Rachel contacted me wanting a bespoke early 1910s inspired bridal look. Of all the brides I’ve worked with, she was the one who wanted the dress to be the most historically correct. Although not exact (for example, we didn’t include any corseting), she wanted a period accurate silhouette. During our chats, consultations and fittings I...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
Honouring your own heritage, whilst welcoming in the culture of your beloved. That`s the key to a cultural fusion bridal look.
Vidushi wanted a wedding dress that felt like both halves of her story - her Indian roots, and the culture of the country she calls home.
Reimagining and weaving together a western-style ivory wedding dress with three highly embellished sari sets, Vidushi walked down the aisle looking beautiful and completely one-of-a-kind.
Her wedding look features an A-line silhouette, a richly embellished corseted bodice, and a striking red veil - a bold final note of colour against the ivory.
Love this fusion of cultures? See more of my one-of-a-kind bridal designs, from the delicate to the bold - link in bio.
Photography: @whiteframestorytellers_
Wedding Coordinator: @alexandras_dream_weddings
Venue: @estrella_villa__
Makeup: @zantemakeup
Hair: @bliss.salon_spa
I have always loved working on cultural fusion wedding dresses, and I have been very lucky that many brides trust me with this process.
For Vidushi`s bespoke wedding dress, we worked to combine her Indian heritage with her husband`s Polish culture. She sourced the base dress and three beautiful red saris, and we began the process of discovering the kind of fusion she was looking for.
The final result is the perfect blend of east and west ❤️
Wedding photography by @whiteframestorytellers_
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 💖
