I feel as though bride Alex and I are birds of a feather. I also had a period-inspired, unusually coloured wedding dress for my wedding. Alex wanted to meld 1950’s and Tudor influences to create something unique. Taking inspiration from history, but not being limited by having to be completely accurate, is my ideal design...
If you’re in search for some mixed Indian British wedding dress inspiration, then you’ve come to the right blog post. I’m Fliss – a bespoke wedding dress maker from the south of England (Surrey, to be exact). I love making wedding dresses that are a little unusual. My brides are often looking for an outfit...
For this made to measure wedding dress in London, bride Karah approached me looking to commission a layered gown in scrolling ivory floral lace, with a corset inspired by the late (and very great) Vivienne Westwood. The base layer is a floor length strapless column dress made of champagne-coloured silk dupion. I made the top...
Danielle wanted a pretty and elegant dress with applique lace and subtle sequin sparkles on a nude base. We were aiming for something lightweight, feminine and figure-hugging. So I designed a dress that was a little soft romantic, a little boho and a little sexy, accentuating Danielle’s hourglass figure. This bespoke nude lace wedding dress...
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...
For this Marie Antoinette wedding dress photoshoot, we took inspiration from the aesthetic of Bridgeton. I think we ended up with something slightly different, but equally wonderful, don’t you think? Our colour scheme was pastels; blush, pinks, coral, creamy ivory and hints of baby blue and gold. We wanted to evoke something romantic and ethereal...
The theme for this bespoke wedding dress photoshoot in London can be summarised as “Nile Queen”. Whilst being inspired by things of the past, we still wanted to keep this wedding very modern and chic. I had the pleasure of designing the wedding dress for this shoot, and absolutely loved making something fit for a...
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...
For this styled wedding shoot, the aim was to create an atmosphere that was dark, dramatic and regal. We used royal purple, lavender, deep burgundy and vibrant cerise as our colour palette, with plenty of gilded gold highlights. And no white! This was the inspiration for my dark fairytale feather wedding dress. My design was...
Rebecca wanted a Victorian-inspired wedding dress made in deep forest green and ivory silk dupion. We prioritised historical accuracy with this gown, from the custom-made corset underneath, to the embroidered bustle, all the way down to the layers of knife pleats around the skirt. Photography – Yuriy Nutsa Photograhy and Babb Photo Rebecca’s wedding was...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
As well as doing extensive alteration to Bryony`s vintage wedding dress, she also asked me to make her a custom veil in a cowl-back or cascade style (pinned on both sides of the head).
The wonderful thing about getting a bespoke veil is that it can be designed specifically to compliment your dress, your style and your story.
I think this veil is the perfect choice to add even more Hollywood glamour to Bryony`s vintage wedding look.
📸- @georginapiperphotography.co.uk
🏰- @pilgrimsrest_battle
💐- @smallwondersflorals (bridal bouquet)
👗- @bridesdressrevisited
💍- @oliveandedenvintagejewellery
It`s such a lovely feeling when I get to help make a friend`s wedding day all the more special. Bryony and I met through our local theatre, so I was delighted when she asked me to alter her vintage wedding dress.
Bryony sourced her wedding dress second hand from @bridesdressrevisited - sustainability is really important to her, so she was never going to buy it brand new. But it`s very rare for an off-the-rail dress to be the perfect fit, especially if it`s lived a longer life than most other wedding dresses.
As you can see from the early fitting photos, the dress didn`t fit Bryony`s slender frame, and the design of the back and the straps looked a little dated. So my job was to keep, but elevate, the old-time Hollywood style.
The dress underwent quite a lot of work. Firstly I had to take it in substantially to fit Bryony`s waist. Then I worked on the straps; reangling them to make them more off-shoulder, and taking the lining out, to make them less bulky and more sheer. At the back I lowered the neckline and sewed the original covered buttons back on. There were also a few smaller tasks, like fixing the zip and mending a ripped hem.
The final result is gorgeous! You would never have known the journey Bryony`s bridal look had gone through - it just looks like a dress made specifically for her.
If you`ve found your dream wedding dress, but it needs a little adjustment here or there (or a more dramatic change), drop me a DM 💜
📸- @georginapiperphotography.co.uk
🏰- @pilgrimsrest_battle
💐- @smallwondersflorals (bridal bouquet)
👗- @bridesdressrevisited
💍- @oliveandedenvintagejewellery
#weddingdressalteration #alteration #bridalboutique #bride2026 #weddingdressmaker
Here is a selection of some of the techniques I use to create a bespoke wedding dress. Each dress will combine a different set of the skills I have acquired over my 20 years of professional sewing, like puzzles put together from the same pieces each creating a different finished picture!
These include
pattern cutting,
machine sewing,
pressing,
draping and lace work,
cartridge pleating,
inserting eyelets for a lace up back,
`fussy-cutting` lace for applique,
hand beading,
making and sewing on matching cover buttons
....and so many more!
Just tell me someone else can relate 🙃
we can be lil prawns together 🦐
Inspired by @paulosamu.art
#sewist #seamtress #sewinglife
Today is the draw day for the Wed4Pal raffle!
Thank you to everyone who entered - every ticket goes towards a truly worthy cause. 100% of ticket sales (minus mandatory transaction fees) will go towards addressing the genocide in Palestine, with 50% going to Pal Humanity (an organisation providing medical aid, education and lifesaving supplies in Northern Gaza) and 50% going to gorgeous Gazan couple, Sama and Khalil, and their families to help them sustain and rebuild their lives.
And good luck! I can`t wait to find out who is the winner of my prize 👀
Illustrations: @karin_akesson_design
Wedding dress inspiration: Dorothy`s ruby slippers 👠👠
Creating a bespoke look for a styled photoshoot means I really get to let my imagination run wild. I love picturing my ideal client when I design dresses like this - someone bold, who loves colour, couture and a little bit of whimsy.
Would you walk down the yellow brick road in this wedding dress?
This exact dress is currently part of my Sample Sale - follow the link in my bio, so it can finally click its heels and be whisked away to a new home.
#unconventionalbride #redweddingdress #weddingdressinspiration #2026bride
Photography by @adamrowleycreative
MUA @anushasolanki
Accessories @birdsandsirens
Model @elodie.foray
Florist @darvalldesign
