I designed this fairytale look for a bespoke wedding dress photoshoot in Essex. I made the dramatic Aurora gown in layers of fluffy blush organza and pale ivory tulle. Sequins shimmer under the top layer and creep onto the illusion neckline. I trimmed the bodice and waist with mixed metallic beaded lace and I created...
I made this couture wedding dress in Surrey for Toni (during the dreaded Covid times). We went for something romantic, feminine and whimsical, in layered silk organza and soft satins. For this design, I chose a boned bodice with a straight neckline that then dips at the back. The top layer of this dress is...
For this bespoke wedding dress photoshoot in Hampshire, we wanted to evoke the feeling of a fairy tale. Of a princess being whisked away by her prince, of magic, whimsy and romance. The colours we wanted to focus on were blush pink, various shades of green and deep burgundy. All inspired by the colours found...
Hi, I’m Fliss and I’m a Surrey based seamstress, making bespoke bridal outfits for brides all over the country (and beyond). I love creating wedding looks that are a little different from the usual. And this gorgeous photoshoot, shot at Welbeck Manor, is the perfect alternative wedding dress inspiration – Surrey. Alternative Wedding Dress Inspiration...
For beautiful bride Lisa, I created this romantic, off the shoulder balloon sleeve wedding dress. Features included layers of fluffy blush tulle, an elegant ruched neckline, and buttoned cuffs. Photography: Eddy Fisher Photography Elements of the Dress The bodice was fully supportive with integral bust cups to provide shape without excessive cleavage (see below for...
Just before lockdowns began in 2020 I created an Indian Fusion wedding dress for a photoshoot with a London team of suppliers. We wanted to create inspiration for the many mixed culture weddings being planned in the UK. I showcased my fusion wedding dress design skills with an ensemble of ivory silk top, skirt and...
Tracey wanted a Tudor inspired wedding dress with a modern twist for her wedding at the Tudor period hotel, Langshott Manor. I love designing alternative wedding dresses so this was a lovely project. The two piece ensemble made in deep red silk velvet has a firmly boned bodice cut in a ‘Tudor’ style with a...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
As a seamstress there are certain things that give me the ick. Usually they`re pretty specific and unless you`re also a dressmaker it might be something you`re completely unaware of.
I`ve always had a ‘thing’ about language generally. I find it really interesting. I`ve noticed how strong a reaction I can have to people using language differently to what I’m used to. And when I notice that I often go on a bit of a deep dive to understand where that difference stems from. I think coming from a historical costuming background also means I love to know the history of things (and despite my instinctive language-conservative leanings, I do actively work on being accepting and open minded, trying celebrate the differences).
That said, please don’t say your dress has a trail!
Snails have trails - dresses have trains! 🐌
Have you ever dreamed of getting married somewhere beautiful, gothic and very Scottish?
Richelle got married in Edinburgh and wanted a bespoke wedding dress that could compete with one of the most iconic cities in the world.
We had to go structural, to echo the beautiful architecture of Edinburgh Castle (where she got married), as well as the rest of the atmospheric city`s layers of winding lanes, stacked stone buildings and hidden tunnels. So I designed her a pink and silver waterfall skirt wedding dress in organza, silk and lace.
I also included lots of versatility in the outfit, by making several removable pieces. These included a medieval-inspired bolero with waterfall sleeves, and a 1950s skirt for London part of her wedding (scroll to the end of the photos to see).
Oh, and her wedding reception was museum of Scotland. What a dreamy wedding 😍
Photography - @LinaandTom
For Holly`s city wedding, she commissioned this lovely, romantic-yet-modern two piece ensemble in dove grey and blush pink.
There`s something so quietly unique about this wedding look. The subtle yet unusual colour choices, the simplicity of the separates, the inspired choices of details. It all just makes you look twice.
Choosing something different for your wedding dress doesn`t necessarily mean you have to go for something big, dramatic and colourful. You can make choices like Holly did, that stay true to her sense of style and her vision 🕊️
Photography - Andy Wright
#weddingdress #weddingdressmaker #ukbride #2026bride
I found this sheet music in my house, and I was so surprised by what it was 🎹🎵
There’s a music stand in my childhood home, and when I was having a look, I found this: “Three Songs composed by Ethel M. Lightfoot”. And my curiosity was peaked. So I sat down at the piano.
When it comes to reading music, I can play piano and sing a little. Nothing outstanding but enough that I could put the music in front of me and have a go at playing it. And I was surprised to discover that I found it was really easy to sightread and sing. Ethel liked the same key signatures, melodies and intervals as me. The things I wrote in my teens (usually quite a bit more angsty) were really similar in terms of structure. Her themes were different, of course, like “Cradle Song”, where a mother sings to her child about their father being away at war.
Ethel, as it turns out, is my great grandmother. Ethel was a musician, and it was so wonderful to find some of her published work, play it and somehow feel connected to her through our similarities. Somewhere in my blood is Ethel’s love for music, and it was so special to find her sheet music flowing so easily from my fingertips.
I love learning about history generally, but there’s something extra special about learning about your own personal history 💜
Is there something from your family history that you’re particularly proud of?
Off-the-rack wedding dresses rarely fit perfectly on the first try. Which can be tricky if you`ve found something you`ve got your heart set on.
But not to worry! That`s where I come in!
Rochelle had this stunning three piece ensemble for her wedding, consisting of a bra top, a beautiful lace top and a long skirt. But the fit wasn`t quite right. The bra top needed the straps shortened and buttons moving accordingly. And then the shape of the waistband of skirt was changed to fit her body better, the buttons were also moved and the hem was brought up slightly. Finally, we added a bustle hook for good measure.
And voila, a bride who looks like her dress was made exactly for her ✨️
Alteration bookings for 2026 are now open. You can always book in a no-obligation consultation with me, to see if I would be the right fit for you as well as your dress! (link in my bio)
Photography - @nataliacasephotography
With leaves starting to change to colour, my thoughts have turned to autumn. So I`m sharing my process for this autumn inspired dip dye wedding outfit;
🍁 deciding I wanted to layer a dip dye overskirt on top of the bridal playsuit
🍁choosing lots of warm, rich colours that make me think of autumn leaves carpeting a forest floor
🍁 cutting the tulle of the skirt to the right length
🍁 gradually blending each layer of colour, using an ombre of yellow, orange, brown and just a little bit of gold at the end
…and then the finished product!
Doesn`t this bridal outfit look right at some in the woods?
If you love the idea of an overskirt for your wedding dress, drop me a DM and let’s talk colour palettes!
~
Photographer: @charlymaephotography
