Sophie and I worked to restyle her Grandmotherās vintage wedding dress into a relaxed maternity wedding dress for a modern boho bride. The original vintage wedding dress Sophieās wedding dress story is too perfect for words. At her first consultation she brought me the top of her Grandmotherās wedding suit. An exquisite creation in quite...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
Isabelle thought she had found the dress she wanted for her wedding day. But her mum wanted to gift her something a bit more special for such a special day.ā
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When I met Isabelle, she showed me the dress. It was pretty, but it was made from cheaper fabrics, and there were parts of the dress she wasn`t as keen on.ā
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We worked together to identify what about her inspiration dress she liked, and I made sure to include all those elements in her design. And, on top of that, we also changed the parts of the inspiration dress that she didnāt like that much.ā
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She knew she wanted colour (whereas the original dress was white), she knew she wanted shorter sleeves, and a straight neckline, instead of the sweetheart neckline the other dress had.ā
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We came up with a pale blue silk cocktail dress, with Chantilly lace layered over top and Guipure lace trim on the waistline. ā
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It goes to show the difference between a cheaper dress and the bespoke experience. You can love both versions of the dress, and want to wear both, but with bespoke you get to make every element tailored to your preferences.ā
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Photography - @mirandavphoto
Throughout my years as a bespoke wedding dress maker, lace is a fabric I have worked with time and time again. And it never gets boring. ā
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Why?ā
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Because there are just so many different kinds, in different colours, finishes and patterns. I have books and books of lace samples from my suppliers (shout out @bridalfabrics) you could easily lose a few hours admiring.ā
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This is just a glimpse into what can be done with lace when it comes to alternative wedding dresses. If there`s a kind of lace in this post you want to know more about, ask away in the comments and I`ll make sure to reply.ā
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And make sure you scroll to the end to see the fabric that always gets mistaken for lace, even though it isn`t.ā
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Which of these lace looks is your favourite?ā
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Photographers:ā
1. @jessicajillphotoā
2. @dinawardphotographyā
3. barryholder.co.ukā
4. @jessicajillphotoā
5. @altweddingcoā
6. @snappedbycatxā
7. @emilyhudson.photographyā
8. @carolinehorne.s.photographyā
9. @emilyhudson.photography
Sure, my usual role is a bespoke wedding dress maker, creating beautiful and unique garments for brides looking for something a little different.
But sometimes I`m also a lighting assistant, a caterer, a last-minute-rush-to-the-shopper. That`s the fun of being a creative, working with other creatives.
This was from a styled photoshoot I organised, based on the iconic 90s film, Strictly Ballroom. I made these dazzling neon bridesmaids outfits based around the stunning costumes of Latin ballroom dancers. Our photographer really wanted the colours to pop in the atmospheric darkness of our location, so of course I volunteered myself as floor level tripod š
The photos turned out amazing, so it was definitely worth it!
Have you ever found yourself doing a job you never expected?
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Photography @jessicajillphoto
Video/content @weddingstorytellerco
Venues @theoldtimberstore_se1 @malt.maltby
Florals @jemimainthewoods
Event Equipment Hire @cohire
Bridesmaid models @Lisaeggy3 @Boobzylou @oleksanacoaching
Choreography @oleksanacoaching
Hair and Make-up lead @melindabridal @melinda_grant
Hair and Make-up @beccibrushes
Jewellery @CatherineMarche
Neon Sign @thisisasignuk
Shoes @shoesbylarisa
Forget-me-nots, cornflowers, bluebells, hydrangea...ā
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All those blooms in shades of lapis, azure and sapphire, growing up from the earth, and cascading down from the neckline - a bride enveloped in blossoming sky blue beauty.ā
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Layers of light, fluffy tulle floating to the ground, with every petal carefully placed to create the perfect composition. Botanical and beautiful. With balloon sleeves and a wide neckline, so the sun can still kiss her shoulders. ā
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This is a bride from a modern fairytale. Like Sleeping Beauty awakening from her slumber and taking her fate into her own hands.ā
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And the final detail, to bring it all together? A bespoke waistcoat for the groom, with hints of the same floral elements.ā A happily ever after.ā
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Photography - @rsbrown.photography.filmā
Location - @stanlakeparkā
Flowers - Nicola Hozier Flowersā
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#BespokeBridal #AlternativeBride #UnconventionalBride #MatureBride
"Just a very quick note from Rome to let you know how very admired your dress was. Lots of people said how beautiful it was. It really was the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. I definitely would like to work out how to potentially wear it again - I canāt bear the thought that Iāll never wear it again!
Thank you again - you truly are an alchemist!"
All the quiet hours designing, cutting, sewing and hand-stitching were all worth it, just to hear a bride so happy with her wedding dress.
Want to see what this dreamy dress looked like on the day? I`ll be posting the official wedding shots later this week. You won`t want to miss this one, I promise you. This gown has quickly become a new favourite of mine š
#bespokeweddingdress
What do you do with a wedding dress that`s too precious to forget, but too beautiful to leave in a box forever?ā
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Last year I shared a wedding dress transformation I had done. I upcycled a Victorian-inspired dress I`d made fifteen years earlier - something only suited to a wedding - into something infinitely more wearable.ā
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And people had feelings about it. Big feelings.ā
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I understand that when you really love how something looks, it can feel criminal to see it changed into something you wouldn`t choose for yourself.ā
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But this is what Eleanor chose for her wedding dress. And she, of all people, is the most attached to how it looked in the first place. But as she said, if she`d just had a new dress made for her anniversary, it wouldn`t have been the same. This fabric gently held her as a young adult, making a life long commitment to someone else. It rested against her chest as her heart beat hard and fast when saying "I do". It swirled around her hips as she took her first dance. It pooled around her feet as she finally sat down, exhilarated and tired. Now a wife.ā
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And now this new dress can be with her through so many more experiences, holding those old memories, whilst also making new ones.ā
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This is what I do - I help your dress live a second life. Would you ever have yours transformed?
