Sky blue bespoke wedding dress

aqua blue coloured bespoke wedding dress

Ailsa commissioned a sky blue bespoke wedding dress in silk satin. I designed it with proportions to flatter her petite figure.

Official photographs by www.oxford-photography.co.uk

I made the dress with a fitted and boned bodice with gentle sweetheart neckline and integral straps. I added ruching over the bust which is balanced above asymmetric draping on the lower bodice. The skirt hangs straight down from the hip line, flat in front with soft pleats at each side. The dress fastens at centre back with flat lacing in loops above a flared godet train.

sweetheart neckline custom order wedding dress sky blue
country wedding coloured wedding dress
blue wedding dress silk satin bespoke made to measure
 thank you letter

Thank you letter

Ailsa wrote: I was absolutely delighted with my beautiful dress! I really appreciated the time you took to explain the different options and the effort you went to in order to make sure it looked perfect, including an extremely useful set of instructions for my bridesmaid on how to make the dress look its best on the day. Your patience, enthusiasm and skill made the whole process a pleasure!

and later: Thank you once again for producing such a beautiful dress, and the time you took to make it look exactly right (including the veil!)

Ailsa’s mum wrote: Thank you so much for all the work you put into getting the dress just right for Ailsa and the helpful advice with accessories etc. She looked lovely on the day and felt very comfortable and happy with the dress. The dress fittings became a firm part of the wedding preparations and thank you for your welcome when we visited. Ian was especially pleased that he could join us for the final fitting. With best wishes, Christine

ailsa2 long veil with blusher traditional church wedding

Ailsa’s veil was made to order, a simple two tier style in pale ivory tulle to go with her sky blue bespoke wedding dress

bride and maid of honour alternative wedding dress

Ailsa’s sister was a lovely bridesmaid and we made a long blue silk hair ribbon so she would tone-in with Ailsa’s colour scheme.

 original design sketch sweetheart bodice and straps
aqua blue wedding dress made to order
blue wedding dress with straps ruched bodice
something blue bespoke wedding dress petite

Ailsa using her wrist hook-up to hold her train off the floor while walking in her sky blue bespoke wedding dress

printed shoes with ribbons

Ailsa had matching silk ribbons made to tie up her lovely shoes. I loved her shoes so much I got myself a pair too!

walking with her groom bespoke silk tie to match the bride

Making Ailsa’s Sky blue bespoke wedding dress

toile fitting with dressmaker wedding dress

Pictures from the ‘toile fitting’ or practice run in cheap fabrics, and below at her first fitting with the real dress, here just the under layers, boned ready for the silk satin to be ruched on top.

boned bodice duchess satin fitting picture made to measure
ruched bodice on the stand custom made to order

Ruching in progress on the stand

pleated ruched bodice sweetheart sewing
dress fitting blue wedding dress silk satin
 train wrist loop with ribbon roses finished wedding dress fitting

Pictures of the finished dress at her final fitting: Detail of the wrist loop provided so Ailsa could pick up her train from the floor when walking. Usually I sew on a ‘something blue’ here but as Ailsa’s whole dress was her something blue I chose three pretty pastel coloured ribbon roses instead, to match the floral pattern on her shoes.

train spread out and hooked up for dancing

The train bustled up and spread right out. As The train was so long, and Ailsa so petite the bustle up did not get the train right off the floor, as I would usually aim for, but it did make it much smaller and manageable for later in the day.

 lace up corset back wedding dress ribbon and loops

Detail of the back fastening with flat lacing through loops above a modesty panel

finished dress in the mirror fitting room
something blue wedding dress all finished and ready to go

Here is another pale blue bespoke wedding dress, that I made for Isabelle’s wedding

If you would like to know more about commissioning your own wedding dress with me, you can head over to my FAQ page or contact me directly.

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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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The days are counting down 'til the deadline for the Wedding Industry Awards (@twia_official), and I wanted to thank anyone who has already voted for me. ⁠
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There is something so special about people going above and beyond what they need to do, and it's always lovely to feel appreciated and seen.⁠ So, if you have already voted, comment down below so that I can thank you!⁠ 💜⁠
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And if you haven't, and you would like to, then you can find the link in my bio. Remember, you can only vote for me if you've used my services between Oct 1st 2024 up until now (all that way until Sept 29th 2025).⁠
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Photo by @altweddingco⁠
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#weddingdressmaker #weddingsupplier #bridalboutique
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