Brianna commissioned a stunning autumn dip dye wedding dress for her Idaho wedding. It is copy of my best selling “Phoenix Dip Dye” wedding dress, with unique matcing accessories I made just for her. Brianna asked for a dip dye veil to echo the colours on the dress and gloves with lace detail. I first...
I like to help brides think about their blue wedding dress inspiration. I have made bespoke wedding dresses in all shades of blue from palest baby blue, sky, Royal blue, turquoise, teal and navy. A blue wedding dress is feminine and elegant without being saccharine. And of course wedding traditions makes it a high favourite...
The inspiration for this blue wedding dress with sleeves was a little unusual. Some brides give me mood boards, and some brides give me the lyrics to the extended (8 minute!) version of Torch by Soft Cell. The song, and especially these particular lyrics, have a lot of significance to the bride, Nicky, and her...
What is more lovely than a winter blue bridesmaids dress? I made three bespoke dresses for Vicky’s wedding day. Each one is made in ice blue silk dupion with ivory sashes. I sewed them with boned bodices and a sweetheart necklines with a ‘ballet pinch’. I cut the knee length skirts full and supported them...
This bespoke wedding dress photoshoot in Kent absolutely bursts with colour, style and fun! Inspired by the 1950s and the quirky Rockabilly style, we went big with our bold accent colours of fuchsia pink and navy blue, the whole shoot was full of retro elegance and mid-century charm. This shoot was all about 50s fun....
Angie wanted a blue halter neck wedding dress for her special day. As a mature bride I encouraged her to have whatever she wanted and I love that is had the confidence to live our her fantasy wedding dress dreams. Choosing a colour instead of white can be more flattering to the mature figure and...
I designed this custom wedding dress, made in Surrey, for a spring wedding photoshoot. Along with the chic bridal separates. The shoot took place at Somersbury Barn, a beautiful oak framed barn nestled in the idyllic Surrey countryside. This gorgeous venue, complete with a stunning Victorian glasshouse was the initial inspiration for our shoot planner...
Lisa wanted an elegant Santorini blue dipdye wedding dress, with hints of Grecian style for her destination wedding in Greece. After a lot of trial and error, I managed to create what I think is the most perfect, vibrant sky blue. I love how this dress turned out, from the peek-a-boo shoulders, to the floaty...
Katrina came to me looking for a wedding dress fit for the English Summer. She wanted a beautiful hand painted wedding dress with flowers in a mix of colours (but not pink). We designed the perfect canvas, a bespoke wedding dress in layered white taffeta and silk organza. We started with a base of some...
I am a huge fan of wearing a bit of colour for your wedding, so this pale blue cocktail wedding dress hits all the right buttons! The dress has a cute, vintage, 1950’s wiggle dress vibe and suited Isabelle perfectly. Simple and sweet bridal mini-dress with tiered ivory lace skirt. Pale blue silk satin shows...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
My goal this year is to use up as much of my existing fabric stash as I can. Having been a seamstress for several decades now, I have amassed a huge pile of fabric over the years. That, and I just can’t throw anything away. As a result, I have an island’s worth of gorgeous, unusual and tragically under-utilised material, begging to be used for its purpose – creating unique and beautiful wedding dresses.
So, when Amy approached me about creating some looks for a steampunk Alice in Wonderland themed wedding shoot, it felt like the perfect opportunity to dip into my stash.
As a result, everything was made from fabrics in stock – nothing was bought new. In fact, some of the scraps of lace are from my mum’s stash, so parts of this dress are from the 50s and 60s. I trimmed the gown with scraps of vintage and antique lace, sequins and tulle, as well as torn blue silk for the very Alice bows. They had a long while waiting to be used, but finally these frabrics have their home.
Content creation and creative lead: @reeldealsocial
Lead photographer: @nicolaashleaphotography
Celebrant: @stardustceremonies
Styling and flowers: @foxgloveandblack
Photographer 2: @candiceharrisphotography
Model 1: @rosy053
Model 2: @s.frosties
HMUA: @house_of_belles
Tea set: @teacupswishes
Dress/suit: @felicitywestmacott
Cake: @thecakelabuk
Shoes: @houseofelliotlaceboots
Drinks: @bittersweetbartenders
Stationer: @calistaandbelle
Venue: @wortonhall
As you can see from the first fitting photo, when Mahri bought her dress to me, there was a bit of an issue with fit.
But not to worry, because that`s where I worked my dress alchemy magic ✨️
Mahri`s dress underwent a lot of changes. Over the course of several months we had lots of fittings, each time readjusting our plan of action. This is to be expected for a such a dramatic alteration.
Not only did I add about 8 inches to the body of the dress, I also reshaped the bodice, creating new panels from the fabric taken from shortening the hem. I used the rest of the spare fabric to make the lacing at the back, so that everything matched perfectly.
Originally at the back there were see-through panels with buttons, but we decided to get rid of those, and ended up with this elegant, flattering shape, using just a little bit of invisible skin-tone tulle for support.
As a final detail, I created a fabulous bustle up. I think it looks particularly beautiful with this style of dress.
Mahri looks absolutely stunning and I`m so glad she trusted me to work my magic and transform her wedding dress into something truly bespoke.
I have a few alteration slots per month, so if you`ve got some changes in mind, it`s better to get in touch sooner rather than later!
Photographer - @geocam.photography
The Venue - @thecruin (Loch Lomond)
Decor - @purplewillowweddings
It`s amazing how much a cape, jacket or bolero can add to a bridal outfit. It can be that finishing touch you didn`t even know you were looking for.
So, I wanted to share some of my favourite cover-up creations:
1. For this photoshoot, I spent a lot of time looking at Jenny Bevan`s designs from the recent Cruella film. From that, I came up with a series of looks, including this antique military-style black velvet jacket, to which I added lace cuffs for even more upcycling chic.
2. This wedding shoot was all about 1950s fun. As well as the dress, I really enjoyed creating a capsule collection of accessories, including this organza tie-front shirt, inspired by rockabilly and country & western.
3. I created this little capelet using layers of purple and lilac feathers. It`s such a rock n` roll vibe for an alternative bride who wants to make a statement. A small addition, but with maximum effect. (this feather capelet is part of my Etsy sample sale)
4. For this cool London elopement shoot I wanted a short, sweet 60’s/80’s retro vibes. I made the simple dress and then the cute bolero-shrug. It`s covered in sequins and pearls and fastens above a cut away back with matching pearls. So cute, so chic.
Which is your favourite? Cruella, Rockabilly, Alternative or Retro?
~
Shoot 1
Photography @lexflemingphoto
Planning and Styling @revelryevents
Venue @woolwichworks
Hair @makeup_in_orangeries
Necklace @moxhamstore
MUA @kayleighkmua
Bride @victoria_sirotyuk
Shoot 2
Concept, Planning & Styling: @4yaparty
Venue: @thelostvillageofdode
Photographer: @stevemulveytog
Florist: @baileyandblossom
Car: @veeduboccassions
Millinery: @follylondonmillinery
Jewellery: @bishboshbecca
Makeup: @scampbellbridalmakeup
Hair: @alexhairandmua
Models: @dawn_isobel @nnastia.photography
Shoot 3
Model emilygossip
Photographer @joannabongardphoto
Fascinator by @laney_jane_maccormack ⠀
Cake by @malarkeycakes ⠀
Hair and makeup by @lawsonmakeup⠀
Venue @sparkfordhall
⠀
Shoot 4
Models - @megsnmichael
Concept/Photographer - @jade_mariephotography
Florist - @hollyandtheivyfloristry
Make up/Hair Stylist - @emmaartismakeup
Jeweller - @cathysutherlandjewellery
This softly feminine bridal cape is made from delicate pale ivory tulle, with elegant guipure lace carefully hand sewn, asymmetrically cascading down the neckline and beyond. This cape is made with hidden wrist catches that ensure it stays placed correctly, with the lace delicately skimming your wrist.
There`s something so dreamy and nostalgic about this style, especially when paired with a simple satin silk shift. Perfect for a little cover up during a sunny, destination wedding.
Don`t you think the lace motifs at the back are reminiscent of angel wings?
This sweet little cape is part of my sample sale at an absolute steal. It`s free size, meaning it will fit sizes UK4-UK26 easily. Find it on my Etsy and make it part of your perfect day 💜
#samplesale #weddingdresssale #bridalboutique #weddingseason #smallbusiness
✨Featured in Your Surrey Wedding magazine (@countyweddingmagazines)✨
A destination wedding on your own doorstep - that was the aim of this Dolce Vita in Dorking wedding photoshoot. We wanted to bring a slice of Italy to Surrey! A slower way of life, enjoying the small pleasures; the bright yellow of a lemon, the sun of your skin and the bringing together of two people who love each other.
I provided two looks for this shoot; my sparkling Poinsettia dress and a simple satin shift with a lace capelet. All the drama for the ceremony, and something a little more comfortable to relax in afterwards.
You can find the full article online here: https://www.county.wedding/image-upload/flippingbook/YSYW118/32/
If you`re inspired by this shoot, then add it to your mood board or drop me a DM and let`s talk about how we can adjust this design to fit your ideas and your body perfectly.
~
Suppliers
Producer & Photographer / Videographer - @KalaWeddings.UK
Content Creator & Shoot Assistant - @TheProfileBride
In association with @HelloDorking
Location - @BurfordBridgeWeddings
Bridalwear - @FelicityWestmacott
Menswear - @Dapper_Dorking & @WestDawMens
Lingerie - @VictoriasLittleBraShop
Cake - @PuttyCakes
Flowers & Décor - @FlowersByElaine
Furniture, Props, Décor & Jewellery - @WindibankAuctioneers6906
Hair - @thebridalhairartists & @TeresaWellerHairArt
Make-up - @SiSalon_
Décor - @IndigoGrey.uk
Drone Operator - @LukeWhatleyBigg
Bride model - @sausageunicorn
Groom model - @luke_roberts93
Best man model - @ciaran.maclennan
Mother of the Bride Model - domino_1950
This dove grey satin and tulle wedding dress was originally made for a Dungeons and Dragons wedding shoot. I took inspiration from the Tudor era (since high fantasy often has an `olden times` vibe to it), with the billowing tulle giving extra drama.
When the dress was borrowed for another photoshoot, the aim was to give it an alternative feel - modern hair, dark make-up and more of a couture edge. Almost the opposite of the first!
I absolutely love non-traditional wedding dresses, and choosing a colour other than white is such a fun way of being subversive. I don`t think grey would be considered an obvious choice, but it definitely is a beautifully unusual one.
Which of the two ways of styling this dress is your favourite?
Both wedding dresses in this post are part of my sample sale, so claim them whilst you can (link in bio)!
1st photoshoot:
Planner: @x_planit.pixie_x
Photographer: @doodahphotography
Hair & Makeup @derbyshire_bride
Stylist, ceremony & table flowers: @foxgloveandblack
Bouquet and floral hoop: @maddison.rocks.floral
Models: @carousel_hart and @luxdelioux
Rings: @bespokeweddingrings
Venue @dunwoodhallestate
2nd photoshoot:
Photography - @robert_christopher_photography
Hair - @hair.styledbydanielle
Makeup - @alexjaggermua and @emz_makeup_artist
HMUA Team - @glitzandglamsquad.kent
Model: @ambersu1
Floristry - @foreverbloomsofkent
