I made a bespoke ballerina length wedding dress for my lovely bride, Amy. Amy had a very specific brief for her wedding day, she wanted to feel like a Russian ballerina. So I designed a dress with ankle length layers in lightweight tulle. This style was popular in the 1950’s, it has elegant vintage style...
I created a bespoke modest lace wedding dress for Ellie. In fact it was a dress created from the base of a shop-bought dress but with a major re-design. Ellie found a Pronovias dress in a high street shop with lace and detailing she loved but some elements of the style and particularly the neckline...
I made this illusion wedding dress for a black bride with a lace bodice and full silk skirt. It has a button back fastening and organza train the scalloped lace edging. Vanessa’s dress was truly a game of two halves, with a full, silk skirt to be supported from the waist and a delicate illusion...
My spouse and I booked a non-binary wedding couple photoshoot for our 14th wedding anniversary celebration. We were married in 2007 we had many happy years together as husband and wife. But in 2021 my spouse realised they were non-binary/trans. The person I had married as a man discovered their female inner self during Covid...
“I felt like an African queen. Everyone loved my dress. Thank you for making my dreams come true!” This is a beautiful gold lace hijab wedding dress, accentuated with yellow crystals and scalloped lace. I designed and made this fully bespoke look for a bride for her interfaith wedding. The bride wanted a simple and...
This wedding Dress for a military wedding was made from layers of silk satin, chiffon and delicate beaded lace. I added real button and loops to close the back. I made two ribbon sashes for Emily so she could change the colours: ‘sand’ and ‘royal purple’ to wear for different parts of her day. Official...
Lauren’s whole wedding was inspired by the choices Kate Middleton made for her wedding in 2011. I made Lauren’s Kate Middleton inspired wedding dress from matt satin and hand embellished with delicate lace patterns Wedding pictures by Bumble and Brown The dress has a very fitted, princess line bodice, lightly boned and fastening with real...
This was the first styled shoot I ever organised – but certainly not the last. I live on the border between Sussex and Surrey and as a wedding dress designer, it only made sense that I gathered together some local wedding suppliers, chose a stunning location, made some dresses and had some fun! Hence this...
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...
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
What should I do with my wedding dress once it`s served its purpose?
It`s a question a lot of brides ask themselves after their wedding day is done.
I`m a big fan of upcycling and repurposing, and I`ve had the chance to give second life to quite a few wedding dresses now. Including this conversion of a vintage wedding dress that had its first outing about 25 years ago.
With a big anniversary party coming up, this client wanted to be able to wear her dress, but transformed. Keeping it for the priceless sentimental value it holds, but also updating it to reflect who she is now.
So, with a few little changes, she had something completely new and very chic.
We took the bodice off completely and finished the waistline to make a lovely skirt, still with the details of the original dress. To make it more wearable for other events, we also brought the hem up and took train completely off.
I think she looks so stylish, and I hope she finds occasion to wear this little piece of her own history for years to come.
If your wedding dress has been left untouched for years (or decades even), and you would love to be able to honour it a new way, then get in touch and let me work my dressmaking alchemy.
#alteration #upcycling #weddingdressmaker #bespokeweddingdress #upcycle #vintageweddingdress #slowfashion #reuse #sustainablefashion
I`m continuing to celebrate @michele_and_graziella this week by featuring the photoshoot where I finally got to hire them for my own Strictly Ballroom wedding photoshoot.
Not only were they the perfect models for my vision, with a gorgeous mix of masc and femme, and so much natural chemistry, they were also so professional and lovely to work with. And although neither of them are dancers, they conveyed the spirit of the Latin dances we were paying homage to expertly.
They are both so experienced and talented that every photograph they`re in is just stunning. It is such a pleasure to see my bespoke designs modelled by them. Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future 🤞🏻
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Photography @jessicajillphoto
Video/content @weddingstorytellerco
Venues @theoldtimberstore_se1 @malt.maltby
Florals @jemimainthewoods
Event Equipment Hire @cohire
Bride Models @michele_and_graziella
Bridesmaid models @Lisaeggy3 @Boobzylou @oleksanacoaching
Choreography @oleksanacoaching
Hair and Make-up lead @melindabridal @melinda_grant
Hair and Make-up @beccibrushes
Celebrant dave_the_celebrant
Guitar @shanetheojoseph
Stationery @theinkmoth
Jewellery @CatherineMarche
Cake @gwynethjohnsoncakedesign
Neon Sign @thisisasignuk
Headdress @Creationsbylivfree
Millinery @beverleyedmondsonmillinery
Shoes @shoesbylarisa
Confetti @proper.confetti
So far, as part of my celebration for Pride, I`ve featured queer wedding inspiration and queer clients, but I want to amplify real LGBTQ+ talent too.
@michele_and_graziella are a real couple and also a model couple, who I met during a cabaret-themed wedding shoot. Then, a few month`s later, they happened to be the models hired for a completely different shoot I was involved in. It was so lovely to see them again, and hear their excitement about wearing more of my designs.
I was so impressed with how well they managed to nail the vibes of two such contrasting wedding set ups. One bold, loud and full of attitude, and the other soft and gentle.
When it came time for me to pick models for my own Strictly Ballroom-inspired wedding shoot, asking Michele and Graziella was a no-brainer. But that`s for another post...
Which of these two photoshoots is more your vibe?
Cabaret shoot:
Organiser & hairstylist @bighair.energy
Model couple @michele_and_graziella
Bridal party models @isabella_posenato @nnastia.photography @kelly_marie_wheeler.model
Wedding dress @felicitywestmacott
Celebrant @jessmayspecialdays
Stationery @theamyverseweddings
Photographer @magpie.eye.weddings
MUA @joannehook_mua
Videographer @richieashwinuk
Cake @theblueboxcakecompany
Accessories @thelucky6pence
Styling/floristry @ashdownevents
Streamers @streamadelica_uk
Coordinator @dani.singam
Periwinkle shoot:
Concept, Planning and Styling: @lucywellsweddings
Venue: @thebarnatsomersbury
Floral design: @helleboreandrose
Floral assistant: @intothewildflowerfarm
Photographer: @chloemartin_photography_
Videographer: @molehillmedia
Models:@michele_and_graziella
Celebrant: @celebratewithverity
Hair and makeup:@idomakeupandhair_
Cakes: @lauraspantry
Bridal wear:@felicitywestmacott
Stationery: @theamyverseweddings
Ribbons: @laikstyle
Table linen: @theknottednapkinco
Decor, props and styling assistance: @surreyweddingcompany
Bridal shoes: @theprettyweddingshoecompany
Tableware: @crystalhireltd
Jemma had her wedding anniversary party coming up and wanted to restyle her wedding dress into something new and fun.
She brought in her wedding dress and told me about her planned party outfit being a gorgeous magenta jumpsuit. So my challenge was to figure out how to blend these two, quite contrasting styles, into one look.
As we talked through her options, we landed on a custom dipdye overskirt with an open front. This would mean she could keep the drama of the dress train, and the beauty of the sequined lace, whilst also being able to dance to her heart’s content.
For the dipdye, she chose to reverse the usual order of colours, going from darkest at the top, to lightest travelling down, in purples and pinks to compliment the jumpsuit.
I unpicked the lace layer from the original dress, hand dyed the tulle, and added it underneath the skirt. For a final touch, I sewed on some pretty scalloped lace around the waistline to create the join with Jemma’s jumpsuit.
I love seeing a wedding dress continuing its life beyond its wedding day. This was such a brilliant idea, and the result is so vibrant and playful.
Has your wedding dress had a second life since the big day?
#dipdyeweddingdress #upcycledweddingdress #colourfulweddingdress #weddingdressrestyle
Gemma and Vikkie were married in a venue steeped in family tradition and history. They were wed in The Guild Hall in Windsor, and the reception was in a local pub, The George, which is one of their favourites.
I love personal details like that. In the same way that getting a bespoke wedding outfit it such an amazing way of reflecting who you truly are.
There`s something very satisfying about the simplicity of the wedding ensemble I made for Gemma. When the star of the show is that beautiful lace, there`s no need to go crazy with design or embellishment - the fabric does all the work (with a little help from me, of course!).
Not only that, but Gemma and Vickie managed to co-ordinate their wedding looks perfectly, as though the two outfits had been made together. Perfect!
I am honoured to have created this outfit for Gemma, and been a small part of adding their wedding to the family tradition.
~
Photographer: @ragdollphotography
#bridetobe #modernbride #bridestyle #bespokebride #alternativebride #realbride #plussizebride #weddingtrousers #weddingtop #weddingseparates #windsorwedding
As Pride month continues, it only feels fitting (pun intended!) to celebrate real LGTBQ+ couples.
Gemma wanted something light, clean and pretty, and although bespoke wedding dresses are my bread and butter, I`m always delighted when someone comes to me with something a little different.
We came up with a simple and elegant two piece wedding ensemble made in ivory silk satin-back crepe and beaded lace. Comprising of a straight leg trouser with pleated detail waistline and a satin cami top layered with beautiful, sparkling lace.
If you`re looking for an outfit that reflects your style and compliments your own wife-to-be, then get in touch!
~
Photographer: @ragdollphotography
#weddinginspiration #weddingday #bride #lesbianwedding #wifeandwife #queerlove #lgbtqwedding #gaywedding #lgbt
