I made a made to measure Christening Gown Sussex in ivory taffeta and beaded lace applique. I was honoured to be asked to create a mini-me christening dress for Baby M, using fabrics and inspiration from her mother’s beautiful wedding dress. Creating a dress for a growing babe is a tricky business but I have...
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...
If you’re a bride-to-be who loves vibrant colours, daring silhouettes and opulent fabrics, all whilst being inspired by nature, then I’ve got three jewel bright wedding dress ideas you’re going to love (made by me). This styled wedding shoot in Upthorpe Wood is such a feast for the eyes. Featuring so many gorgeous colours and...
This bride was looking for a UK seamstress and found me online. She then approached me, asking if I could make her an elegant couture dress with ruching, pleating and a statement bow. The end result is this opulent, bespoke, bronze gold wedding dress. We combined 1950’s and Elizabethan style details to create a modern,...
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...
Eleanor commissioned a beautiful Victorian wedding dress in palest blue embroidered silk dupion. I designed Eleanor’s dress using a mixture of historical sources as inspiration. Tudor, 18th century and Victorian corsetry came together to create a dress that flattered her petite but curvy figure. I made Eleanor’s dress with a fitted and boned bodice and...
I made a bespoke silk dupion dress and coat in old gold and blue silk. Irene had very firm ideas about what she wanted to wear to her daughter’s wedding. The dress and coat ensemble was designed to take her from a cold January daytime to the black-tie evening party. The dress was made from...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
"Felicity worked her magic on my pre-loved Vinted wedding dress and transformed it into something completely bespoke and truly beautiful. Her vision and creativity were incredible, and she immediately saw the potential in the dress and knew exactly how to make it feel like me.
I felt both incredibly comfortable and glamorous on my wedding day, which was exactly what I had hoped for. Felicity was such a pleasure to work with throughout the whole process, making everything feel exciting and enjoyable.
Her shop is absolutely lovely, and her creativity is genuinely inspiring. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough!"
Thank you, Lisa 💜 it was my pleasure to make your wedding dress feel like it was made jut for you.
Looking to alter your wedding dress? Whether it`s a size adjustment, or a change in style, I would be happy to help. Drop me a DM and let`s chat 🤗
Photography - Captive Photography
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
