

Nicola’s daughter and niece were her two beautiful bridesmaids and I made them bespoke teen bridesmaid dresses. With two very different ages and figures we created design elements that could be used to link the styles together. I made both dresses are made from peacock blue silk dupion with a beaded lace back which creeps...

Stunning illusion back wedding dress for dark skin in winter white duchess satin and bold guipure lace. The bodice was built on skin coloured illusion tulle netting with an open back and plunging front neckline. A simple fitted fishtail skirt with dramatic round train balanced the detail above. Official photography by Allesandro Della Savia Ayesha’s...

I made Sarah-Louise’s classic beaded lace bespoke wedding dress in ruched silk georgette with a gentle fishtail flare. The lace over-bodice had scalloped edging and a button back. Official photographs by Sebastian Lomas The classic beaded lace bespoke wedding dress was made in two parts. I made a strapless underdress in ivory silk Georgette (a...

Creating a purple silk wedding coat and a burlesque wedding dress for this fabulous shoot showcases everything I love most about my job. From time to time I collaborate with other wedding professionals on styled wedding photoshoots. This one took place in August 2016 in London with the theme ‘City Burlesque’. Our locations including the...

Victoria commissioned this stunning dress in royal blue silk dupion and lace. I made fit and flare blue bespoke mother of the bride dress was lightly boned with ruching from underbust to an asymmetric line under the hip. The fitted bodice had a sweetheart neckline and was covered in scrolling lace which was also used...

Charlotte commissioned an ivory silk crepe and lace wedding dress. I designed her dress in layered silk satin and Georgette with a dramatic low back filled with beaded lace. Official Wedding Pictures by Sarah McDonnell Design Details Charlotte’s dress has a fitted and boned bodice with a sweet heart neckline below a yoke of beaded...

This is Hannah’s organza waterfall fishtail wedding dress which was a ‘restyle’ rather than made from scratch. She found the almost perfect dress in a bridal boutique but brought it to me to have the skirt changed to the organza waterfall loveliness she craved. Official photography by Adebayo Deru Whole circles of crisp pale ivory...

I made three bespoke wedding dresses for this frost themed Autumn bridal photoshoot. From time to time I collaborate with other wedding professionals on styled wedding photoshoots. This one took place in November 2016 in leafy Surrey with the theme “Frost on the Leaves”. We wanted to explore the underrated beauty of the late English...

The dress needed to have a vintage, showgirl feel and be really sexy but still realistic as a bridal dress, not many people actually get married in a leotard and feathers! The wiggle skirt with a boned bodice hit all these marks showing off our lovely model, Vanessa?s curves and cinching her waist. I added a teal net petticoat that would show when the high/low hem moved and delicate gold lace detail with Swarovski crystals for showgirl glamour!
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
A mother and daughter kind of love...
For this mother of the bride I created a simple and elegant dress in a beautifully rich, deep green silk dupion, with a boat neckline and three quarter length sleeves. My favourite detail? The matching belt-like waistband, made of the same green fabric. What an elegant lady!
The whole project was a family affair, since I altered the bride`s vintage wedding dress as well 💜
It`s always a pleasure to design and create a Mother of the Bride (or Groom) outfit that not only harmonises with the wedding`s theme, but also reflects the personality of the MOB.
I have just filled my final Mother of the Bride slot for the summer, but still have slots available for weddings happening in autumn, from September onwards.
Get in touch for a completely no-obligation consultation 👋
Photography - @georginapiperphotography.co.uk
#motb #motg #motherofthebride #motherofthegroom #bespoke #weddingfashion
This week I`m celebrating the start of pride month by giving you some queer wedding inspiration. My previous post featured a Labyrinth-inspired wedding, and we`re sticking to the fantasy feel with this bridal photoshoot with our couple styled after the King and Queen of Hearts.
For our queen, I made a corseted nude tulle dress with red lace details, velvet ribbon channels and a long layered skirt. The fully cupped bodice was supportive and designed to flatter the model`s gorgeous curves. Finally, we layered a luxurious red silk wraparound dress-coat with a dramatic portrait collar. It looked amazing billowing in the breeze; perfect for a historical or fantasy wedding.
Would you wear red on your wedding day?
~
Venue @woldinghamschoolvenuehire
Photographer @lysaclare
2nd Photographer @tomjeavons
Planning @wavesweddingsandevents
Flowers @sobloomingbeautiful
Models @lisaeggy3 & @elodie.foray
Cakes @silverleaf_cake_company_
Accessories @vintageadornments
Lace Boots @houseofelliotlaceboots
Stationery @loveflorastudioco
Makeup @leannehartmakeupartist
Hair Stylist @theisrarana
Props @details.eventstyling
#plussizebride #queercouple #queerwedding #nonbinarygroom #samesexwedding #alicewedding #queenofhearts #queenofheartsbride
#weddingdress #redweddingdress #bespokeweddingdress #weddinginspiration #weddinggoals #weddinginspo #weddingideas
To celebrate Pride month, I`m sharing with you some beautifully alternative same sex wedding inspo!
First, this Labyrinth-inspired photoshoot...🔮
When designing these two looks, I decided I would follow in the footsteps of Bowie and be a little different, styling one bride after Sarah in her amazing fantasy ball dress, and the other bride after David Bowie’s Jareth in all his Elfin glory.
The Jareth outfit is heart achingly sleek, both romantic and feminine yet never conventional, with a simple lose silk crepe blouse featuring button and cuff details contrasting with fitted lace-up back trousers. What a heartthrob. This look is also perfect for all of you non-binary and masc leaning brides.
The Sarah dress is so iconic - isn`t it what every little girl wanted to wear after they saw the film? For my interpretation of that stunning gown, I wanted something a little more modern and lightweight, but still utterly whimsical, and still with those unapologetically dramatic puff sleeves. I designed the sleeves to be removable, as well as the overskirt, giving the bride options to change her look during the course of the day.
Isn`t it all so dreamy? Which look is your favourite?
~
Florist: @greenandenvy
Hair: @moiraborg
Headpiece: @mcfaydenmillinery
Jewellery: @thegreatfrogldn
Makeup: @lawsonmakeup
Model: @luleybell
Photographer: @lexflemingphoto
Planner & stylist: @devinebride
Shoe Designer: @elusiverabbit
Venue: @hever_castle
#bespokeweddingdress #alternativeweddingdress #altbride #fantasywedding #labyrinthwedding #brideandbride #gaywedding #bridalseparates #croppedtrouser #mascbride #queerbride #queerwedding
As a bespoke bridal designer, it`s my job to make sure your dress looks like it`s part of you.
For this bride, I designed a dramatic satin dress, with a statement bow and asymmetrical ruching across the front and back of the bodice. A more traditional bodice that might have a lace up back, or simple a concealed zip down the middle, but for this dress I didn`t want to break up the flow of the fabric going across the body, so I had to come up with an elegant (and easy to use) solution. Not only did the fastening need to impossible to spot, it also needed to provide support for the bride, so she felt secure in the dress throughout the day.
I created two panels of ruched silk dupion in this beautiful rose gold colour. The panels were secured at the side, not the back, with the top panel being firmly attached with poppers. The panel underneath had hooks and underneath that I made a built in corset behind a heavy-duty zip. Because of the weight of the dress, and how fitted it was, the zip had to work harder than usual, so it was actually very useful to be able to fully hid it. It meant the bride could be fully supported, without the zip interfering with the design.
All that work meant that this bride didn`t have to worry about hitching up her dress or any wardrobe malfunctions, she could just focus marrying her husband and having a gorgeous day with friends and family.
What detail in your wedding dress are you most excited to obsess over?
#bespokeweddingdress #rosegoldweddingdress #bridalboutique #smallbusiness
Down the Rabbit Hole...🕰️
A few months ago I was contacted by Amy, looking for a last minute seamstress replacement for her steampunk Alice in Wonderland themed wedding shoot.
I said yes, and with three and a half weeks before the shoot, I made complete outfits for both brides. Amy gave me free reign on the design, with the only request being I used traditionally steampunk colours; brown, beige, taupe, bronze, copper and gold.
To add to the last minute chaos, the original Alice bride model had to drop out the day before the shoot. We managed to find a new model, whose measurements were similar to the dress I had already finished, except she was 8 inches shorter and 2 dress sizes smaller than the previous model. This meant that even with last minute alterations, the fit on the day wasn`t perfect – it isn`t incredibly noticeable, but I can see it...
For our femme Alice bride, I made a wedding dress from pale gold taffeta, with a fully boned bodice, long skirt with a train and waterfall back. The petticoat is a cage crinoline with rows and rows of boning and tapes – tea-dyed to go with the colour scheme. Originally the skirt had two options, either down, or hitched up. But due to our new bride being shorter, we could only have it hitched, so she could move around safely.
For our more masc bride, I went for a White Rabbit meets Mad Hatter look, with velvet breeches, and a double-breasted waistcoat over cotton romantic sleeved shirt and matching cravat. She was styled with Victorian-style ankle booties and striped stockings. I also decorated a vintage top hat with bird cage veiling, cogs and peacock feathers, and we sourced a pocket watch to go into the specially made pocket watch pocket.
Which outfit is your favourite?
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
Cake: @thecakelabuk
Shoes: @houseofelliotlaceboots
Drinks: @bittersweetbartenders
Stationer: @calistaandbelle
Venue: @wortonhall
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
NicoleThey’re divorced. Do not feel these photographs are appropriate to display.
woozelsmudgeHi Nicole, Thanks for your comment. I only ever show photos of past clients with explicit permission, which was obtained before publishing these. At any time my client can be in touch if she would like the images taken down, but perhaps she prefers to celebrate her beautiful dress and support my business in these difficult times, even if the marriage has now ended.