I’m very lucky that I attract the kind of brides who often want something that varies wildly from the traditional long white gown. So, when I met Maggie (virtually) and she told me that she was getting married in the summer and wanted something fun and bright, I was very excited! So I designed for...
I made this couture wedding dress in Surrey for Toni (during the dreaded Covid times). We went for something romantic, feminine and whimsical, in layered silk organza and soft satins. For this design, I chose a boned bodice with a straight neckline that then dips at the back. The top layer of this dress is...
Alice commissioned bespoke bridesmaids dresses surrey for her grown up bridesmaids, in gorgeous purple silk dupion. The simple strapless dresses have fitted and boned bodices, cut princess line with floor length a-line skirts. I gave them have silver silk-satin sashes that loop rather than tie at the back, finished with with diamante detailing. I was...
For Bride, Chrissy, I made a fully bespoke backless wedding top with latkan. Chrissy ordered the top from my ‘Evie’ Indian fusion wedding set on Etsy. These bridal separates are becoming some of my bestsellers – usually they’re bought by couples having a mixed culture wedding. Chrissy chose the silk satin top in white, and...
For this bespoke wedding dress photoshoot in Hertfordshire, we created an autumnal woodland wedding. We chose a colour palette of burnt orange, red, burgundy and pink, with accents of white and gold. Everything was handmade including the bunting, macrame and tablescape, for a truly bespoke feel. This wedding is for the kind of bride who...
Angie wanted a blue halter neck wedding dress for her special day. As a mature bride I encouraged her to have whatever she wanted and I love that is had the confidence to live our her fantasy wedding dress dreams. Choosing a colour instead of white can be more flattering to the mature figure and...
Safiya commissioned a bespoke bias cut wedding dress made up in white silk satin. The skirt was bias cut and cut slim to the hips but with more fullness at the hem and a medium length train. The backless bodice featured cross-over straps with chain embroidery. Official Wedding pictures by Indigo Images Original design sketch...
Amanda came to me in 2009 to have a bespoke regency wedding dress made. I designed her a dress in pale gold silk satin with an ivory/gold beaded lace top layer. I created a lightly boned bodice with square neckline and high waistline seam with contrast band. The softly draping skirt spreads to a train...
I created this couture Cruella Deville wedding dress for a Cruella themed wedding photoshoot in London. I was very lucky to get the blessing of award-winning costume design (and personal friend), Jenny Beavan. Jenny designed the costumes for the 2021 live action Cruella and her designs formed the inspiration for this bridal look. All the...
Custom Wedding Dress Sussex: Karen commissioned a beautiful dress in layers of ivory lace and satin. The dress has a boned and fitted bodice with sweet heart neckline, where the satin underlayer is just revealed inside the pretty, beaded scalloped lace edge. Half-sleeves also made from the beaded lace covered the tops of Karen’s arms....
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
Whilst I was looking up photos of my own wedding dress (it`s my wedding anniversary this week!) I started to think about other pieces of embroidery I`ve done.
I`ve had a lot of weird and wonderful embroidery commissions throughout my years as a dressmaker and seamstress, with some of my earliest work being from almost 20 years ago.
Here`s a little selection. Until I put them all together, I didn`t realise how varied they are!
1 - fuchsias and vines for above mentioned wedding dress
2 - one of many purple butterflies I sewed across another wedding dress
3 - a church based commission for two stoles
4 - this wonderful art deco-inspired piece for a green wedding dress
5 - another bridal butterfly from 2006
6 - a waistcoat for a priest with the nativity scene
7 - climbing ivy on a blue silk maternity dress
8 - this bride wanted lots of little embroidered details on her dress that had personal significance to her; including her dog
9 - the other stole from the church commission
Which is your favourite?
#embroidery #embroidered #handembroidery #weddingdressmaker
I`m a bespoke wedding dress maker, of course I made my own wedding dress!
When I first designed it, I wanted something that was completely `me`; colourful, historical and a little dramatic. I had ambitions of covering the train with embroidered stems and flowers. At the same time, I had three other wedding commissions I was working on, as well as my own bridesmaids` dresses, some waistcoats for the best men and page boys. Although I managed to get it to a point where I could wear it, I didn`t quite achieve what I wanted to by the time my wedding day came around.
I got married in 2007, and it wasn`t until lockdown in 2021 that I managed to finish what I had started. I finally completed all the intricate embroidered details I wanted. The fuchsias, the vines and little bees and butterflies. It was so satisfying to see my visioned, fully realised, at last!
Since then I`ve been luckily enough to have lots of embroidery-centred commissions, and now I`ve learnt how to manage my time far more efficiently 😂
#2026bride #bespokebridal #bridalboutique #embroidery #ukbride #alternativebride
These are my ladies 💖 working in a bridal boutique can sometimes take you to strange places...
Can you tell I don`t like Teresa?😒
#thesearemyladies #dorking #bridetobe #shoplocal #bridalshop #seamstress #weddingdressmaker
With wedding dress alterations, usually it`s about making the dress the right fit for the bride. Bringing up the hem, adding in cups for support, making the bodice smaller or bigger. That sort of thing.
But sometimes, when I`m very lucky, I get to play!
Inspiration: a wild meadow of flowers by the sea
What do you think of the end result?
Photography: @sbyrnephoto
#weddingdress #weddingdressalteration #ukbride #ukseamstress #surreybride #sussexbride #londonbride #bespokeweddingdress
Here’s my handy guide to bridal veil lengths! When it comes to your wedding, a veil is such a lovely accessory to have – it can really elevate a bridal look. Some veil lengths have different names for the same thing, so let`s clarify the different lengths can be called:
Shoulder - 16"
This one is two tiers, bubble style, in vintage tulle. Cute and fun, it has a retro vibe to it.
Elbow length - 28"
I chose a 3-tier style, giving this veil a bit more volume. Again, made in vintage tulle with a cut edge.
Fingertip length - 36"
I’ve notice this length is one of the most popular for brides, so I’m showing a few versions. The first is a single tier with a corded edge, and the second has a lace edge instead. (dipdye, cut edge, with blusher )
Waltz (or calf) length – 58”
I made this wedding veil from vintage tulle with a diamante sparkle. This is a good choice is you want something long, but you’re a little clumsy.
Floor (or puddle) length - 72"
For this video I went with a floor length veil with a blusher (2-tier) and a cut edge. This one is extra wide as well, for extra drama.
Chapel length - 90"
This one is in a cowl (or draped) style, meaning it’s placed on the head in a different way to a usual veil. I made this one from a super soft English tulle, which floats so beautifully.
Cathedral - 115"
If you’re looking for maximum drama, then this is the length for you. This is the length used in the weddings of royalty. With a metallic corded edge, I also made this one extra wide, because if you’re going to go big, you might as well go all the way.
Which is your favourite length of wedding veil? Do you plan on having one for your wedding?
#2025bride #2026bride #bespokebridal #bridalboutique #weddingveil
A few more photos of bride Danielle looking utterly ethereal on her wedding day, wearing one of my fully bespoke designs 🥰
I love how the tulle is light enough to be lifted by the wind to create these gorgeous shapes! Maybe the British weather isn`t always bad...🍃
What was the weather like on your wedding day?
(and if you haven`t had it already - what kind of weather are you hoping for?)
~
Photographer: @jessicapiazzaphotography
Venue (ceremony) - Winter Garden, York House, Twickenham
Make-up & hair: @carlafrancesca.mua
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#instabride #wedding #weddings #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddingdress #luxurywedding #bespokeweddingdress #bespokebridal #bespokebride #bespokedressmaker #beautifulbride #realbride #elegantbride #modernwedding #modernbride
