When everyone else in the wedding party has custom made clothes it would be shame to not also make a bespoke page boy waistcoat. I was asked to design and make this little set for the four year old Barnaby. Official wedding photos by Sebastian Lomas Barnaby’s waistcoat matched the grown-up groomsmen. His bow-tie was...
I think every little girl’s dream is being a flower girl and wearing the dress of her dreams, perhaps a custom flower girl dress Surrey. I made this dress for Eleanor’s wedding, along with four bespoke dresses for the adult bridesmaids as well. The wedding colour theme was a spring palette or pinks, ivory and...
I made these each of these custom bridesmaid dress in Surrey. Eleanor’s five bridesmaids all wore the same style in a mix and matched range of four colours. I used rose pink, pale pink, ivory and gold to create a pretty and spring like colour scheme. Official Wedding pictures by Sebastian Lomas The style was...
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...
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...
Alice commissioned bespoke bridesmaids dresses surrey for her grown up bridesmaids, in gorgeous purple silk dupion. The simple strapless dresses have fitted and boned bodices, cut princess line with floor length a-line skirts. I gave them have silver silk-satin sashes that loop rather than tie at the back, finished with with diamante detailing. I was...
For real bride, Rae, I created this gorgeous green wedding dress coat to fit over her other wedding dress. That way she had a more dramatic look for her ceremony, and then a lighter option during the reception. I made the dress coat in a stunning shot silk dupion that colour shifted from green to...
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 her wedding day, Katie wanted a feminine and floaty dress in layers of tulle and floral lace. And what a dress it turned out to be! It’s such a romantic wedding look, fit for a fantasy princess.The dress was made from layered silk dupion (one of my favourite fabrics to work with), rose pink...
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
Forget the traditional Mother of the Bride look - Phaedra wanted something with a bit more whimsy, and a lot more fun.
I designed and made her this elegant 1930s-inspired ensemble and I`m obsessed with how good she looks in it!
We started with a jumpsuit, with a round neckline and quirky, off-centre Peter Pan collar. I love the balloon sleeves, custom covered buttons (ooh, that burnt orange is so delicious) and the floaty wide-legged trousers. All in a vibrant floral patterned silk.
On top of that, we added a stylish short coat in that gorgeous rust colour again. A statement collar framed Phaedra`s face, and the coat closed with Oriental-style frog closures. Following the fun asymmetry throughout the outfit, the bottom edge of the coat had two handkerchief points, one longer than the other.
Doesn`t she look so chic? A reminder that petite frames can absolutely carry a statement outfit.
You can find my Mother of the Bride portfolio on my website (link in bio)!
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#motherofthebride #motherofthegroom #motherofthebrideoutfit #whimsymaxxing #weddingguest #bridalparty #weddingday #weddinginspiration #bespokebridal #bespokedressmaker #weddingensemble #advancedstyle
Four years ago, I opened my bridal shop after working from home for the past 16 years. It was a huge decision and I had so many thoughts, so many pros and cons, and so many fears going round and round.
Here are just three of the doubts I had about buying the shop:
1. The Commute
You know how sometimes the idea of something just feels bad, and then it turns out the reality of it is fine? That.
I worried about how long it would take, about traffic, about wasting time.
But the shop is just an 18-minute drive and I don`t notice the time pass. I even cycle there occasionally, which is good for both my body and my mind. And it is so worth it for the separation between home life and work life. I can let my creativity lead me, instead of the distractions of a busy house.
2. Premise Costs
My dad once told me, “The only person who makes money from small retail is the landlord", and I worried all my income would disappear into rent. But I was in the very privileged position to be able to buy my shop. This means the shop is an investment, as well as a workshop and a welcoming space for my brides.
3. Self-Doubt
The loudest voice, with constant thoughts about whether the shop would be good enough, would anyone come in and would anyone like my work.
But they do. Brides who see the dresses in the window, then visit the shop and often choose to work with me.
I am so grateful to my past self, and everyone who supported me in taking the leap. All the doubt was really worth it.
Here’s to another four years, and hopefully many more 🤍
This year it has been 20 years since I first started out as a professional bridal dressmaker, and four years since I opened up my bridal shop on Dorking high street.
So many people have crossed my threshold since then; brides, mother-of-the-brides, bridesmaids, artists, friends and more.
I wanted to pick four dresses that each represent something different about my journey since then:
2022 - Laura was the very first bride to have her fittings in the shop, when things were still chaotic and new. She was kind and patient with me, and she represents the real and amazing benefit of having my own space in which to create and collaborate with brides.
2023 - Rachel and I were strangers when we met, but we really connected over our joint love of period fashion, both basking in each other`s historical knowledge. She represents the joy of meeting people you would never usually have the chance to, and finding connection along the way.
2024 - I adored designing a wedding dress for Nicola that showed off her body really beautifully. This process challenged me to apply my usual dip dye methods to a style of dress I wasn`t used to. Nicola represents the constant learning I continue to experience.
2025 - Rebecca`s imagination was a joy to behold, and the result is a pastel rainbow wedding dress straight from a fantasy novel. Rebecca represents the beautiful minds of my brides, who I get to welcome into my own creative space.
Of course, these are just a selection, and as I was choosing I felt pangs of guilt for all the other wonderful brides I`ve worked with who I haven`t mentioned. If I could have included all of you, I would have!
2026 already has so many wedding dresses that I love, with so many more to come!
Has anyone else gone through major life changes in the last four years?
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Photography
1st and last photo - Iris Visuals
Laura - Mark Shaw
Rachel - Darren Kirwan
Nicola - Thomas Frost
Rebecca - Pesto Wedding Photography
Imagine peeking into a bridal shop and seeing the designer doing a ballet challenge amongst the wedding dresses 🤭
I like to think the kind of bride who gets this, is the kind of bride I would work perfectly with 💖
Sample Sale - reduced from £2400 to £800
I really wanted to show you how beautifully this 1930s inspired wedding dress, the Lady Mary, drapes across the body.
This one-of-a-kind gown draws on the elegance of the Art Deco era, and I love how feather light it looks and feels. Perfect for a bride whose favourite book is The Great Gatsby, and whose comfort TV is Downton Abbey.
This exact piece - a photoshoot sample, UK size 8/10 - is finished and ready to ship.
And if you love the style but need your own fit, colours or tweaks? It can also be made bespoke to your measurements.
Get in touch to make this era of glamour your own or go and discover Lady Mary on my Etsy.
#BridalGown #WeddingInspo #VintageBride #BridalFashion #WeddingDress
The historic Chicheley Hall in Buckinghamshire was the spectacular backdrop for this 1930s wedding dress!
This magnificent venue has previously been used to film Pride and Prejudice (the one with Colin Firth and *that* scene) and Enigma with Kate Winstlett.
I featured Lady Mary (the name of this wedding dress) in my previous post as well - I just cannot tire of art deco silhouettes framed by beautiful old buildings.
The Lady Mary dress is elegant and demure, whilst also being full of subtle details that catch the eye and make you want to look a little closer.
If that sounds like the kind of dress you`re dreaming of for your big day, then drop me a DM, and let`s see what magic I can make for you.
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Venue: @chicheley_hall
Planner, stylist: @sofiaweddingsandevents
Celebrant: @kellyhcelebrant
Florist: @wildrosamund
Decorative lighting hire: @light_my_wedding
Photography: @laura_rachel_photographer
Hair Accessories: @vintageadornments
Model: @genevieve.paganini
Model: @k8yeh
Model Couple: @ceemeandtea
Model: @fionacmodel
Make-up Artist: @sademorlandstudios
Creative Hair Stylist: @triciasluxurymakeupandhair
Wedding dress and coat: @felicitywestmacott
Bridesmaids` dresses: @rewrittenbridesmaids
Engagement and Wedding Rings: @lovers_rock_diamonds On the day assistant: @brienyob
