed to a comb for easy insertion in her hair style the black bird cage veil could then be arranged to suit.

faye 14 detail of birdcage french veiling fascinator tiara for black alternative vintage wedding
faye 24 custom hair grips crystal sparkle goth black swarovksi grips wedding hair

I made three mini grips, each with a tiny black Swarovski crystal. These were for Faye to use when fixing the bird-cage veil across her face and into her hair.

faye 8 made to order wedding dress with waterfall split skirt and boned bodice

faye 12 red sash and hooked up train lace up back corset dancing

Faye in her black corset Goth wedding dress dancing the night away. The train is usefully bustled out of the way.

faye 20 hand sewn beaded lace and tulle trim to sweetheart neckline and boning channels

Detail of the pleated tulle edging and beaded lace

faye 1 dressing the bride goth wedding corset lacing

Dressing the Bride

faye 5 fascinator birdcage veil black and red french veiling punk wedding
faye 10 corset boned bodice wedding dress tulle trim and birdcage veil

faye 9 vintage car non traditional wedding red and back goth punk
faye 11 punk and goth wedding custom made wedding dress and tie
faye 6 plus size goth bride with punk groom in black wedding dress church

Making Faye’s red and black corset Goth wedding dress

faye 15 toile practice run of bespoke custom wedding dress boned corset

Fitting pics from Faye’s first fitting, the shell of the skirt and the toile of the bodice, only half boned.

faye 16 fitting picture in half made dress black wedding gown

Second fitting, the outfit progresses

faye 17 train laid out and hooked up bustle for dancing alternative black satin wedding dress

Back with train out and with train bustled up for the evening

faye 21 eyelet lacing holes corset lace up boned bodice custom made to order

Detail of the lacing holes and beaded lace

faye 18 detail of finished bodice eyelets and lacing on corset red modesty panel tulle and lace trim with sweetheart neckline

Detail of the back-lacing and sweet heart neckline

faye 19 fitting picture in finished bespoke wedding gown black satin mirror sash

Faye at her final fitting

faye 25 waterfall aline wedding skirt goth alternative duchess satin

The finished skirt front of the black corset Goth wedding dress, left as for the ceremony and right, with the red layer hitched up too, for the evening

faye 23 fitting picture birdcage veil vintage tiara fascinator swarovski red and black crystal

I also made Faye’s birdcage veil fascinator with black french veiling and wired Swarovski crystal highlights.

faye 22 wrist loop bustle up for train hidden something blue and red

‘Something blue’, hidden among more red roses next to the wrist loop for lifting the train

Official Wedding pictures by Allan Breeze (now retired)

Two more black wedding dresses for gothic brides

And I was lucky enough to have one of those dresses was published on a wedding blog, see more here

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felicity westmacott wearing a hat

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 have always loved working on cultural fusion wedding dresses, and I have been very lucky that many brides trust me with this process.

For Vidushi's bespoke wedding dress, we worked to combine her Indian heritage with her husband's Polish culture. She sourced the base dress and three beautiful red saris, and we began the process of discovering the kind of fusion she was looking for. 

The final result is the perfect blend of east and west ❤️

Wedding photography by @whiteframestorytellers_
Four years ago, I opened my bridal shop after working from home for the past 16 years. It was a huge decision and I had so many thoughts, so many pros and cons, and so many fears going round and round.

Here are just three of the doubts I had about buying the shop:

1.	The Commute
You know how sometimes the idea of something just feels bad, and then it turns out the reality of it is fine? That.
I worried about how long it would take, about traffic, about wasting time.

But the shop is just an 18-minute drive and I don't notice the time pass. I even cycle there occasionally, which is good for both my body and my mind. And it is so worth it for the separation between home life and work life. I can let my creativity lead me, instead of the distractions of a busy house.

2.	Premise Costs
My dad once told me, “The only person who makes money from small retail is the landlord", and I worried all my income would disappear into rent. But I was in the very privileged position to be able to buy my shop. This means the shop is an investment, as well as a workshop and a welcoming space for my brides.

3.	Self-Doubt
The loudest voice, with constant thoughts about whether the shop would be good enough, would anyone come in and would anyone like my work. 
But they do. Brides who see the dresses in the window, then visit the shop and often choose to work with me.

I am so grateful to my past self, and everyone who supported me in taking the leap. All the doubt was really worth it. 

Here’s to another four years, and hopefully many more 🤍
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