Lisa was a bridesmaid for her friend who lives overseas. So I made her a blue and gold bespoke taffeta bridesmaid dress. Lisa was sent the beautiful duck-egg/gold shot taffeta fabric and given free reign over her own dress design. The other bridesmaid’s dress was made up overseas by a local dressmaker. I made 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...
Pink silk halterneck dress and jacket with Swarovski detail Georgina commissioned this glamorous bespoke mother of the bride Kent. I made her a pink silk halterneck dress and jacket for her daughter’s summer wedding. I made it in pink silk crepe with a fuchsia lining and Swarovski crystal embellishment. I designed her slim fitting dress...
Susan asked me to make her this stunning forest green velvet mother of the bride dress. The dramatic plunge back and colourful embellishment contrasts with the understated and simple elegance of the front. Official photographs by Feather & Birch Photography I design the dress with princess seams, knee length with boat neckline at the front....
Alice commissioned three fairytale bespoke flower girl dresses, Surrey. Official Wedding pictures by www.laurencephotography.com I designed the dresses each with a simple bodice in silver silk satin and layered skirts in grey and white chiffon over gathered tulle. The skirt layers were cut and graduated in petals with tiny purple and white organza butterflies sewn...
I made this set of bespoke bridal separates Surrey. Holly commissioned a modern and romantic two piece ensemble in dove grey and blush pink. Wedding pictures by Andy Wright The sleeveless boatneck top is made from pale pink matt crepe-silk. I ensured the waterfall back detail reveals the shiny satin side of the fabric in...
Lou commissioned a simple informal midi wedding dress in a Kimono style. I chose soft sand-coloured silk satin to create this design. This dress was worn for a wedding day but was made to an evening dress budget, and so was not lined. The dress has a high boat-neckline and is loose fitting but pulled...
A beautiful 1950’s style orange wedding dress with delicate cream lace over Autumnal golden-orange silk. Photography by Gregg Brown www.greggbrownweddings.com Rebecca’s dress has a fitted and boned bodice with a face framing collar and v-neckline. Long lace sleeves are finished with scalloped edging. The skirt is a tea length full circle over many layers of...
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...
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
What should I do with my wedding dress once it`s served its purpose?
It`s a question a lot of brides ask themselves after their wedding day is done.
I`m a big fan of upcycling and repurposing, and I`ve had the chance to give second life to quite a few wedding dresses now. Including this conversion of a vintage wedding dress that had its first outing about 25 years ago.
With a big anniversary party coming up, this client wanted to be able to wear her dress, but transformed. Keeping it for the priceless sentimental value it holds, but also updating it to reflect who she is now.
So, with a few little changes, she had something completely new and very chic.
We took the bodice off completely and finished the waistline to make a lovely skirt, still with the details of the original dress. To make it more wearable for other events, we also brought the hem up and took train completely off.
I think she looks so stylish, and I hope she finds occasion to wear this little piece of her own history for years to come.
If your wedding dress has been left untouched for years (or decades even), and you would love to be able to honour it a new way, then get in touch and let me work my dressmaking alchemy.
#alteration #upcycling #weddingdressmaker #bespokeweddingdress #upcycle #vintageweddingdress #slowfashion #reuse #sustainablefashion
I`m continuing to celebrate @michele_and_graziella this week by featuring the photoshoot where I finally got to hire them for my own Strictly Ballroom wedding photoshoot.
Not only were they the perfect models for my vision, with a gorgeous mix of masc and femme, and so much natural chemistry, they were also so professional and lovely to work with. And although neither of them are dancers, they conveyed the spirit of the Latin dances we were paying homage to expertly.
They are both so experienced and talented that every photograph they`re in is just stunning. It is such a pleasure to see my bespoke designs modelled by them. Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future 🤞🏻
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Photography @jessicajillphoto
Video/content @weddingstorytellerco
Venues @theoldtimberstore_se1 @malt.maltby
Florals @jemimainthewoods
Event Equipment Hire @cohire
Bride Models @michele_and_graziella
Bridesmaid models @Lisaeggy3 @Boobzylou @oleksanacoaching
Choreography @oleksanacoaching
Hair and Make-up lead @melindabridal @melinda_grant
Hair and Make-up @beccibrushes
Celebrant dave_the_celebrant
Guitar @shanetheojoseph
Stationery @theinkmoth
Jewellery @CatherineMarche
Cake @gwynethjohnsoncakedesign
Neon Sign @thisisasignuk
Headdress @Creationsbylivfree
Millinery @beverleyedmondsonmillinery
Shoes @shoesbylarisa
Confetti @proper.confetti
So far, as part of my celebration for Pride, I`ve featured queer wedding inspiration and queer clients, but I want to amplify real LGBTQ+ talent too.
@michele_and_graziella are a real couple and also a model couple, who I met during a cabaret-themed wedding shoot. Then, a few month`s later, they happened to be the models hired for a completely different shoot I was involved in. It was so lovely to see them again, and hear their excitement about wearing more of my designs.
I was so impressed with how well they managed to nail the vibes of two such contrasting wedding set ups. One bold, loud and full of attitude, and the other soft and gentle.
When it came time for me to pick models for my own Strictly Ballroom-inspired wedding shoot, asking Michele and Graziella was a no-brainer. But that`s for another post...
Which of these two photoshoots is more your vibe?
Cabaret shoot:
Organiser & hairstylist @bighair.energy
Model couple @michele_and_graziella
Bridal party models @isabella_posenato @nnastia.photography @kelly_marie_wheeler.model
Wedding dress @felicitywestmacott
Celebrant @jessmayspecialdays
Stationery @theamyverseweddings
Photographer @magpie.eye.weddings
MUA @joannehook_mua
Videographer @richieashwinuk
Cake @theblueboxcakecompany
Accessories @thelucky6pence
Styling/floristry @ashdownevents
Streamers @streamadelica_uk
Coordinator @dani.singam
Periwinkle shoot:
Concept, Planning and Styling: @lucywellsweddings
Venue: @thebarnatsomersbury
Floral design: @helleboreandrose
Floral assistant: @intothewildflowerfarm
Photographer: @chloemartin_photography_
Videographer: @molehillmedia
Models:@michele_and_graziella
Celebrant: @celebratewithverity
Hair and makeup:@idomakeupandhair_
Cakes: @lauraspantry
Bridal wear:@felicitywestmacott
Stationery: @theamyverseweddings
Ribbons: @laikstyle
Table linen: @theknottednapkinco
Decor, props and styling assistance: @surreyweddingcompany
Bridal shoes: @theprettyweddingshoecompany
Tableware: @crystalhireltd
Jemma had her wedding anniversary party coming up and wanted to restyle her wedding dress into something new and fun.
She brought in her wedding dress and told me about her planned party outfit being a gorgeous magenta jumpsuit. So my challenge was to figure out how to blend these two, quite contrasting styles, into one look.
As we talked through her options, we landed on a custom dipdye overskirt with an open front. This would mean she could keep the drama of the dress train, and the beauty of the sequined lace, whilst also being able to dance to her heart’s content.
For the dipdye, she chose to reverse the usual order of colours, going from darkest at the top, to lightest travelling down, in purples and pinks to compliment the jumpsuit.
I unpicked the lace layer from the original dress, hand dyed the tulle, and added it underneath the skirt. For a final touch, I sewed on some pretty scalloped lace around the waistline to create the join with Jemma’s jumpsuit.
I love seeing a wedding dress continuing its life beyond its wedding day. This was such a brilliant idea, and the result is so vibrant and playful.
Has your wedding dress had a second life since the big day?
#dipdyeweddingdress #upcycledweddingdress #colourfulweddingdress #weddingdressrestyle
Gemma and Vikkie were married in a venue steeped in family tradition and history. They were wed in The Guild Hall in Windsor, and the reception was in a local pub, The George, which is one of their favourites.
I love personal details like that. In the same way that getting a bespoke wedding outfit it such an amazing way of reflecting who you truly are.
There`s something very satisfying about the simplicity of the wedding ensemble I made for Gemma. When the star of the show is that beautiful lace, there`s no need to go crazy with design or embellishment - the fabric does all the work (with a little help from me, of course!).
Not only that, but Gemma and Vickie managed to co-ordinate their wedding looks perfectly, as though the two outfits had been made together. Perfect!
I am honoured to have created this outfit for Gemma, and been a small part of adding their wedding to the family tradition.
~
Photographer: @ragdollphotography
#bridetobe #modernbride #bridestyle #bespokebride #alternativebride #realbride #plussizebride #weddingtrousers #weddingtop #weddingseparates #windsorwedding
As Pride month continues, it only feels fitting (pun intended!) to celebrate real LGTBQ+ couples.
Gemma wanted something light, clean and pretty, and although bespoke wedding dresses are my bread and butter, I`m always delighted when someone comes to me with something a little different.
We came up with a simple and elegant two piece wedding ensemble made in ivory silk satin-back crepe and beaded lace. Comprising of a straight leg trouser with pleated detail waistline and a satin cami top layered with beautiful, sparkling lace.
If you`re looking for an outfit that reflects your style and compliments your own wife-to-be, then get in touch!
~
Photographer: @ragdollphotography
#weddinginspiration #weddingday #bride #lesbianwedding #wifeandwife #queerlove #lgbtqwedding #gaywedding #lgbt
