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...
Bride Ally had her wedding planned for Norway, and then a honeymoon to the Arctic Circle. She wanted something simple, elegant and warm to wear. What resulted was this completely bespoke three quarter sleeve winter wedding dress, designed and created by me, perfect for this adventurous bride. Photography – Lieben Photography The dress was wonderful...
For this forest wildflower wedding dress, I wanted to take inspiration from nature. Especially since the ceremony for this shoot took place outdoors, it felt right to try and incorporate those elements into the dress. This is the kind of look for a bride who loves meadow flowers, like cornflowers and poppies. For a bride...
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...
Catherine wanted a flamboyant and theatrical two-piece bridal ensemble in red and white, with feathers, sparkle and a lot of tulle. This red feather masquerade wedding dress is the result. The drama of this dress is so exciting to me, and as someone who’s educational background is in theatre design, this one couldn’t have been...
Madalie came to me for a vintage wedding dress upcycle. She had her mother’s beautiful 1970’s wedding dress and she wanted to wear it, made anew, for her own wedding day. The dress Madalie brought to our consultation meeting wasn’t the right size or style for her modern wedding day. We agreed to unpick and...
Just before lockdowns began in 2020 I created an Indian Fusion wedding dress for a photoshoot with a London team of suppliers. We wanted to create inspiration for the many mixed culture weddings being planned in the UK. I showcased my fusion wedding dress design skills with an ensemble of ivory silk top, skirt and...
Alice’s beautiful diamante belt wedding dress was made in layers of white chiffon with hand beaded detailing. I made Alice’s dress with a fitted and boned bodice. I designed a soft v-shaped neckline and invisible zip back closure. Her waistline is decorated with a double loop of hand beading in Swarovski diamante stones. Then we...
I am a huge fan of wearing a bit of colour for your wedding, so this pale blue cocktail wedding dress hits all the right buttons! The dress has a cute, vintage, 1950’s wiggle dress vibe and suited Isabelle perfectly. Simple and sweet bridal mini-dress with tiered ivory lace skirt. Pale blue silk satin shows...
Neli and Neiko asked me for a dress for their rustic, Italian styled photoshoot. This silver wedding dress was designed with country weddings in mind. I used boho, elegant styling with a modern vintage vibe in mind when I designed in the dress. Silver Wedding Dress Design I made the dress from delicate antique silver,...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
This dove grey satin and tulle wedding dress was originally made for a Dungeons and Dragons wedding shoot. I took inspiration from the Tudor era (since high fantasy often has an `olden times` vibe to it), with the billowing tulle giving extra drama.
When the dress was borrowed for another photoshoot, the aim was to give it an alternative feel - modern hair, dark make-up and more of a couture edge. Almost the opposite of the first!
I absolutely love non-traditional wedding dresses, and choosing a colour other than white is such a fun way of being subversive. I don`t think grey would be considered an obvious choice, but it definitely is a beautifully unusual one.
Which of the two ways of styling this dress is your favourite?
Both wedding dresses in this post are part of my sample sale, so claim them whilst you can (link in bio)!
1st photoshoot:
Planner: @x_planit.pixie_x
Photographer: @doodahphotography
Hair & Makeup @derbyshire_bride
Stylist, ceremony & table flowers: @foxgloveandblack
Bouquet and floral hoop: @maddison.rocks.floral
Models: @carousel_hart and @luxdelioux
Rings: @bespokeweddingrings
Venue @dunwoodhallestate
2nd photoshoot:
Photography - @robert_christopher_photography
Hair - @hair.styledbydanielle
Makeup - @alexjaggermua and @emz_makeup_artist
HMUA Team - @glitzandglamsquad.kent
Model: @ambersu1
Floristry - @foreverbloomsofkent
It`s Two-style Tuesday!
(but really it`s just a post where I show you one bridal outfit I`ve made, styled in two different ways)
I made this wide leg jumpsuit in a gorgeous ivory duchess satin. I just think there`s just something really understated and sexy about a jumpsuit.
On top of that, I added this dip dye tulle overskirt in a full rainbow. Usually for my ombre skirts the colour gradients go up in layers, but this time I tried something different, with the colours going around instead.
In the first shoot, this look was styled in a very contemporary way - a wet-look hair style, pearl netted veil and a dramatic dark eye, means that even though the skirt has a rainbow, there`s still something moody and alternative about this bride.
The second look is about using rainbows in a more subtle way - the bouquet, the outfit, the décor, it`s all about colour, but with the brightness gently turned down. It`s rainbows, but rustic.
There`s so much to like about both approaches, but which outfit styling is your favourite?
This outfit is part of my sample sale, so claim it whilst you can (link in bio).
1st shoot:
Photography - @robert_christopher_photography
Hair - @hair.styledbydanielle
Makeup - @alexjaggermua and @emz_makeup_artist
HMUA Team - @glitzandglamsquad.kent
Model: disabled.life.with.lauren
Floristry - @foreverbloomsofkent
2nd shoot:
Venue - @skitbyhouse
Photographer - @lucyalexandra_photography
Dresses - @felicitywestmacott
Hair & Makeup - @Clairealexandrahairandmakeup
Celebrant & Organiser - @ribeiroceremonies
Hair accessories - @nujewellery_byemma
Butterflies - @flutter2me
Shoes - @becciboosshoes
Florals - @fioredoratoflowers
Ribbons - @_lkdesigns
Model - @missjenaroo
Story time!
Remember the Swan Lake themed wedding photoshoot I featured a few days` ago?
When the day came for the shoot, we were blessed with one of the sunniest days of the year so far (and this was March), but the ground was still very wet. We really wanted to get some photos amongst the trees for that real fairy tale feeling, but our beautiful bride, @alicia.modelling_x didn`t want to risk ruining the outfit.
And that`s when I stepped in!
You may think that a seamstress is only on set to help with the dress. But I`m here to do anything that might be useful to the shoot, and if that means carrying Alicia across the boggy ground, then that`s what I`ll do! 😂
(I was quite pleased that all my work on strength with @mybodyrocksstudio is paying off!)
If you want a seamstress who will not only make the perfect bespoke wedding dress for you, but will also go the extra mile for you, I think you know who to call 😉
(shout to @hair_by_tel for capturing this moment)
Make your own happily ever after 🤍
This bespoke wedding dress is an ode to Odette, the Swan Princess.
A satin corset resplendent with hundreds of feathers, individually sewn on.
Bejewelled silver lace, catching the light perfectly.
Layers of tulle and sequined lace, in a cascade of volume and texture.
And when it`s time to dance with your prince or princess, the longer layers can be removed to reveal a ballet-length skirt.
Tag someone who deserves their own fairy tale ending ✨
Suppliers
Photographer: @snappedbycatx
Dress: @felicitywestmacott
Makeup artist: @larajamesmakeup
Hair stylist: @hair_by_tel
Venue: @bradbournehouse
Model: @alicia.modelling_x
Today is my birthday, so I wanted to share something I`ve been grateful for almost every year of my life.
I started ballet lessons when I was four, moving on to the Lewiston School of Dance until 18 (I even won the Pointe Work cup with them once). My grandmother had been a professional dancer and my mum also took ballet lessons (and still does, at over 70!), so there has always been a lot of ballet in my family.
When I went to uni, I stopped dancing, then came back to it in the form of adult ballet lessons with my mum, and then got pregnant. After that I found aerial hoop, which replaced dancing as my active hobby. However, my ballet training has really helped my progress in hoop, and I`m very grateful for the skills I continue to draw upon for both hoop and acting.
What`s a hobby you`re grateful to have started, no matter what stage in life?
(and shout out to @hair_by_tel for capturing this video of me playing around during a recent bridal photoshoot)
#ballet #passion #dancing
"Felicity was amazing to work with. I can`t express into words how much I loved my overskirt. We had a unique theme and I knew exactly what I wanted but not how to make it work. She understood the look and colour theme I wanted and absolutely nailed it. From start to finish Felicity was supportive and informative on what would work best to make my vision come to life. Her knowledge and quality of work shines through her pieces. I would absolutely recommend her to everyone!"
It fills me with so much joy to read such kind words and know that I was a small part of making such a special day happen.
Bride Ashley chose to have the colours of her dip dye overskirt arranged in vertical stripes rather then my usual horizontal. I think the effect is really striking, where every angle of the skirt reveals a different blend of colours. And it match her hair!
Photography - @copper_squirrel_photography
